All Treat and No Trick

The opinion I am about to share usually makes me pretty unpopular, but I am going to share it anyway. Ready?

I don't like Halloween.

I like candy (I really like candy), but I don't like knocking on people's doors and asking for it, and I do not like dressing up and going to crowded parties where I have to dance awkwardly with some guy dressed as a shark or one of the cops from "Reno 911," and I do not like being scared, and I do not like fake blood, and I do not like Halloween.

Around this time of year I usually find myself in the minority, though, and I am guessing there are some Halloween lovers out there. So here are a few last-minute, cheap and easy costume ideas for those of you who love to celebrate but haven't had the time yet to pull something together.

(I also hate thinking of costumes. Maybe I should read this post?)

Blown Away

You don't need a real windy thunderstorm to look like you've been caught in one, and this costume will win you major points for creativity. Plus, you can definitely put it together with things you already have lying around. Start with business casual clothes (slacks, dress shirt, belt) and add a quirky tie. Tie the tie as you normally would, then loosen it and slip it off. Undo a wire hanger and feed one end down the back sleeve of the front part of the tie. Bend the excess wire so it can be inserted into the skinny sleeve of the tie, then put the tie back on and twist the hanging pieces so they look like they just got blasted with a gust of wind. Turn an old umbrella inside out, gel your hair to stick up in the same direction as your tie and you'll be ready to blow everyone else away, too.

Day of the Dead



For a slightly creepier look, go with white face paint and and black lipstick. Use eyeliner to draw vertical lines around your mouth and eyes, and darken the area around your nose for that extra-dead look. Your box of Christmas decorations can be an unexpected place to find some costume accessories; keep your eyes peeled especially for brightly colored plastic flowers. Tinsel and other sparkly garlands can also be incorporated. Sponges, paper plates and every day craft paint are all you need to make stamps or stencils of skulls and other patterns for your clothes, and tempera paint will wash out if you are planning on wearing the items later. Vintage pieces, either from your own closet or a thrift store, add the finishing "from another time" touch.

Spooky Punk



This offers a slightly lighter take on the same ghoulish theme. For this outfit, grab a black dress or a similar trustworthy favorite and embellish with fishnets, gothic-inspired jewelry and funky boots. For the shredded scarf, tear some old clothes, tablecloths or sheets in gray or black and attach the pieces using safety pins for a back-from-the-dead punk rock look that won't permanently alter clothes you love. Experiment with different shapes and types of fabric to achieve your favorite look. This do-it-yourself scarf can also be added to a black T-shirt and dark jeans for a male version of the same costume. And, for a little bit of fake blood that doubles as a tasty treat, add some red food coloring to one-sixth of a cup of chocolate syrup, plus a dash of corn syrup to thin it out. Yum!

So, even though I will be sitting home, pouting and eating the candy I should be passing out to adorable children, I hope you have a wonderful time this Halloween!

And, if you decide to try out one of these great costume ideas, let us know how it goes!

Crafted and Found

The rule about swearing in my house always was that it doesn't count as a swear if it's a quote. (This has given us a surprising amount of latitude when it comes to cussing, just for the record.) Which is why it is not really swearing for me to tell you that the other day I went to a craft fair called Crafty Bastards, and I wish every single one of you could have been there.

There were skirts stitched together from recycled fabric! Jewelry made out of vintage typewriter keys! Purses made from the covers of old books! Hand-bound journals! Screen-printed T-shirts! And the list goes on and on.

But since every single one of you couldn't be there, I am going to do you the next best thing. Which is tell you where to find some of my favorite finds, all through the magic of the Internet. Can you handle it? Here we go.

For starters, I could not get enough of these statement headbands from Giant Dwarf. I bought this one in blue and gray tones, which turned out to be the perfect accessory match for my new Shabby Apple teal wrap dress, Azure Coast.

I was also quite taken with these enamel pendants from Dandelion Blu. The cherry blossoms were my favorite.

I can see this being just the right piece to grace the neckline of the Martha's Vineyard brown wrap dress, or to add a flash of color to the Storm grey knit dress, a personal favorite of mine. Throw on a pair soft pink heels to tie it together and you'll be the most stylish thing out there.

And now that you're all dressed up with somewhere to go, you need a one-of-a-kind, on-trend clutch to carry for your night out on the town. Right? You can find everything from whimsical to fancy at North Carolina-based Pear Threads. The Condie clutch, made from soft vinyl and vintage kimono fabric seems a match made in heaven for Shabby Apple's new black tiered dress, Tiery-Eyed.

And those of you currently stocking up on Shabby Apple's new line of maternity dresses should also be stocking up on some so-cute-you-could-die screen printed baby onesies from Pinecone + Chickadee. Seriously, if this cupcake came on grown-up clothes, I would be all over it like a cheap suit.



Now you're wishing you could have been there, too. Aren't you? Crafty Bastards happens here in D.C. every October, so feel free to join me the next time around. Until then, tell me which of these fabulous finds is your favorite, and how you plan to flaunt it.

The Stork Stop

It seems that a lot of my favorite people are expecting babies these days. Which is good news for me because it means an excuse to buy adorable baby clothes, stock up on my favorite kids' books and plan trips to see the new little ones. And all of this without 3 o'clock feedings. Hurray for me!

But being in a family way is also good news for them, too. Mostly because I will be showering their little ones with love and affection. But also because Shabby Apple has a new Fall line of maternity dresses. And now through November 15th, they can get 10 percent off their maternity purchase by entering the code "fall maternity."

And if you happen to have a bun in the oven, you can get 10 percent off, too.

I am particularly fond of this sassy eggplant dress with a long tie in the back.




And this long charcoal colored dress with a sweet bow on the shoulder.




Maternity dresses like these almost make me think the 3 o'clock feedings wouldn't be that bad.

Almost.

Winner's Circle (Present and Future!)

There is a lot of winning going on around here today.

For one thing, the winner of our 90 Words Per Minute secretary dress give-away was announced over at Cardigan Empire on Friday. Congratulations to Miss Ashley Elizabeth!

For a second thing, you can still get 10 percent off your Shabby Apple purchase when you enter the magical code: cardiganfriends10off.

And for a third thing, there is still a chance to win-- and I mean W-I-N-- with our Dare to Design contest. There are just a few weeks left to get in on this dreamy chance of a lifetime. And let's not forget how amazing the winning haul is.

For one thing, the winning design will become part of the Shabby Apple Spring line of dresses.

For a second thing, the winner also receives a 3 percent royalty of every dress sold of his or her design.

For a third thing, think about the bragging rights. I mean, just think about it!

To answer a few questions that have cropped up, there is no limit on the number of designs you can submit, so if you have more than one genius idea just aching to get out, go wild!

As for where to put your design, blogs are the preference, but I'll look into the option of linking on Facebook and get back to you.

And here is a refresher on the rest of the rules.

The dare still stands!

The Empire Strikes Back

A big welcome to all our visitors from Cardigan Empire! (And a big welcome to all our regulars as well, natch.)

The Empress of Cardigan Empire, the ever-stylish and graceful Reachel Bagley, has featured Shabby Apple and the 90 Words Per Minute Secretary dress on her darling blog. Isn't she a dear? She has some great ideas for transitioning this dress into fall, so check it out for sure.

And, that's not all! We'd like to give you a little reward for clicking on over here. So, here is a super-top-secret-special discount code just for you! Just type "cardiganfriends10off" at the Shabby Apple check-out for 10 percent off whatever fabulousness you chose.

You're welcome.

But wait! There's more! If you're thinking you might like a 90 Words Per Minute dress of your own, there's a chance to win one of those, too! If you become a follower of this here blog, and leave a comment on this post letting us know you did, you're entered to win a dress. To improve your odds, hop over to Cardigan Empire and leave a comment there about what Shabby Apple dress you think best suits you, and you'll be entered to win again. The lucky lady will be revealed on Friday, October 9th.

You're welcome again.

The White Album

With my new grown-up job, where everyone wears grown-up, professional clothes, I sometimes feel like I am swimming in a sea of white collared shirts.

I, myself, have never quite mastered the white collared shirt. For one, I think they are boring. And for two, I can never make them look quite right. (Which I blame on them being boring.)

But today I came across this picture of Brana Wolf, Editor-at-Large at Harper's Bazaar, and Nina Garcia, fashion director of Marie Claire, both wearing white collared shirts and I thought to myself, "If it's hip enough for them, I must be able to make it work for me."





The subtle details on Brana's shirt-- the ruffle at the bottom hem and the high, triangle-topped pocket on the left breast-- take it past basic, and allow the shirt to stand on it's own.

And I love how Nina has taken a more casual approach to the usually stuffy white button-up, with the sleeves rolled up and the top buttons undone. Oo-la-la! I also like how she has paired the formal item with hip cargo pants.

I am also seeing white collared shirts under trendy flyaway cardigans and cozy wraps and feeling pretty good about that. With the weather turning colder, a white button-up can layer under all kinds of things, taking the place of neutral tanks and camis that might not make the cut for winter. Pair a white collared shirt with a comfy tie-waist sweater and a pair of distressed jeans and I'd say you've got it made. And you'll be right on trend.

What say ye?
Any favorite tips for rocking the white collar?

Fit for Fitness

I find that things I generally dislike doing become a lot easier to do when I have cute clothes to do them in.

Who's with me?

(Who could follow that convoluted sentece?)

Which is why the new Shabby Apple fitness line, Blossom by Albion, is such good news.

I mean, really, I would use any excuse to wear these flattering, unique designs, even if that excuse is running. Which is even better news for me, personally, as I just ate two chocolate cupcakes with peppermint patties inside.

Here is just a small sampling of what you could be rocking at the gym any day now.

What Blossom item are you most excited about?

And what will you be doing while you wear it?