October 31, 2006

boo!

While I was in Kansas City, Wade’s parents took the boys to the pumpkin patch, where they found pre-carved jack-o-lanterns. No muss, no fuss, no knives in the hands of my hyperactive children. Perfect!

Until last week, when I went out to pick up the mail and realized that the big orange jack-o-lantern was now a big BLACK jack-o-lantern. If anything could make it MORE spooky, it was the thick coating of mold that had taken up residence all over the pumpkin.

Gross.

(No there are no pictures. I was too busy strategizing how the get the damned thing into the trash without TOUCHING it, and THEN I was too busy washing my hands fourty million times. Because GROSS.)

Tonight I’m taking the boys trick-or-treating at a small, chichi mall near us. I love the whole idea of indoor trick-or-treat; it’s warm and there are no cars or dogs or houses where people will jump out and scare the holy living hell out of my kids. Just candy, and maybe dinner at the Mexican restaurant afterwards.

Henry is The Flash; Charlie is Mr. Incredible. In case you weren’t sure.

We have been practicing our trick-or-treat routine for a few days; we have reminded the boys not to say “Trick or Treat, smell my feet!” which is a bummer for Charlie, who has REALLY stinky feet. We have also reminded them that they are to say thank you NO MATTER WHAT the treat is. This has confused the kids a bit.

Me: What do you say if the treat is something icky?

Charlie: EEEEEWWW!

Me: No.

Charlie: Sheesh.

Me: No.

Henry: No, thank you.

Me: No.

Henry: But I always say NO THANK YOU when someone offers me something I don’t like.

Me: NO. You say TRICK OR TREAT and then you say . . .

Henry and Charlie: THANK YOU!

Me: And if the treat is icky?

Charlie: Eeeeewww!

Henry: Oooh! We say THANK YOU.

Me: Sheesh.

Happy Halloween!

October 30, 2006

Style Friday, Monday edition: still talking about socks

Things that are kicking my ass today: daylight savings time (kids! awake! at 5:00 am!) and the weather (today: 80 degrees! tomorrow: 55!). It’s also possible that I OD’d on Halloween candy this weekend and am having some sort of Smarties Withdrawal.

Anyway, I’m beat. You?

Thank god there is more to say about socks, because that keeps me from having to think of something interesting to write here. Honestly you all, I had NO IDEA that socks could inspire such passion! Such angst! Such a lot of questions!

Then again, I don’t really wear them, so how would I know?

Let’s tie up the loose sock threads, shall we? Busy Mom asked what “the proper color sock for viewing between dark brown shoes and khaki pants” might be. Answer: khaki, or something light. NOT dark brown; in this particular case, matching socks to shoes will make your legs look stumpy. If you’re feeling daring, you can coose a third color (navy or hot pink or lime green) and make a statement with your socks; I love the idea of “freelancing” socks. But do this carefully and thoughtfully, because it WILL draw attention to your ankles.

Laura brought up a related point: “when do you know to wear a brown shoe and when to wear a black shoe? And what about those various shades of brown from dark to taupe? And what about navy shoes? I have been existing in black shoes and socks land for awhile, since I am unknowing.”

Oooh, good question.

Black and brown are both neutrals, and thus go with virtually everything. VIRTUALLY. Which means “almost, but not quite.” Black and dark brown shoes are best with dark trousers or skirts; pairing dark shoes with light colored or lightweight skirts and pants draws attention to your feet, and not necessarily in a good way. Think about the line you are creating; black trousers with black shoes (and black socks, if needed) creates a sleek, fluid look.

HOWEVER, you CAN wear dark shoes with light pants; choose a light-weight shoe, though, to balance the color of the pants.

shoes and trousers by J. Crew

These black peep-toes are the perfect foil for the ivory herringbone trousers; the shoes are noteworthy but are not the focus of attention. And I know you’re saying to yourself, “Dude, I’m TOTALLY not wearing WHITE WOOL TROUSERS to playgroup.” No, but I’ll bet you own some light-colored chinos, yes? Same rule. Light color or light fabric needs a lighter shoe. For winter, opt for something with some weight–jeans or corduroys or wool pants–and pair them with some cool black or brown shoes. For summer, go with light colored pants and lighter shoes–a sandal or open-toed pump.

Or, pair them with some nice navy shoes! Navy is a fantastic neutral alternative; treat it pretty much like you would black or brown. Navy shoes are great with everything EXCEPT black pants and skirts; they are beautiful with brown, for example, and with lighter colors, navy can be a nice alternative to brown or black, although again think about balance (open-toed or sling back or strappy navy shoes are best with lighter fabrics or colors). The same is true for lighter brown shoes. I love these in “Vicuna.” I think they would be beautiful with dark brown pants or black pants or dark jeans, AND with camel or caramel colored pants AND with navy pants AND . . .

You get the idea.

Think about it this way: do you want people looking at your shoes or socks? Or do you want the focus to be somewhere else, like your pretty face or your Superhero necklace? Make a choice, rather than just throwing socks and shoes on and running out the door. But for the love of god, do NOT wear black clogs with white socks and shorts. Please. Because I will see you and it will take everything I have in me not break down weeping right there in the Target grocery line.

October 29, 2006

one more reason to love my husband

Wade and his dad took the boys on a Day Camp yesterday.

The Gear looked like this:

When Preppies camp.

Wade wants me to include a disclaimer that this is NOT what he typically carries his gear in when HE goes camping. In fact, when I got the camera out he said, “No! Don’t take pictures!” Fortunately, I wasn’t listening.

We’re so excited that it makes us blurry!

The boys were a little confused about the distinction between CAMPING and TRICK OR TREATING, but they got with the program once they reached the Great Outdoors. They fished (with Batman fishing poles, even) and both caught a fish. Henry thought it was cool, but Charlie said the fish scared him.

He’s clearly my son, that little one.

Wade says, “Are you REALLY taking those pumpkins camping? Greeeaaat . . . “

They had a campfire and they roasted marshmellows and they went for a hike that turned into the Bataan Death March. Wade ended up carrying BOTH kids (not at the same time, fortunately) and today he’s moving a little slowly. Charlie put his hand down in a cactus and ate an entire bag of Doritos on the drive home. Henry cooked a hot dog and threw leaves in the fire.

And my god did they ever have fun.

I did some work and did some laundry and possibly did some shoe shopping. I read a book and read the New York Times. It was lovely. And the best, BEST part was that after the kids were in bed last night, Wade was listing all the ways in which this was a successful trip, and he said, “We really need to do that more often. You know?”

Yes. I know.