The Case of the Missing Fall

Thanksgiving will be here in less than three weeks and Christmas four weekends after that. I think it is never too early to start getting organized and doing a few things now will certainly make the last minute crunch more enjoyable.

We will host family for Thanksgiving up in the Catskills. My plan is to create a very simple meal and a weekend of fun. To begin, I am searching for some new recipes that are a bit non-traditional; I am convincing my family that we don’t need SOOO much food (simpler is better), and I have mandated casual attire, meaning jeans. Setting the tone always helps me set expectations to then make a game plan. Once my game plan is intact from food to activities then I will need to execute and DELEGATE. I know the weekend will be fun, but too quick --- and then we are into December.

So a quick Christmas to do list has been started. #1 on the list is the old Christmas card which is always a bit stressful. I’ve learned through the years to let go of my perfectionism, as I have realized few people will ever scrutinize our card as closely as I do. So when I found a good picture of our family from this summer, I made a quick decision that while it is not perfect, it would be close enough for this year, and for better or worse it is now at the printer. I always have to remind myself that the fun with cards is opening up the happy pictures from friends, and no one really cares if someone’s eye is shut or they don’t have their best smile. While there is plenty more on the to do list, at least I am making progress!

Remember, get prepared and keep it simple. If you need jeans, I love our new Patagonia ones.

Sideline Fashion

Fall is definitely one of my favorite times of year. I love watching the kids on my block walking to school with their loaded backpacks. I love getting my kids back into their school routine. I love that the weather starts to cool down, but does not get too cold. I love the fall sports and especially sitting around watching a football game with the men in my life. I also really love a new season at Black Squirrel and unpacking the fall merchandise I ordered last winter.

For some reason this fall has been particularly discombobulated. I don’t know if it was because Labor Day was so late, or because school started so late, but for some reason, it is almost the end of October and I am not sure where all of the time went. As I sit down to crack the case of the missing fall, I realize it has been far too long since my last blog and I have lots to share.

Most importantly, I am so excited about BSQO's new ecommerce site. I hope it will finally be live by the end of the fall month. This site is

the primary suspect in my missing fall investigation. Had I known what an effort it would be to get all of the details correct, from photography to inventory - I am not sure I could have tackled it. The next time someone at a cocktail party tosses off the casual advice of "Oh, why don't you just try selling online" as if it were as simple as flipping a switch - I will have a good answer for them. Nevertheless, the site will look great and I, as much as anyone, knkow how much the web has changed my shopping habits, so this is  project I am very excited about.

Another big project for me was “Martha’s Market,” a three day show I did in Charlottesville, Virginia. Even though I am not a big Virginia

Cavaliers fan, I really love the city and that area of the Shenandoah Valley. Martha’s Market is a fundraiser for the Martha Jefferson hospital and in particular women’s health issues. It was a lot of work getting all of my merchandise down there, but I had a little help (thank you Hank Cochran), and it was a very successful show – I saw old friends, met some new friends and overall I think Black Squirrel was very well received. I also was able to contribute nearly $2000 to the hospital, so I am very pleased. 

Last, but not least I want to share my “Nut of the Month.” This month’s selection is the Rab Shadow Hoody.

Although the brand is still new to me, Garth and I “discovered” Rab last winter in Utah and are crazy about the line. Rab got its start 30 years ago making sleeping bags and now makes all types of outdoor gear and clothing. Few of their offerings are revolutionary, rather they simply make great looking, very functional gear that is at the heart of what Black Squirrel is trying to do. I was so excited when their shipment arrived last week that I have literally been living in my Shadow Hoody ever since. Its fit, color and comfort are all to my liking.

As I think back to my missing fall, I better understand where the time went. Looking ahead I know it does not get any easier between now and the holidays. So I am resolved to get my site launched, enjoy the last of my children’s football games, keep exercising and get myself ready for the madness that makes the holidays so much fun.

Be Prepared

Of course your kids are looking sharp on the field all suited up in their football and soccer uniforms, but how are you looking on the sidelines?

No matter what team it is or where you're cheering (NC, VA, NY or CT), everyone needs the same things when it comes to sideline fashion: comfortable, practical and stylish attire. My number one sideline pick for this time of year is down. Nothing matches down's warmth and light weight. After getting all the kid's gear in the car and on the field, the last thing anyone wants is something else heavy to lug around. Down is light and packable and keeps everyone warm when the October chill hits. All my down jackets and vests come in great colors, so you will look and feel good, on the field or off.

One other item that is worth mentioning is footwear. I am constantly asked by men in the store, "What's a good casual shoe to wear in the fall?" Even though BSQO has not started stocking mens shoes, here are a couple of my favorites for sideline style:

1 - Salomon Gor-Tex trail shoes. Look at something like the Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX - the dark color looks better than your typical running shoe and the Gortex keeps your feet dry and comfortable on the field or trail.

2 - Hush Puppy Reckless Boot - I love the look of these - like a retro sneaker with suede leather outers and a "Sherpa" lining to provide comfort and warmth.

Both can easily be purchased on zappos.com.

Mid Summer

I had the good fortune of spending Labor Day weekend in Big Sky, Montana with "family friends." Big Sky, as I referenced in my April blog, is a magnificent area, and just as majestic in September as it is in April. We mountain biked, hiked, fly fished, listened to Willie Nelson play under the stars and gawked at moose, bear, elk and fox.

My biggest adventure was on Sunday, when I did my first fly fishing float trip. Thanks to my brother in law who arranged a trip with East Slope Outdoors -- http://www.eastslopeoutdoors.com -- we floated the beautiful and productive Madison River. Six of us launched in three boats led by our colorful and expert guides: Sklyer, Adam and Stuart. While the fishing could not have been better as we landed plenty of Rainbows, Browns, Whitefish and even a Cutthroat; the weather was another story.

We knew the forecast called for a chance of rain with a high in the mid 60’s and upon departure the weather looked favorable – a beautiful mix of sun and high billowy clouds and moderate temperatures. Then we were off and within the hour the temperature dropped and we faced hail, lightning and thunder . . and we had six hours to go. I was hanging in there until my guide, Stuart, told me to set my rod down while we waited out some lightning that was a bit too close for comfort.

Fortunately, my family members have been very loyal supporters of Black Squirrel and I must say we were all well prepared with our layering systems that included plenty of Black Squirrel gear – Ibex base layers, fleece and down insulating layers and good waterproof shells.

Had the fishing not been so good I am sure I would have packed it in sooner – given that I am not a big fan of the wet and cold – but I sure would have hated to miss all the fun. This trip was a great reminder of why I opened BSQO in the first place. I love being outdoors and I don’t want to have to change my plans every time the weather changes. I am also not the kind of person who is going to run out and buy a new fishing or skiing or hiking outfit every time I want to try a new activity – so I need Black Squirrel gear – attractive, quality and above all, functional.

Best of all, by the time we got to Eino’s Tavern in West Yellowstone, I was warm, ready for a cold beverage, and ready to swap fish tales with my family and our guides.

I just sent out my email announcing Black Squirrel’s mid summer sale and I am feeling a bit nostalgic that I have only one more month before my boys head back to school. But when I stop and think of all of the great things that have happened, I get even more excited and determined to take advantage of these last few weeks with my family. Now that camps are over and summer lacrosse has wrapped up we will have the opportunity to spend some time in the Catskills.

I am working on a mental “to do” list of fun things I want to accomplish before September is here. A fun adventure is always on my list. Thanks to my kids, nieces and nephews this item rarely goes unfulfilled. Earlier this summer my 10 year old niece told me about always wanting to try parasailing, so next thing you know, Eliza, Quinn and Aunt Anne are 50 feet in the air attached to the back of a boat. While it decidedly is not an “adrenaline” sport (my nearly seventy year old mother joined us too), it was fun and beautiful and I am glad to say I have tried it. It is a great “one and done” activity.

Also on my list is to sit, relax and read a book. I have definitely mastered the art of sitting (albeit without the reading and relaxing parts) this summer, as I have spent many weekends under the blazing hot sun watching kids play lacrosse. I did have one big thought for the store though, after seeing so many teams in uniforms with all of the trimmings – bags, helmets, t-shirts, socks etc - I am convinced I should start a Black Squirrel Teams (BSQT) division. My goal would not only be to put the kids in some decent looking garb, but plenty of the parents could use a little Black Squirrel touch as well.

Last, but certainly not least, on my list are a few exciting new initiatives at Black Squirrel. I recently attended a few fashion and gift shows and saw some new lines for next spring that I am working on bringing to BSQO. Also, I am getting closer to finally making the BSQO on-line shopping experience a reality.

While I am old enough to know that not everything on my to do list ever gets done – I will and I encourage you to enjoy the last days of summer.