Always a Bridesmaid

Here's the latest from our hard-working, fun-loving interns. This week's installment comes from Kate Weed. Ready? Steady? Read!

Bridal Bombardment
To put it mildly, marriage has been a topic that has popped into my life with surprising frequency in the last six months or so. You could say it’s a theme that’s been relentlessly assailing me in multiple lines of attack. The kitchen bulletin board that was to be devoted to photos of me and my roommates joyously checking off our list of fun summer activities features has been invaded by invites, barraged by bridal showers and bachelorette parties, and attacked by armadas of announcements. It seems I might be the only one who missed the memo that Summer 2009 is the time to wed for my high school graduating class.

The subject doesn’t escape me even at my part-time job at a children’s clothing store, where one of the main drives of shopping mothers lately has been the outfitting of their children in color-coordinated clothing for the summer weddings of family members.

While you might assume that the force with which this theme has permeated my existence in the last half year would have driven me to a matrimonial overdose, I have found that there is one essential element to a wedding that can keep my interest in any marital celebration: the clothing that comes with it. I’ve recently become a fan of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress,” in which a bridal shop seeks to fulfill every entering bride’s dream of that perfect white gown, and when I discuss a neighborhood reception with my mother or sisters, the meat of our conversation tends to revolve around the apparel of the wedding party.

The obvious focus of wedding fashion is on every aspect of the bride’s dress, but I’d like to devote a little attention here to the attire of the bridesmaid. Bridesmaid dresses can be downright awful (think of Katherine Heigl’s atrocious “27 Dresses”), but the Bridesmaid of 2009 actually has the potential to rival (or at least come close) to the bride in a look of up-to-date elegance. I love J.Crew’s vision for the modern bridesmaid for this retailer’s rejection of the dowdy or unoriginal bridesmaid dress. Rather than presenting bridesmaid models in the same dress and the same color, this retailer suggests keeping bridesmaids in a unified color but letting each attendant choose the dress shape most flattering for her body type.







Conversely, bridesmaids can be dressed in the same dress but in a variety of colors. Or, give the bridesmaids a few choices in colors and styles and everyone comes out looking and feeling their very best.

Shabby Apple dresses provide bridesmaid solutions for both traditional and less-traditional wedding styles. All bridesmaids would shine, for example, in the flattering and forgiving color/shape combo of the Martha’s Vineyard brown wrap dress.






Or, if she wanted to mix it up a little as J.Crew designers recommend, a bride could outfit her attendants in Shabby Apple’s varying styles of the little black dress, or even interject punches of color with the bold-hued Some Like it Hot red wrap dress or Upper East Side bright blue pleated dress.

While I won’t be the bride at the (biweekly) weddings I find myself attending this summer, I’ll be content for now, knowing that my current saturation in all things nuptial has at least provided me with some delicious wedding cake, some delightful dance floors, and the knowledge that in today’s world, the well-outfitted bridesmaid can walk tall.

Who's Your (Customer Service) Mama?

Happy Friday, Shabby Apple fans! And welcome to another installment of our Seedlings feature. (Still super proud of that name, BTW.)

Today I am delighted to introduce you to one Mary Braun, the happy voice on the other end of the line when you call with questions or compliments about your Shabby Apple order. (Let's hope it's more of the latter.) I would love to have given you a picture of the face to go along with the voice, but Mary is a little preoccupied right now having a baby, so pictures will have to wait. In the meantime, here are some of Mary's thoughts on a few Shabby Apple favorites.



One of the most interesting (and completely awkward) jobs I’ve had in my life was working with a DNA company. I would call people up and ask them to share their stories of different DNA testing they had done, sometimes learning WAY more about a stranger than I ever thought possible over the phone (think serious Jerry Springer material).

For nearly two years now, I’ve worked at Shabby Apple, handling almost all of your customer service inquiries. Although I have never had to personally pry for your information, I have had some good laughs about how much women divulge about their bodies to complete strangers through email, over the phone, and even face to face. I’ve talked with many of you about the havoc pregnancy wreaks on your bodies and the challenges that come from being exceptionally petite to extraordinarily tall. We’ve talked boobs, thighs, torsos, the mom pooch, broad shoulders, legs, you name it. It’s all been up for discussion at some point here.

I have often wondered if any of you have ever considered who I was and what gave me so much authority and expertise on fashion and why I am ever so willing to give advice so freely. I’m here to set the record straight once and for all:

I’m actually a man.

(No, but seriously, would you die?!)

I am 100% female—just ask my husband. (Yeesh! I can produce some serious lady drama!) I can completely relate to all your dress-finding concerns, because I have those concerns myself. I think I’ve been a sturdy size 12 since the 9th grade and, although I love my lean calves and sexy ankles, would not be opposed to getting some type of trade out for my flabby arms and doughy tummy. HOWEVER (and it’s a big however) that hasn’t exactly happened yet. My best kept secret is that I still wow the crowds because I have subscribed to the Shabby Apple ideology: All women can look awesome in a dress!

Apart from the fact that I am about 47 weeks pregnant (okay 39, but come on already!) I do have some dress favorites that make me feel anywhere from drop dead gorgeous to dang stinking adorable—even as an incredibly pregnant mama. If you haven’t jumped on these dresses yet, it’s ‘bout time to get busy, ladies:


Antiquated: Would any of you be opposed to slipping on this sexy number for a romantic night out with your favorite guy? I highly doubt it. The flattering cut and stretch of this fabric makes it a winner on almost every body type.



Daisy: This dress screams adorable! It comes with a yellow ribbon, and I love to pair it with some matching yellow flats. But switch it up with something like lime green ribbon and pink shoes and you have yourself an entirely NEW (and still adorable) ensemble to traipse around town in!


Barefoot in the Park/Pretty in Pink: If you’ve ever been pregnant, you know how important it is to feel comfortable and still look cute. This dress, although not listed in our maternity section, is still a great option for pregnant women (I would just order a size up). Dress it up with a dangly necklace and bangle bracelets for a nicer event, or throw on the flip flops for an easy breezy look.



And, until you find your perfect Shabby Apple dress, keep the inquiries and stories coming. I’m always up for some great conversation!

Tippy-Top Model

There is never a dull moment around Shabby Apple HQ.

Which is probably just what you would expect for an awesome place filled with awesome people.

And now you can be part of the excitement! Right here! On this very blog!

Starting today, and on every other Friday forevermore, we will feature a piece from one of our fantastic Shabby Apple interns. I think we shoud call them seedlings. How about you? Our seedlings are going to keep us in the loop about everything that is happening at Shabby Apple, and in their own not-too-shabby lives.

How does that sound?

To start us off, here is a little something from Seedling Rodney.

Enjoy!

My Run-in with a Top Model
A Dream Come True for a Reality TV Fanatic


Recently I had the opportunity to head east to “The Big Apple” and just be a tourist in one of the most fascinating and talked about cities in the U.S. My wife and I set out with two missions: eat some incredible food, and spot someone famous. Although we didn’t reach our goal of rubbing elbows with Oprah or Obama (neither of whom live in New York City, but both of whom were there at the same time as us), we did have a run-in with a wannabe Top Model. It was Celia from the most recent ANTM cycle.

It was Saturday afternoon, and we were in Greenwich Village searching for a cold treat to cleanse our over-stimulated pallets. I noticed a very tall and skinny woman who suddenly became a familiar face. After all, we had watched her week after week battling it out with a house full of equally tall, skinny, and beautiful girls. She had made it to the final four and was our pick to become America’s Next Top Model. We asked for a photo and expected her to reluctantly pose and then move along, probably on her way to a casting or photo shoot.

What we didn’t expect was how down to earth and genuinely charming Celia would be. Of course she’s no A-Lister, but I expected at least a hint of beautiful woman syndrome. She took time to get to know us, and immediately admitted that she was “such a dork, just reading an article about myself on my iphone.” She was happy to be recognized and to have a couple of fans from a faraway place. After chatting it up on the corner of Bleeker and Grove, she told us she was on her way to get some frozen yogurt, and invited us along. What a treat, indeed!

One of the reasons Celia wowed the Top Model judges week after week was because of her personal style. She knows how to dress, and the judges even told her she could have another career as a stylist. She was able to find simple outfits that made lasting impressions. This day was no exception.

Her attitude about dress reminds me of Shabby Apple. Shabby Apple makes dresses that cover well enough so that women don’t have to add tank tops or slips. And their dresses are made for every body type, not just size 2s like Celia! Basically it’s an uncomplicated and sure-fire way to look good and feel comfortable any time you step out of the house.

Which is pretty important because as you never know when you'll be spotted, recognized, or invited out for frozen yogurt with a Top Model!