[Shabby] Apple a Day

Maxi Skirt, Mega Fun

2012-01-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this perfectly pleated, versatile maxi skirt might be just the perfect thing to wear to, well, just about anywhere.

Less than a week until we reveal this whole line! Do you think we can wait that long?

Ladies Who Brunch

2012-01-25T06:30:00.000-08:00

Brunch is basically one of the best meals ever, am I right?

And while a leisurely summer brunch al fresco is certainly a delight, a cozy indoor winter brunch is pretty lovely, too. Especially since you can have a hot chocolate on the side and not look like a total weirdo.

I hosted a bridal shower brunch a couple of weeks ago and tried out a bunch of new recipes that were, well, delicious. If I do say so myself. And they made up one of the best looking brunches I have ever seen.

Wouldn't you agree?

So, because I am just this nice, here are some new brunch recipes to spice up your winter mornings (or early afternoons).

There are these to-die-for orange scones from The Pastry Affair.

Plus this herbed quiche with blue cheese from Martha Stewart.

And you might as well throw in her home fries as well.

But the real winners are these baked cinnamon sugar donuts from Brown Eyed Baker.

For firsts, they're yummy. And for seconds, since they're baked, you can eat as many as you want.

How about you, ladies? (And maybe a few gentlemen.) What do you think of weekend brunch? And what are your favorite brunch stand-bys?

Oscar Watch

2012-01-24T18:01:00.001-08:00

The Oscar nominations were announced today and frankly, I didn't find them very exciting.

But, I'm also not one for movies where the main character is a horse. Sorry, but it's true.

I am one for red carpet fashion, though, and the Oscars never disappoint for that. So, until we have a fresh batch of dresses to covet, hate and analyze, here is a recap of some of the hottest Oscar trends of 2011.

There were red hot dresses; I loved Sandra Bullock's neckline and Anne Hathaway's hemline.

There were sparkling nudes; I cannot get enough of those illusion necklines.

There were column gowns; Scarlett Johansson's might have been my all-time favorite of the whole night. The lace! The color! I adored it.

There were purple dresses: done classic and traditional, avant garde and envelope-pushing, lavendar, eggplant or somewhere in between, you can't go wrong with this regal color.

I think 2011 was a pretty good year for the Oscars red carpet, don't you?

What do you think (or hope) 2012 will bring?

Alice In Wonder-Lace

2012-01-19T16:29:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for another Thursday treat? And by Thursday treat, I mean another sneak peek at our new Alice In Wonderland-inspired line, launching February 1st.

You are ready, you say?

Well, get ready to count the days, minutes and seconds until you can own this perfectly pretty and proper lace concoction. I know am. I couldn't love it more.

I am already brainstorming places I would wear this divine dress, with a hot date with my husband at the top of the list.

And I bet you are getting the idea that there is a lot more where this came from, so just do your thing and stay tuned. There is even more fabulous coming your way.

She and That Dress

2012-01-18T18:51:00.000-08:00

I usually love Zooey Deschanel's flirty, fresh-faced vintage style (see Exhibits A, B, and C)...

... but she went a different kind of retro for this year's Golden Globes and, after an initial double-take, I think I'm digging it.

She definitely has the frame to pull off such a slender silhouette, and I like how even though it was out of her ruffled-and-full-skirted-norm, her bouffant hair and vamp make-up and the mod geometric detailing were still a little bit of a throwback. Plus, it all made her look like a for real, grown-up movie star, which was kind of nice, too.

I think I'd be disappointed if this became her norm, but for now it was a refreshing change of pace.

Or so say I. What do you think?

Patch Job

2012-01-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

I am on the lookout for a sweater with elbow patches.

I decided that I wanted one so now I am going to find one and that will be that and I can move on with my life. I sort of like the idea of a solid sweater with a patterned patch, though a patterned sweater with a solid patch would be all right, I suppose, if I found the right one.

I found a whole slew of options through ShopStyle, some favorites of which include:

This simple (and cheap!) elbow patch cardigan from Forever 21...

This slightly utilitarian worker cardigan with matching blue elbow patches...

And this cinched at the waist cardigan with contrasting pockets and elbow patches... (though I would probably never pay that much for a sweater)...

There is also always the blazer route, like this one from Esprit via Overstock.com, but I am never sure whether or not I am a person who can pull of a blazer with jeans or a casual skirt as a weekend outfit. Maybe I can make a new year's resolution to find out?

What about you, fashionistas? What do you think of the elbow patch trend, and do you have any patchy favorites?

Thursday Tea... For Two?

2012-01-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

Thursdays can be a bit of a bummer, no? So close to the weekend and yet so far, with all the days that have come before weighing you down.

I feel you.

Which is why I decided to spice up your Thursday with this little treat. I won't say much, but I will say that Shabby Apple is launching a new line in the neighborhood of February 1st and it's going to look something like this.

Thursday doesn't seem so bad anymore, eh?

Stay tuned for more!

These Boots Were Made For Walking

2012-01-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

Winter is boot season and that is all there is to it.

But it can be hard to build up a good boot collection because they are usually so expensive. So every winter I find myself really excited to break out my stored boots, only to be sick of them a few months (OK, weeks) later.

(Have we talked about this before?)

So, imagine my delight when, while perusing on Pinterest (I am figuring that thing out. Sort of) I came across this link to UrbanOG, a purveyor of stylish and ridiculously inexpensive boots! A winter dream come true!

(Just for the record, they have lots of other cool things, too. But for today we are talking about boots. My blog, my rules.)

These red riding boots are pretty snazzy, if I do say so myself.

But there are also plenty of more traditional (not to mention versatile) options.

These black knotted slouchy boots seem like a good option for going from work to play.

These tan wedge boots seem like a classy and comfy option.

And there is something really appealing and edgy-slash-sweet about these gray oxford lace-up boots.

You can even get a pair of actually stylish snow boots!

Are you just swimming in the possibilities? What is your must-have boot? And what new must-haves did you find here?

Risky Business

2012-01-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Are you still looking for something to spice up your new year? Maybe something to work up to as the months go on?

Well, look no further than these Five Fun Fashion Risks for 2012.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?

These all seem tame enough that you won't feel like a total outsider rocking them in every day life, but edgy enough that the every day won't seem so ordinary anymore.

Here is a quick synopsis:

1. Anything tangerine. It's the Pantone color of the year after all.

2. The assymetric skirt. I still think it looks a little strange, but it might grow on us.

3. Artisan necklaces. Like the bib, only better.

4. Colored lace. By far my favorite of all the options.

5. Printed pants. Not much more to say about it than that, I think.

Whatever you fancy, there's certainly something there to get everyone started on a little wardrobe adventure for 2012. So tell us, what trend can't you wait to try out this year?

House of Windsor

2012-01-09T20:19:00.001-08:00

As you might recall, I have a strict no coveting resolution. So I won't be tempting myself by checking back daily to see what gems there are at Windsor, but you might consider it.

I mean, you'll consider it if you love adorable clothes for really unbelievable prices.

And I don't see why you wouldn't.

I mean, I can't imagine that you wouldn't be tempted by a cozy, cable knit sweater for under $20.

Or a versatile black-and-white striped pencil skirt (and that waistband!) for under $30.

And surely you wouldn't say no to a pair of sensible and stylish buckle boots for a mere $32.90.

With this much style for so little money, even a sworn non-coveter like me might make a few purchases with a clear conscience. Either way, I really can't get enough of this new find!

What do you think of Windsor? Any favorites among the mix?

Party Perfect

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve is just around the corner (like tomorrow), but in case you need some last minute party dress inspiration, you should check out this gallery of celebrity picks, complete with some low-cost alternatives for the last-minute shopper.

You can do classy and monochromatic like Kim Kardashian, thanks to this jersey wrap dress from Tahari.

Or you can add a little sparkle like Berenice Bejo with this shutter-pleated sequined dress from Overstock.com.

Or perhaps you'd prefer to go luxe and lacy like everyone's favorite fashion plate, Kate Middleton, with this sleeveless lace frock from Topshop. (It's British, even!)

If you like the unconventional road, you can take a cue from another Kardashian, Kourtney, and pair a ruffled maxi skirt with a crisp oxford or tuxedo shirt and voila! Instant party glamor.

Or, if you've already cooked up a fabulous ensemble, be sure to tell us what it is and where you plan to wear it!

Fashion Day By Day

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

One of my New Years' Resolutions is to abide by a more responsible budget (as in, any budget at all), so I am going to be laying off the fashion blogs for a while because if I see it, I want it. And then I buy it. And that doesn't seem like a very good fit for a budget.

So, until I have gained a little more self-control, I am going to keep myself a little in the dark.

But, that's no reason why the rest of you shouldn't have a little fun, right? And so, I am going to pass along this little fashion blog I just came across. (Being the savvy fashionistas that you are, you probably know about it already, but I am going to tell you about it nonetheless.)

Introducing, The Daybook!

This cute Idaho-to-D.C. transplant mama talks about life and clothes and everything in between and I think you'll probably like it a whole lot.

If you don't already. Which you probably do.

Just in case you need some more convincing, here are a few samples of the fashion glory that await you.

Sigh. I am coveting already.
How about you? Which fashion blogs are your must-reads?

Winter Wardrobe Blues

2011-12-28T07:34:00.001-08:00

When the cold weather first hits I get all excited to take out my boots and my sweaters and I start stocking up on scarves and adorable mittens and I dream of a cozy and stylish winter...

... for about a month or so and then I am ready for warm and light and being outside without turning into an icicle. You know, something like this.

Or this.

Or this.

Sadly, it's not always in the cards. But, starting my search for the perfect spring and summer wardrobe always helps me get through the cold and bleak winter months.

If you're in the same boat, you might think about bringing one of these sunny dresses into your winter life.

This flowery, poplin dress is one of my all-time favorites. It's easy and breezy for the summer months, but you can also make it work in the winter with a chunky sweater (maybe purple?), some gray tights and maybe a pair of wedges with a pop of color. Or a pair of flat boots for a more practical, snowy-weather ensemble.

This red maxi dress is also a good looking-forward-to-spring-while-living-through-winter dress. It's length can keep you gams toasty, especially if you throw on a pair of boots or even booties. A slouchy (and long-sleeved) boyfriend blazer can top you off until it starts warming up again.

And the best news is, both of these beauties are on sale through the end of the year, so shop early and shop often until then!

Calendar Year

2011-12-27T08:40:00.000-08:00

One of my great Christmas triumphs this year was making a calendar out of our wedding photos using Shutterfly.

Certainly childs' play to many of you, but a big accomplishment for me, so let me enjoy it, will you?

Thanks.

If you happen to still be looking for a way to mark the coming year, and are wanting something crafty with the work done by someone else, check out this collection of 2012 calendars.

As always, here are some of our favorites.

Each page of this calendar is inspired by a quilt. Available here.

Seasonally appropriate icons from illustrator Erin Jang will help you greet each month of the new year. Available here.

And this painting-turned-wall-calendar is bohemian perfection. Available here.

Here's to the New Year!

The Love Boat

2011-12-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

I have some cousins who go on a tropical vacation together as a family every winter.

This seems like an excellent idea to me.

I mean, who doesn't want to spend a week in the cold winter doing this?

It also seems like an excellent idea to take along a wardrobe fit for island frolicking and ship deck flirting. You know, something that makes you look like this.

Seem impossible? Never fear! As usual, we are here to the rescue with some newly marked down dresses perfect for love-boating and island-hopping.

I don't think you can beat the tucked waist and flattering full skirt of the Garden Isle dress for a romantic deck-side or sea-side meal.

And the easy fit and moveability of the North Shore dress are perfect for a wade in the waves or a scramble over the rocks.

Really the only thing that could possibly go wrong is that you might never come home!

But, before you disappear, tell us: what is your dream tropical destination and what Shabby Apple dress would you take with you?

Christmas Is Coming, It's Practically Here!

2011-12-23T10:37:00.000-08:00

{Image found here.}

Christmas is almost here!

And we hope you have a very, very merry one.

We also hope you'll stop by here the day after Christmas to spend some of your holiday cash. I'll let you in on a little secret that we are going to have a bunch of gorgeous dresses newly marked down on December 26th, and you'll only have until the 31st to snap them up.

So you better plan ahead is all I'm saying.

More soon, but until then enjoy this happiest of holidays!

Hugs.

Baked. Good.

2011-12-22T14:53:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in taking a break from last-minute holiday shopping to do some last-minute holiday baking?

I thought so.

As it appears that the gingerbread chocolate chip cookies were a big hit, I thought we might as well stick with the winning genre. Plus I am really intrigued about this recipe for gingerbread cupcakes, so I want one of you to make them and let me know how it goes.

OK?

I got the recipe from The Rockstar Diaries, and she got the recipe from Emma Chapman, who owns Red Velvet Sweet Shoppe with her sister, Elsie.

Got that?

Good.

Just in case you were too lazy-slash-busy to follow all those links (don't blame you one bit, whatever your reason might be) here is the recipe. And a yummy-looking photo to kick it off!

You'll need:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 TB ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

A pinch of cloves

3/4 cup softened butter (one and a half sticks)

3/4 sugar

1 and 1/2 TB molasses

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla

In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar.

Add eggs and vanilla and stir until just combined.

Add all the remaining ingredients and stir until nearly no lumps are left in the batter.

Spoon batter into lined baking cups, 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Emma (and the recipe) recommends making mini cupcakes, but I say you do whatever you want.

Either way, I think you'll probably want some buttermilk frosting on top, so because Christmas is a time of selfless giving, here's the recipe for that.

You'll need:

1 cup softened butter (2 sticks)

1 to 2 TB buttermilk

1 and 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar

A pinch of cinnamon

With an electric mixer, cream the butter and buttermilk together.

Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time (creaming in between) until you reach your desired frosting consistency.

Then stir in your pinch of cinnamon and frost away!

P.S. If you do happen to have some last-minute holiday shopping, you might consider this Martha Stewart cupcake cookbook. For one thing, that's where Emma found this recipe. And for another thing, I have used this very cookbook approximately 1,000 times and never gone wrong. I baked more than 100 cupcakes for my engagement party (that is not actually an exaggeration) and I used all recipes from this book and every single one was delicious. (Also not an exaggeration.)

The Giving Tree

2011-12-20T08:57:00.001-08:00

How is that Christmas shopping coming? Do you happen to have a tween boy on your list? If so, you should check out this tween boy gift guide from Bleubird Vintage. I pretty much never would have thought of any of these things, so maybe you're in the same boat?

You can hop on over to Bleubird to see where to find these Christmas goodies. And you could also tell us, what are your go-to gifts, for tween boys or anyone else?

Christmas Kitchen

2011-12-13T18:51:00.000-08:00

My Christmas baking has been sort of a mixed bag this year (Nutella cupcakes were a win, pecan pie was a big fail), so tonight I decided to fall back on a classic favorite, these chewy chocolate gingerbread cookies from Martha Stewart.

In short, I adore these cookies. I have made them approximately 1,000 times and they always come out just right. Everyone I have ever fed them to has loved them, and they are just unique enough that people think you're really fancy. But secretly they are the easiest cookie ever.

I never plan far enough ahead to chill the dough, but that's never caused me any problems. I think it's really just so it's easier to roll, though I would really know because (all together now) I never plan far enough ahead to try.

It is also often the case that I don't have any fresh ginger on hand, so I just add some extra ground ginger and they still taste delicious, a holiday and every day favorite.

Give them a try and let me know what you think.

And tell me, what are your go-to holiday recipes?

All The Whos Lay A Snooze

2011-12-12T15:28:00.001-08:00

I understand that in some families there is a tradition involving Christmas pajamas.

This is not a tradition in my particular family, but I can definitely appreciate a good set of PJs, so I say more power to the pajama people.

If you happen to come from such a family, and if you happen to still be looking for that special holiday sleepwear, might I direct you to Victoria's Secret? (Don't worry, this is still a family show.)

They have the cutest pajama sets right now, with just the right amount of Christmas-y that you can wear them now and wear them later. Winning!

I really like these flannel pajamas, and a snowflake pattern seems like a logical way to go, though you can also get polka dots and plaid if that's more up your alley.

And these thermal long john (jane) pajamas are the adult answer to the footie onesie. (Though it's totally cool if you have one of those.) The stripes are my favorite, but there are some more wintery patterns in this style, too.

If you're looking to celebrate in high style (and who isn't?) you can always go the satin pajama route.

Or you can dress things down with a t-shirt and matching pants.

And the best part? Through Wednesday you can get free shipping! Just check out the web site for details.

And then come back and tell me, are you a holiday pajama person, and why?

Secret Santa Strikes Again

2011-12-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season, the season of the office holiday party that is, which usually involves an office gift exchange, which is usually sort of a nightmare. I mean, not as bad as that one episode from the first seasons of "The Office" where Michael turns a really lovely personalized gift exchange into a crazy swap situation because he wants everyone to want his iPod (anyone remember that?), but still sort of a nightmare nonetheless.

But, thankfully, these folks have put together a handy gift list for just such an occasion as the awkward office gift exchange. Here are some of my favorites.

How about an environmentally-friendly I Am Not A Paper Cup ($20). If your co-workers take as many trips to Starbucks as I do (peppermint hot chocolate, be mine forever), they'll love you for this.

Maybe you have co-worker who needs something a little more snazzy than the tired old mug he's using to hold all his pens? Try this pencil holder ($10) instead.

As a person who just purchased a space heater for under my desk, I would be thrilled to receive this fleece blanket ($7) to store at my desk for those days when I lose the office thermostat battle.

And I completely adore this grass planter phone charger ($25). Because who doesn't want something green to liven up their cubicle? And who doesn't have to charge their phone? I believe this is what you call a win-win.

Anything strike your fancy?

What is your go-to office present exchange present?

(Gym) Packing In Style

2011-12-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for ways to stay motivated to get to the gym during the holidays? (Those holiday pounds don't take themselves off, I've learned.)

Well, I always say an adorable gym bag is half the battle (and the elipitical machine is the other half), so here are some stylish options to get you in the right frame of mind (via The Washingtonian).

If you're looking for something lightweight to take with you on a run or a bike ride, think about the Nike Cheyenne Vapor Running Backpack (available in five bright colors!) or the Camelbak Octane LR, which holds all your gear without breaking your back.

If your goal is to make a stylish impression on your gym crush (and let's not pretend we don't all have one, shall we?), consider the Stella McCartney for Addidas Florifer bag, made of nylon with a zip-close main compartment, or the Lacoste Fair Play duffel bag, with three internal pockets to keep everything where it belongs.

If you're looking for a gym bag that can go overnight with you when it needs to, look into the Lug Cartwheel Bag, which can fit just about everything with pockets for a yoga mat, jewelry and a shoe compartment, or the Blue Seventy Transition TZ bag, which can take you from swimming to running to biking gear without breaking a sweat.

And last, and certainly not least by any definition of the word, if you are looking for something to splurge on, for yourself or a special Christmas someone, think about the Reed Krakoff Gym Bag I with a sporty racing stripe for good measure, or the Jack Spade Winged Nylon Duffle, which has the advantage of being both waterproof and cool.

That's it! No more excuses for skipping the treadmill. But before you head out, tell us: what is your favorite gym bag and why?

Making A List, Checking It Twice

2011-12-01T19:32:00.001-08:00

Happy December! Have you finished your holiday shopping yet?

I kid.

Need some help getting started?

I help.

I am loving little kitchen gadgets as stocking stuffers this year, and Sur La Table is my favorite place to go. (Next to my favorite kitchen store on Capitol Hill, Hill's Kitchen. But sometimes shopping on the Internet just wins out.)

I digress.

I am definitely getting one of these Bodum milk frothers for my mom (don't worry, she doesn't read this blog) because a) what a genius idea for classing up a mug of hot cocoa and b) I am in love with these bright colors.

I have one of these retro magnetic kitchen timers and I adore it. I have it stuck to my fridge right next to my stove and it adds a little panache plus keeps my cookies from burning (too much). I have a yellow one, but that robin egg blue is pretty rad, too.

Moving on to slightly larger gifts, but keeping it in the kitchen family, I totally want one of these slider mini-burger tool sets. First, you get little slider patty molds. Genius. Then you get a little grilling basket to cook them in so you don't lose a single one to the charcoal. So great. The only downside is it's always sort of depressing to get Christmas gifts that you can't use right away, but some of you out there must live in a warm climate, right? Or like grilling outside in the freezing cold and snow?

This year's really hot kitchen gift item appears to be the air popper popcorn popper. I am seeing them everywhere. And why not? I think they're a pretty great gift idea, actually. You could put together a little movie night package with an air popper and some favorite DVDs, or add some popcorn bowls to round it out.

What are your favorite kitchen gifts to give, and which ones are on your list this year?

Cyber Deals, Cyber Steals

2011-11-28T17:56:00.000-08:00

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.

2011-11-21T18:56:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-16T14:03:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-11-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

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.

Comfort Corn Bread

2011-10-31T16:42:00.000-07:00

Did you have a good Halloween?

I am sitting on my couch hoping that some adorable children show up to take this candy off my hands, or else my pants and I are going to be in an epic battle.

We finally got the cold snap that I feel like should accompany every Halloween, and things are starting to feel like Fall around here. To celebrate, we made the season's first batch of cornbread over the weekend. (read: my husband made it and I ate it. A lot of it.)

It was so delicious and so perfect for fall and so just the thing to offset a stomach full of leftover Halloween candy (guilty already) that I thought I would just share it with you. Because I love you and I only want happy and delicious things for you.

So, here you go.

You'll need:

2 boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix

1/2 cup sour cream

1 can creamed corn

2 eggs

1/4 cup oil

Mix it all together.

Pour it into a 9x13 inch pan.

Bake it at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

And enjoy!

Hair Today

2011-10-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

I grew out my hair for my wedding and now my hair dresser is on maternity leave so it just keeps getting longer and I am just not too sure what to do with it. It needs some direction, this hair of mine.

I always opt for cutting my hair because styling it just is not my thing, but I am sort of liking this longer, sleek bob that Rose Byrne is sporting.

If I could get my hair to look sleek and sexy like that, I'd totally keep it on the long side.

But, the same 'do day after day does start to get old after a while, no matter how good the cut.

What are your tricks for spicing up longer hair?

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

2011-10-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

I have quite literally thousands of beautiful wedding photos that I want to display and look at every second of every day, but figuring out a way to do that a) without seeming totally insane and self-absorbed (too late?) and b) with some class and unique style has proved something of a challenge.

Enter Pinhole Press, a charming little site filled with photo gifts and products that I stumbled across today during my Internet wanderings.

I am especially fond of these hanging wall calendars, these magnetic portraits, these landscape photo books, and this framed collage.

(I am not a fan of how I can't extract any images from the web site. Oh well.)

I think I have a lot of work with here as far as ways to get our beautiful mugs all over the place.

How about you? Any favorite photo display methods?

Drive 65

2011-10-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

To send you off into the weekend with style, here is a little something from Michelle Morse, designer of our new fabulous line of dresses, 65. Take it away, Michelle!

Growing up in the small Southeastern Utah town of Monticello didn't teach me a whole lot about fashion, but it did teach me to work hard and to pursue dreams worth fighting for. The greatest exposure I had to fashion in this small town was the gossip magazines in the beauty shop and the four hour trek to the mall for our annual school shopping trip. I saved up my entire earnings from working at the local burger joint and from cleaning the Silver Scissors hair salon over summer break in hopes that I would have enough to load up on enough clothes for the year--or at least until I got a new sweater or two for Christmas.

In high school I felt as if my clothes defined me, that if I was able to afford the latest and greatest on the racks, that I must be pretty great too. It wasn't until I went to college and later married that I realized what folly this form of thinking was. I could no longer afford an "annual" shopping trip and soon I had to get very creative with what I already had in my closet or what I could salvage from the local thrift store. When my budget for clothing changed, not only did my sense of style change, but my self image began to change too. I became more focused on improving my inner self and not putting so much emphasis or worth into my outer appearance.

I never knew for sure what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I knew that whatever I chose, I wanted to be able to make a difference. I went to college and studied to be a teacher, but after my first child was born I chose to stay home and take care of my son.

About two years after he was born, I became restless. Staying at home was hard for me because I was so used to working and feeling as though I was making a difference in someone's life. I became determined to explore other passions of mine and to discover what I might pursue from within the walls of my own home. So as a stay at home mom, I picked up my sketch book again and began to doodle during my son's nap time or late at night when everyone had gone to bed or basically anytime I had some "free" time.

I started sketching dress designs when I discovered Shabby Apple's Dare to Design contest. I was sick of never being able to find a dress from a department store that I didn't have to wear a cardigan or tank top with or that was too short. "Why not design a dress that I would like to wear?" I thought. The Shabby Apple contest opened my mind to all kinds of possibilities. I sketched about eight designs and finally chose one to submit for the contest. I prayed that I would at least make the top ten designs. I don't think that I even came close to making the top 20.

I was discouraged, but I didn't put the sketch pad down. I started afresh with new designs and continued to work and re-work them for a few months. I didn't know what I would do with the sketches until I read the fine print on Shabby Apple's website about the Emerging Designers Program. I hesitated to submit my sketches for approval as they were not near professional grade sketches, but I finally decided that if I didn't submit them, I would always wonder what could have been. I put my insecurities aside and submitted my sketches. A couple of weeks later I received the astonishing and surprising news that my designs had been accepted. I was ecstatic!

Nearly a year later my designs have been brought to life and my dreams are being played out before my eyes. I never imagined that I would be introduced into the fashion industry this way. Going through this process from start to finish has made me realize that just because I choose to stay at home and raise my kids doesn't mean that I have to give up on strengthening my talents and pursuing my interests. I've learned that the key is balance and once I learned balance, I felt that anything was possible.

Inspiration For My Line:
I have always said that I wish that I could have lived in the 50s and 60s when women wore dresses nearly every day. I love the clean, simple lines and cuts of the dresses from that era. I love that simple can be so elegant and becoming to any woman of any size. Dresses didn't need to be low-cut, short, or overly form-fitting to be attractive on a woman. I feel that clothes should not accentuate a woman's body, but her strengths, personality, and abilities. I wanted to design dresses that not only helped a woman feel beautiful, but to feel confident in herself and her abilities. I wanted my designs to flatter any shape, which is why I favored the slimming pencil skirt design, longer sleeves, and the option of sashes. My designs are classic, simple, and flattering on any wearer.

And The Winner Is...

2011-10-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Theresa Shore, who is the lucky winner of the Sidesaddle dress of her choice! (We'll be contacting you soon to talk details.)

And thanks to all of you for the Facebook love. Keep it coming!

(We're needy like that.)

Stone Cold Style

2011-10-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

I think it's probably time for me to come out of the closet as an Emma Stone fanatic.

I really like her.

We would totally be besties.

I like her husky voice, I like her relatable charm (is relatable a word?), I like her movies and, maybe most of all, I like her clothes.

See, the following exhibits:

Dressed up or dressed down, what I think we have here is a style icon in the making. And her fabulous fashion sense is within reach! Here are a few options to create her looks.

{Red and Pink Color Block Dress from Express}

{Leopard Print Peeptoe Pumps from Overstock.com}

And how about a black-and-white polka dot dress from our very own Shabby Apple!

So, tell me friends. Is it just me? Or is Emma Stone on your list to watch as well?

Bright, Like Neon

2011-10-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

Getting dressed for work on a Monday can be kind of a drag. Because, let's be honest, going to work on a Monday can be kind of a drag.

How about a neon skirt to spice things up?

Don't think it can be done? Check out this feature on how to wear a neon skirt to work, and beyond.

Here are a couple of my favorite ensembles.

And, if orange isn't really your color (it's definitely not mine), you can find the same wool pencil skirt in an equally flashy but more versatile teal green.

I'm sold. How about you?

Do You Like Us? Do You Really Like Us?

2011-10-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

Here is something exciting to kick off your weekend.

If, of course, you think winning a free dress from our new Sidesaddle line is exciting.

If not, we wish you a happy, boring weekend.

If so, here is what you need to do.

Head on over to our Facebook page and let us know you like us. Literally.

It's pretty easy to do. You just have to hit "Like."

With me so far?

Then, leave us a comment about what Sidesaddle dress you would most like to win, and why.

We'll pick a winner via random.org on Wednesday, October 19th.

You're welcome.

And have a happy weekend!

Wanna Be A Rockstar?

2011-10-12T04:28:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend Naomi (aka: Taza) over at The Rockstar Diaries is offering a pretty sweet giveaway, and I think you might want to check it out.

I mean, if you want a brand spanking new fall dress from our brand spanking new Sidesaddle line, then you should check it out.

If you don't want a brand spanking new fall dress from our brand spanking new Sidesaddle line, then I am not too sure what you are doing reading this, but I wish you a happy Wednesday anyway!

Sidle Up To Sidesaddle

2011-10-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

In honor of our new equestrian-inspired line of dresses, Sidesaddle, I did a little Google search of celebrities with their horses. But all that came up were some really unflattering comparison shots of Sarah Jessica Parker (how rude!) and some really risque shots of Angelia Jolie and Gisele Bunchden (how unsurprising!), so I gave up.

Next I did a little Google search for celebrities at the Kentucky Derby, because who doesn't want to see beautiful people in beautiful hats? But all those pictures were mostly of the Kardashians and Heidi Montag (remember her?) and that did not meet my criteria.

So I think you can see the pickle I am in.

I guess the best I can do is tell you that my favorite dress from the new Sidesaddle line is this one:

I love the contrasting color-blocking, I love the way it looks like you are wearing a jacket but you're not, I love the extra oomph of the puffed sleeve, I love the way I could wear this to work or on a date or to church or to an office party. I love the way you can dress it down with funky cowboy boots or dress it up with platform heels.

I love, I love, I love.

In a dress like that, you could certainly go on an adventure like this:

And easily win the heart of a man like this:

And I wish you all the best in doing both.

First though, spill your campfire-baked-beans.
Which Sidesaddle dress has you ready to ride off into the sunset?

Giddy up for Side Saddle!

2011-10-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Who remembers the Fashion Plates toy? You know, the toy with all the different plates with etchings of shirts, pants, and skirts on them, which you could mix and match and then make rubbings from using crayons to make fabulous fashion drawings? Yeah, I was kind of obsessed with that toy as a little kid.

As I got a bit older, and improved my drawing skills, that fashion obsession turned into a hobby of creating fashion illustrations of my own. I drew inspiration from everywhere, from the clothes my super cool big sisters wore, to the way the iron rich soil of Southern Utah looked when it drifted over the highway after a windstorm. I carried this hobby into adulthood but I never thought my doodles would be anything more than a pastime. So when I heard about Shabby Apple’s Dare to Design contest I thought it would be fun to submit some of my drawings, but I didn’t have any real hopes of winning. I was thrilled when Shabby Apple contacted me a few weeks later to let me know that one of my dresses had been chosen as a finalist. It didn’t win but I was honored to have my illustration be chosen along with all the other beautiful finalists.

I thought that was the end of it and went on my merry way, not really giving it a second thought, until Shabby’s owner contacted me to ask if I would be interested in producing a line of my own through their emerging designers program. The little girl in me did kart wheels at the thought. My very own line? It was a dream come true and I instantly agreed.

The main inspiration behind the line was the elegance and feminine forms of the late forties and early fifties. I wanted to create dresses that would be figure flattering as well as fun to wear, and this time period embodied both of those ideas perfectly.
Sidesaddle, in beautiful aqua and nut brown, uses color paneling to draw the eye down and create the illusion of a smaller waist. The gathered sleeves and sweetheart neckline add a punch of femininity.
The goal of Aintree was to create a dress with a simple elegance that could be dressed up with a statement necklace a brooch or some fabulous bracelets, or dressed down with some great boots and a scarf. At least, that's the story from the front. From the back k you get a beautiful surprise with he diamond inset and ultra flattering pleats.
.
Hackney has a similar diamond detail with the pleating but it is positioned at the hip for a more modern feel. Another star of this dress is the neckline which mirrors that diamond shape,gracefully framing the collarbone in the front, and adding interest to the back. This dress could go easily for work to play with a change of shoes and accessories.

Is there anything in the world that can instantly make you feel feminine and beautiful as putting on a rose colored dress? That’s why I made Dressage. With a waist line that pulls in the top with gathers and the skirt with pleats, this dress is ultra forgiving and looks amazing when paired with a belt or ribbon at the waist.

Last but definitely not least is Grand National.
Princess seams to draw the eye in, a forgiving pleated waist, a sweetheart neckline for added interest, and an ultra hip sweater top make this dress a force to be reckoned with. This look is fiercely feminine and is sure to turn heads while the neutral charcoal gray guarantees that you’ll be the coolest chick in the joint.

This experience has been so much fun and I hope you enjoy this line as much as I’ve enjoyed making it. Thanks, Shabby Apple, for making a little girl’s dreams come true.

- Kathryn Phillips
Emerging Designer

Did I Hear Sale?

2011-10-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

It's that time again.

And what time is that, you might ask?

Why, the time when Anthropologie marks all of their sale items an additional 25 percent off.

As I already placed my (embarrassingly large) order, I feel comfortable telling you this, knowing that my treasures are safe and sound. But you had better move quickly! The best things are always gone before you know it.

A few things to keep your eyes peeled for:

The Back View dress, whose magic is all in the name.

The floaty and romantic Eastern Sunset dress seems like the perfect wardrobe item to take you from airy summer to chilly fall. Just throw it on with some tights and boots, or maybe even over a pair of pants (?!?!) and it will take you through the seasons!

The Lemon Lift-Off blouse is a hoot. Literally. And I love the sunny color.

This bright and cozy Onam Cardigan is on its way to me and I cannot wait to cuddle up in it. Do you want one, too?

This versatile Slackened Utility Jacket seems like a fall must-have, doesn't it?

And, if you're planning to spend the colder months curled up at home (good idea) this completely adorable and unique Chrysanthemum Moon chemise seems like the ideal thing to do it in. (Just don't come to my house wearing this or we'll be twins. And that's embarrassing for everyone.)

And now I have taken up entirely too much of your time!

You should be shopping, not (still) reading this. So get to it!

And let us know what you find!

Love and Marriage

2011-10-03T17:43:00.001-07:00

Maybe it is just because I still have weddings on the brain, but how fabulous are these photos of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward over at Snippet and Ink?

Style? Humor? Good looks?

Yes, please!

Even if I hadn't just tied the knot myself, this would make me believe in true love.

How about you?

Falling Slowly

2011-09-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Hello, my dear and long-lost friends!

I am sorry to have been so absent and neglectful around these parts, but I was busy getting married. And then honeymooning. And then having lots of parties. It was rad.

I am back now, though, and feeling the blogging bug. And the nesting bug. I think getting our little house in order is going to take some time (our cupboard for baking dishes is already an overflowing mess and I just started putting things in there today), but I am determined to not let that stop me from taking advantage of all the decorating that comes with Fall and Winter.

To get my brain going, I ordered Autumn With Matthew Mead, a "book-azine" filled with pictures, inspiration and recipes for Fall celebrating. It is a lovely thing to thumb through though, to be perfectly frank, I was a little disappointed that there weren't more templates and how-to instructions. For those, you might consider just checking out Matthew Mead's Web site, instead.

That didn't stop me from going cover to cover three times yesterday, though, picking out little ideas and tricks. One shortcut I really like is using practical items you already have to make holiday decorations. Like filling a trifle bowl with artful fall foliage, acorns or ornaments. Or using a metal floral topiary frame to display your favorite symbols of the season. I think I might get out my brand new scalloped cake stand and see if I can't turn it into an Autumn table centerpiece somehow. I'll let you know how it goes.

And, in the meantime, tell us: what are your favorite Fall decorating tips and tricks?

50's and Dior

2011-09-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I’m Sarah Hansen (soon to be Sarah Tyler in 52 days) and I’m the Production Manager for Shabby Apple. What’s a Production Manager you say? Well, basically, I make all the samples and I order all the fabric and I get everything manufactured. So, if you love a dress from Shabby Apple, you’re welcome. If not, I’m sure it’s somehow not my fault.

So as you can tell, we recently launched our Academia Line for fall this year. Well, just incase you weren’t sure, it’s awesome. The fun part about this line is that we drew inspiration from actual 1950’s patterns for some of the dresses. I’m not sure if you knew this or not, but the 50’s are by FAR the best years for fashion. You might try and argue against this point, but you’d be wrong. Let me explain to you why the 50’s were and still are such an important time for fashion.

So I’m not sure if any of you have heard of Christian Dior… but he’s kind of a big deal. The years before had seen a slow change into less feminine clothing as women went to work during the war. Needless to say, he was not a fan. So he designed a dress that would completely change the feminine ideal. This style was called the “New Look”. I’m sure you’ve seen it, even if you’ve never heard of it. Basically, it was a dress with a tailor fit top and a huge, and I mean HUGE full skirt. He took this thing back to a very Victorian silhouette, which was the epitome of the hour glass figure. Make your waist look tiny, and your hips huge. In some of his more extravagant styles, he used around 100yds of fabric to give his skirt the correct fullness! Take a look at this beauty:

Courtesy of modaspot.com

Anywho, Dior was a visionary and completely changed the way people dressed during that time. The other silhouette that was important was the fitted sheath dress. It was the opposite of this very voluminous style, yet it did the same thing. It let women show off their womanly shapes and be feminine. So, since I think that the hourglass shape is the prefect feminine feature, I love a dress that will show it off or will exaggerate it. Wearing one of the “new look” style dresses feels just like being a fashion sketch. And you know you never feel sexier than when you’ve got on a well tailored little cocktail dress that doesn’t need to show a lot of skin, but simply hugs where it should. Oh and did I mention that the 1950’s are completely responsible for cocktail dresses? Let me just explain Courtesy of worthpoint.com this really quickly. So in the 1950’s women (housewives specifically) would actually change into a fancy dress come 5 o’clock in the evening and greet their husband’s at the door with a cocktail. Then they’d spend an hour being fancy and having some adult beverages. It was a big deal, and women dressed nice for it, as their husbands came home from work wearing suits. So, without the glamorous and extravagant efforts of the 50’s housewife to cater to her husband, we wouldn’t have cocktail dresses (which is also where they got their name from as well). Thanks for everything 1950’s. You’re the best.

Enjoy some fantastic 50’s pics:

Courtesy of artfire.com

Courtesy of kaboodle.com Courtesy of itsallaboutthecolor.blogspot.com

Courtesy of Pattern Mania on Etsy.com

Courtesy of cemetarian.com

Courtesy of stylehive.com Courtesy of Pattern Mania on Etsy.com

This is actually a children’s dress. Amazing. Thanks stylehive.com!

Courtesy of qayscloset.blogspot.com Courtesy of stylehive.com

Courtesy of stylehive.com

Courtesy of goldenhollywoodera.com

Courtesy of Stylehive.com

And the MOST amazing of all,

Christian Dior’s piece from his

fall/winter line ’56-‘57

Courtesy of metmuseum.org

You Hungry??

2011-09-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

If you have a garden, chances are, you have about 30 pounds of home-grown zucchini sitting on

your kitchen table right now. My job today is to relieve you of at least 2 of those pounds. The rest will be committed to loaves of zucchini bread (with the majority being ditched on your neighbors’ doorsteps).

Before I lived in Italy, the only pasta I knew was spaghetti with meatballs. Life in the Mediterranean will change things for you because I am now well-versed in all sorts of pasta and sauce combos, with this one below being one of my VERY FAVORITES EVER!! (as an

absolute plus: the vegetables are also almost indistinguishable to your kids, so if you have trouble getting them to dig in to a plate of veggies, this dish is perfect and oh-so-tasty).

I agree that it sounds strange at first. But, if you are like my friend Sophia (and you probably wish you were), I guarantee you will make this meal more than once this week. So, buckle up and get a-cookin’!

Pasta with Zucchini and Carrots

In a medium frying pan, simmer:

2-3 small cloves of minced garlic

Shred/Grate: (you can also chop finely to give your dish more texture)1

Tb. extra virgin olive oil

2-3 small zucchini

1-2 medium carrots

Add shredded vegetables to pan with:

½ tsp salt

1 tsp parsley

1 tsp basil

1 vegetable/chicken bouillon cube crushed (or dissolved in water)

½ cup water

Let the sauce simmer until the water is almost gone. Add to your favorite pasta (sho

rt pasta, like fusilli, works best since it tends to catch the little bits of sauce in its ridges). Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top and then squeal with delight as you eat to your heart’s content.

Makes about 1 ½ cups of sauce—good for 2-4 servings of pasta

Buon Appetito!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

2011-09-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hello! Athelia here, owner and creator of Shabby Apple. Here in NYC, many are lamenting the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Yet, as a redhead with fair skin who LOVES to wear olive green, I find that this is my favorite time of year! I also find that because I live in an NYC apartment, I have to be strategic about what clothes I can buy (and actually fit into my closet!). Thus, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make my clothes work for multiple seasons. Many of my things work for NOW and for LATER; they just have to be paired with the right accessories! One of my favorites is the Bethesda Fountain dress.

For NOW, I’m wearing it with a bright ring . . .

Pretty Bracelet . . .

And Oh-So-Dainty Shoes . . .

And, I have to admit, I’m a sucker for cute earrings, so I’m adding these to the mix!

BUT . . .

For LATER . . .

I’ll need a cozy sweater . . .

Colorful scarf . . .

And fun booties. Who can resist?

And the winner is..........

2011-09-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Well friends, it has been another banner year for the Dare to Design contest. It seems impossible, but you just keep getting better! And, as always, this years entries deserve a round of applause.

Are you applauding? Honestly if we could make all these submissions in to Shabby Apple dresses we would. But, alas, we can't so we will just announce this years winner instead! A big congratulations to Little Season!!

This winning creation will become a part of Shabby Apple's next Spring line, so keep your eyes peeled and make sure to pick one up for yourself

In the meantime, start planning your designs for next years go-round and we will see you back here soon!

Final Destination.

2011-08-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

The time has come! And that time is the time to vote on our Dare To Design finalists!

I know we (I) am a few days behind in getting these designs up but, as usual, there were so many good options to choose from we wanted to take our time and pick the very best ones.

And, here they are! The Final 15.

You probably know the drill, but here it is again.

Look at the dresses.

Look again.

Think about it really hard.

Then head over to our voting survey and let us know which design is your favorite.

We'll count up the votes (and by "we" I mean that the computer will) and then we'll announce the big winner on September 15th.

Isn't this fun?

So, without further ado, here they are!

1. Unleash your inner Kate Middleton in Tulip, a royal-worthy purple frock from A Little Bit O Meghan.

2. Is there anything better than flirty polka dots (on a skirt!) from Little Season.

3. Turn heads in this racy, lacy pink dress from Made It On Monday. (Did she really, do you think?)

4. Dream a little dream in Daydreamer, a dreamy white maxi dress, from Lunt Family of Five.

5. Pop in poppy red (with a dash of honey), courtesy of Dianne Talley.

6. No need to choose between the dark side and the light side. Have it both ways in this white dress with black piping from Quite Contrary.

7. Put a swing in your step with this 50's inspired concoction from i am mai.

8. Be your own skipper in this nautical-inspired number.

9. Some peppy preppy from Fashion or Fiction.

10. Don't hide this dress, Take A Memo by Alyrenee, behind a desk all day.

11. Float, flutter and fly away with this scallop neck, asymmetrical dress from Bre's Baubles.

12. You'll certainly look like a doll in this patterned dress from My Fashion Dolly.

13. Won't you please Sail Away With Me, from icandy handmade.

14. Who doesn't need a not-so-simple black skirt, from The Orchard In Bloom.

15. You'll probably want to play dress up every day in The Dollhouse Dress from The Millar Memoir.

A big hand to all our participants, and congratulations to The Final 15.

Remember, hit up our voting survey to make your choice known. You only have until September 11th to get your vote in there!

May the best dress win!

Head(ed) In The Right Direction

2011-08-12T08:59:00.001-07:00

I have been growing out my hair for the wedding (30 days!) but the fact of the matter is, it will not be that long, so I've been weighing my options over the last several weeks as far as wedding hair is concerned. Namely, I have been agonizing over what kind of headpiece I wanted. I have probably spent the equivalent of a full 40-hour work week looking through every single thing on Twigs and Honey, over and over, and over again.

At first I was thinking I might go with a birdcage veil. Those always seem like a good option for short hair.

There is, of course, the traditional birdcage veil: minimalist, chic, lovely.

But I was also quite taken with this double-layer birdcage veil. I really liked the varied texture and extra oomph.

But then I decided that I didn't want anything over my eyes.

So then, I toyed around for a while with this modern twist on the birdcage veil.

In the end, though, I decided it was a little too weird and didn't really fit the vibe of my dress.

So, back to the drawing board it was.

One easy solution seemed to be a simple feathered headband, like this one.

But that felt a little too simple. Plus my dress is ivory. Plus my dress has a lot of layers and flounce already, and something about a feather in my hair made me worry that it would look like a costume. Which is not the aesthetic I am going for.

And then, it happened.

I found this double-banded rhinestone tiara and all my woes were over.

I definitely had to work up to the idea of spending that amount of money on a headpiece, but I got it in the mail a couple weeks ago, and it is just right. It is fancy without being over the top, and the tone and colors are a perfect fit for the rest of my ensemble. I am ever so pleased.

Now I just have to figure out what to do with my hair itself. Lots of pins for an artsy up-do? Soft curls for a romantic down-do? Whatever it is, I definitely do not want to have to worry about it and mess around with it for the whole day.

Can you help?
What is your favorite hair for an off-white wedding?

Less Than Three

2011-08-10T14:58:00.000-07:00

More from Miss Erin Clare in the City of Lights...

When you've got exactly Seventy Eight hours in Paris, every second counts. And though I was worried that taking a long weekend in the City of Lights might yield fewer artistic adventures, culinary delights, and fashion photo ops than my over-eager expectations had anticipated, the second I touched down, my fears were assuaged. Beautiful people everywhere! Perfect little sandwiches at the kiosk at the train station! Things were going to be just fine.

Less than three hours in after prying myself from the pressurized clutches of my rickety trans-Atlantic flight, having stuffed my weekend bag in a locker at Gare du Nord and changing into something a bit less I-just-got-off-a-red-eye-flight, I found myself at the Centre Pompidou--completely distracted from the art by this amazing young man:

Let's not talk about the perfectly Victorian vampire aesthetic with the elegantly coiffed hair, the long coat with tails and the fabulous trousers--can we go straight to the five-inch HEEL-LESS PLATFORMS on his feet?

The entire museum was a-buzz as he strut from room to room (because, really, you can't do anything BUT strut in those puppies) looking like he may have just stepped straight out of the Alexander McQueen exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and strut his way across the runway of the Atlantic to end up in Paris, with people whispering and pointing, iPhones out trying to surreptitiously sneak a photo. After nonchalantly chasing him from room to room trying to get a shot of my own--I mean I'm on a fashion reconnaissance mission here--I finally gave up and just walked straight up to him, fingers crossed. "I'm sorry," I said in French, "But you look amazing....would you mind if I took a photo?"

"Oh! Merci! wow, I don't really speak French but yes, Sure. Thanks!" He said, in English. Turns out that Nicolas, who is Dutch, is also one of the sweetest fashionistas I've ever met. We chatted for a bit while he tottered on his heels and he let me snap a couple quick shots on my phone before we traded cards and bisous, and I was free to bask in the lapis glow of Yves Klein and drink in the atmosphere of one of my favorite Rothkos while the rest of the museum-goers were craning their necks to get a better look at lovely Nicolas.

Oh Paris, I love you...

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2011-08-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Everyone's favorite new princess, that's Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge to you, is already lighting all kinds of fashion trends on fire, including sheer pantyhose and lace-topped wedding dresses. Not to mention knock-off sapphire engagement rings.

The girl has serious style chops, to be sure. But the thing I am most taken with is her penchant for shopping in her own closet. She seems to be the princess of the artful re-wear, and I like what I see.

Most recently, she recycled two wardrobe pieces, a green DVF dress that she debuted on her North American adventure, and a cream colored coat that she sported to a friend's wedding several years ago, for William's cousin Zara Phillip's wedding in Scotland.

And, while we're talking about that North American adventure, not all Kate's travel clothes were new. In fact, she re-wore the cream Reiss dress made famous by her engagement portraits. The fascinator was different, but the hard-to-miss engagement sparkler was the same.

Personally, I think it's a fashion-savvy move. With a closet full of such fabulous things, why not get a lot of use out of them? And it's a PR-savvy move as well. Especially in an age of tighter belts and thinner wallets, who doesn't love a princess who displays some budget-consciousness herself?

But, maybe it's just me.
What do you think of Kate Middleton's fashion recycling: princess or pauper?
And what are the items in your closet you wear over and over again?

The (Second) Best Travel Companion

2011-08-02T15:03:00.000-07:00

Today we are checking back in with Miss Erin Brown, who sends more love from her Parisian adventure. Read on, mon amis!

My best friend and I met on a boat. On a lake. In Siberia. It was the summer before our junior year of college, and we were gliding through the icy waters of Lake Baikal on a 60-foot Soviet cutter with a group of ecologists, a gaggle of other research assistants and 15 Russian sailors. When we survived a month of close quarters, salted fish and no real showers without wanting to kill one another, we knew it was meant to be. Since then we've been besties, and, more importantly, travel companions-- rambling from Paris to Prague to the Balkans and through the woods of Maine, Pennsylvania and Utah together, laughing, adventuring, eating lots of pastries and meeting amazing people along the way-- without a single fight or argument. She's dragged me to gypsy bars, raced me through the hall of Italian art at the Louvre, made me drink salty yogurt, blown up my stove in Paris, and chased me down some pretty intense ski runs. She's basically the best thing since quinoa.

Now that we are living semi-boring, semi-responsible, more than semi-budgeted lives in New York, we have to do a lot more armchair traveling. Luckily, she happens to work for a publishing house, which means free books galore! Tonight she handed me Paris To The Moon, a new book by Adam Gopnik for me to take with me on my trip to Paris this week. Thumbing its pages got me thinking about my favorite places and the books that describe them oh-so-well. I cannot take a vacation without at least one slim volume in my bag to keep me company on the plane and in cafes or laundromats or train platforms, and I started making a list of my favorites. So whether you're planning a trip to one of these destinations any time soon, or just looking to do a little armchair traveling yourself, I'd highly recommend these wonderful traveling companions...

{Image found here.}

For a trip to Eastern Europe, be sure to pack along Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Set in Soviet-era Prague, it is a gorgeously-crafted story of love, loss and art. As the characters lives intertwine with the civil unrest and politics of the time and place, life loses its sense of grounding and beautiful heartbreak ensues.

If you're heading south of the border, take along Like Water For Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel, a gorgeous work of magical realism that will have you glued to your beach chair reading all day, hungry for love AND some good home-cooked Mexican food.

Going North? Norwegian author Erland Loe's little Naive, Super has been one of my favorites since I bought it at the Red Wheelbarrow bookstore in Paris and did not get off the metro until I had finished reading it on my way home. It has passed from traveler to traveler in my life for years. A good one for a wanderer in search of an elusive something.

If you're heading to my home base, NYC, pick up the slim little book Here Is New York by EB White (of Charlotte's Web and The Elements of Style fame). It perfectly captures the energy and excitement of the city, even several decades on.

{Image found here.}

A trip to Turkey would be incomplete without the literary stylings of Orhan Pamuk. I loved My Name Is Red, which deals with 14th century illuminations in the sultan's workshops, but his novels is set in contemporary Turkey, such as Snow and The Museum of Innocence are marvelous, too.

Since I can't bring my bestie along with me, Paris To The Moon will have to do. But tell me, what are YOUR favorite travel-worthy books?

Dare To Design: The Clock Is Ticking!

2011-08-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

Today's post brought to you by the lovely Kimberly Duncan. Enjoy!

Hello everyone and happy Monday!

Did we all have a good weekend? I headed to the beach and soaked up some R&R in the sun with family and friends.

And in my beach bag was a sketch pad and some freshly sharpened pencils. Why, you might ask? Because the Shabby Apple Dare to Design contest deadline is quickly approaching! Only 9 days, my friends.

So for those creative procrastinators out there, I’ve found some amazing sketches by famous wedding dress designers to get you going. Remember, we’re looking for dresses, blouses, and skirts for our Spring 2012 collection. And who knows, after glancing through this inspiration, you might just surprise yourself once you unleash your inner fashion designer.

For a refreshers on the dates, guidelines and rules of Dare to Design, click here.

For all the sketches and designs you see below, click here.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Center(piece) Of Attention

2011-07-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

Floral arrangements and centerpieces have been my wedding project of the week.

I was totally stumped for a long time about what to do, because there are so many options!

For a minute I was thinking maybe potted plants that wedding guests could take home as gifts. Plus potted plants seemed more environmentally friendly somehow, and you know how I love Planet Earth.

And then of course there is always a more traditional cut flower arrangement. I love the smell and look and feel of fresh flowers and I would buy them every day if I could.

But, I finally settled on a more "whimsical and eclectic" option (to use the words of my wedding planner) and we're going to go with some funky colored bottles filled with small fall blooms. Sort of like this.

I figure people can still take them home if they want, but they aren't stuck with a plant they feel like they have to keep alive. Cool bottles like that can be used for anything, after all.

Or, if you're looking for a similar option that also lets you indulge that DIY craving, you might consider these recycled bottled centerpieces. Because you certainly don't need to have a wedding to need to have a centerpiece, after all.

Talk to me friends.

What is your central piece of centerpiece inspiration?

Everything Old Hollywood Is New

2011-07-25T14:45:00.001-07:00

Today we have a little vintage-inspired treat from our very own Kimberly Duncan. Enjoy!

Two things we love at Shabby Apple: vintage inspired clothing and quotes.

So, you can imagine our excitement to stumble across these images. The styles of the 50s and 60s seemed so sweet and feminine and you can definitely see the influence of each timeless look on the designers of today. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to live back then?!

{All of our vintage inspiration can be found via "the beautiful people... say beautiful things."}

{RED Valentino Pink Sleeveless Dress with Bow found here.}

{J. Crew Goddess Gown found here.}

{Adrianna Pappell Belted Plaid Dress via Nordstrom found here.}

{Guess Stepp’n Out Vintage Swim Dress found here.}

{Juicy Couture Glencheck Coat found here.}

Tell us friends, what is your favorite timeless vintage style?

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

2011-07-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

In all of my scouring for wedding-related crafts and materials, I have become basically obsessed with Paper Source.

They have a store pretty close to my house and I would estimate that I am there once a week. (That's a conservative estimate.) And, more importantly, I never leave without new ideas, new projects and new goodies.

Would you like to hear about some of my favorites?

Well, for one thing, I bought these alphabet letter rubber stamps a little while back.

And then today I ordered these cheerfully colored tags.

My next step is to put the two together: I am going to stamp the names of my wedding guests on the tags and attach them to little brown paper bags with a treat inside for a combination favor/placecard.

Genius, I know. I'll tell you how it turns out.

I am also getting tons of ideas from this Handmade Weddings book, and there are so many ideas that you could use for more than just a wedding. I am making the felt flower boutonnieres for sure, and hopefully lots of other things, too!

And let's not forget about all the drool-worthy stationary.

These make me almost excited to write thank-you notes. Almost.

And these Japanese papers are just crying out for some sort of creative application. Any ideas? Anyone?

If you're really been bitten by the DIY bug, you might check out these printable party invitations. Or you can start totally from scratch with these instructions for the true do-it-yourself version.

Or, if you just need a little help, custom printing is available, too.

So, maybe now you can see why I am smitten? It makes me want to do crafts and throw parties every day for the rest of my life.

Did you find any favorites among all these gems?
Please, share!

At Least You Have Paris

2011-07-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

I know I have been just terrible at keeping in touch and I know there is no excuse.

(Not even that I am drowning in wedding invitation addressing and stuffing and stamping?).

Luckily, all that wedding invitation addressing and stuffing and stamping (which is no excuse at all for having neglected you like this) is done and I am starting to feel like a normal person again.

So, I should be back around more often.

And, when I am not around (because there are still favors to be made and make-overs to be had and dresses to be fitted and, oh dear. Let's talk about something else) the lovely Erin Brown will be keeping you busy with her latest Paris adventures.

The first of which unfolds below.

Enjoy!

Packing is my favorite pastime.

Oh hey! So while miss Frances is off planning a gorgeous wedding (Yay for Frances! Yay for weddings!) I'm commandeering the blog to bring you a few posts about my "research expedition" to Paris for some shopping/style spying/pattern hunting/art viewing/photographing/eating/and people watching.

I know this may sound odd, but I absolutely love packing. It's the funnest part of the pre-trip planning--forget figuring out where to stay (still yet to be taken care of, yikes) or what to see--the puzzle of fitting just enough in a carryon to cover events from a day at the flea market to a chic dinner party with friends, shoes that work for boutique hopping and hours on hard museum floors that don't scream "AMERICAN TOURIST!", and clothes to wear on a long flight, leaving enough space for new additions is my kind of challenge. I used to be a chronic over-packer--you should see what I boxed up to ship to college just in case I needed my entire collection of 19th century literature AND four different colors of Chuck Taylors--but have since learned the joys of day-to-night, day-in-and-day-out packing.

So what's the trick to looking good but packing light? I have a theory that you only need the "lucky seven" items for a week of travel: One versatile, basic skirt, one dark pair of pants, one knit shirt that pairs with both skirt and pants, one chic blouse that does the same, and one knockout dress. Pack a pair of comfy flats and snazzy heels and you're set.

So here's what's going in MY carryon….

1. My favorite ruby red Marc Jacobs skirt, which is a great length, made of a super sturdy knit (read: wrinkle proof! cling proof! magical!) and has pockets. If I could marry an item of clothing, or make it last forever and change sizes when I do, this would be it. Though it is tempting to pack whimsical things (let's be honest, I'm wearing a shirt with raccoons printed on it right now, I loves me some whimsy) a solid bottom is going to be a versatile staple for traveling.

If you're looking for a great staple skirt, try our All Ruffled skirt .

2. A pair of black stretch denim. I love my Citizens of Humanity Avedon Slick Skinnies. Basically the best purchase I have ever made. They are insanely comfortable, don't stretch out, have pockets (are we seeing a trend here?) and a zipper (ergo, are NOT "jeggings" ew.) and can be both super casual, or dressed up with a sparkly top and heels for a night out. Essential.

3. A black and white stripped T-shirt. Cliche for Paris? Maybe. Cute and comfy and totally travel-proof? Absolutely (if it's a bit dirty it's hardly noticeable). Wear it tucked into the skirt with a belt and flats for a day at the boutiques, or loose over the jeans for dinner al fresco. Purrrrfect.

4. A white silk tunic. The basic plus plus. I love silk because you don't have to iron it… just hang it on the shower bar while you're taking a shower and sha-BAM! Wrinkles are zapped. Black and white are the classic paris combo, and I always feel tres chic in a billowy silk tunic over skinny jeans.

5. A Shabby Apple dress, of course! I love the Five to Nine, since it is wrinkle-proof and totally comfortable:

Toss in my black Tom's, a pair of yellow platform pumps, PJs and a belt, and I'm good to go!

Now all that's left is loading the iPod with a few great mixes, and picking my ultimate travel companion--a good book. If you've got suggestions, send them along!

A bientôt!

Summer In The Kitchen

2011-06-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Are you daring? How is the designing coming? Do you need more motivation? Let's not forget that, if your design is the winner and produced as part of the Shabby Apple line, you get three percent of the profits.

Fame and fortune, that's what we aim for around here.

In the meantime, if you need a break from the drawing and the sewing and the dreaming and the designing, here are some kitchen escapes that might help you keep your inspiration coming.

Were you lucky enough to get some delicious, fresh strawberries this season? I got a lovely, lovely batch from the farmer's market, and they baked up perfectly in this strawberry summer cake from Smitten Kitchen.

This glass pitcher, handmade in the Czech Republic, will bring some classy, international flair to any picnic table.

I was also quite taken with these recipes for grilled chicken sandwiches and lemon ice from caroline's bake shop. I have all the ingredients sitting in my fridge, just waiting to be turned into the perfect summer meal.

If you need a little help to whip up that lemon ice, or any other warm-weather ice cream treat, you might consider this adorable little ice cream machine from Sur La Table. The colors are endless!

Do you have any summer kitchen favorites?

Won't you share?

UPDATED-- Do You Dare? Go Design!

2011-06-13T14:38:00.001-07:00

Hello, friends!

I have been talking a lot about myself lately (still on the look-out for creative wedding centerpiece ideas, btw) so today I thought I would talk about you.

Namely your chance to design a dress and have it become part of Shabby Apple's Spring line.

That's right, my lovelies! Dare to Design is back!

And this year, there's a twist. We will, of course, be accepting all your fabulous dress designs, but this year we are opening the competition up to skirts and blouses as well. So many design options!

The rules are the same as they have ever been.

You don't need to be a professional designer or seamstress or model or car salesman to enter.

Design a dress or a skirt or a blouse using whatever medium you are most comfortable with-- you can draw it out, sew up a prototype, use a computer program.

Then post your design on your own personal blog and be sure to link back to us in the post. (Posts that are not linked will not be considered. Because I said so.)

You'll also need to let us know where to find you. Please send us an e-mail at daretodesign@shabbyapple.com and let us know where we can find your post. We'll come on over and take a gander!

We'll narrow the field to 15 submissions and post them right here. The people will speak and a winner will be crowned.

The schedule will go down like this:

The contest starts on June 15th-- that's TWO DAYS from now! And you have until August 10th to submit your brilliant designs.

We'll have the Final 15 up on the blog by August 17th and you'll have until September 10th to vote on them. (September 10th, my wedding day! Because it always comes back to me.)

And we'll announce the big winner on September 14th. I mean, I won't, because I'll be sunning in the Turks and Caicos. But someone will. I promise.

And now, off with you!

Design away!

Stamped. Sealed. Delivered.

2011-06-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

Here is something that will make all you letter writers (and wedding announcement senders) out there.

Patricia Mumau has the most darling custom return address stamps at her Etsy shop.

Each stamp is made from handwritten calligraphy and you can go simple, curly or flowery.

Imagine the time you'll save addressing return-to-sender wedding dinner invites!

Oh, just me?

What would you use these little beauties for?

Bathing Beauty

2011-05-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

I am going on a honeymoon to here:

I think I will wear these:

And probably not much else.

How about you, beach bunnies? What is your favorite Shabby Apple swimming suit?

The Misses

2011-05-17T16:59:00.001-07:00

Will you forgive me that it has been so long?

I am so sorry.

Will it make it easier for you to forgive me if I tell you I got engaged?

I hope so.

Will you keep reading this blog if it becomes a vehicle for me getting advice about wedding-related decisions like what in the heck I should wear in my hair and what kinds of things people like to do at wedding receptions?

You will?

Well, gee. Thanks, you guys.

In return, I'll tell you that there is a sale on over at Anthropologie. (You know, in case you wanted to get a jump start on shopping for my bridal shower gift.)

And maybe if you have a few minutes left after that, you can pop over to Reagan's Blob for her review of an extra special Shabby Apple spring dress.

There. That's better, right?

Let's not stay apart so long again.

Something (Royal) Blue

2011-05-02T15:15:00.001-07:00

Did you wake up and watch the royal wedding? After my full-blown obsession, I am a little embarrassed to say that I slept through the whole thing, but I did spend the whole (work)day Friday looking at pictures and videos and reading just about everything I could get my hands on.

Basically I thought it was perfect, from the dress to the hats to the carriage to the prince to the sweet balcony kiss.

Swoon.

One of my favorite tidbits was that Kate Middleton (Her Royal Highness now, I suppose) followed the "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" tradition, which I love.

The old was the antique lace used as the overlay of her (stunning!) dress. The new was a pair of leaf-shaped diamond earrings from her parents. The borrowed was a tiara, lent by the Queen herself (would that we were all so lucky) and the blue was a blue ribbon sewed to the inside of her (stunning!) dress.

Classy as always, Princess Catherine.

Tiaras and diamond earrings are probably out for us commoners, but I did get to thinking that a smokin' pair of blue shoes might be a snazzy way to go.

Like maybe these embellished flats for an all-night party (because, you know, Prince Harry is really into those).

Or perhaps a subtle pair of pumps for a more understated affair.

And I might be a little in love with these modern peep toes, which could spice up a wedding dress or any other everyday ensemble.

What about you, my faithful royal watchers?

What was your favorite part of the wedding?

And what would you pick for your something old, new, borrowed and blue?

StyleSpy: go mama go

2011-04-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

Saw these gorgeous mamas at the playground.

Aren't those boots and the stripe T awesome?

I love everything about these outfits!

I might have stripe tunnel vision, but these two outfits jumped out at me too!

Love the mix of layered textures and jeans.

Three different takes on the nautical stripe top in one morning.

Mama on the right gave birth just 3 days later!

What I want to know is, how are you styling your nautical top this spring?

And, by the way, I saw this over the weekend - we might have a winner!

Not the crazy pattern I envisioned, but the creative seam work

make it more interesting over all.

And, hey, this is another stunner along the same lines.

You can find both here and here

Fit For A Princess

2011-04-19T15:21:00.001-07:00

Raise your hand if you are still obsessed with the royal wedding! And if it is getting worse day-by-day!

My obsession has grown so extreme I am getting e-mails from people about the latest royal wedding madness. And half the time I had already read all about whatever the madness was.

This is a sickness people. But I don't know how to stop.

For those of you who need to be caught up:

People are finding Kate Middleton's face in jelly beans!

She might not wear a tiara, but flowers in her hair instead. Camilla is livid!

Will and Kate's daughter could be Queen!

And, while we're at it, let's talk about these royal wedding cakes. Any bets on whether any of these were any good to eat?

How about you, wedding watchers? What is your favorite royal wedding news?

StyleSpy: maxi dis-dress

2011-04-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

I came across this dress last week,

and it has me scheming how to make it mine.

Does it woo you to? Sadly, the price brought tears to my eyes.

diane von furstenberg

So, I went on a hunt for an awesome maxi dress, and sadly,

I have not found anything inspiring or tempting that meets my three requirements:

a) affordable,

b) sleeves, and

c) awesome print

Is it just too early in the season?

Here are some possible contenders.

What do you all think?

daughters of the revolution

Oscar the Third

tory burch

calypso st. barth

diane von furstenberg

forever 21

All Invited With Nowhere To Go

2011-04-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a fancy party that required fancy invites coming up, because I am loving these custom invitations from nella designs .

This Bicycle Built for Two Save The Date card is one of the most adorable things I have seen in ever.

And this custom silhouette is such a fresh, hip idea. Not to mention a perfect second chance for engagement photos that didn't turn out so well.

There is also a wide selection of printable labels and cards if you are in more of a "do-it-yourself" sort of mood. Or budget. Some favorites:

You can just have the template e-mailed, with instructions about what kind of paper and printer to use, or you can request printing from nella designs as well.

And then you can let the adorable partying begin!

Tell me, Shabby Apple friends, what are some of your favorite invitation designs out there?

30 Days, 30 Styles, One Magic Dress

2011-04-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

Here is an inspiring Tuesday story.

A while back we got a little note from one Miss Susie Stusek, who was about to undertake a project I think most of us wouldn't even be able to fathom, namely wearing the same dress every day for 30 days.

And why would our friend Susie do such a thing, you ask?

Well, to support The Daughter Project, a non-profit organization based in northwestern Ohio that helps victims of sex trafficking overcome the trauma of their experiences, and works to prevent other women and girls from being trafficked.

As it happens, Susie's hometown of Toledo, Ohio is one of the top five cities in the country for sex trafficking, so Susie asked her friends and family and co-workers to sponsor her-- and her one dress-- for 30 days. In addition to wearing the same dress for 30 days, Susie also pledged not to buy any new clothes for herself for 30 days, with all the money she would have spent shopping going to The Daughter Project instead.

So far Susie is pretty much the coolest person any of us have heard of, right?

The original goal was to raise $500, but Susie ended up with much more than that.

Here at Shabby Apple, we were happy to pitch in any way we could, so when Susie contacted us looking for an easy-to-wear, versatile dress for her 30-day challenge, we were more than happy to oblige! We sent over the classy, comfy Jitterbug dress and Susie took it from there.

Check out a sampling of her creative styling.

In the end, Susie said it was an amazing experience to get over always thinking about "me, me, me." And I certainly feel inspired to do the same thing.

Not that I am signing up for 30 days in the same dress just yet, mind you. But, if I was, I think I might go for Da Vinci, a classic jersey dress, or the fun sophistication of 16 Candles, one of my all-time favorites.

How about you?

What Shabby Apple dress would you wear for 30 days?

Biscotti Monster

2011-03-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hello, dearies! Are you sick of all things Italian yet? I hope not! Because we have another culinary delight for you today, from another fantastic guest. Read (and drool) on!

Marni Landes is a self-taught baker with a penchant for cookbook collecting. With close to one thousand cookbooks in her collection, she'll soon have to quit the hobby and find a new, less space-hogging one. Marni would almost always rather come home from work and just eat cereal and milk for dinner so she has time to bake a cake. She blogs about her baking pursuits at www.happygomarni.com.

Biscotti is an Italian cookie that has superhero powers in the category of shelf life. That's because the cookie is twice-baked, and that process dries it out so it lasts longer. What exactly does it mean to bake a cookie twice? Well, first you shape the dough into a log on your baking sheet and bake it for Round 1. After this first baking period, you take the baking sheet out and slice the log into those familiar long cookies that we love so much. You then place them back on the baking sheet facing upright (imagine they're tanning at the beach and want to get maximum sun exposure), and off they go to bake for Round 2!

Those Italians sure came up with something good. And fortunately for us, it's a cookie that's available all over the place. You don't have to go to Italy to eat one (though a trip to Italy to get a biscotti makes a pretty good story, or an excuse for a vacation). Ever notice while waiting in the line at Starbucks that they sell individually wrapped biscotti? Makes sense. They are great coffee dunkers. And while biscotti just implies a simple twice-baked cookie with basic ingredients, gourmet, exotic, adventurous variations on the traditional can be found in cookbooks and bakeries everywhere. You'll find that nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chunks all get tossed into the batter, or the finished, baked cookie even gets dipped in chocolate. In fact, a plain biscotti today seems so boring!

One of my favorite flavor combinations is chocolate and orange, so putting them together in a biscotti sounds like my kind of heaven. This recipe is easy to prepare and has a hearty helping of chocolate chunks and orange zest. Do take the time to chop up a chocolate bar. It will work (and taste) soooo much better than using mini chocolate chips. So far, I'm going on one week that these biscotti have kept like new in an airtight container. I love that I feel no sense of urgency to finish eating the whole batch quickly before they go bad. These guys are going to last. And that means I'm going to take my time, savor each bite, and probably still be eating them in two weeks. Truly a cookie with superhero powers.

Chocolate Orange Biscotti

Adapted from a recipe by Marcel Desaulniers in Death By Chocolate Cookie

Makes 4 dozen biscotti

4 cups all-purpose flour plus up to 1/2 cup for shaping the dough

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-ounce pieces

4 large eggs

2 tablespoons minced orange zest (or more!)

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces (don't use chocolate chips because they're not easy to slice)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt onto a large piece of wax paper and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the sugar and butter on medium speed until soft, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed, and continue beating for 4 more minutes until very smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the orange zest and beat on high for 30 seconds. On low speed, gradually add the sifted dry ingredients by lifting the wax paper carefully to the mixer and pouring the ingredients in. Add the chopped chocolate and mix on low for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl from the mixer and and continue mixing the chocolate in until well incorporated. A wooden spoon or strong rubber spatula work well.

Prepare two baking sheets by lining with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Lightly flour a work surface. Transfer the biscotti dough to this surface and divide the dough into four equal portions. Use additional flour as necessary if the dough gets sticky. Shape each portion into a log that measures 8 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide and 1 1/4 inches high. You can also shape these logs directly onto the prepared baking sheets so you don't have to lift them once shaped. Two logs should fit on each baking sheet, placed about 2 inches apart.

For Round 1 of the two baking times, bake the biscotti logs on the top and center racks of the preheated oven for 35 minutes, until lightly browned and firm to the touch, rotating the sheets from top to center halfway through the baking time (at that time also turn each sheet 180 degrees). Remove the biscotti logs from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 275 degrees F.

Let the logs cool for about 15 minutes so you'll be able to handle them. Then, place a log onto a cutting board and use a very sharp serrated knife to slice the log into 12 cookies. The slices should be at a diagonal angle and about 1/2-inch thick. The rounded ends of the log can be discarded or eaten (Mmmm, eaten is a much better option). Do the same for the other logs. Return the slices to the baking sheet, this time facing up. You might be able to fit all of them snugly onto the same sheet they were first baked on, but you might need a third sheet.

For Round 2 of the two baking times, bake the biscotti slices on the top and center racks of the preheated oven for 30 minutes until crisp and evenly browned, rotating the sheets from top to center halfway through the baking time (at that time also turn each sheet 180 degrees). Remove the biscotti from the oven and allow them to cool thoroughly before storing in an airtight plastic container.

Storage: The biscotti will last for 2 to 3 weeks stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They also freeze well. Just be sure to wrap them well and place in an airtight container in the freezer.

Use Your Noodle(s)

2011-03-22T17:32:00.001-07:00

We are tomato-haters (and proud of it!) around my house, so Italian food is always a little tricky.

So I am sure you can see while I was thrilled to find a no-tomato-sauce lasagna recipe. Who knew there was such a thing?!? Plus, this recipe is a perfect excuse to buy and then use a fancy Le Creuset baking dish. Though I am sure you could do it in a less fancy baking dish just as easily.

I haven't tried the recipe myself but I am basically dying to. If one of you beats me to it, let me know how it goes!

Here you are, from the Williams-Sonoma kitchen.

Garden Lasagna

1 cup packed fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup raw baby spinach leaves, plus 1 lb. baby spinach, blanched, squeezed dry

1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

3 cups ricotta cheese

1 egg

4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1/4 cup finely chopped shallots

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups milk

1 lb. cremini mushrooms, sliced 1.4" thick, cooked until golden brown

1 jar (16 oz.) roasted red bell peppers, drained, sliced 1/4" thick

6 oz. no-boil lasagna noodles, torn into rough 2" pieces

4 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

In a blender, combine basil, raw spinach, 1/2 tsp. garlic and oil; process until thick sauce forms. Add Parmiggiano-Reggiano, salt and pepper. In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, salt and pepper.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Cook shallots 4 minutes. Add 1 tsp. garlic and flour, cook 1 minute. Stir in milk; cook on medium-high heat 8-10 minutes. Transfer to bowl; cool 15 minutes. Stir in basil puree. In a separate bowl, combine mushrooms, bell peppers, blanched spinach, salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 3 1/2 quart shallow Dutch oven (or other heavy-duty baking pan. I think). Spread 1/2 cup sauce on bottom of pot; arrange single layer of noodles on top of sauce. Top with 1/2 cup ricotta mixture, 1 cup vegetable mixture, 1/2 cup sauce mixture and 1 cup mozzarella. Layer noodles, ricotta, vegetables, sauce and mozzarella 2 more times, then add layer of noodles, ricotta, vegetables and noodles. Spread remaining sauce on top; sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella.

Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more.

Serves 8-10.

Whether you bake up this tasty dish or not, wanna tell us which of our new Roamin' Holiday dresses you would wear while eating it?

When In Rome

2011-03-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

More of Italy from our very own Mary Braun. And have you seen our new line of romantic--and Rome-inspired-- summer dresses? Give it a look and let us know which dresses you would take on your own Roamin' Holiday!

Ah, Roma! City of dreaming wishes and romantic street lights; city of stolen love and stolen wallets.

Of all the places I have loved, I have loved Rome best.

I used to be quite adorable, you know. I lived in Italy in the prime of my youth-- fresh faced and spry. A young American doll. (Well, sort of.) I had the best name in Italy at least. "MARIA!" the natives would yell and I would respond (in my head) "la chiave!" (as anyone naturally would who has watched the darling Roberto Benigni from La Vita e' Bella no less than 23 times).

Look at my here! See? Adorable!

Rome was amazing. Unforgettable. Divine. Breathtaking. I’m not talking about taking-the-stairs-instead-of-the-elevator breathtaking (that happens to me more than I’d care to admit), but cosi meravigliosa (so marvelous) that I could honestly cry from both astonishment and pure joy of what was unfolded and presented to me every day:

Fountains bubbling with fresh water around every street corner? Check!

Italian Opera floating out the windows in small alleys? Check!

Me eating my third hazelnut and banana gelato that day? Double check!!

I mean, does it get any sweeter than this? Obviously not.

This is me visiting several years later with a baby in tow. Still hooked on gelato…hmmm….

Since I had the opportunity to gallivant around this beloved city for several months, I thought I would share a few of my favorite pictures and locales and give you little hint of what I should have worn had Shabby Apple been around:

La Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain): Is it terrible that I loved this fountain so much because just across the street was a pizzeria with the most amazing potato pizza? (Don’t judge me.) When the sun was high this fountain was magical! Bright white against a clear blue sky – no wonder it is famous for secret wishes. (i.e. I wish I had more potato pizza….) This fountain is tucked neatly away behind streets and buildings and no cars are allowed in this area. On your way here, you see plenty of Rome’s famous sites, so I would recommend wearing something breezy and comfortable, like Da Vinci. Throw on a pair of flats and swing a camera over your shoulder and you are good for sightseeing all day.

La Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Cathedral): The first time I saw this building I was stunned! Why I shouldn’t have expected it to be the most massive piece of work I’d ever see in my life, I know not. From the impressive piazza and towering columns to the delicate Pieta’ (my favorite) and reverent Sistine chapel, this site is a must-see for everyone. Since it’s a cathedral, I think it deserves Sunday best – and cotton, please, since you will probably be smooshed next to a very large group of sweaty tourists. I would recommend Veni Vidi Vici (because conquering the Vatican in one day is in and of itself an impressive feat!)

If you are feeling adventurous and want to hop on a train for a day trip, let me suggest two alternate routes to the North and South:

Firenze (Florence): By far the most popular city in Italy! I couldn’t get enough of the open markets, leather goods, Pinocchio paraphernalia…. Not to mention The Uffizi and Academia house some of the most famous art and sculptures in the world. If I had my way, I would traipse around the city all day in Rosso: Start in the Piazza di Michelangelo to watch the sunrise, spend the day in studious observation in the museums and end it at the Florence Opera House for a showing of La Boheme or Carmen. Please. Best day ever.

Costa d’Amalfi (Amalfi Coast): From the pastel homes piled on top of each other to the sprawling coast line, this locale screams Italian dream!! Enjoy the beach and fresh salt air and then take a drive to the other coastal cities like Napoli (try their famous spaghetti and pizza!) or swing over to Sorrento and pick up a collectible music box. Do it in style in the new Gondola dress and before long you’ll be saying, “Cosi si fa a Napoli!”

StyleSpy: Ciao Bella!

2011-03-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Oh Italy! You just seem to do everything right. Food? So fresh, simple and decadent. Art and music? Beyong beautiful and timeless. Lovely eye-candy gorgeous men? Yes, you have some of those to spare. You ooze culture and style - all I want to do is pretend to be Italian so I can exude charm and effortless style as if it is in my blood. I've got hopes to come and see you real soon, sweet enticing Italy, so don't at all be surprised I am already thinking about what to pack. And pack light I will, because my luggage must have room for newly discovered treasures - I am thinking of the high-quality, hopefully luxurious yummy variety guaranteed to remain in my closet the longest (notice I didn't say forever, that just wouldn't be the truth).

While perusing the marbled museums, rolling countryside or cobbled markets (need more adjectives?), I don't want to scream tourist by how I dress! Let's try and pretend for just a minute we live here and today is any normal day for us in spectacular Italy. I've dressed like a complete fashion novice in the EU before and it feels... lame. But don't worry if you find yourself missing the style bullseye oversees, you'll be surrounded my plenty of inspiration. Let me give you a few suggestions for what to tote along for a beautiful meander through Italy or back home this summer.

1. Pack light.
OK, I know this is relative, but take less than you think you should. I'm a notorious over packer. Try not to do it this time. While packing, lay out all your clothes and create max. 5 outfits that all coordinate, hopefully giving you even more outfit options. Leave room for new clothing to return home with you. There will be plenty to make you wonder how you can get it, and then, get it home.

2. Make each piece count.
Pick pieces that are versatile and coordinate with other patterns and accessories ensuring each pants, shirt, shoes can go with more than one thing in your bag. In other words, do not bring anything you are not totally sure you know how and with what you will wear it. Be very deliberate in what you bring along.

3. Think sleek, understated and feminine.
European fashion is not flashy (well, unless you fancy D&G, which is awesome), but rather tailored and effortless. For example, leave the linen at home - it does not breath well in humidity, requires ironing and quickly looks rumpled and unflattering. Instead, channel your inner Audrey Hepburn with slim crop black cotton pants, a fitted white button-down shirt, big sunglasses and leopard print flats. Or consider Briget Bardot with a patterned circle skirt, belted at the waist with a scoop neck top.

4. Think chic, yet comfortable.
Do not, I repeat, do not bring your yoga pants and nike cross trainers unless you hit the gym in the hotel. They are comfortable, but not appropriate for exploring Sienna or Venice. You will regret it the moment you leave your room, or I hope you will. Pack your maxi dress and flat gladiator sandals instead. You'll look and feel gorgeous while you walk, walk and walk through the piazzas.

5. Accessorize wisely.
Blah fitted white-button down shirt you say? That's where the pink patent leather belt comes in. Bring your sassy sunglasses, a good roomy tote, a small clutch for evenings, a few belts of varying widths, and a patterned scarf, or pick up an inexpensive pashmina at the market. These simple, lightweight items have the potential to create maximum impact and polish off an outfit nicely without a lot of fuss or overthinking.

My dream suitcase would look like this:

source: white top, floral top, python belt, black pants, flats, shorts, leather flip flop, gray tote, swimsuit, sunglasses, maxi dress, leather bag, sandals, white jeans, stripe top, skinny belt and strappy heels.

If you made it this far, don't forget to bring your camera and an extra large memory card.

Soak it all in and enjoy every moment, especially the lost-in-translation-backward moments that hopefully you'll laugh about later over gelato. Be open to a wonderful exhiliarating experience.

Now, how about we talk about what to see and where to go?

Mambo Italiano

2011-03-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

Ciao, bellas!

For those of you disappointed in Brad Womack's final choice on The Bachelor last night, I have some good news.

(Not like I would ever give you bad news, of course, but that's beside the point.)

There will be a contestant everyone can get behind on the next season of The Bachelor, and that contestant will be me!

But not really.

The truth is that Shabby Apple is releasing a new line of dresses, inspired by the land of pasta, pizza, and handsome men, and to get us all excited (as if we were not all bursting at the seams already!) over the next little while we are going to be bringing you all things Italian.

So, keep you eyes peeled, my lovelies, and if there is anything you want to know about Italy or the way of the Italian that you didn't learn from Eat, Pray, Love, let us know!

Besos.

Statuesque

2011-03-01T12:10:00.000-08:00

Let's talk about the Oscars.

But really, you'll have to talk and I'll just listen because I didn't watch them. Last year I did this thing where I watched all of the Best Picture nominees, but this year I guess I just didn't really care that much. Plus I am still totally scared to watch "Black Swan."

So, I sort of just let the Oscars pass me by.

But that doesn't mean I didn't take the time to check out the fashion commentary the day after. I thought Nicole Kidman looked terrible, Natalie Portman looked pretty good, Halle Berry looked like she always does and Mila Kunis' dress was my favorite.

I loved the lavender and the lace and the whole thing.

A few of my other favorites.

I'll be honest that I wasn't crazy about all that shiny stuff on Penelope Cruz's dress, but I did think it was a pretty darn good showing for having just birthed a baby a few weeks before. And how dreamy is Javier Bardem? I think those two might be the world's most perfect couple.

If you're looking for more Oscar's fashion commentary, here is a Best/Worst Dressed list, and to shake things up a little bit, a gallery of post-Oscars party dresses. I never thought I would say these words, but Selena Gomez might have looked the best.

How about you, my lovelies?
Did you watch the awards?
Which Oscar dresses were your favorites?

A Vintage Birdie Told Me

2011-02-25T13:53:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of talk around here (here being our nation's capital) about the national budget (like that we don't have one) and lots of people (say, journalists and John Boehner) are throwing around the idea that there is going to be a government shut-down (hello, 1995!), which means that people who work for the government (such as yours truly) might not get paid for weeks until they (they being John Boehner) work the whole thing out.

And weirdly, all this does is make me want to shop. And dream of far-away (and expensive) locales where I could spend an extended (unpaid) hiatus.

So imagine my luck that today I stumbled upon this little online vintage retailer, Bleubird Vintage. There are duds for the whole family (papa bird, mama bird and baby bird), plus shoes, accessories and home items as well. A few of my favorites.

And, you'll fall a little more in love once you read owner Miss James' blog. Talk about darling and uber-hip children. Can I be them?

What did you think of Bleubird Vintage?
Find any favorites?