Saturday, September 4, 2010

Retail Therapy


There are women who don't like to shop. I don't personally know any of them, so perhaps they are an urban myth. Everyone I know possessed of the XY chromosome pair, and even certain XXs, get some enjoyment, if only the fulfillment of purpose, from finding, choosing and acquiring certain material objects.

For most people, some kind of shopping is a necessity to survival. We need to purchase groceries, petrol, clothing, presents, school and office supplies. We want to purchase entertainment objects such as books, magazines, cinema tickets and music cds.

Some people may enjoy this choosing and finding more than others. The acquiring part is understandably most painful as it requires parting with hard-earned money, and perhaps this is what sours the entire shopping experience for some.

Still, it is the sense of enjoyment that stays with one most when a particular thing is purchased. Whether it's a new tech gadget or a beautiful dress, a hot-of-the-press first edition or one's own home, one cannot deny a sense of happiness that comes with the acquisition.

Shopping for necessity is part and parcel of a wife and mother's existence. Shopping for enjoyment is a rarity. Shopping for a bargain is the best of all. So for the first time this year, I purchased three dresses and a top at a sample sale in a neighbour's flat. It was like stepping into a little piece of heaven, seeing rails upon rails of Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Chanel, DVF, BCBG, Bebe and more at unbelievably reasonable prices.

I am thrilled with my new things as owning a DVF dress has been on my life's wishlist for decades. The Marc Jacobs was a complete bonus and an utter delight. Now I have something worthy to wear with my few gorgeous pairs of shoes, one pair given by my husband every two years for the past three. Ah, the joys of being a girl.