Happy Free Shopping

I stopped making personal wish lists after I got married. My thoughts were on home furniture, furnishings, decors. No longer on something for myself.
It also didn’t bother me if there were things I couldn’t have because I couldn’t afford them at that time.

I had a chit chat last week with a friend and she told me shopping makes her happy. She doesn’t get depressed because all she would do when feeling a little low is to go shopping. Since this girl is blessed with so much financial abundance, frequent shopping for finer things is not even an issue. Her husband doesn’t mind and in fact even encourages her and provides her with the dough to enable her favorite pastime. Lucky girl.

Since the beginning of this month, I’ve been itching to buy something for myself. Nothing specific, it’s just a feeling. I am sure you’ve felt that way too in the past. I’ve gone to Greenbelt twice, to Shangri-la Mall countless times. In the past, whenever I wanted to maglibang, I would buy some food pasalubong for our house like suman, ensaymada, dimsum, popcorn, etc. I would also buy potted flowers, a small decor for our house, plates, a blouse or dress or even daster. That would already make my day. Nalibang na ako, without spending a fortune.

When I am here in Manila, the only place I go to WINDOW SHOP for plates is Rustan’s.

Mother and daughter went there a couple of days ago to aliw ourselves. She also is looking for a formal dress to wear to her friend’s wedding in March.

After walking around in the fashion area, we went up to the home sections.

My daughter knew I would like this color and pattern.
O——–“Mom, look, look!”.
She got so excited.
Her excitement fizzled when I flipped the plate, “Made in China”.

We both liked this chicken shaped porcelain food tray made in France. I didn’t want to carry this around so we said we would come back for it. Tingnan mo, it’s a been a few days, I haven’t gone back to buy this.

Eto, I really want to buy this trio for my cottage kubo (to be), kaya lang wala pa akong kubo, baka end of the year pa.

This coffee maker, toaster oven and blender are so retro. Bagay yan sa farm living.

This colorful Spanish veils reminded me of my mother. Naka belo nung araw pag nagsisimba ang mga babae.

Oyen is now into home scents. She lights a scented candle when she’s in her room.

Amoy ng amoy, she must have smelled all the alikabok from the Dyptique candle displays. Why are this very expensive. A candle costs around P4,000. Some are more depending on the glass or crystal holder.

Rustan’s has the ability to bombard my senses and fuel my desire to scratch my credit card. Self control is the key. I never buy in Rustan’s using credit card. I get 10% discount when paying in cash. And who goes around the mall with plenty of cash? No one. So that deters me from impulsive buying. I have to go home and come back another day when I have the cash. And most likely, I would lose interest or forget about the item. Or masusukluban na ako ng panghihinayang sa pera, kaya wag na lang. So, that is called tipid shopping. There are exceptions of course like this one.

We were leaving na when I spotted this navy blue lace Juicy Couture dress. I tried on a size 8, sobrang loose. Size 6 maluwag pa rin. Then I asked for a 4, pwede, except that my stomach takes center stage. Agaw pansin.
Sales lady——“Mam, mag girdle na lang kayo”.
Omb————-“Hindi na ito kaya ng girdle, kailangan na lyposuction”.

A———–“I already have a lot of dresses that are similar to this”.
O———–“You know what looks good on you”.

O———–“Why don’t you get it?”

A———–“Hindi kasya yung gift certificates, Ang mahal. Ang laki ng kulang. I don’t have cash, sayang yung discount.

My daughter has a debit card which is considered cash kaya meron ding discount. She paid for my dress.
A———“Anak, I owe you e _______________ pesos”.
Oyen——-“Oh, it’s okay”.
Did she mean libre? Libre ngaaaaa. Thank you anak. Ang sarap magshopping ng libre. Masarap talaga pag meron ng trabaho ang mga anak. Shopping is free!

I can’t wear this yet. Magpa lypo muna ako.