We Covet | Better Living Through Consumerism

We Covet Groovy Shoes

String Republic makes these graphic espadrilles as an alternative to the flip flop or clog.  Look, I only wear my Crocs in the garden, ask anyone!  Stéphane Bucco, a graphic artist, known as Sockho,  created STRING REPUBLIC in 2004 to illustrate what happens when "graphic arts and daily life merge".  They apparently merge into bold colourful shoes and gonch/underpants.  The website is a little vague on materials used , but I am assuming they use canvas and rubber and twine, like a classic espadrille.  Whether you are a sk8tergrl or just someone who wants some interesting footwear, I dig these.

Graphic Espadrilles,  30 € (46.35 US$), @ thestringrepublic.com

We Covet Peacock Undies

Tee hee.  Almost no one will see your underpants, but you know they are there!  Add some secret kick ass undies to your ass in these peacock design underoos. If you are feeling especially cocky give someone a peek.  They are boyshort style, great for your non-mom jeans.  Wear these and walk proud!

Peacock Plumage Undies, $12.99, @ Mod Cloth

We Covet Adorable Retro Swim Caps

Wearing a tightly fitting retro swim cap covered in happy rubber flowers? Cool. Getting chlorine in your hair and having it bleach out your color and dry out your ends? So not cool.

Need I say more?

Palm Beach Floral Swim cap, $14.95 @ The Travel Trunk Store

We Covet Easy Summer Dresses

I expect a lot out of a summer dress.  I want it to flatter my bod without having to wear Spanx, be of a cut that doesn't make me suck in my gut but doesn't make me look preggers, allows me to wear a regular bra, is neither a teenybopper style nor seen on Golden Girls reruns.  Oh, and it can't cost more than $50.   Mission impossible, right?

Well, I found the dress and I have been wearing it every freaking day.  I have it in both colors, black and pink.  I've worn it for nice-casual events with high heeled sandals, and around the backyard with flipflops.

The sash tie in the back saves me from the "oh, you're having another baby!" horror moments, but the empire cut allows plenty of room for a hearty burger and a few beers.  The cotton-linen blend keeps the dress from sticking to me in the muggy summer heat and the modern portrait neckline adds a touch of cool.   

I covet this dress for every gal I know that wears a size 0-16.

Billabong Natalia dress $44.00 @ Swell

We Covet Rashguards for summer sport and play

Sometimes you just want to cavort at the beach or pool with your kids and not worry about anything popping or flopping out.  Rashguards are a great solution.  They provide UV protection if you are anti-freckled cleavage and peely shoulders, and self-esteem protection if you've had kids recently or are in a swimsuit quandry.  (50 points if you actually surf and you're in the market for a new summer 'guard.)

For those reasons and more, We Covet this cool rashguard by Roxy.  Cute with black bikini bottoms or boardshorts.  Perfect for 10 hours on the beach, tummy-burn-free boogeyboarding or delighting your kids with a cannonball off the diving board at the public pool. 

Roxy Sweet Dreams Short Sleeve Women's Rashguard in black $31.99 @ K5.com

We Love Care Bears Gone Grizzly

My husband likes to say shit like don't poke the bear when I'm particularly cranky. Which, you know, just makes me crankier, but that's his problem, not yours. Anyhoo. That's just to say that he'd probably appreciate this t-shirt on me. I'd also like to see it in toddler-size, though, because it pretty much sums up ages two to whenever: adorable cuddly with rainbows on the outside, raging grizzly on the inside. Which is part of why I'm so often cranky, but that's another story.

It's awesome when a t-shirt just sums it all up, isn't it? Cuts down on useless talking.

ScareBear Tee, $16.95 @ SnorgTees.com

We Covet Pretty Sweaters Woven From... Bamboo?

Full disclosure: I don't think that this cardy is really anything extraordinary to look at. I mean, it's fine - it's a wrap cardigan, which I like, with sorta interesting sleeves - but it doesn't seem to come in black and it's not all that different from the sorts of sweaters that you can get at H&M for much cheaper.

BUT.  It's woven from bamboo, which is pretty freakin' cool. Unless you live with panda bears, in which case I would worry about them eating the sweater and choking on the buttons. Which, you know, not cool.

Eco Lux Bamboo Summer Cardigan, $88.50 @ Delight.com

We Covet Groovy Vintage Sweaters

Seriously. Have you not always wanted a gherkin? Just so that you could say, 'hey, like my gherkin?'

This one is one-of-a-kind vintage (c. 1953) from Ohio Knitting Mills, but if they sell it before you get to it, you could always opt for the Major Statement Vest (c. 1953) or the High Groovy Poncho (c. 1965). Whichever you choose, you're guaranteed to be the only one on your block to be rocking that particular look. Unless you live on Sesame Street (Old School intersection), in which case you've got that High Groovy Poncho already, and don't need any help from me.

Robin's Gherkin, $188.00 @ Ohio Knitting Mills

Muffintop Coverup We Covet

Question: What's worse than sporting a low-rise jeans muffintop?

Answer: A low-rise jeans muffintop accidentally exposed -- in the bulging flesh -- by a too-short top. The horror!

Luckily, some brilliant, understanding, and likely soon-to-be-very-wealthy woman has come to the rescue with the Blush Topless Undershirt, a solid band of fabric to be worn under short shirts that provides a pinch more coverage (and let's be honest: peace of mind). It's available in a variety of colors, and in maternity and regular sizes.

As someone who like to keep my jiggly muffin-y bits to myself, I feel certain I'll be wearing mine daily. And maybe to bed. And with my swimsuit this summer. And under the paper examination gown I'll be forced to don at my next GYN visit. The possibilities are endless!

Blush Topless Undershirt, $15 @ Bediboo