Shorts, I Salute Thee

*Apologies to anyone who now has "Camp Anawana (We Hold You In Our Hearts)" stuck in your head. I'm right there with you.

It's crazy hot outside, and as today is the first official day of Summer (For reals? What season have I been melting in for the past month? Spring? Surely not!), I thought I'd share with you my favorite pair of shorts.

Photo Credit: Old Navy

These are fantastic, and here's why:

1. They're twill, so they look nicer than denim, breathe, and don't hold wrinkles. I can hang mine in the bathroom while I take a shower, and that pretty much takes care of "ironing".

2. They have a 3.5 inch inseam (they also come in 5 inch), which makes them short enough to still be young and hip (although, by uttering those words, I have just deemed myself neither), but long enough to cover the cellulite and allow me to squat down when necessary. And yes, sometimes it's necessary.

3. They're cobalt blue, which is too pretty for words, and have a crisp, white, somewhat exotic pattern. You can wear them with a white tank and be casual, or a flowy blouse for a dressier look. I have a neon yellow tee I'm dying to try with them. (They come in other colors, too, but the cobalt is my favorite.)

4. In stores, they're on sale for $15. I can't even...that's just...I bought two more pairs. I have no idea how I'm going to style hot pink or teal shorts, but I'm up for the challenge!

Have a lovely weekend, guys! Try not to evaporate in the heat.

Disney Artist Collection Heads To Target

Photo Credit: Target

This is not a real post; just a head's up. Disney has just released its "Artist Collection" at Target, and it's really, really cool.

The collection is a line of fashion tees and sweats (yes, fashion sweats. Sounds like an oxymoron, but these are too darn cute) featuring both favorite and slightly more obscure Disney characters. Think: Oswald, Cleo, Figaro, Sleepy, Butch, that girl fawn from Bambi (I should have my Disney fan card revoked), and images from Silly Symphonies. Mickey and Minnie also make an appearance, and I left the store last night with a Tinkerbell sweatshirt. Prices range from around $12 up to around $25. I'll be honest, I can't remember off the top of my head, and the Target website isn't being helpful. The sweatshirt I got was $19.99. Items are available for women, men, and children, and selection varies by store.

Challenge!: Christmas Day Chic

It's Christmas!! In six days!! So, almost, but not quite!!

What the bleep am I going to wear?

Figuring out what to wear Christmas morning is one of my biggest styling challenges of the year. I mean, sure, I'll open presents under my tree in my pajamas, but then we have to make the rounds to visit parents and in-laws, and all that jazz, and I really think the police department would frown on me tooling around town in my jammies. They're really cute jammies, but still...

Now, I realize this is family, and they don't care what I wear. I could show up in my jam-jams and no one would bat an eye, but Christmas is a highly photographed day around my family, and I have enough embarrassing photos already hanging on Mom's walls, thank you very much. I'd like to look cute. Casual, comfy, and cute.

However...I'm singing Midnight Mass the night before (morning of?), and my church actually has Midnight Mass at *gasp* midnight! That puts me getting into bed somewhere around 2:30 or 3:00 in the a.m. When I get up in the morning, the last thing I want to do is worry about what I'm going to wear, or have to fuss with a ton of makeup. I just want to throw something on, cover up my face enough to not scare small children, and chug my low-fat Frappuccino in peace. This amount of sleepwalking takes planning.

I am sure I'm not the only person in this kind of predicament. Even if you get a normal amount of sleep Christmas Eve, there's a certain amount of chaos on Christmas Morning, and that can make getting ready for the day a real pain in the rear. To help us all out, I'm bringing back the Challenge(!) to put together an effortlessly chic look for Christmas Day. A lot of this stuff is actually in my closet, so if you see me (or pictures of me) on the 25th, you can play Eye Spy with my ensemble. Merry Christmas.

Photo Credit: Target

The top I've chosen (that I don't have, but really want) is from Target, and runs $22.99. It says it's not sold in stores, but it totally is because I've seen it. If you want one, check out your local Target, because there is a very good chance it could be there. This is a slim-fit, sequin-covered sweatshirt with a neck wide enough to almost fall off the shoulder. You'd think the sequins would be tacky (Lord knows, I did, at first), but it's positively precious on, and adds a festive sparkle to an otherwise ordinary and overly casual piece of clothing. Also available in black, emerald, and oatmeal (my favorite).

Photo Credit: Kaboodle

These skinny jeans are a dark indigo wash and come from City Streets (J.C.Penney, $19.99--regular $38.00). I've not tried these, but I have their jeggings in two washes and absolutely adore them.

Photo Credit: Sears

A pair of butt-kickin' motorcycle boots add an edgy style to an comfy-cozy outfit, with the added benefit of removing any worry over matching socks. Going on three to four hours of sleep, that's a pretty big plus. (Sears, $29.99--regular $89.99)

Photo Credit (Above Right and Left): JewelMint

The quickest way to look like you actually put thought and effort into looking nice is to accessorize. Going off the biker boots, I chose two pieces from JewelMint to easily kick this outfit up a notch. I'm in love with these Screen Siren earrings, right now. They're two-inch danglers with amethyst-colored crystals and hematite accents. They look amazing with both a slicked back ponytail or free-flowing waves, so anything goes. They also add a touch of color, and sparkle like no one's business. I paired the baubles with the incredible Black Swan bracelet. I can't wear this without people asking me where I got it. The dark metal picks up the hematite in the earrings, and the industrial design is as rock star as it gets. (JewelMint, $29.99 each)

My Please-God-Don't-Make-Me-Think-This-Morning makeup is a toned-down version of the Adele-inspired tutorial from the lovely ladies at Pixiwoo. (Seriously, if you haven't checked them out, you need to drop what you're doing and subscribe to their youtube channel immediately. And no, that's not hyperbole. I really, truly mean it. They're amazing, and I have learned so much from them lately.) I've done this look a few times now, and it's genius. There's nothing to it. I just go a little easier on the liner and brows, and it's a very appropriate look for any occasion. It's also made me remember how much I love Woodwinked eyeshadow from MAC (MacCosmetics.com, $15.00).

I'm embedding the tutorial here. If you want to try this look, but don't have a ton of Chanel lying around the house, I'm adding a list of the swaps I've made that worked well. Feel free to try your own swaps, and if they work out, help a girl out and please share them in the comments.

Foundation: CoverGirl NatureLuxe
Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Eye Shadow: Stila in Kitten
Eye Shadow: MAC in Woodwinked
Eye Shadow: Stila in Americano
Liner: Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black
Mascara: Benefit Bad Gal Lash
Brows: E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit in Medium
Bronzer: Benefit Hoola
Powder: Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder
Blush: NARS Blush in Orgasm
Lips: Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked (not as pink as the tutorial, but just as lovely.)

I know, this sounds like it would take forever, but it's quick and easy, and most of the products were already on my counter. The Stila eyeshadows are in a palette ($14 for three shades!), and the bronzer and mascara came in a sampler that also included a foundation for $12. Both sets are available at Sephora.

Challenge completed!

Cheap Tricks: Recession-Era Retail Therapy

The economy sucks. Blows. Is in the proverbial toilet. Is not my friend. However, rather than invite a political rant into my comments section, I have decided to go with the flow, embrace the present, and look for an inexpensive way to support my shopping habit. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the World's Sexiest Wholesaler!!!

(Seriously. That's what they call themselves. I wish I were making that up.)

I googled "lipgloss refills", and somehow ended up here. Not that I'm complaining. The site's a hoot. Yes, there are tons of makeup brands to choose from, ranging from LipSmackers and NYC on up to MAC and Estee Lauder, but there are also some seriously upscale clothes and accessories. Like Betsey Johnson? BCBG? Michael Kors? Juicy Couture? Nautica? Nordstrom? Calvin Klein? DKNY? Mudd? They're there, and they've brought along a lot of friends. I don't mean that there are one or two items from each brand, either. There are one thousand (1,000) items from Victoria's Secret alone. Oh, and the prices border on theft. Fifty percent off retail seems about standard.

Another cool thing about the site is that most of the items are things that aren't available in stores anymore? Miss out on that cute PINK bag? Short on cash when the MAC Disney Villains Collection debuted? Well, you just might be able to find what you're looking for here.

The site isn't fancy. Don't expect to find sizing charts, clear descriptions, or even high quality photography. This is the online equivalent of the salvage mart, but it's a fun way to kill an hour or so, and your wallet won't be too much lighter for the experience.

Another, slicker site is BeautyTicket.com. There's not as much of a variety to choose from (don't expect shoes and purses), but site is easier to navigate, and there are some how-to videos that accompany pre-packaged sets, which is nice. Here again, there are great brands (Smashbox, anyone?) at super steep discounts. You can also sign up for email alerts about sales, new arrivals, and exclusives.

Happy shopping! If you find anything cool, let us all know in the comments section.

A Rebel and a Gentleman

I wonder if the Finuccis know about this?

Sylvester Stallone is readying his very own clothing line for launch, with designs inspired by his Rocky and Rambo movie franchises. Stallone said the inspiration for this new career move came when he lost twenty-five pounds in preparation for Rambo 2. He told TIME, “Nothing fit so I started buying custom clothing. I found out I really like this world.”

The upcoming collection is meant to combine the lover in Rocky with the lone-wolf masculinity of Rambo. According to Women's Wear Daily, Stallone fashions will be available at department stores such as Macy's, with the target demographic of the "guy's guy" aged 25-40. The Guardian reported that the line will include jeans, shirts, outerwear, underwear and watches, with later additions of eyewear, fragrances and athletic shoes. More products categories are expected to follow. The earilest roll-outs include an olive-green military-inspired vest and silk boxing shorts.

Stallone told Men's Week,"I hope what worked for me will work for others. I really believe I have an understanding of the male psyche on all levels." Allow me to add my two-cents: The man has proven to be a classy, sensitive, and intelligent gentleman with a cool, laid-back, classic sense of style. I'm really excited to see what this collection has to offer, and I think my husband's probably going to do a happy dance all the way to Macy's when the line's finally unveiled.

There are some serious gaps in men's clothing. It seems like all I see these days are graphic tees or dress shirts, with very little in-between. The shoe selection is all but non-existent (my Target has, literally, one aisle of the shoe section devoted to guys. Kohl's has only slightly more, and don't get me started on the department stores). Jeans are either completely destroyed or look like your mom ironed them, and if you want shorts, I hope you like cargo. It's depressing, and my poor style-conscious Thomas is nearing the end of his rope. There are gaps. I'm hoping Rocky here can fill those gaps.