Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Friday Finds August 8, the Shopping Edition

Just got back from the Big 'D' and I made a small haul. When you fly, size is taken into consideration. Hubby thinks weight should be considered too and of course he's right but that is his department. I had carefully made a list of all the places I wanted to go…Dallas Arboretum, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Apple, Home Goods(wasted my time there), Teavana, Bread Winners, and of course Cheese Cake Factory. After checking Google Maps I added Dallas Farmer's Market to my list but I never did make it downtown.
The first morning was spent at the arboretum because it was only going to get hotter the next couple days. After lunch it was on to the Highland Park area to Pottery Barn. A priority. I needed a total of 5 plates and 3 more bowls of specific colors to round out my set I'd purchased late last year. First, I'm distracted by the Apple Store's windows.
Then I see Crate and Barrel across the street! Oh, what a cool place! I'll bet I was there an hour devouring all the goodness. As I'm checking out, Hubby texts to say his class will be finished early, meaning I should head that way in a few short minutes to make the 50 minute drive back to Terrell to pick him up. Darn, my main stop at this destination was Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel sidetracked me.  So I hurriedly gathered up my dishes(with no help) and didn't even cruise the rest of the store.
But let's get back to Crate and Barrel. I'm not sure I've ever been in one, because I thought I was in heaven. I found the most gorgeous cutting/cheese board and carried it around for awhile until I found out it was $35. I looked at it a bit more, decided I would make my own and make it shorter because it was too long anyway.
My second day of adventure was spent at the NorthPark Center mall. Such cool sculptures are scattered throughout. I finally got to eat at Bread Winners. When the waiter brought my food, my expression apparently reflected my gagging thoughts as I gazed upon the raw looking smoked salmon. It just wasn't what I was expecting. But I managed to get it down with a lot of herb spread. Those were the largest capers I'd ever seen.
Anthropologie…most of their stuff just does not impress me. A few things are to die for. One cup I resisted and a few I bought. A nice colorful sturdy cup, as opposed to a delicate one I had coveted for a long time, came home with me. As did a towel like Kim has used in her photos. The most impressive thing in the store to me was their check out counter. I loved it, yet was sad to see cool old furniture cut up and used this way.
Then I saw Free People. Very interesting. I often forget I'm not 25 anymore and these types of stores remind me. I think you need to be financially free to shop there and I'd like to know what person in there 20's can afford to.
I had been lusting all morning for Cheese Cake Factory cheese cake. I looked up their menu online just incase I wanted to eat Mexican food next door at the Blue Mesa Grill. When I saw they had my favorite ever salad there was no thinking twice. Beet and Goat cheese with pecans and balsamic dressing. Pure heaven!
I also had a roasted pear and blue cheese flat bread. But onto dessert! My favorite is the chocolate one with the coconut but decided to try the Kahlua cheesecake. Oh my, what can I say but it won't be my last. I did take the Banana Cream back to hubby and a chocolate coconut for me. (Yes, we've been doing no sugar since last December but sometimes you just have to splurge, like 2 pieces in one day)
I had more adventures on this trip but will save the good stuff for another post. Like antiquating and visiting cemeteries. I will say, that will be more interesting.
All photos take on iPhone5 and edited in VSCOcam (except the salmon bagels)
Come over to Kim's and check out Friday Finds.

Kim Klassen dot Com

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Birthday Shopping

Let me tell you a story about shopping... For clothes that is.
In my younger days, I would usually wear rather trendy clothing. Being a hairstylist, it was perfect. I don't think I could've done the classic office look. 
I grew up sewing my own clothes and did so as an adult. Now it would cost more to make something than actually buy it.
In the late 80s (I was in my early 30s) I was bit by the quilting bug. I quilted 24-7. Most things I made were wall quilts and even quilted or pieced clothing. Of course all my spare money was being spent on my passion, fabric and gadgets. After a few years of this I noticed my wardrobe was beginning to suffer. And then revelation smacked me upside the head. I realized if I didn't stop and go shopping for clothes I would turn into a replica of our local quilt shop owner. At the time she was about as old as I am right now. She was a very sad picture of fashion with her polyester pants and no-color shirts. Heaven forbid. What a wake up call. I went shopping the next day.
It's still a struggle to go shopping and spend money on clothes when I would rather be spending money on decor, antiques, and iPhone apps. In fact I have to be very much in the mood. It seems lately all I can find that fits is 'old lady' clothes. It's depressing. My mind thinks my body is still a teenager. 
So, since today is my birthday, yesterday I psyched myself up to go shopping. But first, I had breakfast with my photography buddy, Kathy. Then spent nearly 2 hours at the local arboretum doing a self-portrait shoot. I was wishing I had already bought my new clothes. (An excuse to go back.) 
Well I actually hit the jackpot the first shop I visited. Three hours later (I was not in a hurry and I did finally go get a cart), the clerk rang me up. I decided that was enough for one birthday. I had intended to just get some cute T-shirts because that seems to be what I live in these days. But I was most pleasantly surprised to find some great trendy tops, two pair of capris, 3 scarves, 2 Ts, a great white skirt with lace edge for photo shoots. AND A DRESS OF ALL THINGS! I haven't bought a dress in three years, since Kevin got married. (And it makes me look 20 lbs. thinner.)  And of course a few home decor items.







I've never spent that much in one store before for clothing. I decided it would be a good thing to get their credit card and save 10% today. So my dress was free. Ha, yea right.
Then I stopped and got my favorite brownie at Sugarbaker's.
Then off to Longhorn Steakhouse to check out their offerings with the kids and Hallie.
Photo compliments of Kaytie.

It's been a great day.

I'll be linking up with Kim Klassen's Friday Finds.