Slim Fast

I know it might be hard for some of you stuck in the snow to believe (sorry, Salt Lakers!), but swimsuit season is nearly upon us!

Even though I crave warm weather all Winter long, I find that it creeps up on me every year. One minute I am enjoying sugar cookies for dinner, and the next I am trying to put on a swimsuit without crying.

Who's with me?

(Someone? Please?)

So you don't suffer the same fate, here is the first in a series of summer slim-down tips, courtesy of OK! Weekly magazine. (Yes, I get it, I read it and I do not feel badly about it. So there.)

Diet: Cut out coffee (And Diet Coke, too).
And try some green tea instead. While coffee elevates stress and increases cravings, green tea has the opposite effect. Also replace artificial sweeteners with honey or agave, and be sure to drink plenty of water. Your body can sometimes mistake thirst for hunger.

Workout: Start strength training.
Instead of hating every minute on the treadmill, start with two days a week of total-body strength training. Weight training will help you slim down and building muscle will speed up your metabolism so you keep burning calories even after your workout is over.

Motivation: Set a realistic goal.
A pound a week is a good place to start, but shedding weight doesn't have to be your main motivation. Any small lifestyle change will add up to a noticeable difference wherever you want to see it most.

There now, that wasn't so bad. Right?
What are your summer-ready fitness tips?

Always A Bridesmaid

Everyone raise your hand if you've heard these words come out of the mouth of a well-meaning bride: You can totally wear it again!

Yeah. Right.

But you deserve to get something for suffering through unflattering shapes, colors and fabrics, right?

Right!

In honor of the launch of the new Golden Gate Bridesmaid line from Shabby Apple, we are hosting a competition to find the ugliest bridesmaid dress of all. The winner will get a free Shabby Apple Golden Gate dress of her choice. (In one of nine gorgeous colors, no less.)

Here is what to do. Between now and April 5th, you must post a picture of you (yes, you, not some poor sucker you found on the Internet. And we will find you and punish you if you cheat) in the ugliest bridesmaid dress you have ever had to wear at a wedding. Pictures should be posted on the Shabby Apple Facebook page. (And hey, why don't you become a fan of Shabby Apple on Facebook while you're at it. Just saying.) You must also post a link to the Shabby Apple dress (any one will do) that you would rather have worn.

Remember, no link means no entry.

On April 5th our talented judges will go through and select five finalists. Then you'll have a chance to vote on the least fair dress of them all, just in time for the April 9th launch of the Golden Gate line.

So, to sum up: picture of you in an ugly bridesmaid dress+link to a lovely Shabby Apple dress=a chance at a free dress for you!

May the best girl, and the worst dress, win!

Reminder

Just a reminder to all of our loyal fans! Tomorrow is the big day. You may have looked out the window this morning and seen the snow just like we did. Don't worry--we're not the kind of girls that would let a little snow ruin a good party. We'll be at the Shops at the Riverwoods at 10 AM tomorrow morning (we hope you'll be there too)--rain or shine.

There will be door prizes for our most prompt shoppers. Easter egg hunt starts at 10 AM and there will be eggs filled with candy, toys, Shabby Apple coupons and even a certificate for a free dress!

We'll see you there!!

Black Is The New Black

There is no wardrobe staple quite like a black dress, is there? Good for work, play, formal and not, it doesn't get much better than a little black dress. I have several, and I still feel like I don't have enough.

But a black dress can also be a boring dress if you're not careful. Here are some of Washington's finest, with some tips on how to work the LBD.

What is your favorite option?

And how do you like to dress up your LBD?

Have you Heard?

Next Saturday there's a pretty big deal happening in Provo, UT. Have you heard? You may be thinking I'm talking about the Festival of Colors at the Krishna Temple but I'm not. That's a big deal too but the big deal I'm talking about happens before that and involves free candy for kids and discounted Shabby Apple dresses. Anyone? Anyone? That's right! It's the Shabby Apple Easter Egg Hunt and Trunk Show at the Riverwoods in Provo.

It's not too often that you get to try on Shabby Apple dresses to your heart's content without paying for shipping fees but this, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly that occasion. We've partnered up with the Riverwoods in Provo and this event is going to be stellar.

Maybe you've been thinking about this dress for your little lady for Easter--It'll be there; she can try it on and you can see just how darling it looks IRL.

Let's say you've been thinking that this dress would be perfect for you for Spring (you're right by the way) but you don't know what size to order and you don't want to pay shipping. Done and done. Just come to the Riverwoods on Saturday March 27th from 10-2 and it's yours.

Ok, enough shamless publicizing (almost). There are just 2 more things that I need you to do. 1) We don't do these types of events that often and the last time we did (in August mind you) it rained. So cross your fingers for good weather. Easter Egg Hunts in the rain = no muy bueno and 2) You're the most well-connected people we know and we'd like to use that. So, if you write a post about this event on your blog and grab this darling little button

we'll enter you in a drawing to win this little number from our Baja line.

That's right. A free dress just for posting about our party on your blog. Easy enough right? Just leave us a link in the comment section and you're entered! Winner will be announced at the event and they can pick up their dress there (or we'll ship it to you if you're not around).

But you should come. We'll see you on Saturday--rain or shine. (but we hope it's shine)

Charmed, I'm Sure

I was catching up over on Have A Cute Day yesterday (how do those sisters do it?) when I came across this photo of Kjrsten and her darling state charm necklace, one charm for each state where she has lived.

Jewelry as nostalgia-- I love it!

So I took quickly to the Internet and started a search for a state charm necklace of my very own. I couldn't find anything quite so colorful as what Kjrsten is modeling here, but I did dig up a few options.

For some sleek, silver state charms, check out Victoria's Vintage Charms.



Or, if a ready-made version is more up your alley, check out these loaded bracelets from Eclecticala. Each one has a different theme with corresponding charms, including some state charms and other USA landmarks like Mount Rushmore.

If you are looking for something more colorful, and you happen to be from Rhode Island, you are in luck at at Vintage Charm Jewelry.

And you Floridians might be interested in this brightly colored find.

I loved these next state charms because they had a little more detail inside the state lines (I adore the Colorado cowboy!), but they don't have every state.

I am putting my own necklace together with Utah, Michigan, Virginia, Massachusetts and Colorado.
What would your state charm necklace include?

In The Bag

Let me paint a picture for you.

Me. Rushing out the door. Late for work or a party or to meet people for dinner. Or anything, really. Purse on one shoulder. A computer or a birthday gift or a plate full of cookies in the opposite hand. Keys precariously dangling from a finger. Crouching, squatting, bending trying to lock the front door or open the car door. The purse slips off and catches on my elbow. The computer/birthday gift/plate of cookies threatens to crash to the ground. Exasperated sighs. Mounting frustration. Ultimately, danger and disaster narrowly avoided.

Sound familiar?

Well, do I have some good news for you. This Spring's hottest bags-- cross body purses that act as a hands-free hybrid of messenger and shoulder bag styles-- are all about practicality. Take it from Deborah Kalkstein, owner of Contemporaria, a Georgetown boutique with a little bit of everything, including furniture, accessories and, naturally, Spring's hottest bags! Read more about her take on the season's new cross body purses, and then check out a slide show of some more spring bag trends.

And then tell us, what do you think of cross body purses?

Are you pumped to go hands free, or is the classic shoulder bag more your cup of tea?

The Fashionista's Guide to Spanish

The Moment Of TRUTH had arrived.

I was standing in an old second-hand shop in Irkusk, Russia (Yes, Siberia. No, no real explanation as to why) with THE PREFECT DRESS in my hands, wanting to try it on. The light in the basement shop was bad, the musty smell overwhelming, and the disinterested, half-blind old woman attendant stared at me as I walked through and touched everything. The dress had spoken to me. Soft, washed, cornflower blue silk; buttons up the front; pockets. It had to be mine.

The game of charades to ask if I could try it on was comical. I mimed the action of trying on a dress and posing in front of a mirror, oh la la-ing at myself. When she returned this with a blank stare, I did the only thing I could think of (the most American thing I could possibly do) and flashed her the thumbs up, hoping she would take that as an "is this okay" indicator. There was no dressing room (this I did not know) and so she finally acquiesced and held up an old shawl in a corner so I could slip it on. It fit like magic. Oh. No.

But there was no price tag. Another game of charades. No haggling allowed when you have to pantomime. After 20 minutes we understood each other as only woman can when clothing is involved and I walked out of the shop, with more resolve to learn Russian than I had had in my two previous years of college classes. Next time, I wouldn't have to mime....

In that vein, Fashionistas, and in honor of our new Baja Line, We've put together the FASHIONISTA'S GUIDE TO SPANISH. Hopefully it will come in handy sometime soon!

"Can I try this on?" -- ¿Puedo probar esto?

"Where are the dressing rooms?" -- ¿Dónde están los camerinos?

"I love the cut, but does it come in another color?" -- ¿Me encanta el corte, pero no viene en otro color?

"Do you have this in a size...." -- ¿Tiene usted esta en un tamaño de...?

"Does this make me look fat?" -- ¿Esto me hace parecer gorda?

"I'll buy it!" -- Lo compro!

"Do you take credit cards?" -- ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito?

"I want something with higher/lower heels" -- Quiero algo con major/menor talones.

"Do you have a bag that matches these shoes?" -- ¿Tiene una bolsa que coincida con estos zapatos?

"Is that for sale?" -- ¿es esta a la venta?

"How much is it?" -- ¿Cuánto es?

"Where can I buy a copy of Vogue Magazine" -- ¿Dónde puedo comprar un ejemplar de la revista Vogue?

"Do you know a good tailor/dry cleaner/shoe repair...?" -- ¿Conoces a un buen sastre / tintorería / reparación de calzado...?


So there you have it, ladies. Now you have no excuse not to take that trip to Madrid or Caracas...

South of the Border Celebration

The SUN IS OUT, the icy depths of winter are over, and it is time to CELEBRATE.

And though Cinco de Mayo is still two months away, we got a little over-eager and decided to create a South of the Border Celebration in honor of the new BAJA LINE of dresses at Shabby Apple that launched today. So here, Ladies (and Gentlemen?) is the Shabby Apple Fashionista's guide to hosting a fiesta.

Regardless of whether this is an indoor, low-key, get-gussied-up-for-no-real-reason, two-person dinner party, or an outdoor, flame-licked extravaganza, a few perfectly picked elements will make it an event to remember... We've gathered a few of our favorites here; pick and choose what works for you and get to it!

DECOR:

Maybe pinatas were a great addition to the fiestas of yesteryear, when you weren't actually strong enough to break them on the first try, but now you can trade up for these beautiful tissue paper pom-poms that are alarmingly easy to make.

Add a few tea lights in folded over paper bags, extra limes sliced and put in vases, or even a mexican blanket or two as a table runner and you are set. If you're outside, string christmas lights around the dining area to create an outdoor room and give the evening a lovely luster.

MUSIC:

keep it lively with some bright, brassy tunes or more chill with vibes from groups like Buena Vista Social Club or Afro Cuban All Stars. When in doubt, the Macarena may save the day (and provide you with some classic blackmail video footage later on...) Check out the itunes store for more great playlists of Fiesta-friendly music.

FOOD: Fiestas are un-fussy, un-stuffy, kick up your heels, dig-in-with-all-ten-fingers kind of occasions, and no half-hearted, pre-packaged, Oscar Mayer cop-out will do. A Fiesta is all about going BOLD with your foods. Here is a sample menu of some of my favorites.

Mango Pomegranate Guacamole (oh-so-tasty, oh-so-zippy)

Escarole Salad with White Beans and Lime Vinaigrette

Black Bean Soup with Cumin

Pulled Brisket Tacos or Fish Tacos

Coconut Milk Fudge or Flan for dessert

I love the Mango-Pom Guacamole, I'm just going to put the recipe down right here, so you don't even have to follow the link...

4 ripe avocados (2 pounds total)

1 cup finely chopped white onion

2 fresh serrano chiles, finely chopped (2 tablespoons), including seeds

1/4 cup fresh lime juice, or to taste

3/4 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1 pomegranate)

3/4 cup diced peeled mango

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Halve, pit, and peel avocados. Coarsely mash in a bowl. Stir in onion, chiles, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, then fold in pomegranate seeds, mango, and cilantro. Season with salt and additional lime juice

And of course FASHION:

Pull out your cute new straw fedora and pair it with the prefect pair of oxford pumps and a new Shabby Apple Baja Line dress!

South of the Border Style

It is that time of year when cold, gray weather is getting pretty darn old and we all start longing for the warmth and sunshine of Spring and Summer.

Dear Winter, we are over you.

To escape the bleak mid-winter blahs I am off to Australia!

(Yes, you should feel very jealous. Go ahead.)

But before I leave, I am going to let you in on a little secret that will help you get through these last few yucky weeks (months? I hope not) of Old Man Winter.

On March 9th, Shabby Apple is releasing a new slew of fabulous women's dresses. The desert inspired Baja Line will transport you to Old Mexico before you can say, "Another margarita, please!" Fancy yourself skipping through an Old Spanish Mission with the Sundace Kid on your arm, and the bleak winter will be nothing but a bad memory.

If you're looking for a little advanced sunshine in your wardrobe, pick up a swingin' fedora like this one,



and some cargos like this,



or this cargo skirt,



to bring a little south-of-the-border flair to what you wear.

(Rhyme!)

I am passing the blog into very capable hands while I am away, so keep checking back for more information about the Baja Line and much more!