HIP TO BE SQUARE

During my ceremonious stroll through the aisles of Target yesterday I couldn't stop thinking about the ridiculous media frenzy swirling around Michelle Obama's embracing of Queen Elizabeth. Wake up tight-wad Brits, it's a rough world out there and with the eyes of the world focused on the G20 Summit in London, isn't it a good thing to show worlds embracing rather than colliding? While Anderson Cooper interviewed Londoners about respecting traditional, "square" principles, I wondered what it would take to remove the pole from Britain's Rump...then my hips brushed up against a shelf in the Housewares aisle and I suddenly found myself back in a happy place. Orla Kiely (http://www.orlakiely.com/), a designer from London who was originally commissioned by Harrods to produce a line of hats, expanded her whimsical line to include clothing, housewares and accessories featuring graphic patterns that celebrate her optimistic spirit. While her beautiful designs are certainly worthy of the (somewhat) high sticker prices, Kiely has now designed a line exclusively for Target and, thankfully, the rest of us. The hip, square, modern, colorful patterns immediately brought a smile to my face and to the woman who smirked, "is he really that excited over plates?" yes, Maam, sometimes that's all it takes!
TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: Back ordered online but available in Target stores

COST: Target's line $3.50-$3.95/each (plates and bowls are made of Melamine so, while great for everyday ware, perfect for outdoor cooking and childproof for youngsters!)

STRESS LEVEL: Embracing the colorful world of my new favorite Brit: LOW