This is a picture of my favorite pumpkin cheesecake that I made last night. MMM, yum. GOOOOOD. It makes me happy. I smile when I taste it. Something else that made me happy this last week... shopping.
Most people who know me are acquainted with my love of shopping. I can shop from sunrise to sunset and not get sick of it. My favorite are the huge malls like the one in Towson, Maryland that we used to go to when my parents lived there. It had everything from Crate & Barrel to Banana Republic, J.Crew, Aldo, Nine West, Gap, Anthropologie, Delia's, Macy's, Nordstrom (including Nord. Rack), etc need I go on???? FOUR floors of shopping goodness.
This past week I got to partake of some good Aussie shopping. Normally those two words do not go together in my vocabulary. The prices are just outrageous here and I haven't enjoyed shopping in this country at all. Not only are the prices high but the shops close at 5pm, except for Thursday night when they close at 9.
On Saturday I went with my friend, Mala, to Harbourtown Outlet Mall. Now I have been there and it's nothing close to outlet prices. However, this time it was! (due to end of financial year clearance sales) I was so happy to finally get some good purchases! I found some MUCH needed items for church at a store called Portman's. One rack had dresses 2 for $30. Dresses in this shop are usually $99-129 each. I got a high waisted black skirt, a cute pinafore (SP?) type dress, a gray cardigan, another black smock type dress, and a gray dress with a green print on it.
I found some cute things for Ashley and Olivia at Cotton On Kids, which is similar to Old Navy/Gap. Typically the average item is $24.95 but on sale I got a bunch of things mostly $5 each and some $10. They really needed winter stuff since this year it's actually been cold.
Austin also got a few new shirts. The poor guy generally doesn't get many new clothing items since he doesn't grow much from year to year (sorry Austin) and he also gets hand-me-downs from cousins James and Will (in the States it was Landon). But I found some nice winter shirts at Esprit for $7.95 (normally about $29 each).
I told Katherine, Susan, and Lauren (J's sisters) about it and we all ended up going back on Tuesday! They found lots of good stuff and we all ended up getting some new shoes. Even greater than my general love of shopping is my love of shoes. You'd be surprised to know that I have only bought TWO pairs of new shoes since I moved to Australia! I know!! Crazy. I got this pair of black pumps to go with some of my new things from Portman's. They were only $50 (normally $129).
It was fun to do something that I enjoy. I had a nice day out with Mala on Saturday, and with Lauren, Katherine, and Susan on Tuesday. Two shopping days without kids in ONE week! Unprecedented!
4 comments:
oh how exciting to get stuff and enjoy it and like it. too bad to hear about outrageous prices...i was just looking and the english pound and the rate is horrid, now if you are comming from the UK to the states it is heavenly...wow i can only imagine the exchange is not as good in australia too...i share your love of shopping and good deals, but 2 pairs of shoes.....crazy although lately, when i get shoes i get like 3 or 4 and that is the whole year.....
Wow...shopping great bargains w/o kids? Sounds like a dream come true! Now, as for that pumpkin cheesecake. . . You are going to have to share that recipe, unless it is top secret, of course!
I'm so happy for you. Your time in Australia has been like shopper's rehab or something, so it's wonderful that you got to have a guilt-free spree for a change.
I'm so glad you finally found some bargains! Hard for a shopping buff to not get to indulge very often. I am loving the green and grey dress.
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