It's That Time of Year

We got rained out last year but this year the band was back to perform in our town's annual Tree Lighting party! It's one of those times that is so fun and nostalgic and pretty where the biggest prize is the moment they flip the switch and the town is lit up like a Christmas tree!

A glow stick within a glow stick.

Mr. Charming. He knows it. That's ok. His mom will keep him humble.

This is not the White House, this is not a movie, this is my little town. I mean, really. Tell me it's not the most magical sight. It would have been great anyway, but having my son playing in the band on the common for all of the families made me especially proud. (son #1 had to work - oops, he'll have to take that up with the Band Director who will be none too pleased...) They played Christmas carols and everyone sang along. In all of the hustle and bustle (and since I'm living the retail experience I know) you've gotta find your holiday joy where you can and last night I found it.

Donate a Coat, Warm a Heart!

November 1-29, Lands' End is sponsoring the bigbostonwarmup.com. By donating a gently used men's, woman's or child's coat or jacket you will receive a 20% off coupon towards any new Lands' End coat. My teammates Marcia, Jenny and Bhavisha.

It's easy and fun! Demonstrated here by my co-worker, Pam.

Me and Swarnali, new mom of cutie-pie twins.

Managers Bonnie and Claire getting into the spirit!

T'was theMonth Before Christmas

Last week I went to the Christmas Crafts Festival at the World Trade Center in Boston. I was very impressed by the crowds and just about 400 vendors. Some I even recognized from when I last did these shows myself 10 years ago! Lots of Christmas shopping got done and perhaps it has inspired me to get back into the clothing business ; )

Every year they have a gingerbread house contest and these beauties are auctioned off for charity.

So elegant!

A thank you to the troops. This was great.

Our Haunted House

My husband loves Halloween. We first came up with the idea of doing a haunted house on Halloween when the kids were little and we lived in a neighborhood with very long driveways and they'd get tired after just a few houses.

The first year we just sat with a lit pumpkin at the end of the driveway, then one thing led to another and 10 years later we continue to collect scary things for our annual Haunted House.

My niece, Mary (left), and her superhero friends.

This year, however, our "house" a canopy blew over and snapped in the brisk wind of the day. So we just had the scary part with out the roof.

Rich. Be careful taking that candy. He waits all year to hear the screams of little children.

It's just Brady, don't be scared.