<p>I have to say that for Canada Goose I think you’re paying for the name in addition to the quality. I have lived in cold climates (including Ottawa, Canada) all my life, and have never owned a $500 jacket. I think you can find other jackets that are sufficiently warm (in the $200 price range) but they may not be as “trendy”.</p>
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<p>From your mouth to God’s ear :D</p>
<p>I am thinking we need to ask our kiddo what roles DH the younger sibling and I should play next week in the divide/conquer of the move in…bedding, closets, electronics, fridge etc…
They have a couch to assemble too.</p>
<p>Want a real roller coaster–watch the stock market open in the next few minutes…</p>
<p>I am very cold intolerant (except when I’m having a hot flash, of course.) D is the opposite - at least she thinks she is. So once D is freezing up in Chicago and sees what everyone is wearing…I supposed that by then she’ll be competent enough to figure out where to go to try on the coat, how to get there and what to do if they are out of stock?</p>
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<p>And I get no comfort because I remembered that guy’s words at parent orientation when he called me later that school year and said to come and pick up my son. The “systems” they had in place were designed to keep their rears out of litigation.</p>
<p>Northface fleece seems to be the choice for most kids in New England - my kids will add a shell and vest to ski or do snowsports. I think the coat systems work best and are the best investment for our variable weather. They will throw the shell on over the fleece on cold rainy days…or the vest and the shell…</p>
<p>Shaw - I allot my teen girls $350-400 per semester for clothes. This does not include outerwear items, special occasion outfits (wedding or special event), or primary shoes (boots, a nice pair of pumps for job interview, etc) If they need something beyond that, they will ask but for the most part they stay on budget. They just shop Forever 21 for the trendy “one season” clothes and then they have $$ left over for bigger items.</p>
<p>Congratualtions to everyone that has launched, hugs to all the parents. </p>
<p>We move in over Labor Day weekend and D is very ready to move on. She has had a full and fun social life this summer but definitely wants to “break out” and meet new people.</p>
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<p>I love this phrase, and use it all.the.time. :D</p>
<p>Whew, glad to hear that I don’t have to shell out big bucks for a winter coat, though it DOES look quite snuggly. I snagged a Denali for D1 last spring on sale, and D1 also has warm waterproof much-adored hiking boots and a gore-tex shell, so she is set for the time being. One of her local friends who goes to school in PA is touting the virtues of a full-length winter coat, but that will wait for later in the year. </p>
<p>I entirely agree with all the suggestions to wait and see what fits with the fashion sense of the school. Anyone a Miss Manners fan? In her book on how to raise excruciatingly polite children 
there was one letterwriter who asked what to send with her child, who was matriculating to Harvard. Miss Manners said that whatever you packed to send with would be found totally unfashionable, so one should buy clothing there. I read that nearly 20 years ago, and it’s stuck with me ever since. :)</p>
<p>**The next new student move-in is University of Colorado, Lawrence University (tennis), Harvard (outdoor program), and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) move-ins on August 18th - today!
Move-in day is TODAY! Where did the summer go? :eek:
[ul][<em>]University of Virginia, University of Illinois, Cornell, WPI (field hockey), and University of Texas - Austin move-ins on August 19th are just 1 days to go.
[</em>]Juniata College, University of Alabama, Pomona College, University of Puget Sound, and University of Virginia move-ins on August 20th are just 2 days to go.
[<em>]Case Western Reserve University and MIT (pre-orientation) move-ins on August 21st are just 3 days to go.
[</em>]Wellesley College move-in on August 22nd is just 4 days to go.
[<em>]Pitt, Midwestern State, and Duke move-ins on August 23rd are just 5 days to go.
[</em>]Marquette University and Bryn Mawr move-ins on August 24th are just 6 days to go.
[li]Willamette move-in on August 25th is just 7 days to go.[/ul][/li]The last new student move-in is the University of Southern Oregon on September 22nd<br>
Move-in day in 35 days.</p>
<p>The link to the Move-in Date Thread is <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1141579-hs-class-2011-college-class-2015-move-dates-5.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1141579-hs-class-2011-college-class-2015-move-dates-5.html</a></p>
<p>If you son’s or daughter’s move-in dates and schools are not listed please add them to the list.**</p>
<p>My D will have the opposite problem from many of your kiddos. She has grown up in northern Illinois and Iowa, she is used to the -30 to -40 wind chills in January, has the appropriate clothes, and knows how to dress for the winter weather. She also knows how to dress for 100+ degree July days, especially after this summer where she was a camp counselor all summer and was outside all day, every day in the extreme heat we had.</p>
<p>Her problem, though, if it is one, is that she is going to New Orleans and won’t know how to dress for air conditioning during most of the year and won’t know how to deal with January weather that is more like March or early April here in Iowa. It will take some adjustment, though not as much as for many of your kiddos.</p>
<p>She has had major lung issues and can not breathe in the January cold, so I am glad she found a school she likes in a climate that is better for her, even if it is 16 hours from home.</p>
<p>Warm waterproof hiking boots are on our list to acquire at Thanksgiving, unless he acquires them locally before then. He has regular (Sorel I think) warm “winter boots” but I doubt they’re any good for walking any distance in (they’re slip-ons) and he has a mile walk from the dorm to classes most days. And then they’d be too hot indoors!</p>
<p>bajamm- Even though I live in New England, my office at work is often set to -20 degrees (or so it seems). I always wear layers to work, which include a blouse and thin sweater. On days when the AC is set to a balmy 72, I can take off the sweater.</p>
<p>Oh, a good place to look for decent to sometimes very good prices on winter stuff is Sierra Trading Post. mathmomvt, completely agree on paying a premium for the name. Similar to North Face here but more so. We knew we were paying for something that a) she would love; and b) would help her feel feminine and warm in the winter. She has always resisted down or insulated coats because they tended to make her look like the Michelin man. Instead, wool coats with style that were not warm enough. She has a great Columbia Goretex shell with insulated zipout lining that typically won’t not wear unless there is a snowstorm. (We got that at TJ Maxx for $59 I think). The Canada Goose jacket is the first serious winter coat we’ve seen that addresses both points a and b.</p>
<p>momofboston, thanks. That is very helpful. Do you have a budget for makeup as well? Sorry to seem so naive, but I think this is an area in which perceived needs could be high. [Indeed, I’m going to try to help ShawD get an internship at a cosmetics company (where they talk about their products as aspirational goods) this summer or next, and maybe she’ll be able to get discounted supplies].</p>
<p>TJX has a great coat sales ever October in New England - it includes ski wear (Spyder) as well as other casual outerwear…and the prices can’t be beat.</p>
<p>mathmomvt, I’ll second shawbridge on looking for deals on Sierra Trading Post. That’s exactly where D1 got her much-loved boots. Not only are their prices good, you can also easily find discount codes that will save you an additional 15% and more. If you end up ordering today, there’s a coupon code for 35% off and free shipping if you go over $100. Last night I ordered a pair of trail running shoes for D2, a backpacking spoon for D1, and a pair of waterproof trail shoes for me (actually, two pairs–couldn’t decide which I liked better based on reviews, so I’ll try them at home). Grand total after coupon code: $136. </p>
<p>momofboston, thanks for the heads-up on the TJX October sale.</p>
<p>Hi all,
Long time lurker and occasional poster. Launching S1 next week; and we sent D1 off 15 years ago! </p>
<p>We are doing cross-country trek, flying out on Monday. Boxes sent this past Monday and we have done the BBB and bookstore pre-orders so, with the exception of some final errands, should be all set (fingers crossed). Am awed by the expenses involved and am talking about a kid who is happy in tshirts and jeans. </p>
<p>For those with boys going to school in MA or environs - we live just outside Boston and S1 wore a winter jacket in the car on way to school only. Jacket left in car! Very happy with fleece and various layers. Refused to wear winter boots despite horrific snows in last couple years but did like Merrills slip-ons; they provide good traction at least. Heading to school in northwest where only clothing suggestions were waterproof jacket and shoes - they are in the boxes on their way. Will he wear them??</p>
<p>I feel so much ambivalence. Happy for him; he worked very hard and is going to the school he wants and where I think he will thrive, but I will miss him so! He’s been a relatively easy kiddo this summer (he was a horror last summer and most of senior year so this is pleasant change!) and good to have around. The distance means fewer visits for sure. Juggling the choices - parents weekend (early Nov), Thanksgiving. Can’t do both. Sigh.</p>
<p>Hope everyone continues to settle in well - and thanks to all of you who share this journey.</p>
<p>bajamm, what is her hair like? You might need to prepare her for the extreme humidity - smoothing shampoo and conditioner, a very good hair straightener - if she wants the smooth and straight look.</p>
<p>As for dressing for A/C, that can be a huge problem. Even when we had the 40 days straight of temps over 100 and the power company was begging people to conserve power to avoid blackouts, the movie theaters and restaurants were still freezing.</p>
<p>I have a collection of light weight cardigans…many 3/4 sleeves. Target has had a lot this year:</p>
<p>[target</a> cardigans - Google Product Search](<a href=“target cardigans - Google Shopping”>target cardigans - Google Shopping)</p>
<p>Many are so thin that they are easily stuffed in a bag or tote, to pull out when necessary.</p>
<p>Welcome siemom! I bet a lot has changed between launching your kids! Good luck on the cross-country move. Sounds like you’ve got everything under control.</p>
<p>I have an east-coast son who has shunned winter coats for most of his teens in favor of hoodies. We did get a NF denali for school and anticipate a shell to go over it in the winter months. They are used to going from home —> car —> school —> return —> etc. At school there is going to be a lot of outside, on foot, exposed to the elements. A coat will be needed as well as something beyond sneakers to cover their feet. Since Bluejr’s staying in the mid-atlantic, and the last few years notwithstanding won’t have more than 6-8 inches of snow at once, we got some gore-tex hikers. He can wear them slogging through the snow/slush/mud that is far more annoying and tends to hang on far longer then weekend snowstorms around here.</p>
<p>Shawbridge - They each get $100 per month for spending money which inlcudes their make-up…anything thing else they have to use their own money. You would be surprised how quickly they learn that Maybelline has better mascara than the department stores! They only get the allowance if they are doing their house chores (very basic stuff) without having to nag them. They have been very good about it.</p>
<p>I found that by giving them their clothing and misc allowances to manage on their own, I am spending ALOT less money plus they have learned the value of a dollar. Prior to this they were asking for high end named jeans and shoes but when I started this, all of a sudden jeans from Old Navy and F21 seemed just fine. I do get them a “coveted” piece of clothing/shoes as a Christmas/BDay gift but it is given as a special gift. Every once in a while I will go shopping with them, have lunch and pick up the tab but I usually spring it on them as a surprise and they are more careful about what they ask for.</p>
<p>^^^I started this process in middle school. I used to give them monopoly money when we went school shopping. They could pick ut their clothes with some basic parental guidelines - no belly shirts,tank tops, ripped jeans, etc for school. Prior to check out, they would have to add uptheir purchases and give me the monopoly money. They could shop until their money ran out. You would be amazed how quickly they figured out how to shop for bargains.</p>
<p>Also living in boston and D1 going to school here. I bought a good rain slicker for myself about 10 years ago and I love it. Especially on those days when the rain is going sideways during a Noreaster. </p>
<p>I am offering to buy D1 one. Kind of waiting to see if she actually finds the need for it and takes me up on it. Have a feeling if I buy one it will end up under the bed. She thinks her hoodies are suitable for Acrtic Exploration.</p>
<p>Launch is tomorrow. Camp laundry well underway. My back is not perfect but doing much better thanks to heat, ice, massage, ibuprofen and muscle relaxants! </p>
<p>Kiddo left his toiletries at camp. Had bought “spare” of some items, so only a few last-minute replacements need to be picked up because of that. Doctor’s appointment this afternoon for a knee issue that worsened at camp. His best friends are hopefully coming over for dinner (last minute invite, once he was sure that he felt up to being sociable). Not packed, but not too far from it. I’m feeling stressy, but we’re going to be fine ;-)</p>