Shorts Emergency

Do yourself a favor: go buy these shorts in every color in your size immediately.

I had a bit of a crisis last weekend. While getting ready to head up to Lake Pleasant to spend the night on a good and generous friend's boat, I discovered that out of a drawer full of shorts only one pair fit me without looking completely obscene or giving me the dreaded muffin top. This, of course, promptly lead to a complete and total emotional breakdown cured only by many glasses of sangria. 

I later realized that the cause of this was not that I had become obese overnight (although try convincing me of that at the time), but that most of the drawer had been bought when I was what a pesky (and let's face it: envious) doctor may have called "underweight." After all, I watch what I eat and spend lots of time at the gym.

Nevertheless, this lady needed some shorts. Woe is me, I have to go shopping? Only one of my favorite activities ever. And I'm going to let you in on a dirty little secret: I love Forever 21.

I'm not sure how old is too old to shop at Forever 21. I guess it depends on the outfit. I won't be prancing about in a hot pink satin strapless mini-dress with a tulle-lined bubble skirt (although don't think I'm not tempted). I love their sundresses and many of their tops, and have fallen in love with these shorts, which have completely and utterly restored my formerly fragile emotional state.

They are made of a substantial linen that doesn't wrinkle when breathed upon and have pockets and the cutest little self-tie belt. I got them a size larger than I normally would so they hang down on my hips a bit, which gives them some extra length without appearing to be about to fall off me. I bought the white and the brick - actually a lot closer to coral in person, FYI.

I didn't get the black because my black shorts were the one pair in the drawer that fit.

Elodie on The Sartorialist

My beautiful friend Elodie was featured on The Sartorialist! It's very appropriate, as Elodie is herself a designer and works for one of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world. I love the chic French look of skinny black clothes with a dramatic detail - and you can't get much more dramatic than that gorgeous cream coat. I also love how the glimmery bag echoes the gold on the back of her tights. Now if we could only get her to quit smoking  ; )

Hand-knit sweaters

I just bought this gorgeous sweater from Etsy seller All Things Tangled. I love hand knit sweaters... my grandmother used to make me several a year when I was a little girl. This one combines everything I love in a sweater: fitted, textured, boat-necked and blue. I'll be traveling to Chicago next week, and hopefully this will arrive in time to keep me warm!

The First Couple

The gravity of this day is tempered, I think, by this moment, this look between a husband and wife, a private look on the most public of stages. Pride and love. 

Their partnership brought them to this place. Michelle was the family's main breadwinner for many years, before her husband wrote his first book and got on the bestsellers list, when he was working grassroots, community jobs and as a state senator. What a ride!

I hope they still look at each other like this eight (yeah I said it) years from now.

Indigo Peacoat

Oh my holy I love this peacoat so much... This gorgeous piece is actually from Target's Go International line. $59.99! Since I live in Phoenix I have a limited period of time each year to wear coats, so each piece has to really make an impact. I love the deep indigo color and the soft velveteen fabric. It's a stylish alternative the plain black wool coat we all usually turn to in the winter.

I asked her for Adidas and she bought me Zips

I was just peeking and dreaming of the new Stella McCartney line for Adidas -- peeking because it is gorgeous in a way athletic clothing rarely is, dreaming because it is rather pricey for stuff you're going to get sweaty, dirty and stinky and need to wash a million times. But isn't this tennis outfit to die for? I might actually take up tennis for the chance to wear something this amazing.

Va-va-va-voom

Photo: InStyle

Jane Krakowski is a dream on NBC's 30 Rock, but this amazing Versace dress is no slouch, either. The navy blue frock, which she wore to the 2008 Emmys, looked subdued from the front -- and then she turned around. Wow.

Lovely little aprons

I love to cook, and I love wearing cute things, so it seems rather obv that I would love a cute apron, no? And yet I do not own one! This is shocking, considering the wealth of adorable pieces I've seen lately.

Behold:

The Bella apron by Boojiboo

The Flirt apron by Perdoozy

I might even have to make one myself from a vintage pattern:

Vintage ruffled apron pattern from Strawberry Patches

I love the idea of wearing one of these while prepping a dinner party or holiday meal, while the guests and family all gather in the kitchen to socialize.