not too shabby.

Dress: Shabby Apple (c/o). Sweater: Nordstrom. (old. similar here.) Shoes: Nordstrom. Belt: Target. Bag: Michael Kors. (similar.) Necklace: Loft. Sunglasses: Kate Spade.

There’s nothing I love more than a great classic dress; something that makes me feel feminine and sassy.  This gingham dress from Shabby Apple made me feel like Juliette Binoche in Chocolat, so it pretty much takes the cake.  The chocolate cake.  I felt like putting on an apron and whipping up something delicious and a little magic the whole time I was wearing it.

Dresses can be tricky things, especially since everyone has such different proportions.  (You can’t imagine the effort that goes into the design process of a dress.) But that’s why I love classically cut dresses that sit at the natural waist.  The natural waist is the magic spot.  It’s flattering on EVERY woman no matter her shape/body type.  This is why I love Shabby Apple dresses, their vintage inspired silhouettes are always so classic and flattering.

When shabby apple first came out years and years ago, I fell in love with their dresses.  They only offered a few back then, and since we were just barely out of college they were out of my price range, but I loved them then and I love them now.  There are several new brands offering modest dresses (which is so great!) but there still aren’t many that create truly flattering pieces in flattering lengths, and I love Shabby Apples’ selection.

I’ve always loved gingham.  I feel like it gets slated as a summer pattern, but I think it’s just lovely in the fall especially when it’s pair with another fun print.  I went with leopard, which felt a bit bold at the time, but I love the way it turned out.  Leopard has become such a friend to me in the past few months.  It always adds a little more fun, and this outfit with it’s twirly dress, leopard accents and bright classic cardigan was really fun to wear.  I love it when getting dressed is fun.

In other news (literally) my family was on the news today!  Which was super fun and also a little embarrassing. (raise your hand if you hate seeing yourself on camera.)

Also, head on over to my instagram later today for a chance to win your own Shabby Apple dress.

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