Shopaholics take Hartford

People. I love to shop. I don't like shopping, I love shopping. Well, actually, I love discount shopping.

I love shopping the way a thirsty man loves water. It's a little ridiculous, but, hey, I'm young, childless and employed. My savings account is healthy as are my RRSPs and my investments. I give my tithes and donate to charity, so I can blow some money in some harmless shopping.

But this weekend, when I went to Hartford, CT. to visit my family -- especially the newest addition who is just so sweet -- I didn't plan to shop. I was going to chill out with my peoples, crack some jokes and enjoy being with my relatives.

And maybe I'd stop at Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works. But, I'm saying, those are staples -- you have to go to at least a few stores we don't have in Canada (Express, The Limited -- not the jacked up Limited at Vaughn Mills that is a discount version of Stitches). I'd spend, maybe 50 bucks, and call it a day.

But that, my friends, was to be denied -- I went to the mall.

A lovely mall called West Farms Mall. I had to do some shopping (for real, the U.S. economy does need the help) at Filene's, which is now my new favorite department store. Forget the Bay -- the Bay ain't jack compared to Super Sunday at Filene's. Look, if you can get a Liz Claiborne purse for $3.60 USD, you can't go wrong. With exchange and taxes, we were still happier than dropping more than $40. More purses were purchased for the low, low price of $6.99.

As we were walking through the mall, I saw Abercrombie & Fitch, which I've boycotted because of racist behaviour; JC Penney, which I've never wanted to go into 'cause it looked like a store full of old lady wear. The Limited and Express, which are WONDERFUL, but too danged expensive. Then my eyes beheld, Forever 21.

And a tear fell down my face, for I was enraptured by the loveliness of it all. There were racks upon racks of cute outfits -- tweed jackets, dressy sweaters, camisole tops, jeans and more. That's when my cousin's wife saw it, a beautiful pink sequined camisole top. We both gasped as we hurriedly walked towards it. She grabbed it and held it up to me, "It's perfect!"

"Yes!" I said, holding it closely to me. I'm going to a wedding next month and I needed something to wear. I have plenty of cute, summer dresses, but winter in Toronto is not to be played with. I'm not trying to spend the entire night looking gorgeous but shivering in the cold.

My eyes quickly darted around to find a matching sweater -- yes! YES! One with a faux fur lined collar! Joy! Happiness! If Bush found so much joy in shopping, do you think he be warring with Iraq? When I finally saw my sister, she was grinning, holding a tweed jacket and a burgundy top. We cashed out -- a measly amount. I was still well within my shopping budget for this family weekend trip.

We left and visited the wonderful Victoria's Secret. Panties, bras and thongs, oh my! If La Senza and Silk and Satin were worth their salt, I wouldn't have to travel to the States to get a nice bra. But La Senza and Silk and Satin have the same dry bras, with too much padding, I'm saying, who wants their chest all up under their chin? Had to spend a couple of dollars in there -- a girl can never have too many undergarments ;)

Off to Bath and Body Works. Their antibacterial hand sanitizer and soap is great! I don't know why they don't open one in Toronto. Sephora finally came to their senses with a nice shop in Eaton Centre (Soli, I do love it so, and the people were quite friendly. Especially, my new friend Calvin). I bought a lovely, Skin Repair Body Butter in Warm Vanilla Sugar. Bliss.

We returned to Filene's as we were leaving the mall and I noticed some very cute Timberland running shoes on sale for $40 US (a steal to those of us who are forced to shop at little trendy urban chic stores if we want anything name brand). My cousin's wife said, "don't buy them here. We got them for $29.95 at Burlington Coat Factory."

I swear I heard the angels singing.

Don't laugh. Don't snicker. Don't even guffaw. Burlington Coat Factory is on point! My sister and I would drive by the big one-story building as we were shuttled from one cousin's home to another's. I was intrigued by the store that I had heard so much about -- but, I didn't need a coat, so I didn't sweat it.

"Don't they just sell coats?" we asked innocently.

"Child, please."

We made a stop at Sears before we headed out to meet more family. Now, this summer, I got some Sears gift certificates and I held on to them for months because I didn't know what the heck to buy with them. Sears Canada is a place you go to when you need a fridge, a microwave or a stereo. OK, if you need mittens or nylons, you may go, but if you're looking for some stylish clothes? Sears? Doubt it.

So, imagine my surprise when I walked into Sears and saw clothes I would wear, including a nice pair of cream pants on sale for $24.99. It's just a different world, this United States. There were suits, sweaters and more pants that any fashion conscious person wouldn't be ashamed to wear.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast of sausages, bacon, eggs and biscuits (I swear if I lived in the States, I'd be as big as a bus. A very stylish bus with lots of weave, but a bus nonetheless), the three of us went to Burlington Coat Factory. We were directed to the back right side of the store to find the shoes. But we were stopped four steps in -- belts! Belts galore!

Guess, DKNY, Liz Claiborne. Just to name a few. My sister pretty much flung me aside and ran to the rack. Within five minutes, she was clutching four belts -- two black and two brown (she had bought a pink one at Filene's) -- to her chest.

We walked further into the store and I saw it. What I love most... what I need... purses.

Small ones. Big ones. Pink ones. Black ones. Designer ones. Regular ones. It was a lovely sight. I started grabbing purses -- the sales people must have thought I was insane. Then I stopped.

Darn! I had only brought my small pullman suitcase. Where the heck was I going to put five purses? Even if they were $6.99? I spotted a gorgeous black Nine West tote bag. It was so sophisticated and pretty, but really, unless I strapped it to myself, I couldn't get it back home. So, I put it back on the shelf with its friends and walked dejectedly away... Until I saw the Baby Phat hat, scarf and mitt set!

The same set I saw last year at Illicit for $40 was selling for $24.95. I don't care what the exchange is, it ain't going to equal $40 plus GST and PST. And Connecticut has no state tax. Hallelujah!

I couldn't leave all of the purses behind -- I kept a sweet fuschia one. I don't have a fuschia bag. Every girl needs a fuschia bag :) And a green one. And a purple -- of course the standard black and brown. Maybe a tan and a blue! I want a yellow one, too.

Anyway, we headed off to shoes to check for my Timberlands. Unfortunately, I never did really see the Tims 'cause I was blinded by the boots and heels. I swear, if shopping -- at least if browsing -- were an Olympic sport, I'd be a gold medallist.

I spotted a pair of baby pink boots with pink ribbon up the sides. Honestly, they were interesting, but not really my thing. They were a bit too extra -- they were 'nuff. I could have probably gotten away with wearing them with a pair of jeans, but they didn't grab me. Unlike the pink suede boots my sister found -- two sizes too small, but somehow they fit. Either her foot has shrunk or she gnawed off a couple of toes in the dead of night...

I wasn't feeling the baby pink boots, but the metallic pink pumps were hype! I wasn't a big shoe fan until my boyfriend's sister introduced me to the love of shoes. They looked so sweet on my feet, I decided then and there, I was going to have them for the super low price of $12.95.

With our arms weak from carrying all of our goodies, my sister and I looked at each other. How the heck are we getting these things back to Toronto?

I'm embarrassed to say it.

We bought another bag.

For a trip that was not supposed to be about shopping (except for a quick stop at Bath & Body Works) we managed to buy enough stuff to fill another bag. Is that not shameful?

OK, I was ashamed for about 30 seconds.

After visiting more family, we returned to my cousin's house to pack up our purchase. Folks, it was like Christmas: opening bags, ripping through tissue paper, trying stuff on. I can only say, if I didn't leave after five days, I would have done some major damage in retail sector of Hartford, CT.

Tuesday morning, we schlepped our tails onto a flight back to Toronto (through Detroit airport, which has got to be the best laid out airport in the United States.) My eyes watered, 'cause I knew, the shopping back home could never compare.

I know this entire blog is so shallow and ridiculous, but, heck, Sophie Kinsella wrote four books and has made a lucrative living based on the crazy shopping antics of one lone British chick. Imagine what I can do writing about the shopping antics of a Bajan-Canadian, 20-something who loves purses...