Feathers and Linen: A Summer Tova

I previewed my Anna Maria Horner Tova top last week, back when it was just a body with no sleeves or cuffs or collar or hem--just a sad piece of beautiful linen.  Unfortunately, I really dropped the ball on working on it this week.  I guess having a new puppy does that to you?  Whatever my excuse (and it changes daily), I finally found time to finish it today, while waiting for my fabric to pre-wash and dry.  Puppy bandanas and beds for all!

The blue shorts were a total coincidence.  Don't you love that?  It's like kismet.  I have a pair of purple shorts that actually match it perfectly, so I'm excited to have two options!  On a side note, with all these colorful shorts, I can't help but think of when I was 11 and I told my mother colored shorts were so unfashionable and I demanded plain denim shorts.  On the first day of school, everyone was wearing different-colored shorts (we lived in South Florida) and I was bummed.  That started a long tradition of her saying "I told you so."

This isn't even an outtake!

I made my other Tova top last spring and wear it constantly, despite sewing the sleeves backward and mending a big hole in the torso.  It's navy gingham and just perfect.  I'm hoping this one gets just as much wear!  The fabric is heavier but not uncomfortable.  Like I said last week, it'll be a nice transitional piece, for now and later in the summer, when it gets chilly at night.  That happens in Charlotte, right?  God help us.

Also, did you see I finally cut my hair?!  It's only been two years since I've actually stepped into a salon--it's about time, people.  I'm not 100% happy with it--there aren't enough layers, and I had to trim a few bits myself because she was a bit conservative with the scissors--but I'm glad to have short hair again.  Yay!

I also made a dog bed with dinosaur fabric this weekend.  Schnoz refuses to sleep on it.  What an angel.

Some Fabric Notes

Ugh, let's not even get started on how I feel, okay?  I have a zulu of a cold (see: 12 Angry Men) and I currently can't taste anything but I'm so hungry.  Why would my body do this to me?  Because it's mean, that's why.  I still can't trust it.

Anyway, just a few things.

Yay!  Heather Ross Far Far Away III!  I could only afford 1/2-yard of each of the fabrics shown because the prices are insane, but worth it.  What should I make?  I'm still on the fence about having kids, and I'm convinced I'll only get boys (curses!), so I'm hesitant to make something and put it away.  Any ideas?  Truth be told, I'll probably just make Ice Cream tops out of them and call it a day.  

Shameless, free promotion: I bought the Girls with Horses print at Pink Chalk Fabrics, and the other three are from Alewives Fabrics.  I love Alewives because Rhea, the owner, is pretty much living out my dream, owning a fabric store with her mom and being awesome.  Sigh.  One day.

Also, in an effort to make myself feel better, I took advantage of the Ann Taylor Loft sale online last week.  Did you know that I have, like, five different sizes from that dumb store in my closet right now, and they all fit?  Tell me, how does that make sense?

That's me at the office today in my new embellished linen shift.  I love linen but it'd be so much better if it wasn't a mess as soon as I sat down.  I don't know where that pimple came from, because it wasn't there when I was doing my make up this morning.  Anyway, I just wanted to show off the beading.  Full disclosure: I was totally wearing Spanx under that (I said it fits, not that it fits well!  Or maybe it fits a little too well...)

Anyway, I've gotta figure out what to eat that won't make me feel bad for missing out on the taste.  Oatmeal?  Lame.