To answer question #1, the answer is in the post that you read -- this has indeed been like taking on a second job. I spend about 35 hours a week on this project on top of a 45-50 hour work week and a few other responsibilities that I have. That's why any suggestion that I go beyond 60 days is met with not just a "no", but a "HELL NO!"
For question #2, I did a lot of Internet shopping over the past 2½ years preparing for my girls' arrival. Most of the LBDs were bought on sale from
http://www.Forever21.com/. I also use
http://www.snaz75.com/,
http://www.BareNecessities.com,
http://www.jenjenhouse.com/ and
http://www.ElectriqueBoutique.com/. For costumes I use
http://www.HalloweenCostumes.org,
http://www.PartyCity.com/ and
http://SensualSurprises.com