Can't find something? Maybe one of your fellow MATHletes knows just where to get it, and on sale. One can dream, right?

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2002

Answers

I'll start.

I need long-or-3/4-sleeved, maybe cashmere/ maybe not, sweaters for my December bridesmaids to wear with long skirts. I'd like them to be deep red, green, gold or gray and somewhat formal, not bulky. It's May, so I am not having much luck, as you can imagine. Looking for something under $100, for sure.

I would appreciate any and all suggestions or tips.

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2002

I think this one is super pretty.

Aren't I in charge of shoes, though? I need to start on that. A sweater must be chosen before the shoes can, though, so get on it, people!

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2002

AB, why don't I just buy you that top? You are it's biggest fan.

I love it, too, though, so it's a big maybe.

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2002

I'll take it in chocolate!

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2002

Oooh, I like that one, too. Only thing is, I can see that sweater being a problem for women with, um, an ample bosom.

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2002

Um, I love that top, too.

Except if any of your bridesmaids are as heavy as say...me. It's a guaranteed fat-arms, overly-broad shoulders shirt. Not sure what I mean? Go watch the boss in "Don't tell mom babysitter's dead." That neckline can be deadly for the hefty.

But I still think it's pretty. And I ADORE the skirt and top idea. What are the skirts like?

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2002

Oh, I almost forgot. I have a pregunta. I have really, really long straight, fine, thick hair. It's a contradiction in terms. That said, I can't find a product that makes it brushable when wet. Pantene leave-in conditioner helps a little, but it's still a snarled mess. And I'm ready to chop all of my long, beautiful hair off because I can't take it any more. Any ideas MATHletes?

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2002

Jessa, I also have very thick hair, it is shoulder length but with some natural curl that gives me a fit...I have used the Infusium Leave In Conditioner for a few years now and it really works for me.

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2002

Al & AB:

I have worn that very Watters top and skirt combo. Sort of. I was going to wear in my cousin's January wedding that got canceled one week before. But, the cancellation notwithstanding, it is a very pretty, well-constructed top. And though I have a quite ample bosom, it still looked nice. One warning: it's a bit spendy.

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2002

Dawn, you rock. I came on first thing this morning to tell you that Infusium Leave-In works great. Thank you so much for the suggestion. ...and another problem solved by MATHletes!

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2002

Most excellent, Jessa, glad I could help. And, I forgot to tell you another good use for the Infusium. I generally only wash my hair every other day because otherwise it gets really dry. So, on the days that I don't wash my hair, I comb through some Infusium just to get rid of the fly away hair and to keep the tangles to a minimum.

Plus, I don't know if you were able to find it in a spray bottle because they generally only sell it in the squeeze-out bottle but it seems to be a little easier to use if you put it in a spray bottle. I just think that it is too thin of a substance to put in your hand without it running through your fingers.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2002

Aussie Hair Insurance (spray bottle) also works wonders.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2002

My black leather J.Crew tote got ran over by a car. Okay, it was my car.

Anyway. I need a new bag, and not an expensive one, to suggest as a birthday present for myself. I loved the old tote- big enough to toss in a script or two plus a book and the paper and my notebooks for class- but hated the divider pocket in the middle. I want something smaller, but still big enough for the paper, and maybe less utilitarian this time around.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2002

Oh, Hannah, I wish you were on the East Coast. I just bought myself (it was my I-am-going-to-do-at-least-one-frivilous-thing-with-my-tax- return present to myself) a new tote bag at an East Coast Department store. It is the perfect work tote for me. Big enough to hold my purse, lunch, newspaper, etc. and it is a really cute knock-off Burberry.

Anyway, I did a little investigating and found these really cute totes that are reversible:

http://shopallenbeys.com/vintage-fun-purses-reversible-tote-bag- handbags.html

Check out the Cherries Jubilee...it is lined with AstroTurf!

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2002

I am also in the market for a new purse. I want something smaller though, like big enough for my wallet, keys, sunglasses, tampons, and 87 tubes of lipstick. I like compartments to organize my stuff, and I like a long shoulder strap. It has to be black, and it has to be leather, and I don't mind spending money for a good purse.

Any suggestions, MATHlete shopping experts?

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2002

The coolest messenger bags in the world?

http://throbatl.com/EC.mmba.ht ml

In Atlanta, of course.

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2002

Okay, I have one that is really tough...I have been looking for this for months. I shared an elevator with this woman carrying a very nice red woven purse that was the general shape of a traditional Kate Spade bag. When I complimented her about the bag she was carrying, she told me that a friend of hers had given to her for her birthday and that the woven aspect of it was actually seatbelts. Yep, seatbelts!! Upon further inspection, I recognized that it was actually seatbelts which made me love it even more.

Ready, set, GO!

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

OK -- Dawn, I think this is it. If that URL doesn't work, Google "motor city seatbelt".

Problem is, it seems to be no longer offered. The source Yahoo! Shopping is giving is the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (website here). I'd call them (a href="http://store.yahoo.com/mfa/info.html">contact info) and see if anyone still makes that particular bag.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

WriterGirl, you blow my mind, babe! That is the exact bag!!

Now, I just need to follow-up and see if I can find somewhere that still sells it. By the way, isn't that bag just the bees knees?

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Dawn - You mean bags like these: http://www.shoes2die4.com/productlist.asp?brand=Harvey% 27s+bags ?

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Or, better yet, at GirlShop: http://www.gi rlshop.com/shop/girls/ha/harveys.asp

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Holy Handbags, Batman!! You all rock!! Girlshop here I come...right after my Google for dummies refresher course!

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Nicely done, Beth.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

People, you impress me with your skillz. Find me my cashmere sweaters, please, or AB will have to walk down the aisle in a God Bless Texas t-shirt.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

I've changed my mind. I want to walk down in a cashmere sweater that says "God Bless Texas" on it.

Please?

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Suh-weeeeeet. AB, maybe they have them at the Lone Star Country Club, home of the infamous "Eatin' Ain't Cheatin'" tee...

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

If you Google "cashmere sweater bridesmaids", our original wedding thread comes up on the second page. Nothing useful, though.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

I'm getting thrown by the "formal". I'm so not formal I don't know what is. Is something like this too casual? What if it had longer sleeves? That site is in the UK so it's not an option, but I'm trying to get a feel for the type of sweater. (I'm also trying to get through the last hour of work with no actual work to do...)

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002