So I’m reading the “Woman/Style” section of the Chicago Tribune this morning, with a cup of coffee in hand - quickly becoming a Wedneday morning tradition. And it’s especially nice now that the kids are safely ensconced at school, making for a much calmer environment.

The teaser at the top of the Tempo section says, “Fall’s Fashion Rules” - “Yay!” I’m thinking to myself - I could always use fashion advice. After all, I’m still wearing my Ralph Lauren polo shirt I bought at TJ Maxx eight years ago, and I just shrunk a Talbots tee I bought earlier this summer. (I’m still ticked about that - never ever ever put stuff in the dryer while half-asleep!)

I flip to Page 4, and the pictures aren’t bad. I can see myself in the black pants. The blue dress? Not so much. And that’s just because I’ve been pregnant, and anything that remotely looks like maternity fare turns me off.

It was the text of the story, though, that had me saying “Seriously? WTF??”

Under the “Sophisticated Lady” section was mention of suits “with a hint of shoulder pad.”

Oh.my.Name-Thy-Deity-Here.

Shoulder pads? The article goes on to cite a few other 80s fashion faux pas as worthy of experimentation, such as a metallic skirt for the office, leather gloves with studwork, bright colors such as cobalt and bright red, skinny belts and gold accessories.

If only I had actually held on to the wardrobe I finally gave up two years ago. Really - there’s someone walking around Chicagoland with one of my Benetton sweaters.

Personally, I can’t fathom wearing any of these items, but I’ve been out of the corporate world for five years, and out of the “I have money to buy clothes for myself” world for more than a decade. Is this really how people dress? Someone has to e-mail me and set me straight, because Name-Thy-Deity help me, I want to make sure I don’t look like a fool.

I want pictures too! C’mon, North Shore fashionistas - help me out! Is anyone going to Fashion Week in Highland Park? Kelly@northshoreinsider.com is the e-mail - let me hear from you!

Technorati Tags: North Shore fashion, Chicago area fashion, Highland Park Fashion Week, 80s fashion, fall fashion trends, Chicago Tribune fall fashion trends

No, no…not the Blackhawks. And let’s face it. Even when we’re in the midst of winter, it’s not really Blackhawks season then, either. I’m talking North Shore kids’ hockey. Conditioning clinics began last night for Josh, and, like any sport, that first time back is spent re-connecting with other parents and kids you haven’t seen all summer.

Yep, I’m a hockey mom - not an all-out, wearing-an-adult-replica-of-my-kid’s-jersey-kind of hockey mom, but over the years, I’ve grown to really enjoy the sport. Here’s why:

1. It forces organization. As any parent with a kid in travel hockey will tell you, household organization is crucial to making a hockey schedule work. Between trips to Northbrook, Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills - just for practice - you’d be crazy if you didn’t have your act together.

2. You learn to let go. Such a time consuming sport means that you can give up being alpha mom, and embrace being “Thank God there was a McDonald’s on the way to the rink” mom.

3. You come to appreciate that cruddy pair of extra mittens in the trunk of the car. Note - Lake Forest College has the coldest ice rink in four states.

4. It also forces downtime in your day. Thanks to hockey, I learned to knit and have time to actually read a book as opposed to flipping on the TV.

5. Buzzers are a good thing. After spending the summer sitting through 1.5- and 2+ hour baseball games, the buzzer at the end of your one-hour ice time allotment is awesome. Unless you’re losing. Then it stinks.

6. Ice rinks are a better thing. Yeah, they’re cold. (Actually, Northbrook’s rink is fantastic. And I’m not saying that just because Josh plays there. It’s just way warmer than about anywhere else!) But ice rinks are immune to heat, humidity, rain, snow, wind, dust, mosquitoes, and bees. Bring a blanket and a Thermos of hot chocolate and you’re good to go.

7. You meet really, really nice people. OK - kid’s hockey has its handful of really annoying souls. But again, over the years, I have found parents of hockey kids to be a genuine bunch - the kind who are obviously willing to make significant financial and time commitments to indulge a child in a favorite sport, recognize it really is just a game and just enjoy watching their kid play, with few or no “living vicariously” fantasies about the NHL, have great senses of humor and come from all walks of life.

If you’re interested in joining the world of pucks and sticks, check with your local park district to see with which organization they are affiliated. There are a number of organizations, such as Northbrook, Glenview, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Lake Forest and Evanston with great travel and house programs.

See you at the rink!

Technorati Tags: North Shore Illinois hockey, kids hockey, kids’ hockey, hockey try-outs, Northbrook hockey, Glenview hockey, Wilmette hockey, Winnetka hockey

Before I get to this weekend, can we talk about yesterday? Wow.

I consider myself pretty lucky, when it comes to my storm experience. Zack just beat out the storm walking home from school, and thankfully, the primary schools here in town kept the kids at school, as the storm hit just as buses should have been loading at the end of the day. I spent a few precarious minutes wondering where exactly Chloe was, but was happy she was safe.

It seems everyone I called last night had water in their basements, and power was out. Luckily againn, not us. The only major damage is to our deck furniture - the glass in the table shattered. Oh - and does two hours in the car to go three miles and back count as damage? Maybe to my mood. But again, that’s nothing compared to what some people are dealing with today. So I’m lucky.

And…I’m with kids at home again. School was canceled for the day. Dangit. Just when I needed to get some serious shopping done. Ah, well. I’ll just plan for the weekend, instead. What to do? Here’s a few great ideas:

For starters, there’s the Backlot Bash in Skokie, which I am seriously considering, if only to see what’s in Skokie besides Old Orchard. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I think my husband needs to get back to his Lake Michigan-summer-in-a-beer-tent roots.

There’s also art festivals up and down the North Shore - Port Clinton in Highland Park, the American Craft Exposition in Evanston, etc.

What I really want to do though? Actually make it to a Farmer’s Market. I am so in need of some really fresh produce, and between baseball games, soccer practice, trips out of town and all that summer is, it seems like every Saturday morning whizzes by at the speed of light. Maybe this weeked….

Stay dry - and err on the safe side and call ahead to some of these events. Have a great weekend!

Technorati Tags: American Craft Exposition, Port Clinton Art Festival, Skokie Backlot Bash, North Shore Chicago weekend activities