It's getting a bit chillier out now so it's the perfect time for layers! Here are three cozy but not bulky layering ideas for this Fall.
Layer up on bottom! Wool, suede and leather are warm textures on their own but you can combine them for an nice ruffle flare by opening up a button-down skirt over leather legging. Try putting tights under frayed or ripped jeans for a super cute and edgy look.
Dress up your boots with layers of all black makes them a little bit more sophisticated and wearable just look for pieces of different texture like a knit turtleneck, blouse or t-shirt with a blazer or leather jacket.
Lastly, try layering different thinner pieces together. You can go really short or really long.
Image Source: Pinterest
Before starting Apricot Lane, I was a hair stylist in a small Kansas town. I think that’s how my passion for helping women feel good about themselves started. Styling hair allowed me the opportunity to give women the boost of confidence they desired. It was in that same small town that I met my husband, Mark. After we were married, his work moved us out of state. I was a stay-at-home mom raising two boys, but Mark and I had always dreamed of starting up our own business – we just didn’t know when or how.
Why Apricot Lane
Mark and I finally decided it was time to move forward with our dream. My desire to help women feel good about themselves was still strong, and I had always loved anything to do with fashion. We both knew we wanted to be closer to home, so we made the move back to Wichita, Kansas. Wichita was not only a lot closer to home, but it also offered us the perfect market for a trendy and affordable clothing store.
Once we discovered Apricot Lane, we knew we had made the right decision. This franchise took out all of the guesswork for us, and made our transition to “boutique owners” so much easier. We loved having the support of a large franchise, but even more than that we loved how Apricot Lane allowed us the flexibility to truly make the store our own. Not only did we receive support from the franchisor, but also from the network of other Apricot Lane Boutique franchisees, which helped us create a solid foundation.
"Our lives are hectic managing three children and a business but we wouldn’t trade it for anything!"
Where We Are Now
Mark and I are approaching our fourth holiday season in the retail business. Just like any other new adventure, there have been ups and downs along the way, but each year we find ourselves more organized and more excited. Having an amazing sales team is of utmost importance in making sure our store is running smoothly. I’ve always loved working with women and young girls, so having the opportunity to manage our sales team has been such a great time – and definitely never boring! Building and maintaining relationships with customers is Apricot Lane Wichita’s number one goal. We love our “regulars” and make it a point to welcome each and every person into our store with a smile and a greeting. It is our goal to make every single customer feel appreciated.
As a husband-and-wife business team, we make every important decision for the store together. Mark, in addition to his full time job in commercial banking, handles the hiring and accounting end, while I take care of store merchandising, employee management, and all of the buying. Opening the store has strengthened our relationship in ways we could not have imagined. Since making the move back to Kansas and opening Apricot Lane Wichita, our family has grown. We now have the two boys, Aidan and Cooper, and a little diva, Madeleine. Our lives are hectic managing three children and a business but we wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Originally posted in City Moms Blog
{Meet the Shapiros}
If you were to ask Phyllis, husband Barry, or son Matthew if they could change their careers and do something different, the hands-down answer would be a very sincere, “No.”
How It All Began
In high school, Barry started out working in domestics at Macy’s where he met Phyllis, who worked in the cosmetics department. They married in 1979, moved a few times along the way for Barry’s retail career growth in operations at Ann Taylor and Chicos, and eventually landed in Fort Myers, Florida. During that time, Phyllis raised their two sons – Matthew, now 34 and Jeff, now 31.
While working as President of Perry Ellis retail, Barry stumbled across Apricot Lane at a trade show in Las Vegas where Ken Peterson, the CEO of Apricot Lane Franchise was a featured speaker. He had always thought about owning his own business and thought of this opportunity, and the support that Apricot Lane Franchises offers, as a way to start a business with his wife and son.
Phyllis and Barry opened their first store in Coconut Creek, Florida in November of 2008. Matthew joined his parents shortly after, first as a store manager, to learn the ins and outs of the business. As of two years ago, Matthew is the buyer for all of their stores.
Present Day
The Shapiros currently have their Coconut Creek store, added their DelRay Beach store to the family business in 2013, and will soon open a third location in Wellington, Florida.
Phyllis still keeps an eye on the Coconut Creek store while running back and forth to the DelRay Beach location, which is close to their residence. When asked what the best thing about the Apricot Lane stores is, Phyllis replied, “The stores allow me the opportunity to work alongside my family. It gives me those few extra days a week to be with my son, which I love!”
Working together as a family affords them the time to travel to the different trade shows across the United States, as well as talk shop.
The Shapiros emphasize their love of the fact that their stores are part of the community in which they reside. They pride themselves on their warm and friendly team of associates who are part of their extended family.
Originally posted in City Moms Blog.
Apricot Lane Boutique in St. Armand’s Circle. STAFF PHOTO / NICK ADAMS
Meet the new millennial friendly boutique on St. Armands Circle.
What’s millennial friendly, you might ask? (As one of newsroom’s gen xers did.)
I would shop there.
My credit card wouldn’t be too furious that I shopped there.
I’d still look great even without my credit card screaming.
I caught myself eyeing the merchandise (specifically, this very textured, mauve dress) looming in the background as I was interviewing the shop owners.
I’m really thinking about going back and trying it on.
As in, I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon.
(You know, like when you see a doughnut, and you want a doughnut, and don’t take the doughnut, but then still think about the doughnut all day?)
That dress and this boutique is my doughnut.
OK. On to the real story.
Ginger O’Connor launched an Apricot Lane Boutique this weekend at 464 John Ringling Blvd. near Naples Soap Company and the Blue Dolphin Café.
She’s outfitted the 1,700-square-foot shop with racks of brightly colored, chic but fun clothing and tables of accessories. The goal is to appeal to a variety of ages and price points, and she’s teamed up with her 25-year-old daughter, Melanie, the store’s manager, to make it happen.
(No wonder it’s millennial friendly, a millennial is part of the team running the show.)
Ginger O’Connor and her daughter, Melanie, left, opened Apricot Lane Boutique in St. Armand’s Circle. STAFF PHOTO / NICK ADAMS
They’ve searched the markets in New York, Los Angeles and Miami and sought-out up-and-coming designers.
The emphasis is on quality and affordability whether it’s for a day at the beach, a night at the club or a morning yoga class.
The O’Connors have some names on their shelves that shoppers will recognize, such as analili, but many of their labels are new finds, and in a true boutique fashion they’ve only purchased a few of each style.
Apricot Lane Boutique has a few dresses that reach upwards of $100, but she can also outfit her customers with a whole outfit — including shoes and accessories — for about that same price.
See I told you my credit card wouldn’t be too mad at me.
And that dress I’m dreaming about (or, as I’m now affectionately calling it — my doughnut) was only $66.
Dress up your boots with layers of all black makes them a little bit more sophisticated and wearable just look for pieces of different texture like a knit turtleneck, blouse or t-shirt with a blazer or leather jacket.
Lastly, try layering different thinner pieces together. You can go really short or really long.
Image Source: Pinterest
