Is she booky, Hec? Primrose Hill Books and Propero's Books are lovely; if I'd had money when I was in London, I would have gone crazy in there.

She should hit a Boots for cheap and wonderful makeup.

And I totally second Portobello Road, if she'll be there on Saturday!

The botanical gardens are out by Wimbeldon, but SO worth the trip, if she's at all interested in gardens. And some of the Haunted London walking tours are wonderfully done, and so interesting.

Toddson - I read that book too.

It's kind of nutty. And all those "classic" fair isle designs are kind of boxy and unflattering on most people.

So sudafed apparently really improves my swim performance. I could feel it kick in and my times agree. Good lord.

Slept most of the day. Currently have Pumpkin out with the general population, but the predator Devi locked in the bedroom. She's confused.

I've got cider warming on the stove. Bring on the trick or treaters!

all those "classic" fair isle designs are kind of boxy and unflattering on most people.

IMO, Starmore has a good eye for surface pattern, but as a clothing designer, she's sub-par. She has a particular problem with necklines. In a number of her pattern books, you'll see some of the sweater models wearing scarves.

Eunny Jang is a fair isle pattern-designer who can actually construct a flattering garment.

My neighbor made her son a scorpion costume. It is awesome.

sara, that is SO COOL! Is she going as Klaus Meine or Rudolf Schenker?

So apparently I get the procrastinatrix award today. Who was out buying candy at 4:30 to hand out to the ruffians tonight? ME! I do give out the good stuff though: reese's peanut butter cups, etc. I know I'm not supposed to be handing out that candy this year, but because of my aforementioned status as procrastinatrix, I could not get it together to get other candy options. I even trimmed the bushes outside so people could get to the front door!

"This American Life" this week was brutal. It was on "Middle School" and about 10-15 minutes in my relief at not being 12-13 again washed over me like a spring rain. I thank goodness I am an adult and don't have to go through junior high school bullshit anymore.

I bought Tootsie Pops to give out this year. They're not as tempting to me as other candies, and they're not the sort of thing where you can down half a bag over the course of an hour's munchies.

I listened to that, too le nub. Although, I think sometimes the bullshit is the same, it is just my level of caring and emotion around it is less!

Sophia,

you might be right, but I was really struck by the ways in which the junior high school students were talking about dating. Some adults aren't necessarily more functional, but most of us can handle the disappointments and dating a bit better than that!