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Not Your Grandma's Aprons

Fashion trend alert: cute and sassy aprons are popping up in retail locations around the Southland. Keep your eye out or pop into one of the shops below.

Sassy, sexy, flirty, whimsical and cute are just a few adjectives that can describe the aprons found at Gram's Inspirations. These aprons are so darn adorable you will you be the envy of every homemaker in Southern California. Even those who do not cook.

Brenda Kinsman, co-owner and designer at Gram's Inspiration, believes that every woman who cooks, bakes, cleans, gardens, paints, is handy, entertains, is superwoman, or just wants to look great while she does what she does should don a fabulous apron.

Each apron for sale is handmade in Southern California and comes with a card and a recipe. The card tells the story behind the design of that particular piece. The inspirations of each apron honors a fabulous woman who inspired Kinsman to design aprons: her "Grams." Grams always wore her apron to protect her dress, but it symbolized so much more. She was bigger than life and her apron represented love, warmth, strength and wisdom.

The aprons at Grams Inspirations are broken down into decades: updated modern designs with a twist inspired from the 1920's, 1940's and 1950s. Customers can choose a decade that best fits their personality and figure. The designs play up a woman's curves and there is no frumpiness allowed. They are also reversible.

In addition to full aprons, there are elegant and alluring half aprons, which look stunning when worn over a simple black dress with high heels. Your guests will be clamoring to find out where you got your sassy accessory with hopes to snag one of their own.

There are also mother-daughter matching aprons perfect for cupcake and cookie baking afternoons or father-son matching aprons for weekend grilling with the family. The male aprons are designed to be manly with straight edges and rugged material, pockets, and durable cloth for the grill master of the home.

The aprons - both full and half - make great gifts since the material used is heirloom quality. The idea is for the aprons to be passed down from generation to generation, much like other items received from a mother or grandmother.

Grams Inspirations has two locations:

To serve with grace is the motto behind the aprons of the Heavenly Hostess. After 27 years in corporate America, Cynthia Wadell followed her dream and created her own business making hostess aprons that are beautiful and glamorous, made with satins, embellished lace and organza fabrics, including beading and specialty trims. These aprons are so feminine you will want to host a party just to create an occasion to show them off.

In addition to the half aprons, Cynthia also designs very soft cotton aprons for everyday use. As a full figured woman, Cynthia couldn't find an everyday apron that fit comfortably so she designed her own.

"The aprons in the market place just don't "cut it", or should it be said 'cover it,'" said Cynthia. Many of Heavenly Hostess halter aprons are available up to plus sizes, including Mommy & Me. All Heavenly Hostess products are manufactured locally in California, including her fabulous signature keepsake box.

You can also find Cynthia's Aprons at boutiques and other outlets in Seal Beach, Laguna Beach, and Thousand Oaks.

Michelle Mears Gerst is a freelance writer in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

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