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Costumes for my clones!

pyjammy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:20:58 -0800

What can my triplet infants be for Halloween? Last year, you helped with my Halloween costume when I was pregnant. This year, now that the babies are ex-utero, I need a costume idea for them!

Details:
- They'll be nearly 11 months old at Halloween
- They're identical boys
- They aren't walking, so they'll be sitting in strollers for this, which can be incorporated into the costumes
- I don't mind dressing up, but my husband is resistant to dressing up. Hmmph.
- We're in Louisiana, so it will probably be pretty warm

As in my last question, clever is best, though mildly offensive I suppose would be inappropriate. Inexpensive is best, since there are so darn many of them to dress. And I'm pretty crafty, so I can try to make them (hence the long lead time on this question.)

(For the record, I was a magic 8 ball last year.)

zen and the art of hiding my fat butt

Kellydamnit — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:35:51 -0800

What should I wear to meditation? So, here's my dilemma. I have very few articles of clothing suited to meditate in. (in a formal group setting. I wear PJs at home). I'm almost always in skirts or dresses (hard to kill the inner goth), and own like three pairs of pants. I tend to feel grotesquely uncomfortable in pants as it is, mostly because I'm overweight and I feel like they draw a lot of attention to my worst areas. But, I want to be unable to sit or do the prostrations without, you know, flashing people.

So would it be oddball to wear, say, fitted yoga pants and make a knee-length skirt of similar material over it? I figure that way I won't spend my hour sitting there thinking about how uncomfortable I am and how fat my thighs are. But I don't want to look like I just got off the bus from crazytown, either.

It isn't about wanting to look cute or whatever. Most of the people in the group are a good chunk older than me, and it's not all perfect yoga bodies. I just want to be able to sit down in a half lotus without my own body issues messing with me.

Any other suggestions for what a chubby hourglass shaped gal can wear to meditate?

the cheapest lens replacement online

Juliet Banana — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:22:10 -0800

I have an existing pair of glasses frames I'd like to get fitted with prescription lenses. I've done entirely too much research, and I still have questions! I've read this question, but no one mentions any online retailers who offer lens refitting.

The only online eyeglass retailer I've found who offers lens replacement is 39dollarglasses.com, who charge $39+$5.95 shipping. I'm looking for a better price.

According to Glassy Eyes, Global Eyeglasses refits lenses for $6.99. That sounds perfect; but I can't find any information about it on their horribly designed clunk-tastic website.

Zenni, Goggles4U, and Eye Buy Direct DO NOT offer lens refitting. I can't figure out if Optical4Less
or Specs on the Net do.

I'm pretty sure every brick-and-mortar optometrist will charge more than $44.95. The two I've asked for price quotes gave me bitch glares for not wanting to buy their $300 frames and gave the exact same price of $99.

Random TMI: I know that any vintage/drugstore frames I get fitted with lenses have a good chance of breaking or not lasting as long as the super expensive rip off glasses from the optometrist. I already have a pair of "high quality" frames+glasses from a brick and mortar operation, and I think they're boring. I want candy-colored knockoff Wayfarers, and crazy catseye frames, and I don't care if they break in 6 months.

I also know that it's easy to get frames+lenses super cheap from the aforementioned websites. I already have some. I just find most of their selection boring (what's with all the black, already?). I am only interested in hearing about retailers who will allow me to ship them an exisiting pair of frames I already own.

I already have, and understand how to read, my current prescription.

I'm only interested in the cheapest and thickest plastic single vision lenses. I don't need prisms, or bifocals, or anti-scratch, or high index lenses. My prescription is -4/-4.25 and I've already been warned that these cheap lenses will be hella coke bottle. It doesn't bother me.

Please tell me someone will put prescription lenses into existing frames for less than $44.95! There are so many awesome non-prescription frames in the world, and so few brilliant frames available from optometrists.

Help me turn into a glowing troll

baphomet — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:02:47 -0800

Looking for tips on creating a crazy black light troll costume. I'm going to Harvest Fest in Geneva, MN this year, which features a 3D black light show by Wookiefoot (here's some sample footage from last year).

I figure that since there's going to be lots of black lights and other craziness going on, I want to make a completely ridiculous, glowing costume. There are going to be lots of freaky people in various states of tangential reality there, so I thought making a black light/glowing costume would be fitting and enormously fun. Ideally, nothing I'm wearing won't be glowing.

My plan is to have my wife help me sew up a suit-looking costume with a troll-ish feel. "Bad acid troll" is sort of my theme, but I'm trying to go cartoony rather than gruesome. To that end, I'm going to get some of the following for accents:

Black light face paint
Black light lipstick
Black light paint
Lots of glow sticks for necklaces, bracelets, etc.

I'm also planning on getting a prosthetic nose and hands, which I can paint with the black light paint.

My question specifically regards the suit- what kind of fabrics will really look crazy under black light? We've got access to plenty of fabric/crafts stores in the area and would also buy supplies online. Ideally we'd have at least 4 colors to work with. When we shop for fabric, what should we look for to get really bright, glowing colors in black light? Alternately, if we go with some tie dye/other gaudy or bright fabric, what can we do to make it really stand out in heavy black light exposure? Lastly, if you have any suggestions about how to go about putting this together or ideas for how to really pull it off, share away!

bonus points for tips about where to get this stuff in the Twin Cities. Yeah, I know this whole idea is ridiculously gaudy and tacky- that's the idea.

Help me find this incredible hat!

nonmerci — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:15:15 -0800

Help me find this hilarious hat, as seen on Danish TV! While watching an episode of the amazing Danish comedy series "Drengene fra Angora" with my father, we came across an amazing character equipped with an hilarious hat (can be seen around the 50 second mark). After google searching for 'novelty hats', 'clapping hands hat', 'flappy cap' and variations the closest I can come to is this embarrassing imitation. I want to find this hat online so I can give it as a gag gift for my father.

Please help me!

Looking for a Pocket-watch Keychain

2oh1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:58:02 -0800

Where can I find a pocket-watch keychain - like this? I bought this pocket-watch keychain four years ago at a Fossil outlet, and it died. I haven't been able to find it (or anything similar) anywhere - online or in a store. I feel silly paying $90 to fix a watch that cost me $25-ish originally.

How to clean a leather wallet?

destrius — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:51:08 -0800

Asking for friend: How do I clean a yellow Fossil leather wallet that is starting to turn brown from use? I have a leather wallet I purchased from Fossil a few months ago. It is a women's wallet, made of a soft leather that I assume has been dyed yellow. When I bought it, the yellow was a bright yellow, but after a few months of use, it's beginning to turn brown/grey from what I guess is dirt. It also seems to be picking up a bit of the colour from my jeans. Here's a link to a similar wallet.

When I used a normal leather cleaner on it, the colour changed from yellow to an orange-ish yellow, as if the yellow pigment was being washed away and the natural brown of the leather was showing through. That kind of scared me away from trying other kinds of leather cleaners. There aren't really many inconspicuous spots on the wallet to test on either.

Any suggestions on how I can return my wallet to its original clean colour, and also any regular maintenance tips?

High-quality hair doo-dads for AA toddler

not that girl — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:23:20 -0800

Where can I find high-quality hair doo-dads for my AA toddler? My daughter just turned 1 and her hair is getting long enough to use barrettes or hairties. She's African-American (I'm white). I've been looking for great hair doo-dads for her. The selection at our local superstores and pharmacies is very limited, and the local black hair supply store disappointed me by mainly having very cheap, poor quality things. For instance, I was prepared to spend $20 or more on a high-quality boar's bristle brush, and they didn't have anything that cost over $5--and every time I brush her hair, the one I bought loses a few bristles.

I want covered elastics that are small enough for her tiny poofs of hair, rather than just rubber bands. I want barrettes that are beautiful and durable. I want a really really good brush for her. I want things that are charming, surprising and unique.

Where can I find them?

Bonus points for a site that not only sells supplies but has some pictures of toddler girl hairstyles.

Family Hairapy just won't cut it.

friezer — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:59:13 -0800

Name my friend's mobile hair service company. A close friend has had a mobile hair cutting business for a few years, and the current name isn't such a peach (Cut & Run). She needs something better. She hopes to do office calls, house calls for families, and brides at their weddings. We spent a good portion of the day getting nowhere fast. Help me, mefites.

Hey Pretty Mama, Why You Look So Funky?

mynameismandab — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:57:29 -0800

Ladies with acne/bad skin/facial hair: Do prenatal vitamins help? Is there anything I can do? This is very embarrassing for me to talk about. I'm in my twenties, and I have my dad's horrible skin and his mother's genetic predisposition for facial hair. I am treating both with regular trips to the dermatologist--she has me on Solodyn and Ziana for acne and Aldactone for a hormone imbalance. I also have laser facial hair removal.

But now that I want to become pregnant, my OB/GYN is telling me I have to discontinue my derm rx's and stop having laser done on my chin. I'm getting married in November and I really don't want my skin to erupt in the massive blemishes that have plagued me since I was 10, and I would really hate to be the bearded lady on my big day or when I give birth to my first child.

Will the prenatal vitamins help with either of these problems, or is all hope lost for a pretty mama wannabe?

Don't need this white dress- do need $$

shaarog — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:34:01 -0800

Best way to sell my wedding dress. Face it, I am never going to wear it again. I got married in Sept. and would like to sell my wedding dress. I am in the Atlanta area and have found very little in the way of consignment shops that take wedding dresses. I did find several online sites that for a fee of about $25 will let you post for a year.

I have posted on CraigsList 3 times with no luck so please do not suggest that. I do not do Ebay.

Has anyone used any of the sell your wedding dress sites and if so were you successful?

Where to shop for wallet-emptying denim?

missuswayne — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:38:32 -0800

What's the best place to find premium denim near Bucks County, Pennsylvania? I'm in southeastern Bucks County, PA and in the market for my first pair of ridiculously expensive jeans - I'm thinking 7 for All Mankind, Citizens, and the like. Where will I find the widest selection and best service (I'll need some help with getting the right fit) within an hour of here? I am midway between King of Prussia and Menlo Park Malls - they're both about an hour away. Bonus points for something closer!

help me understand goth/punk

viva viola — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:24:33 -0800

My 15 yo daughter’s style is becoming increasingly goth/punk - black clothes, metal chains and belts, skulls and daggers, thick black eyeliner, and she recently colored her hair blue. I’ve been cool about it so far though I don’t like the whole darkness/hardness of it all. She’s starting high school this year. She’s an honor student and a thespian. None of her friends dress like this. Should I be worried, or is this just a stage?

Best Eyeglasses

qsysopr — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:38:44 -0800

Are there any better eyeglasses than Marchon Airlocks with Crizal lenses? I bought my Airlocks three years ago and for the first time, I never had buyer's remorse upon a purchase of eyeglasses. Great style (you can hardly see them) and comfort.
I'm due for another pair of glasses and I'd like to know if any of you believe there's a better pair of eyeglasses available.
Bonus points if the glasses are male or unisex and / or being available at Costco.

Professional ear piercing in Columbus, Ohio?

olinerd — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:25:07 -0800

Ear piercing in Columbus, Ohio. My mother and her best friend are in their mid fifties and have both decided they need ear piercings (my mom's first, her friend's second). Being home to OSU the area is rife with piercing and tattoo parlors, but I don't think that's so much what they're going for. The mall experience isn't what they want, either. Are there places to go with professionals that cater less to the extensively body-modded crowd than the places near campus? Do spas do this or anything?

(No offense met to any body-modded individuals out there. Some of my best friends... etc etc. I just have a conservative mother.)

Gordian knot

tellurian — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:24:04 -0800

My daughter has a knot in a very fine chain necklace. Other than in investing in a magnifying glass and fine set of tweezers, is there a simple way of untangling this? It's probably hard to make out in the photograph but it's just one loop. I've had a go with some tweezers but the forces that comprise a knot in such a fine and (ultimately complicated) construction frustrate any attempt to extricate a single strand. Which way is the best way of attacking it? Left, right or middle?

Dear Fashion Diary

mathlete — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:25:54 -0800

Is there a site out there that can help me keep track of what I wear? I'd like to look at my clothes-wearing habits, such as how often I wear something or when the last time I wore something was, and I thought there might be some software or a web site that could help with this out there already.

I haven't found anything remotely close to what I'm looking for with Google. I saw this previous question, but the discussion there is more about whether an outfit is good or bad; I'm looking for a different kind of analysis.

Mustaches: Hot or not?

deeper red — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:46:10 -0800

What is the popular public opinion on mustaches? I'm seriously thinking about growing a mustache. I'm 35 and straight. My dad's had a mustache all his life for the simple reason that, like me, he has a "hang dog" expression. This means that people always mistakenly think I'm unhappy, or upset. A mustache neatly disguises this.

The trouble is that unlike, say, the 1970s, mustaches aren't popular. They might even be indicative of a personality type when appearing on young non-gay men... Or am I wrong?

Guys (of my age or younger) -- what have been your experiences of growing mustaches? Girls -- What are your opinions on mustaches on young(er) men?

They were much cheaper when we visited in the spring.

Netzapper — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:36:16 -0800

I need a hair stylist in Kitsap County. Like this question, but across the water. I'm looking for somebody to razorcut my (full head of straight, thick, Caucasian) hair into randomized, messy, chunky, spiky awesomeness. I can describe exactly what I want, I just need somebody of skill with a razor. And I'd prefer not to have to include $30 worth of ferryboat in this; anywhere on the peninsula is fine.

For the purposes of this question, you may consider me gay and headed to the club.

(Bonus question: where's the club?)

Recommend a miracle-worker hairstylist for men in seattle/eastside!

anonymisc — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:58:35 -0800

Seattle or Eastside: Recommendations for a hairdresser specializing in trendy cuts for men, despite the formidable obstacle of seriously thinning hair. This may be my last chance to look young, hot, and fashionable, before my hair declares to the world the world "Going on middle aged and should know better by now!". I have long hippy hair that has never been fashionable. It's disappearing and I'd like a trendy cut at least once before it's too late. It may already be too late. I fear a stylist is going to misjudge how thin it is (the length disguises this) and botch it. So: Who is a miracle-worker hairstylist who can give guys makeovers to hotness?

What's this on my grandfather's ring?

mrbill — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:57:56 -0800

Is there any significance or meaning to the bust / sculpture on this ring? I got the ring in the contents of a safe-deposit-box that belonged to my grandfather, along with a bunch of old pocket watches and some Masonic jewelry (watch fob, etc). It's clearly a man's ring, as it fits my big fingers.

It looks like some sort of knight as far as I can tell (sorry for the picture; I did the best I could).

Any ideas what the carving on it might be?

What size distribution of promotional t-shirts should I buy?

rjacobs — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:53:25 -0800

I am an admin for a university English department. I want to order some promotional t-shirts for the department to give mostly to our students, both undergraduate and graduate. What ratio of t-shirt sizes should I buy? I.E. I know I should probably get more mediums than smalls, but does anyone have any good statistics for the average distribution of sizes people tend to like? Bonus points for a link to a page that discusses this issue.

What's the warmest pair of men's long underwear you can get...

JamesJD — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:16:54 -0800

What's the warmest pair of men's long underwear you can get that will fit comfortably underneath jeans/khakis?

Need a new bag for school!

senseigmg — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:29:25 -0800

What bag do I get for going back to grad school? Here are my requirements:

-Must fit my new shiny macbook (in its protective sleeve)
-Must be able to carry a few books, binders, and my lunch
-I'm living in Washington, D.C., i'd like it to be waterproof (and be able to fit my umbrella with the rest of the stuff)
-I'd like to avoid velcro if possible, I like the size of chrome bags and crumpler, but don't want to rip open velcro in the middle of class if i have an alternative.
-Comfortable

You never get a second chance to make a first impression

hollygoheavy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:48:16 -0800

I'm flying next month and want to look amazing when I get off the plane. Usually I don't really think about how I look when I fly and look presentable but definately casual - this time someone new is picking me up and I want to look great coming off the plane. I have no problem with the outfit, it's not looking haggard coming off a flight with a 3 hour layover in Charlotte. What are you best practices for looking great while traveling?