Shopping for a little black dress (LBD) after the holidays is completely unfair. I’m still carrying a little – okay a lot – of latke and gelt weight from Hanukkah. Not to mention that Hanukkah came right after Thanksgiving, which is most unfortunate for my waistline. Anyway, my job requires me to wear an LBD at our big gala next weekend. So, there I was at the mall this evening on an unfair errand – looking for the perfect dress. And when I say the perfect dress, it has to meet the following criteria:

1. It doesn’t make me look fat. Thankfully, staff wears black so that is slimming. (Note to self: buy Spanx).
2. It looks professional. I’m in charge of the program, which is a highly visible job that requires a lot of running around all while looking like I’m totally in control of the situation. (Which, of course I am… 🙂 )
3. Speaking of running around. Said dress must be sleeveless because I’m a woman of a certain age and I get overheated easily at a moment’s notice. (Reminder: pack deodorant)
4. More running. Dress must look good with flat shoes. No high heels for me. I can’t be on my feet all night without a good pair of flats.
5. Under $100. I’m currently doing Weight Watchers and hope this dress is way too big for me by spring. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it.

Thankfully, after visiting 4 different stores, trying on 12 dresses and allowing myself a good, yet short-lived, cry in the fitting room at White House Black Market, I selected a dress that fits me and all of the above conditions. My errand was a success. Shopping used to be a lot more fun when I was young and skinny. I miss those days.

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At night, I hear laughter coming from her bedroom as she cracks up over an episode of Friends. At night, I hear the pages of her textbook turning as she pours over her notes for tomorrow’s test. At night, I hear the rustle of the paper she tears out of her notebook that disturbs an otherwise quiet house. At night, I hear her Face Timing with her friends. At night, I hear her yell for me when she needs a form signed or wants to borrow my hair dryer. In less than a year, I won’t hear any of this because she will be away at college and I’ll hear none of the above coming from her bedroom.

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