In The Apple-light: Cashmere Cardigan Boutique

It's time for another installment of one of our Shabby Apple favorites: "In The Apple-light." Today we're getting to know one Ms. Sarah Jones, proprietor of one fabulous Web site, Cashmere Cardigan Boutique. To learn all about what makes Ms. Jones tick, and what makes cashmere cardigans the bee's knees, read on!

Tell us about your family, your pets, your occupation and where you live.

I live in Los Angeles, but spend a lot of time in San Francisco and New York. I am a personal shopper. I started out just shopping for friends in college and after graduation, started doing it full-time as more people asked me to be their personal shopper. I’ve always been interested in fashion and this is a great way to continue to be in-the-know. I start out every woman’s wardrobe with some basic pieces and then add on from there. No matter what the budget, I truly believe that having the right basics is important. One of my key winter basics is a cashmere cardigan which was my inspiration for the name of my blog. {More on this soon!}

I have a little dog named Katie and a great fiancé named David.


What was the inspiration for Cashmere Cardigan Boutique? {Told you it was coming soon!}

The inspiration was really my love of fashion. As a personal shopper, I advise people on clothes everyday. I tend not to only shop for people with lots of money, but also will take on clients on a budget. Therefore, I’ve seen what a difference small changes in your wardrobe make. If you are on a budget, look for classic pieces and then change your jewelry and accessories. If you can afford more, then there are definitely more options, but you have to choose correctly. My inspiration for the blog is to share with others the tips I’ve learned as a personal shopper and the fashion inspirations I have.

Do you think people are afraid to buy cashmere, and why?

I think people are afraid because the word makes them think “expensive.” If you are smart about it, you can buy cashmere at huge discounts. Also, most cashmere sweaters are made to last and are not as trendy as other items so investing in them is a good idea. Timing your purchases is smart as well. The end of winter sales and the early Spring sales where they clear out the winter inventory are great times to stock up on cashmere.

What are your top three favorite ways to wear a cardigan?

I love wearing a long cardigan over skinny jeans and a tank top. I’ll usually add a scarf and some accessories. The cardigan will usually be more colorful while the jeans and tank more neutral.

My other favorite is a long cardigan over a short dress. The cardigan should hit a little below the dress. I love pairing this look with flats or knee high boots.

I love wearing a cashmere cardigan over my pajamas. In the winter, when it’s cold, nothing beats a great cashmere cardigan to wear over thin pajamas. It looks great and stylish and still keeps you warm.

{Sarah recommends a fuschia cardigan to keep your wardrobe bright and trendy. Pairing a bright cardigan with a simple white T-shirt or black tank can help keep things more neutral if that's what you prefer.}

If you were to design your dream cardigan, what would it look like?

My dream cardigan would be long and white. The white would be a snow white and it would never get dirty. It would fit perfectly, especially at the arms (I’m petite and the length of the arms are always too long). It would flow out and hit at the perfect point below my waist (not past my butt). When I button it, it would be tight, but not too tight that I can’t wear something underneath. Still, it would button and show my figure. There would be a small pink tulip at the corner as my symbol. Finally, the cashmere would be the thin cashmere, the type that is easily bendable and very soft. It wouldn’t be too thick so I can throw it on in all seasons, even during the summer at night when it’s cold. {Will those be to order? I hope so!}

Are there any tricks to the perfect fit in a cardigan?

As a petite woman, I’ve found many tricks to the perfect fit. First, scrunch up the sleeves. That gives the illusion of the cardigan fitting more snugly, even if it does not. On cardigans that drape, you want to make sure you scrunch up those sleeves, otherwise, everything will look like it is draping and ill-fitting. Second, add a belt. A thicker belt at the right place allows you to scrunch up looser fitting cardigans. Finally, wear something tight underneath to see how well it buttons up and drapes. Don’t wear something bulky or you won’t know how it really fits.

What are you reading right now?

I read more magazines than I do books. Right now, I’m reading – Elle, InStyle, Oprah, Bazaar, WWD. I also read tons of fashion blogs on a daily basis. {Including ours, I hope!}

What is your favorite indulgence?

I’d have to say chocolate. I love a piece of dark chocolate at night, after dinner, especially the Scharffen Berger ones. My other favorite is frozen yogurt. I can’t get enough, especially during the summer. Finally, there are these Red Velvet cupcakes from a place in Beverly Hills called Sprinkles. I love, love, love those!

What inspires you?

Everyday regular people. Sometimes I’ll sit in a café in NY or LA and just watch people go by. I can’t believe how differently people dress and how people choose to wear their clothes. It’s a daily inspiration since there are so many different ways to wear the same piece of clothing.

Where would you go on your dream vacation?

Australia. I would hit Sydney, then Melbourne, then Cairns. There are some wonderful boutiques in Melbourne that I would love to check out in person. Sydney has the best blend of culture, food and sites. I’d just rest and relax and maybe do some snorkeling in Cairns.

{Another recommendation from Sarah is a loose cardigan. It's not constricting, and you can easily throw it on over all types of clothes. Petite women be sure not to buy something that's too long.}


What fashion trend do you hate right now?

I am hating the fringed clothing trend. When you wear dresses or skirts that are fringed, they tend to get caught on everything – your bracelets, your jackets and your purses. Plus, the fringes fly up and separate making your outfit look like there are holes or something missing.


What fashion trend do you love right now?

I’m loving the one-shoulder dresses. They are that perfect combination of sexy, slightly revealing, but still covering enough so that people want to see more.


What makes you feel special?

A great dress, a new outfit, new shoes.


What is your favorite Shabby Apple dress?

I’m loving the Broadway fuschia dress. I wear it to work to see my clients and they just love it too.


What would you do with $1,000 right now?

I’d spend $100 on these shoes I’ve been eyeing and then put the rest in my savings account. This is a tough year so it’s important to save. {Next time I should specify that you have to spend it ALL! There is no recession in make-believe.}


What is your favorite Web site? (Besides ours and yours, of course!)

There are so many, but I love stumbleupon. I just stick in a word and it shows me so many wonderful sites that I’ve never noticed before.


If you could be any character from the Harry Potter books, who would it be?

Oh, I love this question – I would be Hermione. It may be a cliché, but I love how she is the smartest of the three AND a woman. The girl just has so much energy and confidence and I love how she always backed up her friends. I also loved her compassion which you see often in the book.

{Cardigans with non-traditional sleeves, like ruffled sleeves or kimono-style sleeves, can be more comfortable since your arms are less confined. And they are the perfect solution for petite women battling against sleeves that are too long.}

If you had to wear one outfit for two weeks straight, what would it be?

Probably my skinny jeans, three inch black heels, a white t-shirt from Gap, and my heather grey cashmere cardigan. Then, I would pair it with my gold hoop earrings and a few bangles. Since I have to wear it for two weeks straight, I would go with something more neutral and hope nobody notices!


Who is your style icon?

Coco de chanel.

Describe yourself in one word.

Curious.

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen! Don't you want to just run out and be friends with her right now? At least we can all be friends on the Internet. (That was a reminder to visit Cashmere Cardigan Boutique right now!)

(Did you do it yet?)

(How about now?)

In The Apple-light: Ali

Hello, friends! May I introduce you to someone?

Meet Ali, full-time mama to Logan, a five-year-old girl who is all about pink, and Callen, a three-year-old boy who is all about cars, and writer and co-founder of Mama Manifesto, a Web site for moms with daily nap-sized musings, product reviews, tips and recipes for the modern mom. (Watch for a little Shabby Apple shout-out there soon.) Oh, and Ali just went into business with her husband, as well. Tired already? Keep reading!

Tell us about your family: After having an infertility struggle, I feel utterly thankful to be a parent. My children are often the best this about my day, as well as often the most challenging aspect to my day. Being a mom has definitely rocked my world in every way. I just spent a big chunk of my day driving an hour and a hald to track down a beloved blankey for my son. The things we do for love now! My husband is still the man of my dreams after 10 years of marriage, and is by far the best friend I will ever have. He works a corporate gig and is an amazingly talented musician on the side. (Check out Drew Bray on iTunes!)

Favorite color: Right now it is probably a tie between green and a vintage aqua blue. I think I like these two colors because they always feel fresh and fun. I am debating painting my old farm-style antique dining table aqua blue.

Favorite food: Does coffee count as a food? It is my favorite way to start the day-- a hot steaming cup of coffee with lots of cream and a splash of agave nectar. I am not officially awake until the first few sips.

Favorite movie: I am a total sucker for romantic comedies! One of my all-time favorites is "When Harry Met Sally..." I think it reminds me a bit of my husband and I as we were really good friends before the chemistry kicked in. I also love the old people sharing their stories throughout the movie. I cannot wait to sit on the couch next to Drew some day and be wrinkled and squishy and still giggle at each other.

Favorite indulgence: Dessert! I would choose to eat a plain chicken breast at a fancy restaurant just so that I could indulge in a heap of yummy dessert. I am not that picky about my sweets, but I definitely appreciate anything with chocolate in it.

What makes you special? I appreciate my ability to pause and reflect. I have learned a lot over the past year about gratitude and now I can choose to live life with a more aware perspective on how blessed I am. It has revolutionized my life in a very short period of time. I can also entertain a lot of kids at once-- it's the former camp counselor in me!

What is your greatest accomplishment? The daily nurturing of my beautiful family. It feels like a beautiful tapestry that changes always time, and always becomes more beautiful.

How do you get in a creative mood? I love to sit with a favorite magazine and a cup of tea in a quiet space and flip through the pages. Just seeing the photographs will usually inspure some sort of project, whether it be to paint, change my home decor, sew or sit down and write for my Web site. (Magical favorite magazines include: Country Home, Country Living, Coastal Living, Martha Stewart Living.) Also, my secret garden of inspiration is my local Anthropologie store. I can go and just wander through the store and leave feeling so inspired. Well, maybe I feel inspired and utterly depressed at the same time because I cannot afford 99 percent of the items sold there! (Amen, sister!)

What are you listening to right now? The chatter of my daughter playing with her ponies on my bed. Pinkie Pie is teaching the other ponies how to catch butterflies.

What is your favorite place you've lived or traveled? It is hard to choose a favorite. A very cherished place for me is the Italian Riviera! There is nothing like it. But, probably the place that has the most nostalgia for me is "Deep Creek Lake" in Maryland. My family has been going there for more than 25 years. We now take our children every summer and it is my own little haven. I love everything about it... tall grass, crickets, the lake, homemade ice cream, fresh farm-stand corn, seeing kids make s'more after s'more, and of course, time with family.

What is your worst habit? Allowing anxiety to creep into my head.

What would you do with $1,000 right now? Treat my husband and I to a massage and a mini-shopping spree.

What is your favorite Shabby Apple dress? I LOVE the entire line of dresses and think that it is brilliant to make clothing for a specific body type. God bless you for that. (Well, thank you very much!) My favorite is probably Nantucket.

What is your favorite item of clothing? My Paige denim jeans. They are the first pair of "luxury denim" I have ever purchased, and they are also the first pair of jeans that have ever fit me really well. I love them!

Who is your style icon? I think Gwyneth Paltrow is a classy gal. I enjoy her style quite a bit.

What is one New Year's Resolution you are determined to keep? To fight to be in the present every moment I have with my precious family.

Describe yourself in one word: Well-rounded.

And that's Ali! I hope you enjoyed getting to know her as much as I did! Don't forget to check out Mama Manifesto for more Ali, and some great stuff from Shabby Apple, too.

Want us to make you famous?

Leave your name and e-mail address in the comments section below, and you could be next under the Apple-light!

In The Apple-light: Betty Beguiles

I am most pleased to introduce a new feature on this here blog of fashion goodness, "In The Apple-light" (like limelight, but with apples. Because, you know, Shabby Apple. Get it? Another joke!), wherein I, Frances, introduce you, our loyal Shabby Apple customers and fans, to each other! Who doesn't like to make new friends, right? Especially new friends with impeccable style and fashion-sense.

And so, dear ones, without further delay I give you the lovely and talented Betty, a fellow crusader for modesty with charm, and proprietor of the delightful blog, Betty Beguiles.

Job Description: stay-at-home mom (and homeschooler!) of four kids under the age of six (whew!) and wife of seven years to Dan, "the cutest, sweetest husband a girl could ask for." All together now: Awww!

Favorite Color: Blue.

Favorite Food: Strawberries.

Favorite Indulgence: Long, hot, bubbly baths and dark chocolate. 

What is your greatest accomplishment? My marriage and our four children. (All together now: Awww!)

How do you get yourself into a creative mood? Music usually works, but sometimes you just have to dive in and hope inspiration follows.

Where is your favorite place? Somewhere near the water. Beaches, lakes, rivers, or any place that has lots of rain.

Where have you lived? California, Texas and Alabama.

Where have you traveled? I've backpacked through Europe, seen a bit of India, and have explored much of our own lovely country, the USA.

What is your worst habit? Biting my nails. I drive myself crazy! I just can't stop!

What would you do with $1,000 right now? I'd go shopping for dresses, new and vintage! (We hear you on that one, Betty! Who's with her?)

How did you hear about Shabby Apple? Good old Google. I was searching for lovely, modest wear.

What is your favorite item of clothing? A new 1950s green and blue chiffon dress I found online.

What is your favorite Shabby Apple dress? Nantucket. (I selected it with help from the Fit To Flatter feature. I was not disappointed.)

What do you think someone's clothes tells other people about them? So much. Are they outgoing? Demure? Artsy? Humorous? Serious?

Describe yourself in one word. Traveling.

And that, ladies and gentlemen (are there any gentlemen reading this? Besides the cutest, sweetest husband in the world, Dan?), is our new friend Betty. Nice to meet you!

Want your moment in the light?

Leave your contact information in the comments section and we'll make you famous!