Forgive my absence around here- I've been a little busy lately, shooting season two of I'll Take That Dare (which I can't WAIT for you to see).

I finally read over the many comments left on the last post I wrote, about the topless woman I saw out shopping when I was on location in New York last week. Some of you expressed disbelief that I actually saw such a thing, which made me laugh because the very next day, I saw ANOTHER topless woman wearing a backpack AND A PENCILED-IN MOUSTACHE. This happened, y'all. A year from now, topless woman will be everywhere and you'll laugh wryly about the time you doubted the fact that I saw what I saw.

However, this post isn't about toplessness. This post is about something else I saw everywhere in New York. Something even more exciting than bare breasts. And that something is ...

DENIM VESTS!

This morning, I came across an article in InStyle where stylists offered up their tips and suggestions for common fashion problems among women who actually know something about fashion. From how to avoid wardrobe malfunctions to keeping long pants from dragging on the ground to stopping your heels from slipping out of your shoes, there really were some useful take-aways. It's just too bad that most moms don't have many occasions where we get to dress up (meaning wearing something other than jeans or yoga pants), so most of us won't use these tips in our everyday lives.

But there are plenty of other fashion fixes I use on a daily basis to help me feel more comfortable in my clothes, while still looking good and feeling confident. And not surprisingly, most of my tips involve making myself appear slimmer and hiding my jiggly bits.

It's time once again for one of my summer style secrets that never gets old -- Behold, the versatility (and affordability) of the swimsuit cover-up!

Every year, I buy a few and end up wearing them all summer long, whether I'm headed for the beach or the supermarket. Swimsuit cover-ups often can do double duty as summer dresses or tunic tops over shorts. They're breezy and cool for summer and best of all, they keep you from having to suck in your stomach all day as you would in a tank top and shorts.

For example, check out this V-neck cover-up (White House Black Market, $39.99). It works poolside on its own, or you can wear it out and about over a cute pair of shorts or skinny capris.

Check out more of my favorite cover-ups of this season after the jump- then tell me in the comments if your cover-ups do double duty.

Back in November when Newt Gingrich was briefly number one in voter polls, I moderated a CafeMom event with him and a room full of moms. A quick recap: Newt cried, every major media outlet caught it on video, and it made headlines around the world.

The question everyone had for me afterward was this: "Where did you GET that dress?"

I wrote about the dress here on The Stir. It was called the 3/4 Sleeve Side Tie Dress, and it was from Ann Taylor. But, as I wrote, "I have actually dubbed this dress The Miracle Dress."

And, as you'll see after the jump, it looks like Ann Taylor has done the same.

Big news for those of us who are tired of seeing 90-pound models on every page of our fashion magazines.

Vogue has just announced a new Health Initiative-- a pact between 19 of Vogue's international editors-in-chief.

The purpose, according to Vogue.com, is to "encourage a healthier approach to body image within the industry."

What does that mean for readers? Very good things! Read on to find out!

May the 4th is "May the Force Be With You" day -- otherwise known as Star Wars Day -- although some purists only celebrate on May 25, which was named Star Wars Day by Los Angeles County to commemorate the original movie premiere date for Star Wars. In any case, whether you celebrate Luke, Leia, Han, Yoda, Darth, and all the rest today or later in the month, the beloved galactic series has its very own day, and that's reason to get gussied up in your best geekery.

So what are you going to wear to all the Star Wars Day festivities? We have some out-of-this-world ideas. Take a look!

Image via Etsy

And you thought mom jeans were high-waisted ...

MTV's Style blog points out a pair of Viktor & Rolf pants that are so extremely high-waisted, they eliminate the need for a shirt altogether!

Now that's what I call versatile!

With these EXTREME high-waisted pants, you can tell the world that shirts are sooooo 2011.

Alternatively, you can send the world a message that you shacked up with a giant last night.

But pants this EXTREME come with an EXTREME price tag ...

Urban Outfitters is at the center of yet another controversy, this time over a t-shirt that some say mimics the Jewish Star worn by holocaust victims.

The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement about the tee, calling on Urban Outfitters to remove it from its site. So far, Urban Outfitters is still offering the t-shirt for sale.

What do you think Urban Outfitters should do?