Tag: Shopping

The Daily EO: October 27th, 2012

For those of you who know my husband well – you already know that he is cheap in some things, and spendy in others.  For all the dollars he saves on no-name peanut butter another dollar is spent on audio visual, technical or photography needs.

The path from identification of need to the actual purchase is long and filled with hours of research, tedious conversations (depending on your perspective, I guess) and endless nerd reviews.

We start off with “I’m thinking of buying X” which leads me to know that he has been thinking about it for a couple of months.  For example, he has talked about replacing our server about 3 or 4 times, meaning it has been processing in his brain for probably 6 months.   Now that we’re both employed again, I am certain I will pick-up his laptop soon and find 16 open Internet Explorer tabs with consumer reviews and technical specifications on servers.  One day he’ll mention a budget, soon we’ll discuss income that could be generated from the server we already have.  And then, once all the specifications are decided, the comparison shopping will start.

It’s long.  And it is almost completely opposite to me.  I want.  I see.  I buy.   Or sometimes:  I see.  I want.  I buy.

Emile painfully sold his TV when we left Ontario.  He suffered from what all of us do when selling your used items – you remember how much you paid for it, how you got it, the good times and it always feels like they should be paying more.   He stroked it goodbye and sadly turned and walked away.

So, here we are in Vancouver with no ability to watch TV on a big screen.  This was much more of a concern to Emile than it was to me – I’m happy watching on a laptop, seeing a movie or even going outside.   Emile recognised the need to expedite his process and had already moved into the research phase of TV pruchase.  He let me know about a large budget.  I cringed – sure spend that next year, but this year when all of our funds seem to be going to into IKEA shares?  Hmmm.

I must have approached him in a weak moment, because when I suggested buying a cheaper TV for now, he sounded almost interested.  When I mentioned searching for a used TV, he didn’t sneer.

To demonstrate the potential market I typed “Sony 50 TV” into Craig’s List only to find a local guy selling a mint condition Sony 55″ TV for less than 40% of a new one.

Emile was silent.

He was still.

Then he firmed his shoulders, gritted his teeth.

And then he said “Send an email to see if it is still available.”

October 27th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  A “new” TV sits in our apartment and $1500 remains in our bank account.   No research or process.  Just buying – and that I can relate to.

 

 

The Daily EO: October 18th, 2012

Women between the ages of 30 and 45 still want to look stylish and fun yet sophisticated and not slutty.  Why is it that I cannot seem to find a middle of the road priced stores that sell normal sized clothes for someone who wants the above?

Most of my shopping trips involve walking into store that’s either a little too young for me – shorts jumpsuits and reaching around back to the hanger in the pack that is gaping because it is such a “huge” size.   Or a little too old for me – cut too roomy, too high on the waist or too much elastic in general.

If I find something gorgeous, it is usually priced gorgeously.  Or things that I think look so fabulous – like shift dresses, or blousey tops – look not right at all on my curves.  It’s a dilemma, I tell you.

I must tell you that I am both fashionably and make-uply retarded – though I think I’ve mentioned that before.   How to wear a scarf, layering and accessorizing?  Really?  I can barely match my pants to my shirt.  I like dresses because then there is no matching at all – except trying to find the right shoes.  Sigh.

So I sent an e-mail to a personal shopping company today to get more information about their services – well, frankly, to get more information about their prices.  Doesn’t help to use the clothing budget to pay someone to tell me what to wear when I can’t afford to buy it any longer.

Apparently they also offer life consulting too.  I wonder if I need that?  How do you know if you do.

October 18th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  I do many things well, yet shopping not so much.   No, I just get a bad case of mall disease and want to come home.

The Daily EO: September 29th, 2012

My god, there are a lot of furniture stores on United Boulevard in Coquitlam, BC.  I woke up with a cough and aches and fever and I thought we could visit a couple of stores.  But they never stopped.  Each side of the street, sharing buildings, dual levels, it went on and on.

By 2 pm, I couldn’t take any more.  The problem with most furniture is it isn’t what I want.  I know what I want, and often I know it when I see it.  And nothing yet – I don’t want a platform bed, I do not want a condo bed, I don’t want a wooden bed, I don’t want a neutral bed, and I don’t want to be close to the ground.

September 29th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  My day ended without a bed despite looking at 100s of them.

The Daily EO: September 15th, 2012

I awoke early in my new city.  Before even my friends and their kids did.  It was 6:30 and I needed to pee urgently.  I eventually found myself sitting on the couch reading one of the local papers.  I was reading all of this Coquitlam news with very little context.  The sun was shining in and I realized that I sitting waiting for everyone to wake up when I could slap on my running shoes and go for a run in the unusually dry and sunny Vancouver weather.

Yes!  I will explore my new city.  I will learn her secrets and soon be avoiding traffic snarls like a local.

I snuck out and started running up the hill.  I had romanticized this in my head and was feeling pretty smug and happy.  A man on an old ten speed bike wearing large earphones came tearing around a corner about 3 feet in front of me.  He shouted “Give me your dinosaurs!  Not your diplomats!  Not your Embassies!  Your DINOSAURS!”   He was speaking directly to me – he wanted me to receive this message.

I was startled for he bolted out in front of me, because verbalization didn’t make much sense to me, and he wasn’t wearing a helmet or using a bike lane.  I spent the rest of the run trying to puzzle this out.  But it took the romance away.  No more small town.

We had an appointment to look at the coolest loft in Yaletown (“the” place to be in Downtown Vancouver with prices to match).  The loft was fantastic in many ways and terrible in others.  This lead to the first of many differences between Emile and I today.

After that I had made an appointment to have my eyebrows threaded and my eyelashes tinted.  Mother of Pearl!  Who invented this?  I can have my eyelashes dyed and they look like I am always wearing mascara – but better.  And I don’t have to worry it smudging or running or taking it off.  What an Invention!  I am loving this.  Emile and I made up, I was so happy.

Next we went to Emile’s swanky office and he showed me about.  We spent 3 hours looking for apartments and getting hungrier and hungrier and more and more solidified in our homelessness.  There should be laws for descriptive words on listings.  We made a couple of calls, and the joy of my eyelashes faded a bit.

The road dogs were not particularly good, but they filled the need.

Emile needed to fix up his wardrobe, so we made our way to Pacific Centre which was completely packed.  I walked into Banana Republic and Emile almost fainted at the price of the first pair of pants I picked up for him.  He said “Let’s go to The Bay”.  I then took him into Guess and a couple other stores.  He kept saying “Let’s go to The Bay”.  Yes, bloody well, shut up, I’ll take you to damned Bay.   Arggg!

Could we find the suit section in The Bay?  Finally with some things to try on, Emile stood with a strange look on his face in the change room.  I had long since collapsed to the ground in frustration and confusion.   He thought he was having an anxiety attack about all of this change.  I immediately remembered how much he is going through and we made up again.

We bought hardly anything at The Bay, and went outside.  It turns out though, that it wasn’t an anxiety attack – Emile was just having heartburn from the raw onions on his hot dog.  He’s feeling much better after a antacid.

Well, onto Moore’s and a very canny salesman took one look at our bedraggled and weakened selves, and kept the store open for us 1/2 later than closing times.  And he earned that commission.  Emile was beyond making decisions at that point, and simply kept agreeing with whatever I or the salesman said.

Dinner was quick shared pad thai entrée near Metrotown and then we stopped at my grandpa’s place for a quick visit.

September 15th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  For the first time in my life, I was able to drop in on my grandpa.

The Daily EO: August 22nd, 2012

My brother gave me money for my birthday.   He intended to give me a gift card to Sephora, but since Sephora makes it nearly impossible for Canadians to buy and use gift cards, he decided to just give me money with intentions attached.

What does this mean?  It means next time you see me, my fine eye wrinkles will be visibly reduced and I may smell a little better.  or Worse.  Or only different, it depends on your perspective.

I await my Caudalie Eye and Lip serum.   Hurry.  Hurry.   These eyes aren’t getting any younger.

August 22nd, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  Guilt free cosmetic purchase.

 

The Daily EO: June 28th, 2012

The first suit I ever purchased was in Victoria, BC in a beautiful cream colour, size 10.  I bought it because I needed something for my MBA entrance interview at McMaster University.   I purchased the suit (more than I could afford, but my BFF Lisa convinced me it was the way to go), broke up with my boyfriend (dodged a bullet there), flew to Ontario (thanks Mom), and convinced Mac I would be a good fit.  I still have that suit actually, because despite it being 15 years ago, it’s classic.  Not Jackie O. classic, but it wasn’t the 60s.  Plus, at the time, I think it cost me 15% of my annual budget, so I can’t let go of it.  And I got in, so it must be a lucky suit, anyways.

They say that clothes do not make the person, but I don’t know about that.  I am woefully ignorant of fashion, do not read women’s magazines (they just try to make me feel inferior somehow, although I have considered a subscription to Chatelaine as of late), and am completely mentally handicapped in the application of makeup.   But when I have made the effort to find good quality, well-fitting clothes that perfectly match the occasion, a sheen of confidence envelopes me.  My 5’8″ stands tall, I walk confidently with my heels first and I want to shout “I belong here!”  Wherever here may be.

Over the last three years, I have reduced from a size 14/16 (yes, I was occasionally a 16, nobody would ever believe me, and that is yet another advantage of being tall) to a size 12 (with an occasional 10).  My closet is decimated.  I can fit into all of my career clothes certainly, but they hang on my waist, they sag in the front, and generally go not look good.  And no, a belt cannot fix ill fitting clothes.  Please spread this around.  I sorted through the closet a while back and created three categories:  too big – donate, too big-put aside for altering, and wearable.

My professional closet – once a decent sized – now consists of 2 pairs of pants and 2 shirts suitable for interviews and three boxes of “for altering”.   It just doesn’t make sense to purchase or alter clothes in potentially the wrong size.  And spending the money when I don’t need to is folly.   So, the alter boxes sit.  So long in fact, I probably will have to re-sort them to check for fashionability again.  Like I have any idea.  Sigh.  I am so hiring a consultant when I can afford to (Punch List addition).

But in this new life I am forging for myself, I have found confidence and a sense of power and ability to achieve more.  And it flows when I put on running clothes.  Often in the morning, I will rise and change immediately into workout clothes.  This is two-fold – if I see someone they won’t think “Look at that unemployed bounder, she is still in her pajamas” and it is one less barrier to getting out the door for a run.  It’s a public declaration of my intentions (for the cat I guess).  One cannot take off work-out clothes, one must peel off sweaty work-out clothes.

And as I type this (not in my pajamas), I have in a racing back Lululemon purple top, a Running Room racing back sports bra, and Adidas Climalite black snug fitting shorts.  And indeed I feel strong. And powerful.  And like an athlete.  And when nobody is looking, I will flex my bicep or admire the cut of muscle across my shoulder or sneak a peek at the curve of my waist to my hips.  After a run or work-out, I want to stay in these stinky clothes for a while as a reminder of what I have achieved for that day.

Do clothes make the man?  No, but the right ones match what you are feeling inside and help it come out.

June 28th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  I ran 4.0 km in 35 degrees Celsius (with the humidity).  What potential will this racing back unleash today?

The Daily EO: May 13th, 2012

Today was mother’s day and my sister-in-law’s birthday.  We all decided on a quiet day – brunch and dinner together and hanging out in between.  Not too much flair and fuss.  After brunch, my MIL and SIL and I decided to go shopping at the local mall.

At Sears, I tried on a Jones & Co summer dress that I didn’t need, but it was 50% off, and everyone else was trying on dresses, why shouldn’t I?  It was size 12.   It was close-fitting cut and needed fit properly or you’d be fussing with it all the time.  The  dress was too flappy in the bosom and too loose in the waist.  It didn’t fit right.  Sigh.  But, wait, . . . if it was too big in two different places, then perhaps I needed a size 10.  And a 10 fit perfectly!  It know I shouldn’t care.  I know the size number should never matter.  But a size 10!  I had a huge piece of Vegan Chocolate Cake that day and 30 ounces of wine in the previous 48 hours.  Pretty good.

Off to Old Navy where cheap shorts were my target.  I took all my size 12s into the fitting room – as surely the size 10 was a fluke.  (do not tempt fate) Apparently the 10 was  – all of these size 12 shorts were too small.  I had to bump up to a 14 in all of them.  Do you think it is possible to expand whilst walking through a mall?

Then to The Bay were I found a pair of Jessica Simpson jean shorts – that were sized logically – based on the universally accepted INCHES of your waist measurement.  I grabbed a 32  because my waist is 31 or 32 and looked on with confusion as fell on the floor.  I had to drop down to a size 29, and really a 28 would be even better.

May 13, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  When did the length of an inch change?  I am so behind the times.

Maintenance May Day 13:
Didn’t let my MIL purchase those weird almost-skin-tone shorts at Cleo.  (family, soul)
Had a good heart-to-heart with my MIL (connection)

The Daily EO: May 9th, 2012

I sign up for e-mails and surveys if there is something immediate in it for me.  If I am asked for my opinion on something I am not going to give it to you for free nor even the “chance to win”.  If you want me to tell you my opinion, I need something now.  (Um, except when my opinion is on my blog – what a deal you are getting!)  Some goes with my e-mail address.  Marketers, you want my e-mail address?  Then you better give me something for it.  Like AirMiles, or Petro Points, a Point of Sale discount, a cupcake, or something.

A while ago, I was shopping in Banana Republic.  They asked if I wanted my receipt on paper, or e-mailed to me.  As well, if I gave them my e-mail address, I would get 25% off my purchase today.  25%?  No thinking required.  Here is my e-mail address.  The girl told me that I would get some pretty good deals.   Sure, I would, honey.  At worse, I could just point them to the spam bucket.

This practice of POS discounts at the company that owns Banana Republic, The Gap and Old Navy eventually led to all three brands having my e-mail address.  I mean a discount is a discount – and I’m a sucker for a deal.   Last time I purchased something at Banana Republic, they gave me 40% to give them my e-mail address again.   Whaaa?

Well, I will tell you – that girl was right.  There isn’t a week that passes without me receiving an email from each of these retailers with a sale or discounted price.  And regularly it is 40% off regularly priced items, and free shipping over $50.

But there is a price for these crazy deals.   Today I received my 8th, 9th and 10th email from these companies this month (yes, 10 in 9 days!).  4 from Banana Republic, 3 from The Gap and 3 from Old Navy.  Seriously Guys, maybe you should focus on other marketing techniques?

May 9th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary:  Volume discounts from retailers.  And I mean volume.  Hope your inbox (and credit card)can take it.

Maintenance May Day 9:
Called my grandma (family).
Called my grandpa (family).
Sent a note to my Nurse Practitioner to thank him for my blood work (body/connection) and curing me.
Baked and delivered gluten-free/low calorie muffins to my friend who deserves them.  (connection).

The Daily EO: March 29, 2012

Grocery shopping has never been a chore for me.  I love the clean lines, shiny packages, and bright coloured fruits and vegetables.  I stroll the aisles looking for new products, check the sales (and those awesome 50% off stickers), and generally plan meals while in the store.  I tend to shop at the Independent because I try to buy as many organic and natural products as I can.   Somebody has to save the planet with all you people leaving the water running while you brush your teeth!

Emile ruins the system: wandering all pell-mell, distracted by the bright colours, putting things in the wrong section of the cart, and tempted by all the things chocolate.  But yet, I like taking him along for some time together.  I particularly like grocery shopping in the middle of the week during the day.  It’s me, the stay at home parents, the seniors and the staff.  Usually no line-ups, lots of stuff on the shelves, and no near misses with carts coming around the corners.

I headed into the Independent to pick up a few things and I was confronted by this sign:

I had to read this several times to understand it.  What?  You don’t take anything except debit and credit cards?  Huh?  In fact, so distracted and horrified by the first paragraph, I didn’t even notice the spelling of “inconvenience” until I posted this picture into this blog.

Earlier that day, I just read this blog about texting and how our children can no longer spell, use punctuation or understand basic grammar.  I too am guilty of using “u” instead of “You”, and “ive” instead of “I’ve” when I am texting on my phone.  But when presented with a keyboard, I type it out fully.  Yes, okay, I struggle with “passive voice” issues, and sometimes not totally use whether to use “whom” or “who”, but I’ve got the basics down.  I run spell checks, I try my best.  I hadn’t expected to see proof of the blog’s assertions so quickly!

I entered the store and asked a girl about the ETA of the systems being back up.  She didn’t know, but another person told me it was ALL of the stores.  Can you imagine?  All of the Loblaws (presumably) could not ACCEPT debit or credit cards yesterday for a some period of time.   Galen must be terribly upset.

I had $10 and a $10 Canadian Tire Gift Card on me, and I certainly wasn’t paying a $1.50 to use the PC Financial ATM.  And I was affronted by the signs.   So?  I left and headed to Fresh (the discount grocer in town) and was pleasantly surprised on prices and some organics being available.  See you, Fresh and I’ll bring my credit card again.

March 29, 2012 Extra-Ordinary: Finding one of my own at the grocery store.  Bless you, anonymous wielder of corrective ink!:

 

 

PS.  Ironically, when I ran spell check on this post, I spelled grammar wrong twice!  *blush*