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Shine On

I was lucky enough to spend Saturday evening with one Ms. Samantha House, who in addition to being down for a harrowing drive to the near-ghetto only to listen to really awful local bands, also designs the most gorgeous and inspiring (and shiny!) jewelry you have ever seen.

And no, I am not exagerrating.

Her pieces are bold and unique with a little twist of whimsy and they make a statement without being obnoxious or overwhelming. And they all sparkle. Which I love.

Behold, a few of my favorites.










These pieces are a splurge for sure, but I think we can all agree they are a splurge well worth it. This is the perfect jewelry to dress up a casual night-on-the-town outfit, or add the final piece of fancy to a dressed-to-the-hilt (is that a phrase?) ensemble. And you simply cannot beat high-quality, carefully and imaginatively constructed jewelry made by hand, with love, in the heart of New York City.

The mind boggles, I know.

And get this, Samantha is so good, she can make this stuff on the bus, probably in her sleep with all eight of the Gosselin children screaming in the background.

So stop reading this and go get some already!
And once you've had a peek, come back and tell us which piece is your favorite and where you would flaunt it?

Flat Foot

With Spring comes the inevitable search for good flats. Because frolicking about in grassy meadows and bustling cities and sunshine is no task for precarious heels or stuffy boots. Flats it must be!


But I am the only one who finds the perfect flat somewhat elusive? The perfect black flat especially. You know the one that's dressy enough for work, casual enough for play, looks good with jeans, skirts and dress pants and is comfortable enough to walk in for miles? (Where ARE you?) I am on the prowl this Spring, as ever, especially because I am looking to replace some well-worn and well-loved flats that just won't make it through another season. (Saying good-bye to shoes is such sweet sorrow.)


I offer no guarantees that any of these are the magic bullet solution, but for those of you in the same (foot) bind, here are some options.


For starters, Aldo Shoes is having a sale of a bunch of stylin' flats for $50 or less. Nothing to sniff at there. There are some good staples (could my black flat quandry finally be resolved?) and some more pop-of-color options as well.

I was also quite taken with this option from Aldo, a little punk twist on the traditional black flat. I am always a fan of ankle straps.

J. Crew has a bunch of classic ballet flats in some not-so-classic patterns, like these fire-y stunners.

For a wide selection at easy prices, I am always a fan of Overstock.com, especially if you are looking to remake your Spring shoe wardrobe.

If you are looking for a total splurge, I am in LOVE with these golden brogues from Aldo. (Can't you just see these with black skinnies, a striped boat neck and a bright Spring Jacket?)

Though this traditional brown oxford from Steve Madden is probably a more versatile choice, and still scores high style points.

Feeling flat-tered?
What is your Spring must-have shoe and where can we find it?

Hair Today

I am in the middle of growing out my hair. As a life-long Person With Short Hair, this is a somwhat painful, excruciating process. I have attempted and failed many times, but this time I think I am going to make it all the way. And when I do, I am going to reward myself with one of these stunningly adorable hair accessories from Spellbound.









I am rather partial to the cocktail hat-inspired options, but celebrating Spring with a flock of butterflies in my hair is also a highly appealing option.

If you are jonesing for some hair magic right now, head over to Have A Cute Day and enter their Spellbound giveaway.

You're welcome!

P.S. Also, does anyone have tips for making your hair grow faster? I am already downing the prenatal vitamins but I swear I have the slowest growing hair, like, ever.

Hey Baby, What's Your Style?

Personal style, I have decided, is something that is always evolving. Sure, we all have our signature flair, whether it be colorful shoes or skinny jeans or oversized accessories, or flowered headbands. But I think our style is always changing, even if just a little bit at a time.

For example, I don't dress the same way I did when I started college 10 (all right, fine, 11) years ago. Because I am not a college student anymore. And I don't dress the same way I did when I got my first job five years ago, because I don't work at a casual-dress-code newspaper anymore.

With me so far?

Lately, I have been feeling a style shift coming on. I have the urge to get rid of everything and start all over. But where do I want to start from? What style do I want most of all? Preppy with a funky twist? Urban chic with a dash of hippie? Independent bookstore owner in the Pacific Northwest? Or easy-breezy California cool? Maybe big city professional all the time? Or, pushing the envelope risk-taker?

Have you ever found yourself in the same boat?

While our style is, ultimately, about us and what we are trying to say, Shabby Apple would like to help you find the style that is the most "you." And then help you find the women's dresses to match it.

So, without further ado, I present....

.....

.....

(Is this fun, or what?)

....

The Shabby Apple What's Your Style? widget!

Don't ask me what a widget is, because I don't know. But I do know that simply by answering a few easy questions, like where you would go on an ideal vacation, and what art you would use to decorate a new apartment, we can help you get a jump start on determining your signature style.

We'll even point you in the direction of brands (and Shabby Apple dresses, of course) that will help you put your best fashion foot forward.

Go ahead! Take the quiz!
And then come back and let us know: What's Your Style?

Attention Designers!! Wanna Be A Star?

If you are a designer, and if you have a goal for fame and world domination (which, let's be honest, I think we all do), and, most importantly, if you want the inside line on how Heidi Klum can hit the runway so soon after she has her babies (which, let's be honest, I think we all do), then you might be interested to know that Season 8 of Project Runway is currently casting.

And they are looking for you!



I think your task is clear. Get out there and make it happen!

And don't forget your friends here at Shabby Apple when you hit the big time. (Because seriously, I want to know how Heidi does it.)

See you on the small screen!

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall...

Dress Number Two is the least fair of them all!



To refresh your memory (do we really want to do that?), here is the Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress of all time!

A big congrats though, to Michelle Williams Rognon, who will be rewarded for her diligent friendship (because it takes friendship to wear that dress, and that is all I am going to say), with the Golden Gate bridesmaid dress of her choice, in the fabulous color of her choice!

(Michelle, just pop your e-mail address in the comments section and we'll hook you up! And rest assured, this dress you really will be able to wear again!)

And now, a big hand (and condolences) to all our participants! (Next time I will figure out how to use Survey Monkey for real. Promise.)

For those of you coveting a Golden Gate dress of your own, be not dismayed. These gorgeous gowns are good for so much more than saving you from bridesmaid Hades.

I am already planning to rock important business meetings in this carefully tailored, pleat-topped dress...

And this the flirty ruffles of this dress seem like the perfect companion for a Spring brunch and an afternoon browsing used book stores...




What is your favorite Golden Gate dress?
And, weddings, aside, where do you plan to wear it?

Remember, Remember...

... that there are only a few more hours to vote for the Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress of All Time! We will be shutting the contest down at high noon, Mountain Standard Time. So, get to perusing and vote casting, and all of that.

And, once your eyes have been sufficiently doused in the not-so-awesome, hop over to Shabby Apple and recover with the whimsical and wonderful Golden Gate bridesmaid dresses, now available for your viewing (and purchasing!) pleasure!

The winner of the Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress of All Time contest will be announced first thing Monday morning.

Happy weekend, kittens!

Which Is The Least Fair Of Them All?

As a person who very firmly refuses to ever look at again, not to mention let anyone else ever look at any photograph taken of me between the ages of, oh let's say seven and 27, because they are just too humiliating, let me first offer my sincere admiration to all the contestants in our Ugly Bridesmaid Dress contest.

Three cheers! You ladies are gutsy!

And so are your bride friends for asking you to wear such things.

But one of you will be the winner of a brand new, and beautiful bridesmaid dress from Shabby Apple! So, it was all worth it.

Right?

Below, please feast your eyes on our contest finalists. Once you are done cringing, vote for your favorite (Click here to take survey). We will announce the lucky lady by the end of the week.


Dress 1

Dress 2

Dress 3

Dress 4

Dress 5

Dress 6

And then all of you should burn those pictures.

No offense.

But seriously.

May the worst dress win!