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WHAT a Day.

It seems like every summer I need to have one big shopping spree to make up for all the little piddling shopping trips I miss because the kids are home from school.  And if you’ve ever taken three kids shopping with you, you know why I don’t make a habit of it.

I was starting to get withdrawal symptoms from not being at the mall for several weeks, so when my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said a day alone at the mall!  I’ve been looking forward to this day all week.

I had a few things in the back of my mind that I wanted to look for, but there was also a mission to be accomplished today.  I have an exciting event coming up this Wednesday (more on that in a few days) and I want a really snazzy new top to wear with my favorite trouser jeans, and perhaps some accessories to go with it.  I’m hoping those shoes I ordered from Boden arrive in time and that they fit.  I don’t ask for much, do I?

ANY-who.  I set out to the mall all decked out in my jeans and high heels so I could try on snazzy tops with them.  Note to self: NEVER set out for a day at the mall in 4-inch wedge heels.  B-I-G mistake.

I knew better, but I also wanted to be sure to get the full effect of the outfit when trying on tops.  Tonight my feet feel like someone took a sledge hammer to them.  Next time, I’ll bring my jeans and heels in a bag.

When I arrived at the mall, I could tell by the parking lot that it was going to be crowded.  And it was.  Rainy Saturday plus Fourth of July Sales equals Madhouse, evidently.

I started out at Nordstrom.  Where else?  By the way, there is no s on the end of Nordstrom.  Just thought you might like to know.

First I wandered over to the makeup counter and purchased pink lipstick and a stick foundation.  I smell a Chic Critique post in my future.

Then I wandered past the handbags and didn’t even stop (I KNOW!) and over to the sunglasses.  I’ve never been thrilled with my current pair of sunglasses, and lately the plastic on the inside has been peeling.  Which is all the excuse I need to buy a new pair.  I tried on quite a few and, with the help of the sales associate, narrowed it down to two. 

Finally I decided to go for pretty over practical, but I’m already second guessing that decision.  They look great on, but I found myself squinting when I was wearing them on the way home, which is never a good sign for a pair of sunglasses.  The other pair was a good deal more expensive and not quite as stylin’, but they still looked good on.  And they had that polarized lens which I think would probably alleviate the squinting problem.  So the fate of the new sunglasses remains to be seen.

Then I wandered upstairs to the foundations department where I found a miracle disguised as a braziere.  Wacoal can do some serious magic for tired girls, Let. Me. Tell. YOU.  That took a while, and I have one thing to say about that experience.  Men should not be allowed in women’s dressing rooms.  PARTICULARLY in the intimate apparel department.  There was a man in there supposedly HELPING his wife.  I’m sorry, but that’s just weird.

SO.

By that time, I realized that I better start focusing on The Mission or I was never going to have anything new to wear on Wednesday.

And that’s when my shopping trip began to go downhill.  I learned something today.  There may be such a thing as too much shopping.  Clearly, running around in those high heels cut off some oxygen to the brain.  I’m sure I will come to my senses by tomorrow and deny ever uttering that sentiment, but at the moment, I stand by my words. 

I went to the Loft, Banana Republic, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Black House White Market, and JCrew looking for The Top.  I came home with three possible outfits — none of which have me jumping for joy. 

WHY is it that when I’m shopping for t-shirts and typical mom gear, I see tons of fancy tops and think longingly, If only I had a place to wear it.  And then when I get an invitation to an event worthy of such a top, I find nothing.

SO annoying.

I’m hoping a good night’s sleep will clarify things and I will decide that one of the outfits I have is smashing.  Otherwise, half of my shopping trip will have been a waste, and that would be really depressing.  I never did get around to shopping for accessories, but of course, it might be helpful to actually know what I’m wearing.

When I got home from the mall, I hopped right into our other car where my husband and kids were waiting, and we headed out to a Phillies game.  And that is a story for another time.  Because this post is long enough.

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19 Responses

  1. Yeah – no shopping with three kids, it should be a cardinal rule 🙂

    Pictures, I agree. And you’ve got me curious!

  2. Whoa. I was gone for a month. Everything looks different here. I love it!

    Anyway… tossing in my vote for pictures. But now I’m dreading my soon-to-be mall trip to find something to wear when my husband gets home from Iraq in a few weeks. I have a particular, imaginary top in my head. Here’s hoping it’ll magically appear on a clothing rack someplace…

  3. See? I told you…if you have something specific in mind, you can’t find it! You would see lots of potential “The Top”s if you weren’t looking for one! That’s my theory anyway. I’m still not thrilled with what I got on my shopping trip the other day, but no more time to shop.

  4. I dread when I go out to find a certain outfit because it never fails that I can’t find what I am looking for. I am the same way, when I just need something to wear everyday I find all sorts of cute dresses and outfits, but when I need a cute dress or outfit there are none to be found. Guess it is a part of Murphy’s Law! Glad you found a few things that may work though. Or maybe you just need one more day to go shopping! I’m all for the pix too!

  5. That’s why when you see something really great, you should buy it. My SIL taught me that. I have some great party dresses (on sale!) that I had no earthly reason to buy but I have worn them many many times!

  6. Ok, I will admit, you ladies, who have all this fashion sense that I would normally totally relate with had me jealous at She Speaks because well I couldn’t HANG…lol not because I’m fashion inept, hey I have a ministry about fashion, but because I was pregoo. BUt, guess what??? ONE MORE WEEK! Yes ma’am one more week and I’m not going to be preggo anymore. So, I am discussing with my mom this weekend about you ladies and your fashion sense and I tell her about these trouser jeans that you all rave about. Her question can any body type wear them? My question “Where do I purchase a pair?” Now, mind you, I live in the boonies of Mississippi so please direct me to an online store. I’d love to hear from you Jo-Lynne please drop me an email with the info and let me know anything besides the trouser jean I need to pick up to be fashionable this late summer early fall , post-pregnancy. Hey I am about to have #3 I deserve new clothes right?

  7. First of all THANK YOU for clearing up the Norstrom name. I HATE that!

    And secondly, this is a prime example of why you should get in the habbit of just buying the fabulous tops when you see them, whether or not you need them right away! I’m making my husband read this story. Perhaps its clear logic will convert him to my way of thinking…

    I know. I dream big.

  8. I’m not an impractical kind of shopper, but you definitely need the snazzy sunglasses for your outing.

    When my husband and I went on our trip to the beach in May for our anny, I wore my brand new (i.e. not broken in), very cute platform wedge peep toe shoes in the airport, because I wanted to make an entrance I think.

    I scored a giant blister that prevented from wearing those shoes for the rest of the trip.

    Lesson learned.

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