Shabby Apple /Fashion Nette-work Giveaway!

I discovered Shabby Apple a couple of years ago and anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for a dress and a sweet ladylike one is all the better. Shabby Apple has so graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway of one of their fabulous vintage inspired women's dresses for a lucky Fashion Nette-work fashionista!

One lucky gal (or guy, hey I don't judge) will be entered to win this gorgeous San Gabriel dress!

 Dress retails for $86 and is available in sizes XXS - XL

What's the catch, you ask?

Simply leave a comment with your email adress below, Like Shabby Apple on Facebook here, and be a follower of Fashion Nette-work. Easy Peasy! Entrants are also eligible to receive a 10% off coupon code. Use code fashionnettework10off at checkout.

Other Shabby Apple dresses available for your purchasing pleasure:

 Contest is open to US residents only and will end Friday, March 4th at midnight CST. Enter today and tell a friend!

Official SFAM Headquarters!

Caution: Photo Overload

Backstory: Reiko said to me back in June of 2010, "We need to start a business together. And our headquarter's can be Buc-ees!" Me: "What is a Buc-ee?" She: "OMG, you've never heard of Buc-ees??? They have EVERYTHING!"

Fast forward 8 months later and we officially started SFAM and needed to meet to take some pics conduct some business, so where do we decide to meet? Why Buc-ees of course! We met up in Madisonville, Texas which was practically halfway for both of us and Buc-ees was indeed something to behold. Its so much more than a convenience store! Need some leather suspenders, jalapeno dip, deli meats, barbecue grill, peanut butter fudge, any type of jerky or beaver themed playing cards? You gotta go to Buc-ees!

 

 Reiko was so purposeful in her quest for turkey jerky....

Big thanks to our resident photographer and board member Petra for taking the pics!

After squeals of delight, lots of hugs, a quick lunch and jackets and shoe changes, we took pics called the meeting to order.

Board of Directors

Reiko was gracious enough to give me her camo jacket after I spotted it in her trunk. I envision great things in our future!

There were people galore but did we care? Nope, not a bit! We took pics like we were all by our lonesomes!

(I wanted to snatch her shoes and hide them in my bag.) She did let me try them on and they were heaven in spite of being a 4 inch platform.

 "Me and you, us never part, Ma-Ki-Da-Da!"

My beloved vintage train case....

It was a fast, fun and most of all FABULOUS time! We talk or BB Messenger almost daily so it was great to connect and see Reiko's smiling face. I miss her already! And if you're anywhere near one, make sure you go to Buc-ees!

In The Fashionista's Closet: Shift into Neutral

I basically wore this same outfit here, I just switched up the pants and changed the background for a project I'm working on.

  

Jacket: Ralph Lauren (thrifted from Reiko)

Top: Zara
Necklaces: Forever 21

Pants: Banana Republic

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Bag: shopping party

SFAM Item Of The Week!

This amazing navy Ralph Lauren jacketdress is SFAM's item of the week!

For the boardroom: button her up, add a chunky statement necklace, platforms and go. For after hours: unbutton, add a shirt and your favorite skinnies and you're a quick change artist with attitude.

See how Reiko rocked her own version of the dress as jacket look here.

Shop SFAM, we take the guesswork out of shopping and style it for you!

In The Fashionista's Closet: Bitter Pill

This week has been a week of irritations and disappointments and yall know that I don't like to burden you (well not too much) so I won't bother with the details.

Jacket: Thrifted

Belt: Thrifted

Skirt: Banana Republic

I read a book a couple of years ago titled "Controlling the Tongue" and there was a chapter on "Dignifying the Trial" and that has been my struggle this week. It basically says that whenever you are having a hard time, the struggle is in how you carry it. It is about accepting whatever is happening in your life without complaint. "Dignifying the trial means to accept any trial graciously...and letting it last as long as necessary to accomplish God's purpose in it." Well I can tell you right now that I haven't been dignifying a doggone thing except my indignation over my circumstances. I may have even uttered the phrase "Why me?!"

Shirt: Vintage (gifted by Reiko)

shoes: XOXO via Ross

I know that I have to begin again and face whatever happens with understanding that whatever is happening  is not a punishment, that I am being prepared, and that trials do end. I need to rejoice that I am still here to accept these challenges and that I need to face them with dignity and grace. The issue is not that we have problems but how we handle the problems and I haven't been a great example as of late.

 bag: Chloe

I did want to show you a little nugget of satisfaction from my week, I have been looking for a vintage train case and my friend, P found this vintage Samsonite one and bought it for me! 

 

  I plan to carry it as a handbag so if you see a chick around town looking like she's about to go on vacation but she's not at the airport, stop and say hi, it's me! 

In The Fashionista's Closet: Field Trip Fashion

We took the fifth grade students on a field trip to the symphony and I knew that there would be lots of walking so this is what I wore:

This jacket reminds me of the swing jackets that Lucy wore while she was pregnant. (And no, I am not.)

I enjoyed my side ponytail the most, it was so fun and 80s!

Going on field trips remind me of why I have no children...

leggings: Newport News 

boots: Marshalls

It's as if all of a sudden they feel the need to constantly say my name over and over and over again. Did I mention constantly?

Polka dot shirt: Vintage

Jacket: TJ Maxx

Necklace: Vintage

It's feels like this, which is also my ringtone for my mom when she calls:

The good news is that they did behave themselves and we didn't lose a kid. That's a definite downer when that happens....

In The Fashionista's Closet: One Look, Two Ways

Reiko has already done one version of this look inspired by Marie Claire but she remixed it and did it again so that we could give our interpretation of One Look, Two Ways!

INSPIRATION PHOTO: Marie Claire February 2011 Issue

The beauty of this is that neither one of us had to go out and buy a thing, both of our looks were put together with items already in our closet.

Do you see my secret weapon over in the corner?!? Yes I will show you my crinoline whenever I wear it, it's too perfect not to!

I have had this trench for a couple of years now, I have worn it very sporadically, it's very lightweight and served more as a jacket for Spring. I LOVED it with this dress, it was just the pop of color that I needed. I also wore a heavier coat over this look in the morning, I am always cold so I could not fathom going out without some warmth.

Trench: Zara

Dress: Vintage (Previously seen here, without crinoline)

Bag: Vintage

Tights: Target

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Use magazines for inspiration but be sure to shop your closet first!

I've been listening to this song almost every morning, it gets me going and I love the message. Also, once a song has been sung on Glee I have a whole new appreciation for it!