Cyber Deals, Cyber Steals

I pretty much (purposefully) missed the boat on Black Friday, and I haven't done too well on Cyber Monday either. Big sales make me all stressed out and I feel like I buy things I don't need or want just because they're on mega sale. And that doesn't seem to be a very good way to go about it.

But, if you have a better system down than me, and you're still looking for some rocking deals, you might consider hopping over to one of my new favorite Internet retailers, Tulle. They are having a site-wide 70 percent off sale, plus free shipping, until midnight tonight.

Certainly you have a sister-in-law who would look stunning in this overlap-collar coat, or maybe your hip mom is in the market for a cozy waist-tie cardigan. I am also really becoming converted to the side pleated skirt trend, and there is no reason why you shouldn't pick up this on-trend watercolor print ruffled tunic for yourself while you're at it. You deserve it!

But really, there is no reason you should be reading this instead of squeezing in a few more hours of discount shopping.

Off you go!

But be sure to come back and tell us about your best deals and steals.

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

Happy Monday, campers!

Have you started thinking about your annual Christmas card?

Have you even started thinking that Christmas is next month?

Well, good news for all of you. Today we have a lovely guest post from the lovely Brynn Snyder, of the graphic design outfit Whitefield Design. She shares some really great tips for designing a knock-out Christmas card, and there is a little surprise for you at the end, so be sure to read all the way to the bottom!

As Christmas rounds the corner many of us are tempted to put up our decorations and play Christmas music prior to Thanksgiving. Another way to get in the holiday spirit is to start prepping your Christmas or New Years card. When picking out your holiday cards there are many things to consider: design (including color and style), print type (digital, off-set or flat ink), finish (uncoated or gloss), size (4x6 or 5x7 postcard, folding card, long rectangle, square, etc.) and cost (printing and postage).

For this post, let's focus on the design aspect of holiday cards Recent trends in design include using the front and back of the card, including a lot of graphics (stripes, chevron and other patterns), and showcasing family photos. With all the holiday card options out there, choosing just one can be overwhelming.

To simplify the process, start by considering your color palette.

You may find a card online that you love, but the colors aren't right for you. One possible solution is to use a local or custom designer who can work with you to design the card that meets all your needs. Here are some great holiday color combinations. It's OK to add in other colors besides the obvious red and green!

Now that we understand a little bit abut color, let's look at some different design options.

Photo heavy: The emphasis should be on you and your family, so choose a font and perhaps a few small design aspects that fit your style. In the first example below, this couple wanted to say Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and to let people know they were having a baby. They didn't want to have to write anything else. In the second example, the family also wanted the front to be sumple. The style of the back of this card is fairly popular, and worked well for this family as they wanted to share news without a lot of prose.

Multiple Photos: Including multiple photos is a fun way to tell a bit of a story with your card. Each of these cards is pattern-heavy, but each is very different from the other. You have whimsical (the wording in the banner could be changed), a modern chevron and a classy stripe. Note that the font choice makes a big difference in the style of each card.








Photo/graphic blend: This is the most common style for holiday cards available in a huge variety of styles, colors and fonts.

Tips and tricks:

To save on postage (and on time spent stuffing envelopes), go with a 4x6 postcard style. You can do a postcard style in a bigger size, but then you'll have to pay regular postage. If you choose a postcard go with a gloss finish. It travels much better and will reach its destination still looking great.

Bigger isn't always better. Stick with 5x7 or smaller, and reserve bigger sizes for special events such as weddings.

A colorful envelope is an easy way to spice up the presentation of your card. Cost is typically just a bit more than a white envelope.

To save time, purchase a custom stamp with your address (usually about $30 to $40) so you aren't writing your return address 100 times over. Another option is an address band, which is a really popular style right now.

Thanks, Brynn!

And now, for your promised reward. If you liked what you saw here (and I don't see how you couldn't), head over to Whitefield Designs, do a little shopping and when you're done, enter the coupon code "Shabby Apple Holiday" and receive 20 percent off your purchase. Just a little pre-Christmas treat.

And then come back and tell us, what will your Christmas cards look like this year?

Antiquated, But Never Gets Old

Because I generally feel generous on Wednesdays, I am going to let you in on a little secret.

Today's special sale dress is Antiquated, a stunning lacy little black dress that is one of our favorite oldies but goodies around here.



Head over to Facebook to find out how you can get one of your own for a cool 25 percent off.

And then enjoy the rest of your Wednesday! My evening involves a pizza date with my husband. I hope yours is as good.

Four Calling Birds

Christmas has come a little early to Shabby Apple, which you might know if you follow our Facebook page.

And if you don't, why not?

Through November 23rd we'll be offering 25 percent off on a new item every day, 12 Days of Christmas-style. And I'll be giving you little updates here from time to time, though you'll have to check out our Facebook page (seriously, why aren't you there RIGHT NOW?) for all the details, including the day's promotional code.

Today's dress is one of my favorites, especially for fall. The orange hue and leafy ruffles of our scoop-necked Cider dress make it perfect for the final glorious days of bike riding, farmers' markets and leaf peeping before Old Man Winter arrives.

And, today only, this dress can arrive on your doorstep for 25 percent off!

Merry Christmas. And a Happy Thanksgiving, too.

Advent-ageous

I know we are not through Thanksgiving yet, and heaven knows I love a holiday dedicated to eating things like pumpkin pie, but I am determined to be all ready for Christmas by the time December 1st rolls around, so I've already started thinking about presents and decorations and treats and Christmas movies I want to watch.

Deal with it.

Mostly, I have been trying to find the perfect advent calendar to make. We always had advent calendars growing up, and sometimes my mom still sends me a package with one it in (the king with chocolate naturally.)

But this year I decided I wanted to go all domestic (not to mention cuh-razy on Pinterest) and make one of my own that we can use year-after-year. Sort of a new advent calendar tradition. Or, I guess the tradition could be to make a new advent calendar every year. I haven't decided yet.

Deal with it.

But I did find all these awesome advent calendar options.

My favorite is this embroidered advent calendar from PurlBee, but it looks really complicated and sort of hard, not to mention rather large. I think I would have to modify it somehow, but I like where this one is going.

I am also rather fond of this pennant advent calendar from Peppermint Pinwheels on Etsy. Sadly, there are no instructions for making it, though it seems like you could probably figure something out. And when you do, let me know!

For the make-a-new-advent-calendar-every-year idea, this stamped envelope advent calendar from DesignSponge seems like a good and relatively easy option. And I like how you can put a little activity or special surprise in each envelope. I suppose another idea would be to keep the envelopes from year to year and just change what's inside to keep things exciting.

And for sheer ingenuity, I think this recycle bin advent calendar from Craftastica takes the cake. I don't know if I have so many lovely things in my recycle bin, but it would be cool to create this same type of calendar every year with what you happened to have on hand. Then you get the best of both worlds: a new advent calendar every year that is still sort of familiar.

I need to make up my mind soon if I have any prayer of getting this done by Christmas.

Can you help me?

What are your favorite homemade advent calendar ideas?

Techno Tote

Every morning I wake up and I put on a cute work outfit and feel so stylish and nice and then I have to cover the whole thing up with a massive (and decidedly unstylish) backpack because I have to haul my laptop and approximately 100 pounds of paper back and forth from the office.

And it makes me kind of mad.

So, imagine my delight when I stumbled across this lovely collection of feminine and more-stylish-than-a-backpack laptop bags (for women!).

I am particularly fond of this Ellington leather messenger bag.

And this flocked houndstooth tote from Maya.

What are your favorite technology toting products?

Reading The Green (Tea) Leaf

Something big is happening at Shabby Apple on Wednesday.

And no, I am not so mean as to mention something like that and then say, "Oh, but I can't tell you about it" or "But you'll just have to wait until Wednesday to find out!"

Because people who do that sort of thing are not my friends, and I'd like to think you and I are friends, so I am going to give you the goods. And someday you'll return the favor, I am sure.

So, back to the big news. Which I am not withholding.

It is that we are launching a new line! A fancy, glamorous Hollywood-worthy line, just in time for all your holiday party needs. We're calling it Green Leaf II.

You'll have to check back to see this follow-up line (sequel to our retro-inspired line of dresses, Green Leaf, naturally) but, in the meantime, here are a few sneak peeks.

Is your whistle whetted? Stay tuned for more!

See You Tomorrow?

Hello, my dears!

For those of you living in Salt Lake, or near Salt Lake, or for those of you looking for an excuse for a last-minute trip to Salt Lake, we are having a little sale (in Salt Lake) tomorrow, and we'd love to see you there!

There will be plenty of specially-priced overstock, as well as some (slightly) damaged (and well-priced) dresses for you to choose from. And, to sweeten the already sweet pot, we are throwing in a few holiday dresses from our new Tinseltown line for you to take home as well.

I will be wearing this skirt to watch "The Nutcracker"...

And probably this dress to the National Philharmonic's performance of "The Messiah."

And you are bound to find a Tinseltown favorite as well.

Oh, would you like some details? Very well.

The sale is tomorrow, November 3, from 11a.m. to 7p.m. in the Little Cottonwood Room of the Holladay City Building, 4580 South 2300 East, Holladay, Utah. 84117. (The United States. The World. The Universe.) You can park in the rear.

So, come one, come all! We can't wait to see you.