Zappos

I don't usually single a business out for having good service because I generally expect most businesses to provide decent service and so, by and large, I'm much more likely to note and comment on poor business practices than good ones.

However, I was so recently impressed with Zappos that I decided to spread the word. Until a few weeks ago I had heard of Zappos but never ordered anything through their website since I like to try on shoes before buying them. However, I had a terrible time finding hiking boots that would fit Elisabeth's tiny feet and so I decided to check Zappos' website.

The initial purchase was uneventful enough; I found the shoes I wanted, entered the necessary information and clicked submit. Elisabeth's shoes arrived quickly and I was happy to note the shipping was free.

However, the shoes were too large. So I buckled in for what I assumed would be a huge hassle and called Zappos' toll-free line. I was shocked when an actual person answered the phone instead of a recording, and even more shocked to hear that an exchange would be no trouble and wouldn't cost me a dime. Without even getting the pair back they had originally sent me, they sent out Elisabeth's new shoes and they immediately emailed me a shipping label so that I wouldn't have to pay for the return shipping on the shoes I had initially received.

So much for needing to try shoes on; Zappos' return policy is so easy and hassle-free that I'll definitely order from them again.

Maternity Clothes

I have squeezed into my last pair of non-maternity pants for the foreseeable future. I tried the whole rubber-band-your-jeans-trick as long as I could. It's time to admit defeat and make the transition to maternity clothes.

Man, I hate maternity clothes.

Kids' Clothes

Convinced after having Madeleine that she would not be our only child, I dutifully packed away all her clothes that she had outgrown, lovingly washing them and labeling them in various boxes, dreamily envisioning another baby wearing some of my favorite ensembles.

And then Hank was born. The sea of pink clothes I'd so carefully saved for our next baby were pushed aside. Oh, sure, a few odds and ends were salvaged but, on the whole, Hank wore hand-me-downs from boy cousins and friends and, mostly, newly purchased boy clothes. Still a glutton for punishment, I also packed those carefully away once Hank outgrew them. Surely, I told myself if we have another child he or she will be able to wear someone's clothes.

And then we had Elisabeth. I lugged down boxes of baby clothes from our attic, sorted them into gender specific and gender neutral clothes, and patiently waited until my new little girl would fit into her big sister's outgrown clothes.

But it never worked out. Ever. Madeleine was born in August, Elisabeth in October. Madeleine was average to big for her age while Elisabeth has consistently been far behind on the growth charts. Clothes-wise, Elisabeth has always been a good four to six months behind her big sister and all my time, effort and, namely, storage space, has been utterly wasted over the past seven years.

And yet, instead of carting it all off to Goodwill, which is what I should have done, I washed, packed and lugged it all back up to my attic. Including, as you might guess, all the new clothes Elisabeth accumulated.

The moral of this tale, of course, is one I haven't adhered to yet and, that is: don't save all your baby clothes. My attic desperately hopes that one day I'll take this advice.

Madeleine's Fashion Journal

I swear, I don't know where Madeleine comes up with this stuff. Really, I don't. If you know me, you know I'm a jeans and tennis shoe kinda gal. Apparently Madeleine is not.

Now though, Madeleine's not content to just want to look beautiful, wear beautiful clothes and surround herself with beautiful things (a daily struggle, I assure you); she's writing books about being beautiful.

Here's her latest. And I'll warn you right off the top, her spelling is beyond horrific. Work with me people; we're looking at the big picture here, right?

Here it is in all its glory.

All Girls Fashion Book and Models
by Madeleine Olson (oh, and she also collated and published it, too)

"Maddy"
Maddy is a kind girl and is fashionable.

"Samantha"
Samantha is a kind girl. She is fashionable!

"Kelly"
Kelly is a kind girl who tries to be fashionable!

"Cristen"
Cristen is a kind girl and tries to keep her hair done.
The End.