I'm trying to put together a cute Hello Kitty costume for niecey. What do y'all think?

• Tights: >[link]
• Dress: >[link]
• Undershirt: >[link]
• Mask: >[link]
• or Hat: >[link]

Shoes would be black patent leather Mary Janes. Could also cut a big heart out of felt and attach it to the front of the jumper.

I'm giving my grandmother money, and she'll get good diamonds from India.

Ah. Okay. I'm sorry I'm so slow on the uptake. The Indian women I see around have the loveliest jewelry. You're probably thinking, "How *nice* for them," right about now. Your "good diamonds" just made me think of it. It's the gold I've noticed, in particular.

I know this custom would burn my ass if I were the one who was expected to cut the check. That said, most cultures have some misogyny built in, and so it's nice (as a woman) to see a particular cultural custom like this. Maybe you can think of it that way (not the 'as a woman' bit, just the 'nice' bit). Maybe you can think of this as your reparation for any misogynistic customs or attitudes from which you might have inadvertantly benefited.

(I know, I'm reaching, and it's easy for me to reach, since I'm not reaching for my checkbook. But since you have decided to participate, to keep the peace, maybe you can find some peace of your own. Somewhere. I'm glad it's over for you.)

ita, I think it has to do with what used to be the American philosophy about liberal arts higher education. It used to be a lot more about getting an overview of a wide range of subjects and slowly figuring out a speciality in the first two years at the university--the idea that the point isn't what you are going to "do" in life, but more what you should know/understand about how the subjects are all connected and how they influence each other. I know some areas have always been more prescriptive (medical school, law school, etc.), but I'm hopeful that those students like me--who major in English because they love books but are just as excited to take psychology and anthropology--don't become such "specialists" that they miss out on the big picture.

GC - I would say the hat. She's little and those masks can be hard to see out of.

I was wondering if that was part of it, Kristin. Thanks. What you say makes sense.

I vote hat too. Such a cute outfit, it would be a shame for it to be uncomfy.

It's the gold I've noticed, in particular.

It's 22 or 24k. It's gorgeous. I love it love it love it.

[link]

Is this too dressy for a baby shower?

I'm still perplexed at the idea of not knowing by the time you start university.

I was always kind of amazed at having to decide what to do for the rest of your life at such a young age. Of course, it may have been sold to me a little hard -- maybe people DO change tracks?

(re the gold) It truly is, and me too, Trudy. If I am actually in conversation, I have a hard time not remarking on it. It makes you want to touch it.