Shopping with a Toddler

Shopping just isn't the same. In college my best friend and I would get up every single Saturday and head to the mall. We would usually spend a few hours walking the stores, find something to wear that night, and then head home to get ready. Sometimes we would get up on Sunday and return what we purchased the day before if we decided not to wear it. My best friend had a better budget than I did and generally speaking she had half a closet full of clothes with tags still on them to choose from. It wasn't as critical for her to wear that one outfit she just purchased. Me? Not so much.

At any rate, shopping used to be "our thing". We also had two other roommates, my best friends twin sister and her best friend. Confused? I can draw you a flow chart if you need me to. Basically it was twins and their best friends, which equals four. So anyway, our roommates were completely opposite us. They hated shopping with a passion. Shopping was just a necessary evil to avoid going naked. While we were out shopping every Saturday they were home watching football.

I miss those days.

Before I had children I still continued the Saturday shopping ritual even though my best friend moved away twelve years ago. I would get up every single Saturday and go run around town. Sometimes I would buy things and sometimes I wouldn't, but I just enjoy shopping. Don't get me wrong- I shop, alot, but I don't spend alot. I'm a clearance rack kind of gal, even when I have the money to pay full price. Something about finding perfectly good items at a deep discount really thrills me. Consequently then because I get such great deals I also tend to buy things I might not otherwise buy, but that's a different story.

At any rate, I need a formal gown for my husband's sales trip in two weeks so I decided I better get looking. Now. I figured I would take Hayley with me leaving Sam home with Dada. What, oh WHAT was I thinking?

How on earth do you take a two year old to the mall and expect her to cooperate while you are looking for a needle in a haystack? I have a vision of what I would like the dress to look like. Something black or red. Floor length. Spaghetti strap or backless. Something classy. Something sexy. Something that doesn't scream "new mommy" all over it. Something not frumpy. Something out of my usual jeans and tennis shoes style. Something that will drive my husband crazy. Get it?

Hayley did pretty well, to start with. What I want to know is, where is the thirty-something section in the department stores? I could only find womens (too old and not the right sizes) or juniors (too prom-like). I couldn't find anything in the middle. I decided the juniors section would be more what I was looking for so I grabbed six dresses and headed into the dressing room with Hayley.

It was cute for sure. Her eyes lit up with the first gown I put on, "Mommy, you look like a pretty dancer!". (Everyone wearing a dress or tights is a pretty dancer). The fun soon wore off for her and it became near impossible. How do you try on dresses when your two year old is wiping up the floor of the dressing room with her bottom and opening the door to the dressing room when you are standing there in nothing but undies?

I settled for a long black dress, very simple. Spaghetti straps. No embellishment. Basic. Regular price $120.00, clearance price $30.75. It wasn't what I was looking for so I will keep looking, but I also didn't want to set it aside thinking I could find something else and then be stuck without. I do think next time I am going to have to hire a sitter so I can go in solitary peace and look for that beautiful dress.

One thing is for sure, I miss my best friend. And I miss those Saturdays.

Comments

[Megan]

YOur stories always bring a smile to my face.....oh and always bring up a similar memory! Mine was with Brady when he was about 14 months old and I was trying to find just the perfect pair of jeans.... Oh the fun us Mommies have!!!!

[Mrs M]

Lola is a nightmare to shop with, she gets bored so easily and is very loud. Not a good combination when she 'shouts' 'Mummy, I can see your big bum!!'

I bet the dress looks amazing!

[Jack Glen]

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[Crys]

Ha ha, I've brought Younger Boy with me to look for nice tops. I actually sat there and asked him for an opinion, then I realized that I'd completely lost my mind. :)

[Ruth]

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Ruth

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