South of the Border Style

It is that time of year when cold, gray weather is getting pretty darn old and we all start longing for the warmth and sunshine of Spring and Summer.

Dear Winter, we are over you.

To escape the bleak mid-winter blahs I am off to Australia!

(Yes, you should feel very jealous. Go ahead.)

But before I leave, I am going to let you in on a little secret that will help you get through these last few yucky weeks (months? I hope not) of Old Man Winter.

On March 9th, Shabby Apple is releasing a new slew of fabulous women's dresses. The desert inspired Baja Line will transport you to Old Mexico before you can say, "Another margarita, please!" Fancy yourself skipping through an Old Spanish Mission with the Sundace Kid on your arm, and the bleak winter will be nothing but a bad memory.

If you're looking for a little advanced sunshine in your wardrobe, pick up a swingin' fedora like this one,



and some cargos like this,



or this cargo skirt,



to bring a little south-of-the-border flair to what you wear.

(Rhyme!)

I am passing the blog into very capable hands while I am away, so keep checking back for more information about the Baja Line and much more!

Central Park is Full of Perks

The first real trip I ever took to New York City was Spring Break of my sophomore year of college.

We did it all. The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Macy's, a Broadway show. And a walk through Central Park, eating those candied nuts you can buy on the street.

It was heaven.

(It was also delicious.)

I've lost track of all my trips to New York since then. The city always has something different to offer-- different styles, different plays, different food, different friends, different seasons-- but Central Park always has the same magic.

I have walked through Central Park on a breezy summer day holding hands with a cute boy.

I have rushed through Central Park on a blustery fall day on my way to a delicious brunch.

I have strolled through Central Park on a scorching summer afternoon, licking an ice cream cone with my mom.

I have stood in Central Park and closed my eyes and breathed it all in.

Central Park is the gift that keeps on giving, and that's why Central Park is the inspiration for the latest and greatest line of Shabby Apple dresses! Over the next couple of weeks, we're inviting some of our favorite New York City bloggers to share some of their favorite memories of Central Park and The City That Never Sleeps.

And we'll also be sprinkling in some sneak previews of the upcoming line, so I think it's pretty safe to say you are not going to want to miss a single day. I haven't seen the new line myself, but my sources say it is to die for. And my sources never lie.

So, sit down, strap in, and get ready for a Big Apple-style adventure!

And if you have some favorite New York City memories of your own, we'd love to hear them.

Of course.

Party Like It's 1943

The holiday party season is nearly upon us.

This fact brings to mind two important questions.

1. Does anyone know what happened to 2009? Seriously guys, it is almost gone. And yet, I could have sworn it just began.

2. Is your wardrobe up to the challenge of months of office soirees and neighborhood get-togethers?

It probably doesn't surprise you that I have some good news, at least when it comes to Question #2. Today's good news comes in the form of 1943, Shabby Apple's newest line of chic and utterly fabulous dresses. These dresses are just what the doctor ordered for all your holiday party wardrobe woes.

But, let me warn you before you continue, that you are going to want every single one of these dresses. Literally. Every single one. Keep reading at your (pocketbook's) own risk.

Take, for example, this charming white flower and grey wool dress, Bugle Boy. For me, it was love at first sight. Are you feeling the same?

Pair this dress with brightly colored or textured tights and some daring ankle booties to spice up the neighborhood holiday scene.

Is there a more formal event in your future social calendar? Then might I suggest you turn to Casablanca.

This black dress, accented with a large bow on the front, turns up the drama and the class, making it the perfect fit for a winter wedding or a formal office party. On the accessories front, a pair of shoes in an equally rich fabric, such as velvet or satin, are all this dress needs.

If meeting friends or family for a celebratory dinner after work is the order of the day, then Gary Cooper, a charcoal pinstripe dress made of limited edition Italian suiting wool, is the order of the day as well.

This dress transitions seamlessly from day to night. Just add an oversized pearl necklace or a creatively placed sparkling brooch to take the final step from work to play.

If getting hearts racing is your goal, turn up the color and the volume with this red cowl-necked dress, West Coast Swing.



This splash of color will set you apart from the sometimes drab colors of the cold season right away. I recommend it for snagging the attention of a certain someone under the mistletoe. Tuck a large feather or flower, preferably in a contrasting color, into your hair and you'll be sure to turn all the right heads.

And, if you can believe it, there are more of these dresses! I could write something glowing about every single one of them (seriously, guys, seriously), but I will leave the rest of the gushing to you. Hop on over, check out the whole line and then come back and tell us: Which 1943 dress is your favorite?

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.

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?

A Carousel Carou-sale

Excuse me, but have you seen the new line of dresses, Carousel?

Because they are stunningly beautiful and charming and bright and bold and flirtatious and flattering full of darling details, and I am currently in the process of ordering every single one. And you probably should be too, since right now this very second you can get free shipping on orders of $100 or more by entering the code "carousel" when you check out.

Happy shopping!

Frills for Fall

It's a little bit hard to think about fall clothes when it is still blazing hot outside, but the Shabby Apple Fall line is here, and it is not hard at all to think about how straight up darling this new line of dresses is!

Take a look:

The Moss and Ivy tiered dress is a new spin on one of my old Shabby Apple favorites, 16 Candles. The color is soft and romantic, and so is the stretchy cotton fabric. I can see this dress all dressed up with heels and a long pendant for a fancy dinner, or dressed down with flat boots and a blazer for a Saturday morning at the pumpkin patch. A definite Autumn must-have either way.

The Kenya wrap dress is a flattering option for just about anyone, with a cross-over bodice, a waist-tie and a full paneled skirt that keeps everything under wraps. I love the heavier canvas material, perfect for the in-between Fall weather. The camel color also makes Kenya a perfect dress up/dress down option. I am planning to wear mine with leopard print ballet flats, and I can't wait!

Like what you see so far? Good, because there's plenty more where that came from! Hop on over to Shabby Apple and tell us what new Fall dress has you counting the days until cooler weather.