Today I was going into town on a few errands so thought I'd be brave, be confident, and go clothes shopping in the local charity shops. Ok, maybe I'm not that brave - off comes the nail polish, on go the drabs, a quick 'lucky' check in the mirror (oops - off comes the eyeliner and mascarra!) and with a smile on my face and butterlies in the tummy off I stroll into town.
For some reason I hate going into my bank, so I get that out of the way first then off to Superdrug to pick up a few essentials - nail polish and remover, Micropore medical tape. Ok it's time for the big event and it's off to the charity shops for some bargain hunting ...
Clothes shopping. On my own. It's lunchtime. Town is busy. Everyone will stare. Everyone will know! I'm walking in the wrong direction! I just can't do it! I'm heading to my local for a pub lunch instead.
Then I hear a sweet little voice in my head telling me not to worry, please don't 'bottle it', you need some long sleeved tops for these chilly autumn evenings, it'll be cool, for the price of a pub lunch you should be able to get a nice top or maybe two. You can do it!
Ok, big deep breath, turn around and I'm heading to the street where most of the local charity shops are. (I can do this). Salvation Army shop first. How nervous am I?! My heart's going about 8 zillion bpm, I'm really hot - wish I hadn't worn this jacket - oh no, I'm starting to sweat.
"Just chill!. Look, the clothing section is way down the back of the shop, there's books and videos just here, have a look through them and get yourself together". There's nothing in the book or video sections I fancy (well Red Dwarf series 4 on video, but I've already got that). I'm much calmer now and have a look at the bracelets and necklaces. Only fancy one necklace but there's no way it'll fit me. On to the clothes section, still a little nervous but not too bad. Ok ... mens jackets, mens trousers, a few womens jackets ... that's it?? WTF? Charity shops always have more womens clothes tha mens. It's tradition, or an old charter, or something
I just had to chuckle, all that worrying and there's nothing here to even look at!Next charity shop please ... nothing is stopping me now! I'm a little nervous as there's two women already at the racks for my size ... but they're paying little or no attention to me, just checking out the clothes. "Just be confident, it's nothing unusual, you belong here". Soon I'm smiling and humming a little tune to myself as I pull out likely looking items from the racks. Occasionally I let slip a quiet "that's nice", a "oh no, wrong size" or a "she'll like that". Or was it an "I like that"? Whatever, I don't care. Picked out a nice knee-length black skirt and a long sleeved leopard spot and gold thread top, had a nice little chat with two women staff while paying for them.
Next shop, lots of customers (mainly women), a bright and cheerful "good morning" to the lady at the counter and I'm straight over to the womens clothing section ... ooh, there's a gorgeous soft long-sleeved cream top ... feel how soft it is! ... that woman's heading towards it ... oh no you don't honey, I was here first - that's mine! What was I worried about? This shopping lark is easy peasy! And fun (my top, it's my top!). Smiles and another chat while paying at the counter too. Edit - picked up a burgundy 21" skirt here too.
Ah well, I guess that's enough shopping for today and I'm heading home when suddenly my LBDD (little black dress detector) is going berserk. I'm outside yet another charity shop and I can see the cutest LBD in the window. No, make that two ... three ... gangway, shopaholic coming through! Sadly none of the LBDs were my size. Never mind eh? Better luck next time.
Two skirts, two tops = £18 (about $30). Good quality too! And the shopping trip was quite a buzz!
Time for this happy little girl to head for the "What are you wearing today?" thread
Mandy
(feeling very pleased with myself, as you may have guessed!)
PS - Was that sweet little voice in my head one of you girls? I like to think so!
If you haven't been shopping with your wife yet, and she's willing, I thoroughly recommend you go asap - it's great!
