Courage Take (for goodness sake--it's just a little change)

Spring is upon us. The tell-tell signs are here--outside my window I can hear the neighbors riding their bikes up my driveway and into the cul-de-sac where I live, my hands have blisters on them from gardening and the dear Frances (who normally writes this blog) has set out on her yearly departure from the country. If you want to hear all about her amazing trip to Turkey and see pictures you can check it out here. As she was unsure as to how much access she would have to the Internet she left me in charge of the Shabby Apple Blog. It's a lot of pressure and I'm going to be honest; I've lost a little sleep. I have to be fun, funny and have something interesting to say on the topic of fashion. Here goes. Be kind.

My friend Adrian is writing a book. It's all about how normal people can become people of virtue. It's an experiment of sorts and every month you try to develop a different virtue. I'm one of the testers of the program. Last month was integrity (didn't do too well). This month is courage (doing much better thank you). While preparing for this blog and thinking about the hits and misses I've had with my own personal fashion I was struck with how much the idea of courage has to do with personal style.

My hairdresser says that no one should have the same hairstyle for more than a year. You should change something--brighten the color, add bangs or layers--something. I think that her advice is very good and can also be applied to clothing and other aspects of fashion. Styles change. And, if you're still wearing the exact same outfits that you were wearing 10 years ago that means they changed without you.

All of us have the tendency to hang onto clothing items that we love and make us feel confident. There's no problem with that. The problem is hanging onto all of them and not getting new ones. I know this amazing woman. She's talented, successful, attractive and really smart. She has two children who are in their late 20s. Two years ago for their family Christmas card she sent out a picture that was taken of her family when her children were small--4 or 5. The inside of the card showed her family in the same type of clothes and the same poses but the picture was recent. The card said something clever about how around the holidays we don't like things to change or something. It was a nice card. But one thing struck me as wrong. In the recent picture this woman was not just wearing an outfit that was similar to the one she wore in picture on the front but was wearing THE VERY SAME LARGE-PASTEL-FLORAL-PRINT-ON-AN-OFF-WHITE-BACKGROUND TWO-PIECE SUIT. This woman is in amazing shape. She could beat me in a foot race, arm wrestle and all contests that involve not eating cake and candy. But those capital letters are not accenting how great she looked. Her lack of change in wardrobe and hair style (dull brown, crunchy perm) don't do justice to her beauty.

So to the woman I know and all of us who have a little trouble moving with the times I offer a couple of suggestions on how to make it less painful. Be brave. It won't hurt too much.

1) Find a Style Icon.

Is there someone at your work who dresses the way you want to? Is there a celebrity who every time you see her you think, "she is so amazing?" Copy them. Do what they do. I don't mean that you have to copy every outfit that they wear exactly (that's creepy). But look at trends. Here's my newest style icon (the woman in black. Though I admire the one in pink as well).

What trends do I see? Knee length skirts. Check. Cardigan. Check. Moderate heels. Check. Those are all things I can do. Buying a $2000 designer dress really isn't in the cards right now. But a knee length skirt with a little tulle? Totally doable. Sting of pearls? I'm on it.

2) Take a good look at yourself

Chances are good that part of your style is a little bit like who you admire. What parts of your style fit and what is going to have to change?

3) Be ready for change.

This is especially for those of you who run a little on the side of informal. I know that sweats and scrubs are incredible comfortable and there are many places you can wear them--for instance, if you're in a coma, or recovering from surgery. Fashionable clothes don't feel like sweats and scrubs. If you're wearing pants that fit appropriately, you'll be able to feel them on your body. That's not a bad thing. You don't have to be uncomfortable but it's true that at the end of a day wearing cute, girly shoes you feet are going to feel more tired than they would if you were wearing sneakers.

4) Start Small.

No one is asking you to become Lady Gaga over night

(photo courtesy of people.com)

(besides, truthfully, most people can't pull off that kind of look. And really wouldn't want to). Start with accessories. Shoes, jewelry and bags are easy to change. And your changes don't have to be drastic. If you normally wear simple necklaces, try something a little more chunky. Look at this fashion moment from my icon. Totally unassuming jacket right? Yes. But look at that brightly colored shirt underneath. You could do that.

6) You don't have to break the bank.

I have a confession to make. I'm 30 and I am only now curing my fear of girly shoes. For the first time this week I bought myself a pair of pointy toed shoes (I know, I know a little late getting on the wagon). This pair in fact.

And when I walked into work, my workmate said, "great shoes." And he's a guy. And not gay. Why, you may be asking, did I only buy them now? Because I found them at the thrift store and I thought $4 was a reasonable price. You can buy a clothing item that you're a little scared of at the thrift store and if you hate it when you get home and try it on again, no problem. You've only spent $4.

Make a goal girls (and guys). What are you going to change about the way you look? What small changes can you make? My next goal. Conquering the 3/4 length sleeve jacket. And the origami neck blouse. Oh. And the peplum dress. So I've got at long way to go. It's okay. Baby steps and the simple question, "what would my fashion icon do?"

A Face Mothers and Everyone Else Can Love

It's official.

Shabby Baby has named a new Picture Perfect Princess.

Oh, what's that? You want to know who it is?

Very well.

Everyone say congratulations to Miss Emmeline Sanary Savage. That's Princess Emi to you.







Can't get enough? Not to worry. You'll be seeing more of this darling face around Shabby Apple soon.

Also, an enormous thank you to all of the other darling girls who entered. (And their mothers!) There were literally hundreds of participants and, frankly, we're very flattered. Not to mention overwhelmed by so much adorable.

Like my mom always says, you're all princesses to me.

An Interview With Style

I had a job interview a week or so ago. (It went very well, thankyouverymuch, and I got the job. So, hurrah!) The biggest challenge wasn't the interview itself, though. It was figuring out what in the heck I should wear. How to be professional but not stodgy? Stylish but not over-the-top? How to express my own personal style but still be appropriate?

In this bummer of an economy (have you heard?), I bet I am not the only one heading to interviews and hoping for the best. Here are some tips on putting your best foot, and fashion, forward.

Before you even go to the interview, do a little reconnaissance.


Call the office's receptionist, explain that you have an interview and want to look your best, and ask what most people in the company wear to work. If you have a friend working in the organization, pick her brain for ideas, too.

Also, take into consideration the location and type of job. A rec center and a corporate office have vastly different office cultures and dress codes. Dress for the job you want.

For traditional office jobs, suits are usually best and conservative colors such as navy, gray and black are your safest bet. If you go with a skirt suit, make sure the skirt is long enough that you can sit comfortably without showing too much leg. Nylons are also a must with skirt suits (sorry ladies) and you should stick with neutral colors.

The cut of your suit, however, does give you a little bit of creative freedom. Of course, everything you wear to an interview should fit well. Make sure your suit jacket, especially, has a flattering and well-fitting cut. To add a little spice, look for suits with subtle unique details, such as a narrower lapel, non-traditional buttons, scalloped cuffs or a more trendy cut. Tasteful stripes or other subtle patterns can also kick it up a notch. Suits do not have to look and feel like you dressed in a refrigerator box.

Once you have the perfect suit picked out, a coordinated blouse is the next step, and you have a little freedom here, as well. As with the suit, more conservative colors are best, but don't be afraid of a little flair like tuxedo ruffles on the front of your blouse, a peter pan collar, or even a lace or silk camisole under your suit jacket instead.

For your fancy feet, stick with closed-toe shoes, pumps or loafers. Leave the stiletoes at home (unless you are going to that kind of job interview). Depending on the season, a simple pair of boots might also be appropriate. Add some edge with a low-heeled patent shoe or a subtly two-toned heel. Sandals are out. Unless it's an interview with "Baywatch," of course.

{Stella McCartney shoes on StopStyle.com}

As a general rule, jewelry should be minimal, and no jewelry is better than obviously cheap jewelry. But, you have a chance to make a statement here as well. Add some color to your suit with a tasteful brooch, or spice up your blouse with a colorful necklace. I have one with pearls and lightly-colored rhinestones that works perfectly for this type of occasion. As with all interview attire, keep it on the subtle side (that means take out your nose ring and don't wear a whole armful of bangles) but don't be afraid to express your personal style. A silk scarf is also a great accessory option.

{www.vivaterra.com}

Keep make-up and perfume light (that means save the cat-eye eyeliner for later), and make sure your nails are clean and well-manicured. If you like having polish on your nails, go for a light, simple color. Make sure your hair looks neat and professional. Cover tattoos, and leave your gum behind. Instead, pop a breath mint just before you walk into the building.

Finally, put your resume and all the other paperwork you need into a nice briefcase or portfolio. An interview for the job of your dreams is not the place for your tiny clubbing purse or your over-stuffed handbag. (Plus, you just never know what is going to fall out of those massive purses. Am I right?)

{www.allbriefcases.com}

Try on your ideal interview ensemble a few days in advance, to make sure everything fits and looks just right. Check all your clothes for tears, wrinkles, holes and scuffs. Lay out your outfit the night before your interview so you're not stressed trying to pull it together the morning of.

And then get in there and knock 'em dead! I know you can.

Are you on the interview circuit?

What ensemble helps you hit it out of the park?

Won't You Be My Intern?

I want you to do a little exercise for me. Don't worry. It's not push-ups.

I want you to close your eyes, and think about how much you love to wear your favorite Shabby Apple dress. Think about how it makes you feel all feminine, flirty and put-together.

Now think about how great it would be to have that feeling all the time.

But how? you ask.

By applying for a Shabby Apple internship, of course!

Perks include fashion shows, guest blogging (that's right, right here!), article writing, spreading the good Shabby Apple word through sophisticated public relations and working with one of the most stellar bosses in the world. Not to mention a fabulous free dress when you're done.

Too good to be true?

No, ma'am.

Now, I know you all want a shot at this, but interns have to live in Salt Lake City. Hours are flexible, but generally Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Interns have to have their own laptops.

If I've peaked your interest, drop a line to intern@shabbyapple.com for the application that could just change your life.

Seriously.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

One of my dirty little secrets is that I love to scrapbook. Now you know.

I am not a particularly crafty person, and I shy away from things like scrapbooking conventions and stamp parties, but I do find a certain satisfaction in recording the events of my life and preserving them for someone else to thumb through some day. And I bet a lot of you feel the same way.

The only problem is time, right? (When is time not the problem?) How to carve out a few moments to write down the silly moments that make up our days and lives? And how to remember things long enough to get them down on (patterned) paper?

Allow me to point you in the direction of author Judy Siblin-Librach and her book, Love, Mommy: Writing Love Letters To Your Baby. This resource can help all you busy mothers recreate the critical moments in your children's lives: first steps, first smiles, first words. If your kids are anything like me (and, let's remember, I am even an adult), they probably have all kinds of questions about what they were like when they were younger. They probably love to hear you tell the stories of their early lives. Now you can hand them those memories, all bound up for good.

Talk about something worth thumbing through.

Teal-ing Blue

This just in! Teal dresses are totally hot right now!

Did you know?

Everyone is wearing them.

Like Jennie Garth.

And Amy Adams. And Mary-Louise Parker. And Kate Hudson.

And you could be wearing one, too! As it happens, Shabby Apple has a couple great teal dresses to choose from. You lucky (blue) devils!

Try the 90 Words Per Minute secretary dress for an upscale day at the office.

Spice it up with a pair of wild animal print pumps, or cinch it with a wide black patent belt. If jewelry is more your accessory style, off-set it with a stylishly subtle cuff and a pair of simple silver earrings. A sequined cardigan or a chic, well-fitting blazer can easily transition you from a day at the office to a night on the town.

Or how about the Mediterranean V-collar dress?

I think I have already expressed how much I love this one. Slip on some brightly colored stilettos and wear it to a spring wedding, or pair it with some sparkly flats for a classy garden party. Top it off with a bold headpiece in flowers, or feathers.

And, voila! You'll be ready for a red carpet of your very own.