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
Tag Archives: Fall
A Family Affair. {Apricot Lane Florida}
{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.
Mom. Daughter. Bosses. {Apricot Lane Omaha}
Meet Karen & Janee :: Mom Bosses
My mother Karen and I have always been very close. She owned a few hair care product salons at a few malls in Nebraska (while still working a full time corporate job). The day she got released from the hospital after having me, she actually brought me into the store to check on things. You could literally say I was born to shop – born on Saturday, shopping by Monday.
Mother/Daughter Business Plan
Fast forward 24 years. I was living in Chicago working at a law firm and needed a change of pace. I wanted to be back at home in Omaha so I could be with family and friends. About the same time, Karen was ready to retire from her corporate job. We had always wanted to open a business together and started looking for opportunities. A friend from college was managing an Apricot Lane in Missouri at the time and was always talking about how much she loved her job. Karen and I decided to go check it out, and the rest was history. We loved everything about it.
Apricot Lane sat down with us to share their life experiences that brought them to the world of women’s boutiques. The whole company is founded upon giving back to those in need and creating awareness. We decided then that we were going to turn our passion into a mother/daughter business. We could be a part of a supporting franchise, yet still bring in our own styles and personalities into the business.
Let me tell you: it’s been a crazy ride! We furnished our boutique similarly to what I would do in my own home, to create a relaxed and fun shopping environment. We want women to feel like they are shopping with friends in the comfort of our home. We have all ages of women that shop with us: from teenagers to women in their 70s. We have been so blessed to get to know so many different women with completely different styles. The variety in the products in the store is amazing. I love leggings and trendy tops and dresses with booties or heels that I can easily turn the look from day to night. My mother loves a great pair of denim and a nice classic top or sweater. We work hard to bring in items that we would both wear.
"We decided that we were going to turn our passion into a mother/daughter business."
Living the Dream
It’s been over three years, and the experience has been so rewarding. Working with family is fun and exciting, but not without challenges. Our mother/daughter bond goes deeper than a typical relationship because we are also partners. The most challenging part is also the most rewarding: we are in business for ourselves but we don’t always agree on everything. We complete and complement each other, which makes the business successful.
Karen: “Working with my daughter is rewarding on so many levels. Not only do I have a front-row seat to her growth and success in the fashion industry, but I have her companionship and am able to share in her life to a degree that would make many mothers envious.”
Janee: “My mother is a very driven, successful, and kind woman. She’s been such an inspiration to me and is such a strong woman. I honestly don’t know how she does it all. Learning how to run a business from her is a priceless experience that most people never have the chance to do.”
We have literally shopped every single weekend that we’ve spent together to this day – and wouldn’t have it any other way. We can’t wait to see how our journey unfolds in the future.
Make sure to to check out more about Karen and Janee’s Omaha store AND shop all of the seasons most popular styles from Apricot Lane! Stay tuned as we highlight more Apricot Lane stores around the country and the hardworking #MomBoss that is behind each one.
Originally posted in City Moms Blog
Top Coat Trends For Fall 2016
The cold weather is upon us, and it's officially time to bundle up in the morning on your commute to work or school! The styles we're loving, straight from the runway are updates to classic styles like the trench and newer looks too, like a velvet parka. Scroll down to see the top trending coats that you can wear now and next winter.
Trend: Velvet or Velour
Image Source: Closet Full Of Clothes
Image Source: Ferbena.com
Image Source: The Fashion Tag
Image Source: Fashion Tag
Trend: Shaggy, Shearling & Textured
Image Source: 20 20 AVE
Image Source: Song Of Style
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: Le Fashion
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: Style Carrot
Image Source: Pinterest
Trend: Updated Trench Coats
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: Small Town Couture
Image Source: The Fashion Tag
Image Source: The Fashion Tag
Image Source: Bedazelive
Image Source: The Fashion Tag
7 Trends We Love From Milan Fashion Week
We decided to compile our top 7 trends from Milan Fashion Week. Milan’s runways gave us it’s signature luxury with Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada. There was an explosion of color, shapes, oversized coats and the theme seemed to be “the more the better.”
Yellow Is Anything But Mellow
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Bold Statement Coats
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Asian Persuasion
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Wild West
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Digital Shapes
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
All About The Suit
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Sultry Red
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE
Image Source: IMAXTREE