Friday, October 5, 2007

Recreational Shoppers

Wednesday after work Leah and I had already gone to most of our favorite stores in Knoxville, and I wanted to go home. “Yeah that’s fine,” Leah said then added, “This has been an unsuccessful shopping trip. It’s not a successful trip unless I buy something.

After teasing her about her materialistic mind-set I turned toward a shopping center that included Ross and T.J.Max. “Well I’ll try to make this trip a success for you.”

We walked into Ross where Leah laughed and made fun of me as I began talking myself out of buying things. (My friends know that I save my money, but I am weirder with Leah, because she is my sister, and because it makes her laugh.) If Leah is there I talk myself out of buying things out loud and my explanations (to myself) are very detailed. This is apparently very droll.

Leah has redefined her trip as a success; she bought 3 things:

1) A long A-line khaki skirt with studs (Too big for her, but on sale and maybe it will shrink)

2) A pink top with white polka dots (A Little too small, but maybe it will stretch)

3) A long blue button up shirt with white polka dots ("Perfect!" she said..)


She has fifty cents left to her name. It was definitely a successful trip for her.


I have more than enough cute clothes already, but still I bought 3 things:

1) A tiered hanger-it holds four skirts (If I return to my shopping boycott my closet won’t need hangers that fit multiple items. Hmmm)

2) A pink shirt with a white mock lace camisole (Poor quality, but cute.)

3) A black and off-white A-line skirt (It matches my black blouse with off-white lace-Yay!)

(See Josh--I do spend money.)


I think we could have just each bought the one item that was perfect for us and skipped the others. But is buying unneeded things really a big deal? Surely wasting a little money is ok. I have plenty to waste, but am I setting a bad example for my little sister?

PS: I shop with Leah to spend time with her--it’s a sister bonding thing, I guess. I boycotted unnecessary shopping for about 2 years (Still felt as if I went shopping all the time for birthday presents…) She told me we needed to start shopping again because it was our alone time together.

Edit: If this is your definition of recreational shopper, then that title suits neither Leah nor I, even though I do chat with the sales people.

6 comments:

Jessica Wynn said...

"for the guys—don’t pretend girls are the only recreational shoppers"
I think guys don't do this quite as much as girls, but I think they do. We were in PacSun, the other day, and it took Toby half a heart beat to decide to by these shoes. Micah said (it's like he could read my mind),"See as short of time that took?"

I think even if you buy a few unnecessary items, if you are spending time with Leah, it's not so bad as just randomly buying things you don't need. I don't know, I'm crazy, lol.

Luv you,
Jessie

Nathan L. said...

You finally posted again!
Also you REALLY learned how to.

Nathan L. said...

Whoops!
I meant

Also you REALLY learned how to underline.

Esther said...

Jessie:

I meant that guys also buy things they don't need and/or won't use.

They usually buy things like gadgets, tools, or For instance it makes N8 quite happy to go online and buy drum equipment or those computer data storage things. Ricky talks about always buying fishing stuff. Matt tricks out his car and buys toy cars.

I do believe that girls make up the majority of recreational shoppers for clothes.

I think it's ok for me to buy things I don't need sometimes. Spending a lot isn't really my weakness. I just don't want to be a bad example to Leah.

Jessica Wynn said...

"They usually buy things like gadgets, tools, or For instance it makes N8 quite happy to go online and buy drum equipment or those computer data storage things. Ricky talks about always buying fishing stuff."

My Dad wnet through this thing where he would constantly be on ebay. Only he buys more expensive things such as (but not limited to): Land, dozers, Trucks, and a businesses. (It's quite fun for a while, but we all get tired of it eventually).

"...Matt tricks out his car and buys toy cars."

Why on earth anybody in their right mind would do this I don't understand, lol.

"I think it's ok for me to buy things I don't need sometimes...I just don't want to be a bad example to Leah."

Oh, well yeah that could be bad. Leah doesn't seem to be a spending for absolutely no reason type person though. (As long as we steer clear of the candy aisles that is.)

Esther said...

Does your Dad actually use the things he buys?