Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Cara: Shopping around
Posted by
Cara 
Spent the whole day shopping yesterday. Fun right? Not so much. When you are not at your fighting weight, Aunt Flo scheduled to arrive the next day, and your are still looking that pasty winter color....combined with fluorescent lighting and three way mirrors makes it for a somewhat unpleasant shopping venture.
I hate shopping at this time of year..it's not really winter, it's not really spring. I have two functions that I have coming up that are not really very dressy. So no, I don't want that really blingy cocktail dress, even though it is to die for but not appropriate. I don't want the half naked top (not that I would buy that) its too cold. The dress with the little bow is cute but really? I'm 44. I don't do bows.
And its too short once I put on high heels.
UGH!!! Apparently if it's not my ass (literally) it's my elbow. Once aunt Flo packs her bags I will venture out again next week. I did find something that I can wear if I must...but it's not what I really want. I have two dresses in bags that are going back...maybe I will retry them on next week.
All I know is when it comes to this stuff men have it made. Suit, shirt maybe buy a new tie...any color cause it won't make your arms look like bat wings. Grrr.
Some days it aint easy be a girl, or me for that matter!!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thoughts whilst shopping....
I have been out shopping the past two days. (much to my husband's chagrin as he reads this...easy Hun...didn't do much damage!) First day was with friends in the store we love that doesn't have anything we need in it but we LOVE it...so there's a LOT of talking....not much time for observing (a.k.a. blog post plotting).
Yesterday I had stuff to accomplish so I was out and about alone. When I have a specific task to do I usually do it alone. When I am buying tea lights and cinnamon scented brooms (again...easy there Tiger I didn't buy one of the brooms!) I can chat and shop. But when I need to buy clothes to go to work I need to do it alone.
YES! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST! I said work clothes. I am going to be working a couple days in Hubby's new office. Now I don't know if it counts as a real job since, if the boss pisses me off I will poison his dinner. Or if I have a class party that takes precedence. But still, for me it's a whole new ball game since I have been officially out of the work place for almost 16 years. I am sure there will be much to blog about with this new venture, but that's for another time.
I needed some clothes. I have Mommy clothes. Now not to say that I walk around anymore with baby spit on my shoulder, or wear a babushka and house dress. (the day you see that please shoot me) I try to be hip most days as far as the circles I am in, be it meetings, lunches, shopping, school functions, or going out at night. But I wouldn't say I have a lot that is really appropriate for the workplace. I love my flip flops and they are OK to run up to school but I am pretty sure they are still not OK in the workplace. But I hear that pantyhose is optional now? That's very exciting! I didn't need a new wardrobe but I did need some things to mix with what I got to make myself look somewhat presentable.
Whilst shopping I noticed, and probably have taken for granted, how lovely it is to shop alone. I mean without...well...kids. There were lots of moms out shopping yesterday. But watching them I remembered how freakin' annoying it is trying to look at some decent clothes for yourself (remember the spit up shouldered shirts?). You have this short person, just shy of being crazy glued to the stroller seat, (CPS would frown upon that) who has 10,000 requests for juice, goldfish, toys etc. Who has now dropped their shoe God knows where in racks of clothes that you now have to back track to find. UGH!!!!!
Don't give me the "oh they grow up so fast you will miss those days". Bull. Not me. I look back fondly on sitting in the rocker with a little ball of baby in my arms...but shopping? Uh-uh. No way. I don't miss that one bit. I know that mom looked at me with rage in her eyes while I perused the racks. I tried not to be smug. I remember wanting to pummel those shopping alone with their hair brushed.
I get wanting to just get the hell out of the house and buy something for yourself and you have to take the short person, been there done that. But if I may make a suggestion? Don't do a marathon 15 piece clothing try-on session in the fitting room. The kid DOES NOT want to sit in that fitting stall, buckled in their seat for 30 minutes. NOT going to happen.
And not to be mean but I really don't want to hear him screaming. The only screaming coming from the fitting room should be from me when the pants I wanted don't fit. And if the kid is wailing and saying "I want a ba-ba! I want night-night!" then maybe it's time to go home. Just a suggestion.
Then there was the lady of a certain age in front of me on line with a mountain of stuff to buy, armed with store coupons and her senior discount...who decided she was in no rush...and let me go ahead of her...since she spotted some dish towels she might like to buy. Aaahh...the future is bright!
Jenn's two cents: try not to let my hubby know about this whole working thing - I don't want to join the ranks...All you moms going back to work is going to put the pressure on me and cowgirl!
Yesterday I had stuff to accomplish so I was out and about alone. When I have a specific task to do I usually do it alone. When I am buying tea lights and cinnamon scented brooms (again...easy there Tiger I didn't buy one of the brooms!) I can chat and shop. But when I need to buy clothes to go to work I need to do it alone.
YES! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST! I said work clothes. I am going to be working a couple days in Hubby's new office. Now I don't know if it counts as a real job since, if the boss pisses me off I will poison his dinner. Or if I have a class party that takes precedence. But still, for me it's a whole new ball game since I have been officially out of the work place for almost 16 years. I am sure there will be much to blog about with this new venture, but that's for another time.
I needed some clothes. I have Mommy clothes. Now not to say that I walk around anymore with baby spit on my shoulder, or wear a babushka and house dress. (the day you see that please shoot me) I try to be hip most days as far as the circles I am in, be it meetings, lunches, shopping, school functions, or going out at night. But I wouldn't say I have a lot that is really appropriate for the workplace. I love my flip flops and they are OK to run up to school but I am pretty sure they are still not OK in the workplace. But I hear that pantyhose is optional now? That's very exciting! I didn't need a new wardrobe but I did need some things to mix with what I got to make myself look somewhat presentable.
Whilst shopping I noticed, and probably have taken for granted, how lovely it is to shop alone. I mean without...well...kids. There were lots of moms out shopping yesterday. But watching them I remembered how freakin' annoying it is trying to look at some decent clothes for yourself (remember the spit up shouldered shirts?). You have this short person, just shy of being crazy glued to the stroller seat, (CPS would frown upon that) who has 10,000 requests for juice, goldfish, toys etc. Who has now dropped their shoe God knows where in racks of clothes that you now have to back track to find. UGH!!!!!
Don't give me the "oh they grow up so fast you will miss those days". Bull. Not me. I look back fondly on sitting in the rocker with a little ball of baby in my arms...but shopping? Uh-uh. No way. I don't miss that one bit. I know that mom looked at me with rage in her eyes while I perused the racks. I tried not to be smug. I remember wanting to pummel those shopping alone with their hair brushed.
I get wanting to just get the hell out of the house and buy something for yourself and you have to take the short person, been there done that. But if I may make a suggestion? Don't do a marathon 15 piece clothing try-on session in the fitting room. The kid DOES NOT want to sit in that fitting stall, buckled in their seat for 30 minutes. NOT going to happen.
And not to be mean but I really don't want to hear him screaming. The only screaming coming from the fitting room should be from me when the pants I wanted don't fit. And if the kid is wailing and saying "I want a ba-ba! I want night-night!" then maybe it's time to go home. Just a suggestion.
Then there was the lady of a certain age in front of me on line with a mountain of stuff to buy, armed with store coupons and her senior discount...who decided she was in no rush...and let me go ahead of her...since she spotted some dish towels she might like to buy. Aaahh...the future is bright!
Jenn's two cents: try not to let my hubby know about this whole working thing - I don't want to join the ranks...All you moms going back to work is going to put the pressure on me and cowgirl!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Cara: A shopping we will go...
Did a little more Christmas shopping yesterday. I know some of you want to smack me. I am trying to get a little done at a time so I don't want to hang myself from a tree as the December calendar climbs into the 20's. Trust me I am not one of "those" that has my shopping done and wrapped by August. I mean, I have OCD but that requires medical attention. In August I am dreading school and winter and enjoying the last lazy afternoons by the pool...and seriously I hope Santa is doing the same right about then too. Since the Christmas folder has come out and the baking supply pantry is beginning to get stocked...then the sh*% is on. Hate the game. Not the player (or "play-a")ok? OK.
So Cowgirl and I headed to the mall armed with coupons and store "cash". Although again, I am still in my content mood and Christmas music was playing...stupid crap still happened. I had a coupon for Macy's. I like Macy's. (well the one in this mall anyway). I like what they sell, I have been shopping there forever. But their coupons make me nuts. I had a $10 off $25 or more of sale or clearance items. Ok. So can't buy anything that is NOT on sale or clearance. Fine. Then, I glance over the small print paragraph on the coupon stating what I CAN'T use the coupon for. (pretty much anything that I would want)Fine again. Coupons are my new obsession and I AM using that coupon. I go buy DH (darling husband) the $40 dress shirts that he wants that are on sale that morning for $9.99. I buy 5 of those and another Christmas-for-him-and-I-can't-say-what-it-is-cause-he-reads-my-blog-gift. I hand over coupon. No deal. It's not good on "Morning Sale" items. Really? grr. I did end up using it on another person's-who-reads-my-blog-gift.
So off we go to Abercrombie and then Hollister. I have gift cards Junior still hasn't used yet so I will get some stuff there for him, technically for free. I like free better than coupons. So I enter the Cave. It's dark in there. I have been using the magnifying glasses at home but have not worn them out in public just yet. But it's DARK IN THERE! Small print on price tags is one thing but small print in the dark is just wrong. But, I muddled on. There's plenty to spend plenty of money on in the dark. But really? Those stores are for the stick figured surfer types. My boy is more the Bouncer at the Bar type. He is a big strapping boy. The XXL there is just silly. Thankfully he really couldn't care less about the name across the front of his sweatshirt so no great loss for him. So he got boxers and Mike got the shirt with the name across the chest. (unfortunately for me, he digs the "names" so I am going to be in trouble. I am saving Juniors old name brand stuff for Mike hoping one day they will be vintage!!)
Not only is it dark in there it is LOUD. I know "if it's too loud you are too old". No. I like loud music, when I am dancing, cleaning or driving alone in my car. But so loud in a store that I can't hear what the kid behind the register is saying to me is so stupid. I would love to know what the marketing strategy behind that is. "If we play the music really loud people won't mind paying $89 for a sweatshirt that looks like someone has been wearing it for 10 years prior"?
The girl at one register actually said to me "Have you gotten preppy yet with our Emerson perfume?" "What?" I said. I know she just didn't just ask me if I had "gotten preppy". I must be going deaf from the (bad) loud music. She repeated herself. She did say that. I said "Really?" She rolled her eyes. If I hadn't thought it was so funny I would have reached across the counter and smacked her upside her preppy head so her eyes stayed that way 'til quittin' time. But I just laughed. Cowgirl said I was nuts and she didn't say that. But she did. I'm thinking Cowgirl was probably jealous the skinny bitch didn't think she might have wanted to get preppy. Again...hate the game not the play-a.
This is just the beginning of Christmas shopping. I may bring my camera on Black Friday and take pictures of the shopping experience. You think a looong line of tired cranky shoppers will mind having their pictures taken? Would I live to post them to the blog? Maybe.
So Cowgirl and I headed to the mall armed with coupons and store "cash". Although again, I am still in my content mood and Christmas music was playing...stupid crap still happened. I had a coupon for Macy's. I like Macy's. (well the one in this mall anyway). I like what they sell, I have been shopping there forever. But their coupons make me nuts. I had a $10 off $25 or more of sale or clearance items. Ok. So can't buy anything that is NOT on sale or clearance. Fine. Then, I glance over the small print paragraph on the coupon stating what I CAN'T use the coupon for. (pretty much anything that I would want)Fine again. Coupons are my new obsession and I AM using that coupon. I go buy DH (darling husband) the $40 dress shirts that he wants that are on sale that morning for $9.99. I buy 5 of those and another Christmas-for-him-and-I-can't-say-what-it-is-cause-he-reads-my-blog-gift. I hand over coupon. No deal. It's not good on "Morning Sale" items. Really? grr. I did end up using it on another person's-who-reads-my-blog-gift.
So off we go to Abercrombie and then Hollister. I have gift cards Junior still hasn't used yet so I will get some stuff there for him, technically for free. I like free better than coupons. So I enter the Cave. It's dark in there. I have been using the magnifying glasses at home but have not worn them out in public just yet. But it's DARK IN THERE! Small print on price tags is one thing but small print in the dark is just wrong. But, I muddled on. There's plenty to spend plenty of money on in the dark. But really? Those stores are for the stick figured surfer types. My boy is more the Bouncer at the Bar type. He is a big strapping boy. The XXL there is just silly. Thankfully he really couldn't care less about the name across the front of his sweatshirt so no great loss for him. So he got boxers and Mike got the shirt with the name across the chest. (unfortunately for me, he digs the "names" so I am going to be in trouble. I am saving Juniors old name brand stuff for Mike hoping one day they will be vintage!!)
Not only is it dark in there it is LOUD. I know "if it's too loud you are too old". No. I like loud music, when I am dancing, cleaning or driving alone in my car. But so loud in a store that I can't hear what the kid behind the register is saying to me is so stupid. I would love to know what the marketing strategy behind that is. "If we play the music really loud people won't mind paying $89 for a sweatshirt that looks like someone has been wearing it for 10 years prior"?
The girl at one register actually said to me "Have you gotten preppy yet with our Emerson perfume?" "What?" I said. I know she just didn't just ask me if I had "gotten preppy". I must be going deaf from the (bad) loud music. She repeated herself. She did say that. I said "Really?" She rolled her eyes. If I hadn't thought it was so funny I would have reached across the counter and smacked her upside her preppy head so her eyes stayed that way 'til quittin' time. But I just laughed. Cowgirl said I was nuts and she didn't say that. But she did. I'm thinking Cowgirl was probably jealous the skinny bitch didn't think she might have wanted to get preppy. Again...hate the game not the play-a.
This is just the beginning of Christmas shopping. I may bring my camera on Black Friday and take pictures of the shopping experience. You think a looong line of tired cranky shoppers will mind having their pictures taken? Would I live to post them to the blog? Maybe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
These are our original posts...
Grab Our Button
Grateful Sunday
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
