Plaid of the Moment

My teen and tween boys wear clothes in the mens department now.  Of course, they love it because it's cooler than boys stuff, but that means their clothes cost more too.  So when I picked up these great lightweight plaid shirts on sale at American Eagle I was very happy....  The best thing about them is that they're made from a lightweight cotton poplin and they're on sale... and because it's always so HOT in school even in the dead of winter the boys won't overheat wearing them.  I paired them with Graphic T's that they can wear underneath...

Sale $29.95

$15.50 Buy one get one 50% off

Sale $29.95

I love shopping for these growing boys, but it's crazy when they grow out of clothes that are hardly worn.  That's when I give them to friends with younger boys who appreciate the hand-me-downs and some clothes go to charity.

That Girl!

Sometimes I just need that girl energy around me... with 2 teenage boys (actually one is still a tween going through early puberty) and a husband in the house (love them dearly), the testosterone level gets a bit much at times.  While checking out some clothing sites online yesterday (there's no online store yet), I landed at one of my favorites... Zara, a Spanish clothing line, with a reasonable price tag, located nearby in Manhattan and Roosevelt Field Mall.  I was surprised to see they have kids clothing and the girls things in particular drew me in... so sweet...

Thinking about girl energy and what title to give this blog post today got me thinking 'that girl', which led me to a TV sitcom I remembered from the late 60's and early 70's called "That Girl", starring Marlo Thomas, about an aspiring actress and working woman.  It was the first sitcom about a single woman who was not living at home... the forerunner of shows like Mary Tyler Moore, highlighting the changing roles of American women.   It didn't matter that a struggling actress couldn't afford the kind of fabulous mod wardrobe that the character 'Ann Marie' wore... it was make-believe and a transitional time! 

The show was later parodied on 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Family Guy'.

  

Back To School Tools

Many of us Moms have made a few plus trips already to Staples for the obligatory back-to-school supplies. If your looking for something a little different for your tweens, teens or college bound children I found some great organizational tools that are well designed.  And for that reason they are on the MOMA Store (Museum of Modern Art) website.  So here are a few really I liked... they make great gifts...

Amigo Leather Desk Accessory

Tower of Clips

Conceal Bookshelf

Poster Hanger

If these are too nice for the kids then maybe it's time to buy something for Mom or Dad... and they're not expensive!

What organizational tools work for you?

First Day of School

This is what the first day of high school looked like for my first time high schooler son.  I needed binoculars...

It's about 6:45 am and I know to stand far enough away (in the driveway) so as not to embarrass him.  I know my place and he's sensitive about my feelings so he wouldn't say, "Oh Mom, go away" or something to that effect...  

Now my middle schooler is different, he shooed me back to the front porch in the all to familiar tired and cranky mantra of a 12 year old pubescent boy with attitude...

... he won't admit it but he liked the surreptitious hug and kiss I gave him (so much for the tough guy) before meandering back to a spot on the front porch where I was comfortable sipping my coffee, thinking about the start of a new chapter for all of us.  

I even had to light a fire under our sleepy dog who's used to waiting for the bus with the kids.  As our dog lumbered down the driveway to his buddy, I know my son took comfort in the old routine.

How was your first day of school send-off today?