Ok…so where was I? Oh yeah, the fabulousness of Appel & Frank’s Spring into Fashion shopping extravaganza!

I know this is about a week late, but I took so many pics that I was so drunk with shopping joy, that I had to take a couple of days to recover.

It was so great to see so many talented craftspeople sell their finely made products. There was shimmering pieces of jewelry provided by Peachy B, Urban Dencity, Jeanine Payer and Elena’s Jewels. Whimsical Boa Bags furried things up at the Urban Color table and springy sportswear draped on the racks at GG blue. From messenger bags to lap top bags to diaper bags,O Yikes! was the go-to table for a great sporty assortment. Mermedia adds some pizzazz to those humdrum Post-it note with stylishly hip stationery goods. To add some stlye to your body, the San Francisco Institue of Esthetics and Cosmetology Paul Mitchell Partner School Program, Brown Bag Botanicals and Pangea Organics were all there for everything to make your skin glow.

Here are some more items from the chic stock provided by Appel & Frank:

I purchased the CUTEST (and keep in mind, I loathe the term CUTE) t-shirt from Milk Bomb for my nephew that said “Designated Driver”. I may be tired of ironic screenprint t-shirts for adults, but for kids, I can’t get enough of them. Brooklyn import and founder, Steve O’Neil provides some of the greatest onesies and tees for little tykes that have “explosive attitude.” www.milkbomb.com

Emeryville-based Charles Chocolates has to have the most stylish presentation of their delectable confections. I could’ve stayed at their table all day enjoying their caramel sticks, chocolate peanut butter butterflies, assorted chocolate covered nuts and edible boxes, but I would’ve gained 10 pounds and gone into a cavity-driven sugar shock. www.charleschocolates.com

From Emeryville, Kelley Designs gives us some crocheted bags and hats - but this isn’t your ol’ fashioned granny doilies. Her brimmed caps give some urban flair, while those quaint undergarments may make your mother blush. Think of it as traditional crochet meets modern attitude. myspace.com/kelleydesignscrochet

Now this was fancy - Doug of Recover Your Thoughts fashions old library books and makes them into journals. For one, these recycled books can be considered “green.” Secondly, it brings a certain amount of nostalgic charm to writers. Finally, after looking at these books for a while, it made inspired me to buy one and start journaling again. I felt so scholarly. www.recoveryourthoughts.com

When I heard about this company, I had to check it out! Ho On The Go sells a quirky package that is a 3 oz. disposable foil pack containing a thong, toothbrush, condom and sanitary wipes for, you know, those “hos on the go.” How fun is that?! To make things even better, I met the founder of the company, Sunny and found out she was a former Austinite like myself! So I may have a bias, but c’mon - you can’t get any better than a Ho On A Go! (stay tuned for her Man Whore pack!) www.hoonthego.com

Vichelle Mixon of Mixt Bags chooses some of the most lively, yet not too loud, patterns for her collection of finely made handbags and accessories. To add even more into the “mix” she also makes her own soaps. Fragrant, stylish, sassy and modern - you can’t get any better than that.

I am not necessarily a big graphic t-shirt guy, but when I saw the pieces made by Matt Taylor of Custom Industries, I would reconsider. His shirts give these depictions of his exotic travels to places like Thailand, China and my favorite design, Kazakhstan (”Almaty Circus” pictured above). It’s globally minded and there’s a certain spirtual dimension to the work. As an added detail, Matt informed me that he has some of the shirts’ seams stitched with contrasting colors - very eye catching. For those people who can’t really travel abroad too much, these shirts and hoodies (I was enamored with those) can serve as a fashionable substitute. www.customindustries.net

Oh wow. That shopping adventure took so much out of me. I was like a kid in a candy store. I can’t wait to do it again in June 14 when they have their Chic Summer Soiree. I am so there.

Visit www.appelandfrank.com for more info!