anthropologiegirls

(The Cutest!) Christmas Cards

2012-12-18T13:09:00.000-08:00

You want your cards to be special, but you also don't have time. With all the shopping, baking and visiting to be done, who has time to design a fabulous Christmas card?

Well fear not time-crunched friends! Costco to the rescue!

Wait, Costco??

Yes! This year, they've teamed up with tinyprints to offer the CUTEST Christmas cards. All you have to do is upload a picture, order and you're done! Most of the cards have matching address labels you can order so check that off the list too!

Source: warehouse.stores.tinyprints.com via Shelby on Pinterest

They even have adorable holiday party invites and thank you cards.

Source: warehouse.stores.tinyprints.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Had your baby right around the holidays? They've got you covered too with holiday themed birth announcements.

Source: warehouse.stores.tinyprints.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Tiny prints and Costco have all your holiday card need met!
Now, it's up to you to get your kids to smile for the picture.

Source: collegehumor.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Holiday Prep: Dressing for Your Body Type

2012-12-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

Have you tried our fabulous Shabby Apple Style Tools?
Just go to the 'Shop by Body Type' feature on our website, answer 3 easy questions and voila! Personalized style advice and a whole list of dresses with the perfect fit to flatter your best features.

It's perfect for that upcoming wedding or holiday party that you have no idea what to wear to.... or for a quick round of closet dress-up. (You know you do it, too!)

Check it out and tell us what you think- we love to hear from you! And if you have any suggestions of other ways we can continue to provide fabulous Shabby Apple service, we want to hear those too!

Holiday Hairdo's

2012-12-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

Still wondering what to do with your locks for the holidays?

Don't fret-- we have rounded up some of our favorite hair tutorials you can wear to any party/ the whole year through!

The links to their classic (and easy) tutorials are below...

This twist is an easy fix for those who don't like the fuss of braids or having to curl your hair!

via

Keiko's faux milkmaid: super simple, and makes you look like a braiding pro!

via

Chestnut buns are so Audrey Hepburn-esque. And who doesn't want that?

via

Taking Sock buns to a whole new level!

via

Which 'do would you wear?

P.S. don't forget to pair that beautiful hair with some of our hair details!

xoxo

How Mads Wears It: Ballroom Blouse

2012-12-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Another segment of our social media intern (Awkward Girls blogger), Madison showing us how she'd style some of her favorite Shabby Apple pieces!

earrings/blouse/bag/pants/flats

This outfit is perfect for the person who is party hoppin' on the holidays.
Whether your gatherings are more laid back or a little more dressy, this look is for almost any party!

The Ballroom Blouse is the perfect way to dress up or down any outfit-- the black lace gives off the "you didn't try too hard, but you still look like a millin bucks. " vibe (the perfect amount of eye catching accessories doesn't hurt, either).

If you are going from going to and fro this holiday season, dressier pants and flats are super comfortable and stylish (and don't forget your classy blouse). I am a firm believer that you do not need to be uncomfortable to dress up!

xoxo

(White) Elephant in the Room

2012-12-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

I don't want to brag or rub it in our toot my own horn or pat my own back, but I just thought I should tell you that my Christmas shopping is done. Done. Done, done. I've actually been done for a couple months now, thanks to a little foresight on our trip to China earlier this year.

For those of you still on the prowl for gifts, especially the elusive white elephant/gag gift, here is a handy little guide to speed the process up. (Because the less shopping you have to do, the more cookies you can eat. And I think we can all agree that sounds like the better of the two options.)

I am seriously considering getting this mustache pacifier for myself/my future children because it just might be the funniest thing I have ever seen.

Except for this inflatable unicorn horn. I don't know why the audience is limited to animals. Seems like humans could sport this as well. Am I right?

This retro iPhone case is also totally hilarious, and practical. I would love to have a reasonably-sized receiver to hold onto while I am talking on the phone at home. Problem solved!

What are your favorite white elephant gifts to give? (Seriously, tell me. Because I have a white elephant exchange coming up, and no one has a baby so the mustache pacifier is out.)

Hostess with the Most-ess

2012-12-11T13:17:00.000-08:00

Hosting a party, as we're sure you know, is no small feat. Not only do you have to worry about what you're going to wear; theirs the food, invite list, and of course there has to be adequate festive decorations! Above is a small group of things we think help makes hosting the perfect party that much easier; comfortable (but stylish) shoes, festive dishes, bright candles, adorable oven mits, and (possibly my favorite) glittery confetti.

What are your must haves for a hosting holiday party?

A Real Go-Glitter

2012-12-10T15:30:00.000-08:00

Do you know what we love around here?
Glitter.
Because, really, who doesn't? It's fun, festive, oh-so-sparkly, and not to mention holiday friendly.
So to celebrate our love for the glitz, we came up with a few ways for you to get your glitter fix on!

Gold Glitter Earrings

Tiny, glittery earrings will perk up even the dullest outfit. And, just because we love you, we found the how-to so you can make your own!

Nail Polish

Sparkly nail polish is an easy way to add a little glitz to your life! No time to wait for a mani to dry? Use these Sally Hansen strips instead!

iPhone Case

This phone case is from J. Crew (do they make anything that isn't awesome?) AND it's on sale AND it also comes in pink. You're welcome.

Glitter Flats

Last, but certainly not least, glittery flats are the easiest (and most comfortable) way to make your outfit cheery and bright this season!

What's your favorite way to get your glitter on?

xoxo

Audacious India: Anything Goes

2012-12-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

Though I grew up in the mountain west and only moved east 11 years ago, if you took a look in my closet you'd think I'd been a New York Girl all my life. I remember one day walking through Loehman's looking for a spring dress, and getting to the dressing room only to find that I had, in fact, picked up six black dresses and one gray one to try on. In Manhattan, a black sheath is the perfect thing to wear to a spring picnic, apparently.

So when I stepped off the plane in the Ghandi international airport in New Delhi, India, a few weeks back, I actually thought I was hallucinating—I had left Copenhagen at 5 am, and, after stops in Ukraine for lunch, Azerbaijan for dinner, and an unexpected delay due to monsoon rain, had finally landed in Delhi at 3:20 am—everywhere there were women clad head-to-toe in flaming pinks and cerulean blues, with glints of gold and flashes of tiny mirrors momentarily dazzling my over-tired eyes. It was as if A Clockwork Orange was sharing a backlot with a Bollywood movie. Hello India.

As I have walked through the wild textile markets and enormous western-style shopping malls in Delhi, I've come to realize that the primary rule of Indian fashion is this: Anything Goes.

Well, almost.

Indian women tend to wear clothing with a rather conservative cut: usually a traditional Sari—a long swath of floor-length silk or cotton wrapped and pleated in a complicated fashion at the waist, with the end thrown over the shoulder, and a cropped shirt underneath—or a salwar kameez, an everyday suit, which consists of a long tunic top or dress with a pair of leggings, jodhpurs or harem pants underneath. Initially I thought this conservative turn was a force of tradition, which is partially true, but after galavanting about in Delhi for a day in a knee-length western-style dress, I came to understand it was also a force of climate, and the joys of having light cotton or silk covering nearly every inch of your body became apparent—humidity plus grime plus bare skin equals disaster.

What Indian fashion lacks in choices of shape, it makes up for one hundred fold in color, pattern and bling, and somehow anything and everything goes in that department. Electric green floral print paired with purple and black geometric patterns and trim embroidered with pink, yellow and green paisley print? Sure! Bright pink and gold from head to toe? Obviously! Fifty pounds of rhinestones on the hem of your sari? Well, only on special occasions. Hot pink is the navy blue of India.

The combinations somehow rarely come across as grating, but rather as an exuberant expression of the colorful life and culture of the country. Walking through the Mughal Gardens in Srinagar this week, I couldn't decide which was more dazzling—the manicured gardens of azaleas and dahlias, or the equally bright bouquets of women strolling along the garden paths.

After that first day of coming home and scraping a quarter inch of sweat and grime off my legs, I did what any good fashionista would when faced with a conundrum of culture and climate—I went shopping. The women at the shop I visited excitedly pulled out combinations of bedazzled tunics and bright jodhpurs, handing me outfit after outfit of bolds and brights to try on. When I emerged thirty minutes later from the dressing room, they looked at me befuddled as I laid my selection, which I had culled from different outfits they had handed me, on the counter.

It was entirely black.

How Mads Wears It: The Bandersnatch

2012-12-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Today we wanted to introduce a new thing we wanna try on this here blog.

Since Shabby Apple is all about blog lovin' (as in, we just really love blogs), we decided to have one of our very own interns/ bloggers do a weekly feature!

Every Thursday our social media intern, Madison from Awkward Girls, will feature some of her favorite Shabby Apple items and show you how she would style them!

Every week we'll focus on a Shabby Apple item. This week it's the Bandersnatch skirt.

Annnnd, we want to hear your suggestions for the next feature!

skirt.top.watch.collar.shoes.

I like to call this look "cat lady chic"

For a night on the town (or a swanky holiday party), dress up our Bandersnatch skirt with some feline-related accents that are bound to get you noticed!

Pairing a bold color with more neutral, yet classic prints is a great way to spice up any wardrobe. Tip: one way to look like an amazon goddess (aka super tall) in a maxi skirt is to wear them with some great platforms!

Also, check out these kitten heels I was so close to posting instead. They will surely cat-ch your eye!
(okay, enough cat puns)

Have any suggestions of what Shabby Apple item to feature next?
Maybe some colorful heels? Classy vintage dress? or statement jewelry? Leave it in the comments below!

xoxo,
Madison

Hey, It's Christmas!

2012-12-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

I'm listening to Christmas music non-stop. With only a month to get it in, non-stop is the only way to go! I listen to the Christmas radio station in my car, the Christmas Pandora station at work (don't tell!) and when I'm at home I've been rocking out to Hey, It's Christmas!, an awesome and FREE playlist of Christmas music from hip indie bands from around the country.

Just to review, because I don't want you to miss out on this, you can stream a whole playlist of indie Christmas music for FREE. Or, you can pay what you think it's worth and download the whole she-bang to have it with you always.

I'd say this all qualifies as a Christmas miracle, wouldn't you?

I am especially loving "Unwed Mother" by Hoyle, "The Night Before Christmas (in Texas, that is)" by The Silver Fleece and everything from the Oceanauts.

And, as if this could get any better, you can stream the playlists from last year and the year before here and here. Seriously, this discovery is making my holiday season, and I hope it makes yours, too! Give a (FREE!) listen and then come back and tell us, which Hey, It's Christmas! song is your new favorite?

(the cutest) Printable Tags

2012-12-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

A cute tag can make the package. But, do you know what's even better than cute tags?

FREE cute tags!

For all your gift-giving needs, we have rounded up some (a lot) of our favorite free, downloadable tags from across the blogosphere. Whether your style is classic or modern, cutesy or chic, there is something that will match your holiday aesthetics.

Source: eatdrinkchic.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Source: designsponge.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Source: bkids.typepad.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Source: susanconnordesign.typepad.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Source: theblackapple.typepad.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Source: sassandperil.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Now just get yourself some ribbon or some great washi tape, and some cute paper and getting wrapping!

Holiday Packing Guide: Mom and Dad's House

2012-12-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

The holidays are upon us...and so is holiday packing!
Every year, it seems I either don't wear half of things I brought or I am doing tons of laundry. But luckily, with a little planning holiday packing is possible!

1.2.3.4.5

1. It's always good to have a dress that can be fancy or pretty casual. Whether you go to a play, nice dinner or just spend some time shopping this vintage dress will do the trick. Plus, pleats are great for hiding those holiday "food babies".

2. A pair of sparkly earrings can instantly glam up and add interest to any outfit. Throw them on with a t-shirt, scarf and jeans and you're set!

3. Cozy and classic fair isles sweaters are great. You can wear them alone or paired with a collared shirt. You can also wear them layered over dresses. One sweater, so many options!

4. Tall boots and socks are cute and functional! Not only is this combo incredibly chic, they keep your feet warm and a flat boot is comfortable enough to hit the mall in.

5. One of the great things about staying with family is you don't have to pack as much stuff! Mom, grandma, aunt, whoever will have plenty of clean towels, hangers and can supply you with any forgotten toiletries. A small overnight bag is all you need for a couple days trip!

These tips will be sure to keep you looking stylish while not packing more than you can carry!
What essentials do you bring on your vacations?

I Will Survive!

2012-11-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

winter survival kit by breccaj featuring philosophy

winter can be hard. those dark, cold months can be daunting- we know! so we have put together a little winter survival kit to get you (sanely and beautifully) through the snowy days and icy nights. of course the star of the show is our hollywood hills dress which will get you to all of your holiday parties in style.

what are some of your favorite winter survival items?

="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=4385358&.svc=copypaste&id=62432642">J Crew herringbone vest
jcrew.com

Pewter Satin Overlaid with Black Lace Dress
shabbyapple.com

Smartwool socks
amazon.com

Sorel boots
$205 - jades24.com

Tinley Road infinity scarve
piperlime.gap.com

Philosophy
lordandtaylor.com

Thermotherapy Large Hot Water Bottle & Nordic Design Knitted Removable...
ebay.co.uk

Hip + Handmade = Holiday Magic

2012-11-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

The season of holiday crafting is officially upon us. Hurrah! My tree is going up this week (this week, do you hear me, scheduling karma?) and my beloved Nativity and the Advent calendar are coming out, too. I think I have already stated my determination to get all my holiday crafting and decorating done early so I can actually enjoy the fruits of my labors. And I mean business.

Which is why I was so pleased to stumble across this delightful e-book, A Hip Handmade Holiday. For a cool $10 you can get more than 150 pages with 18 crafts, 9 instructional videos and hundreds of pages of printable tags, patterns and more.

It's a holiday miracle!

It also seems to me that a lot of these nifty ideas (all under $10, I might add), could be adjusted to meet the needs of any holiday or season, which makes it an even bigger score of a buy. If you ask me. I haven't had much time to peruse through my copy yet, but here are some featured projects that should have you reaching for your wallet to place an order of your own.

And with that, let the holiday crafting begin! What project is at the top of your list?

Deck Those Halls!

2012-11-27T15:04:00.000-08:00

December is just around the corner and we couldn't be happier! Nothing beats the excitement of prettying up your home for the holidays and counting down the days 'til Christmas. If you're still looking for the perfect advent calendar to add the finishing touch to your decor, this post is for you! We've found a few of the cutest advent calendars from around the web... and the best part is you can make them all yourself!

This glamorous option comes from Katie at Bower Power. It only cost $6 to make and you can use the corkboard even after the holidays are over! Find the how-to here.

Holly, from Life as a Thrifter, made this fun calendar from an old Coca-Cola crate! Find the (super easy!) instructions here.

Who doesn't love a good garland? Christina posted this cute idea over at Honest to Nod and even included free printables! Check it out here.

So, are you feeling crafty yet? If you've been inspired to make any of these advent calendars (or design your own!), we'd love to know! Send us a photo or leave us a comment below!

Pie In The Sky

2012-11-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

My guess is that you are all too organized and on-the-ball to need a last-minute Thanksgiving dessert recipe (remember how Thanksgiving is tomorrow? What the...) But, in case I am wrong, how do you feel about cinnamon chocolate mousse pie?

This winner is from one of my favorite baking blogs, Caroline's Bake Shop. It does require some advance preparation, but that's what tonight is for, right? The key is to leave enough time to let each layer set. I tried to rush it the first time I made it, and I ended up with a goopy (though delicious) mess.

You can make one big pie (though you'll end up with some extra filling), or five five inch pies. Your call.

It goes down like this.

Cinnamon Chocolate Mousse Pie

5 5" pre-baked pie crusts
2 eggs, separated
1/2 tsp. vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 sugar
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup milk
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup marscapone cheese
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
chocolate shavings (optional)

Beat together egg whites, vinegar and salt until still but not dry. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff. Spread meringue over the bottom and sides of the pre-baked pie shells. Bake in the oven at 325 degrees for 15-18 minutes until the meringue is slightly golden. Set aside and cool.

Melt the chocolate chips and milk (I think stovetop or microwave is fine here). Lightly beat the egg yolks and whisk them into the chocolate mixture until well blended. Spread 4 tablespoons of chocolate over each cooked meringue. Set aside the rest to chill.

Beat together the heavy cream, marscapone, remaining sugar (1 cup) and cinnamon until very thick. Divide the cream into two portions. Fold one half into the chilled chocolate (and make sure it's really chilled). Pour this mixture evenly over the chocolate-painted pie crusts.

I would actually stick everything in the fridge to set up nice and solid (as solid as it will get), and then spread the rest of the cinnamon cream on top.

Top it with chocolate shavings, if you want, and let it chill for at least four hours before you serve it. That is not a joke. And neither is this pie.

Whether you need it for Thanksgiving or not, I hope all of you will be eating this soon! And maybe for those of us who don't have any of our Thanksgiving menu planned yet (I mean, not me, of course...), what is your go-to Thanksgiving dish?

Brown Paper Packages tied up with String

2012-11-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

I love buying presents. I hate wrapping them. I always seem to end up battling with the wrapping paper, cursing at the curly ribbon that refuses to curl and then you have to find a tag that matches! Oi vay. However, I think some of these wrapping ideas may change my outlook on all this upcoming wrapping.

Source: pleasant-home.com via Shelby on Pinterest

An apron inside a canning jar with a recipe for a tag!

Source: olderandwisor.blogspot.com via Shelby on Pinterest

A fun take on a stocking!

Source: casasugar.com via Shelby on Pinterest

What kids don't love stickers? Wrap the presents and then set your kiddos loose with some cheap office supplies!

Source: zgiftwrappingideas.com via Shelby on Pinterest

It's like the Inception of Christmas. A gift within a gift!

Source: thompsonfamily.typepad.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Too much cuteness!

Do you have any go to gift-wrapping tips?

And the Winner is.........

2012-11-19T15:39:00.000-08:00

It's giveaway time! Over the past week we have been so touched and inspired by all of your stories. You are all strong, wonderful, joyful women! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your lives with us. And now the time has come to announce a winner! It was a crazy difficult decision- we wish everyone could win! But a decision had to be made and so...

Congratulations to Stephanie Pacheco!

Stephanie is a young mother who experienced terrible sickness during her pregnancies with her two children. Even when she was sick for months at a time, barely able to eat, Stephanie somehow managed to take care of all the housework and her family while her husband was at work and school. She also has chronic eye problems that, aside from being uncomfortable, affect her vision and make her sensitive to light. Even though this makes it very difficult to complete the many responsibilities of a wife and mother, she manages her home and nurtures her family with love, patience and strength. Her husband, Luis, sent us her story and he said it best- "Every day is a challenge, but she rises to meet it with strength of character and love. I love my wife with all of my heart. She is my light and my reason."

Thank you Stephanie! You are truly an amazing woman.

Please email Sophia @sleasure@shabbyapple.com to claim your prize!

Taylor Swift, You Belong with US!

2012-11-16T10:34:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love Taylor Swift's sweet retro style? Her vintage-inspired ensembles are the perfect combination of classic and trendy. And can the girl rock a dress, or what? We love this girl's look, and we bet you do too! Luckily, we know just the place to go for pretty, feminine frocks like Taylor's! That's right, we think Shabby Apple and Taylor Swift are a match made in fashion heaven! If you don't believe it, check this out:

T.Swift/ShabbyApple by katieduncan featuring a floral shift dress

So are you dying to steal Taylor's style and add a little retro flair to your wardrobe? Well then, head on over to shabbyapple.com and get shopping!

She is Beautiful, She is Strong, She is Loved!

2012-11-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

One of our lovely Joyful Contest runner-ups is Nicole Kulchar. For the past 5 years Nicole has been battling a rare tumor and now has to have her arm amputated. Although she is losing her arm, she has never lost her joyful outlook on life. Her sister-in-law Rachel tells us that she is constantly taking care of others- making and giving gifts, throwing parties and lifting the spirits of those around her. "She is the picture of real joy that knows no sorrows and has no boundaries," Rachel tells us, "She is beautiful, she is strong, she is loved!"

Thanks Nicole for sharing your inspiring story! We wish you a speedy recovery and good health in the future- enjoy your giftcard! Email Sophia @sleasure@shabbyapple.com to claim your prize!

Stocking Up

2012-11-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

I am not a person who likes to celebrate Christmas too early (it's just me and Nordstrom, looks like), but I am also the person who didn't finish sewing my Christmas advent calendar until December 22 last year. So, I am making an exception to my no-Christmas-before-Thanksgiving-rule to get a jump start on all my Christmas craft projects. That way I can actually enjoy the fruits of my labors when December rolls around.

First up, stockings.

I have a gaudy/awesome white Christmas tree and my other Christmas decorations have a sort of vintage feel, so I was particularly drawn to this pattern for retro-style stockings from Simply Notable. As a bonus, the pattern looks pretty simple with no lining or serging or quilting.

And, while we are on the topic of simple, this felt stocking pattern from Better Homes and Gardens doesn't even require sewing! Just glue the pieces together and get on with your celebrating. I love me some felt, and I love me some glue.

I also love this pattern from Martha Stewart (natch) for recycling sweaters into cozy Christmas stockings. Sweaters with unusual pockets, buttons or zippers are particularly good candidates. Maybe you could even take the great ugly Christmas sweater to the next level?

Whatever stocking pattern strikes your fancy, I think we can all agree that when it comes to Christmas stockings, the bigger the better. We all need room for the loot!

What is your favorite style of Christmas stocking? And your favorite stocking gift?

Joyful Runner up- First Class Lady!

2012-11-13T14:33:00.000-08:00

At the ripe age of 8, Christina Grimes faced a terror all too horrible: her mom had had a life changing bike accident which left her paralyzed and with "too many broken bones to count." Although her doctors told her time and time again she would never be able to walk, Christina's mother, Louisa, had survived, and for her, right then and there, that was enough. It meant she would have more Birthdays, more Christmases, just more time. She believed she would walk again, and being a mother, she was right. Louisa worked and worked, never giving up, being a prime example of a warrior and inspiring all those around her.

11 years later, she has won countless state championships for cycling in her age group. Most might have not been able to walk, much less get back on that horse (or bike, in this case). But Louisa, Louisa did. She inspires Christina (and all those around her) to never give up. Never give up on that bio-chem test, never give up on that impossible recipe, on that impossible person, on that impossible project, or on your impossible dream.

Thank you Louisa

for never giving up!

We want to give you a $25 gift card so this holiday you can feel like the first class lady you are!

Email sleasure@shabbyapple.com to redeem your prize.

Keep sending us your Joyful stories, Our winner will be announced Monday!

JOY to the WORLD!

2012-11-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

This time of year it is so easy to jump from Halloween to Christmas. Stores are already putting up their aisles and aisles of Christmas decorations and the wish lists from everyone start pilling in. Christmas music is already on radio stations and with the temperature changing and getting colder we maybe start to long for Christmas break. Shabby Apple even already came out with a kind of Christmas-y feeling new line called Joyful!

However, there are so many wonderful things about Thanksgiving! There is wonderful food, the opportunity to be around friends and family that we love and not to mention some peace and quiet as the men watch football after dinner and then pass out (just kidding guys!)

Most of all this season between Halloween and Christmas is an opportunity to look at the wonderful people in your lives! We can reflect and feel grateful for those people who may have served us quietly or those people who are there for us EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Sometimes it's hard to know what to do for these people. Often times it just doesn't feel like enough to say thank you to truly express your gratitude. Well, this year Shabby Apple wants to help! We want to make this Thanksgiving an amazing one (maybe even an early Christmas surprise!).

We want you, our gorgeous readers, to nominate a person in your life who you are grateful for. We want you to tell us why you love this person or are so grateful to them. We want to know why you love them. Then, us at Shabby Apple will read them all and if we find a story that just warms our heart and maybe even make us laugh or cry we want to give the person you nominated.......

A FREE DRESS AND ACCESSORIES!!!!

That's right you lovely new (complete!) outfit for this person whom you love and give thanks too. What better thank you can you give than that?

Now for the rules:

1. You may only nominate one person
2. Write a quick story about why you are nominating this person
3. Include a picture so that we can get a better picture of the person you love
4. Please include your name, the name of the person you're nominating and your email address
5. MOST IMPORTANT: Please, please please send your nomination to joyful@shabbyapple.com

If you are chosen we will contact you and then share your wonderful story on our blog! Because we want everyone to know how great the people in this world are! We love Thanksgiving and hope that you all find something or someone to be grateful for this year.

Here at Shabby Apple we know who we are all grateful for this year and it is all of YOU!

(Here is what I would give to my sweet mom who has definitely been there for me this year!)

Can NOT wait to read all about the people who bring JOY to your lives!

Deck the Halls!

2012-11-09T14:15:00.000-08:00

Have you got a houseful of people coming for Thanksgiving, but no idea how to decorate? Then today is your lucky day!

thanksgiving decor by katieduncan on Polyvore

Thanks to Pinterest and Polyvore, we've got all kinds of harvest-y decoration inspiration! Keep it simple and let the feast be the star with natural centerpieces and place settings. Pot some mums in a small pumpkin, scatter acorns and other nuts, and use bright fall leaves to spruce up your holiday table. Now all you have to worry about is saving room for another slice of pumpkin pie!

Going Once, Going Twice...

2012-11-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

I have finally accepted that cold weather is here. Which means I have finally started the laborious process of packing up my summer clothes and getting out my winter clothes. (Silver lining: I am so glad to see you again, boots and sweaters!)

And all of this means that I have, inevitably, come across plenty of clothes that I should have gotten rid of a long time ago. Out of sight, out of mind, you know? But now that they are threatening to take up precious closet space, I think it's time to set them free.

Goodwill or the D.I. are always good options for unloading old clothes (and just about old everything else), but if you're looking to score some cash off your hand-me-downs, here are some helpful hints. I am particularly intrigued by Poshmark, a free online app that lets you take pictures and put your clothes up for sale in a matter of minutes. If you're planning on making a habit out of selling old clothes, you can also set up a more formal shop.

To help increase your profits, good photos of your merchandise are key. Be sure photos are clear and showcase the item well, and consider posting both photos of the item by itself and photos of you or someone else wearing it so potential buyers can see how it fits and looks on a real body.

And, with all that new room in your closet, you might consider re-stocking your winter wardrobe with some new duds from Shabby Apple.

Maybe a supple, soft, flattering gray sweater-dress?

A classic tweed skirt on bottom and sweet secretary collar on top?

Or a slinky sequin skirt for a jump start on holiday party wear?

The options are endless! And now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go clear out some room in my closet.