Two chicks and an empty ute.

 A friend and I were recently granted leave passes from our families for a weekend of shopping in Melbourne.

This is a big ask really as weekends are pretty top heavy with sporting commitments at the moment.

Miss B was most unimpressed. She kept asking me "why did I have to go",

I explained it was a bit like school camp for Mums.

I said 'remember how you love going on school camp, to be with your friends and have fun doing things you enjoy. I probably wouldn't enjoy it.

Well a shopping trip is the same. I will have fun shopping, and doing things you probably would be bored doing." It was like a light bulb moment for her. She got it! Yay!

This was our major destination.

It was like a military operation.

we had lists, plans, timetable, the works.

We did a reccy on the Saturday, then a concentrated assault on the Sunday.

We limited our shopping to only home wares.

Clothing would have confused us and there wasn't time for idle browsing.

I fell in love with the red pendant light. But didn't buy it.

I did buy the kitchen trolley.

I have the perfect spot for it.

(or I will when I move a few things around ;)

Just to prove us country chicks know how to shop.

Here is the ute all loaded up.

We threw in dinner and a movie and a huge breakfast.

We both maxed out the credit card

and had lots of laughs. 

I am still putting everything away.

8 things I would buy right now..........

If Mr M. let me loose with the credit card!

Here I was reading the Sunday paper when a brochure fell out.  Yippee, sofas from Domayne. Now, I have been on the hunt for the perfect slip covered sofa for our lounge for ages. So I jumped on line to have a closer look. Lo and behold I immediately became distracted by the homewares section.

So I would like

A set of these pretty lanterns for parties or Miss B's room.

Who wouldn't want a Babushka lamp?

This pretty set so I could pretend I was Maria from Dreamy Whites who has original French sets like this.

This ceramic drum stool, to put near my non existent slip covered couch.

Very functional and I like things that are labelled!

I just like this.

And these I could find a spot for.

How cute are these?

Do you do this?

Make a list of things as if you were going to purchase them.

Or

Is it just me?

Good news retail story.

Recently I went on a flying trip to Melbourne and managed 50 mins shopping time in the city.

I quickly checked out the new Zara store.

Ps. that is not me, I don't do heels!

Then decided to jeans shop in another store.

Well, I bought 2 pairs, very quickly and as I left the store the security machine beeped. I went back in and the sales lady told me it was fine. 

So off I went on my merry way.

Not me either, be real people, I have had 3 children!

A bit more shopping, earrings, bling bracelets and new handbag, I was on a roll.

Fast forward a few days later. I went to put on my new jeans and there in front of me was the jolly magnetic security tag.

I could have cried.

So I rang the store and explained I was 4 hours away, what could they do to help me.

Unfortunately not a lot.

So, being a good resourceful country girl. I used my local network and arranged for one of the girls from the netball club who was going to a town with one of these stores to a sheep show to take the jeans and get the tag removed.

So far, all good.

Then, I was telling a friend of mine about the saga, the same one who motivated me to get running again, see here.

  

Unbeknownst to me she emailed the company and suggested they get their retail act together and show some customer service. Before I knew it, the regional manager was on the phone to find a solution. He ended up sending a new pair of jeans, overnight, and providing a prepaid return bag.

How impressive!

I bet the manager of the store will be a little more helpful in future. And my netball friend will have to think of another excuse for her husband as to why she needs to go shopping!

As for me, I will be checking those security tags, very carefully.

And, doing some more running, after all that effort, they feel a little ahem... firm.