Keeping Up

As you well know, dear reader, there is a lot going on here at Shabby Apple, all the time.

How to keep up with fashion advice, trend tips and useful how-tos, not to mention all the wonderful dresses and accessories Shabby Apple has to offer?

It is a conundrum, to be sure.

But, lucky for you, I am here to make things easier. And I am most pleased to announce that you can now follow the happenings at your favorite dress company with the new Shabby Apple widget.

Ta-da!

Just add this little guy to your own blog or Web site and you'll know the second anything new comes up. And all your friends, family and blog stalkers will be able to access our content through your site as well. What a deal!

Still not enough?

Well, it's still your lucky day, because there are even more ways to keep up with Shabby Apple.

For example, look for us on Twitter. You'll be notified every time this blog is updated, and some special promotional codes just might make their way to you as well.

Or, sign up for our RSS feed. You can subscribe as a reader or subscribe using e-mail and be notified the minute, nay, the very second (!) anything new comes along. You, my friends, will always be ahead of the game.

And, finally, if you miss something or you have a question, or a suggestion for something you want to see covered on the blog, or you just want to write and tell me how awesome I am, you can now send e-mails to blog@shabbyapple.com.

Satisfied now? You will have instant, all-day, every day access. Sort of like we're roommates. Or sisters.

Now, doesn't that sound fun?

Brooch-ing the Subject

I don't like to judge, but I saw a woman wearing a brooch the other day and it looked ridiculous.

It looked ridiculous because it was a brooch of a friendly bug of some kind, like a little dragon fly or something, and she had it pinned to her shoulder. That's right. Pinned right to the top of her shoulder, as if it had just landed there and decided to stay. But it didn't look whimsical and cute. It looked ridiculous. (Have I mentioned that already?)

So, I got to thinking. How can you wear a brooch creatively? Because perched on your shoulder can't be right. But I have a lovely collection of shiny, vintage brooches from my mother and grandmother and I would love to use them more, while also avoiding the fate of this poor woman. And I bet you would, too.

Can you guess what's coming next?

It's tips! Tips are coming next!

1. Instead of pinning a brooch to your lapel, pin it to a chain and wear it as a pendant. You can also turn brooches into bracelets by attaching them to a cloth wrist cuff (homemade is fine.)

{image from http://www.robincamille.com/}

2. If you are going out for a fancy night on the town (as I am sure you all have hot dates every night of the week), use some bobby pins to attach a blingy brooch to your updo, maybe nestled in a bed of messy curls, as a hairpin in a sleek bob or even attached to the side of a cloth or elastic headband.

{image from http://www.liveweddings.com/}

3. Got a dress that doesn't fit quite right? Gather the extra fabric (under the bust is a great place to do this), and secure it with a large, striking brooch. I have also used brooches to spice up the waistlines of dresses that fit. Other non-traditional placements include at the V of a sweater or shirt, or higher up on the shoulder of a sleeveless blouse or dress. (But, remember, not actually on the shoulder. Because that looks, say it with me, ridiculous.)

4. Another trick I love is using a large, usually round-ish brooch to cover up an ugly button or other closure on a cardigan or shrug. If you have a cover-up with no button at all and you want a makeshift closure, a brooch also comes in handy.

5. You can also ditch the clothes all together and use a brooch to add a little class and bling to an evening bag, a satin belt, a hat or a scarf.

{image from http://www.butterfliesandhurricanes.co.uk/}

6. Also, don't feel like you can only wear one statement brooch at a time. If you have several smaller pins, bunch them together on your lapel or around the neckline of a simple dress or blouse for a new twist on an old favorite.

{image from http://www.jckonline.com/}

Are you ready to pin one on?
What are your favorite tricks for getting the most bang out of your brooch-y bling?

And A Dash of Retro

My mama was in town over the weekend and we decided to tackle a sewing project while she was here. I will not get into the particulars of whether or not this was a good idea, but I will tell you that said sewing project yielded the most delicious retro-style apron, and I have decided that retro-style aprons are totally the new black! Or something like that.

Of course, we all know the practical benefits of aprons. For one thing, they save your darling clothes from being ruined by cooking-time messes such as  flying powdered sugar (or whatever it is that happens to fly around your kitchen). But retro aprons give you so much more. In addition to the necessary kitchen protection, they also add a dash of whimsy and a pinch of adorable to your ensemble, instead of drowning you in frumpy homemaker garb. And, who wouldn't be more excited to roll their sleeves up in the usually mundane kitchen if it meant tying on a charming apron? Well, not me. That's for sure.

If you are a skilled domestic diva, making your own apron is definitely an option. (I used a vintage handkerchief that says, "Feeling Lucky Cowboy?" on mine, and that is sass you just can't buy in a store.) But, if you do go the retail road, here are some suggestions.

You can go dotty, striped or patriotic with these sweet cover-ups from Carolyn's Kitchen. (These sweeties don't even need clothes underneath. Oo-la-la!)

This sweet pink number from Cupcake Provocateur would make the perfect hostess gift. Or, just might turn you into the perfect hostess. I love, love, love the panels and piping.

And this handmade retro-style apron from Etsy shop Boojiboo has it all: sweetheart neckline, circle skirt, fitted bust. Could there be a more flattering accessory? (Answer: no.)

Can't wait to get into the kitchen with one of these confections, can you?

And, am I the only one craving a cupcake now? (Mmm... sprinkles...)

Bathing Beauty

It's a little hard to believe since I am still wearing long sleeves and multiple pairs of socks, but I am already getting bombarded with e-mails about spring swimwear lines. That's right, swimsuit season is almost upon us! And, may I just say, I am loving this new trend of retro swimming suits? I may? Well, thank you kindly. I am loving this new trend of retro swimming suits.

For one thing, they make one-pieces hip again, which is good news for those of us looking for more coverage rather than less. I am especially digging the styles with a lower cut leg. I've got a little junk in the trunk, you know, and I don't need everyone seeing all of it.

But, more than that, these suits are just plain adorable! I adore the flirty ruffles, the old-school prints and the overall classiness. A quick online search will probably bring up dozens and dozens of options, but here are some of my recent favorites.

I just can't get enough of these cheery polka dots.



The ruching and halter top give this retro throwback black swimsuit just the right amount of sass.



If you're looking for something that really makes a statement try this boldly striped suit, just the right mix and daring and demure.


Never mind that I still have to sleep with a heating pad, perfect sunny days by the pool or the waves will be here soon enough, and I think we all deserve a smashing new suit to celebrate. Don't you?

And please, tell us.

What are your must-have features in that perfect swimsuit?

Beguiled

I am sure you will be pleased to hear that my goal to take over the entire Internet is slowing coming to pass. (Muah-ha-ha-ha-ha!)

The latest conquest is an interview with our own Emily McCormick over at Betty Beguiles. This probably comes as no big shock, but I think you should check it out. Not only to hear the lovely thoughts of lovely Emily, but also because there is a special surprise waiting for you if you do.

Do you like surprises? I do.
Want a surprise? Go check it out already.

You're welcome.

Flaunt It

We here at Shabby Apple are just full of all sorts of priceless advice, which you all well know. And it seems pretty unfair to just keep it to ourselves. And, though we may be many things, unfair we are not.

So, off we went into the World Wide Web and to share the fashion love. Check out our latest article on Maternity Luxe, Flaunt That Baby Bump!

Never fear, our friends. There is plenty of Shabby Apple to go around. If you want some of our wit and wisdom for your own site, just let us know!

Color Me Mine

Since you all did such a wonderful job choosing our bridesmaid dress designs, I have another favor to ask of you. Just a small one. Are you ready? Set?

Here we go.

All I need you to do this time is let us know what colors you would like to see those stunning bridesmaid dresses made in. Are you thinking of a sweet, flowered neckline in a buttery yellow? A bold plum for a striking keyhole neckline? A skirt flowing in soft lavendar? We want to hear all about it!

It's a little hard to see, but each swatch has a number, starting with the left-hand column and going down each column in order (so the swatches at the top of each column are 1, 6 and 11. Catch my drift?). Hop into the comments section and let us know what two or three colors tickle your fancy. And, if you want to match the colors to the specific bridesmaid dress designs, you can certainly do that, too.

Isn't this the best kind of coloring?

Can't wait to see what you come up with!