May 2008

Embracing the little things

Have you ever heard the quote 'Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things'? I find quotes like this remind me to stay present, appreciate life's journey and be continually inspired by small victories and innocent adventures.

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One  of my latest little wins was both surviving the school holidays and getting Lilah off to school again on Monday morning. Historically the first Monday back is a time when Mother's truly believe they are wonderfully organised - clothes laid out, bag packed, alarm on - what I didn't count on was having hardcore negotiations to enlist the cooperation from the irrepressible Miss Lilah. First she thought it was really dreadfully early to get up and then well, she didn't actually fancy any breakfast and then putting shoes on was a total drag - and I still can't even bring myself to speak of the performance when she was told that the hermit crabs simply must stay at home!

Of course this is on the morning where you have to be at the salon early for a new product launch event ... Is it wrong to feel nothing but relief when you get them inside the school gates?

One of my rewards for achieving minor miracles has to be retail escapades. I think shopping is very dependable. With shopping you can do it alone or with others, if you lose your heart to something that is wrong, you can return it; and not only is there the instant buzz, it's also possible that something you buy may very well last for years! (This is just what I tell myself when in Jean Brown).

Recently I heard a funny story about a girlfriend spending time with a pregnant friend (sans children), for an afternoon of tea, cake and shopping. It started at the dessert bar at the Marriot and what a start it sounded liked. I had forgotten the incomparable bliss of happy pregnant hormones combined with lots of sugar and chocolate and ice cream and cake and tart and truffles and lollies and custard and then more cake. Miss Preggi managed to polish off all of the above varieties and rounded off the meal with a smattering of crackers and cheese. Mmm - feel the instant gratification.

This shopping trip had a special angle too, lovely girlfriend (with child) received a little treat over her morning de-caf coffee, extra fibre cereal and fruit and requisite seven slices of toast. Her seriously wonderful partner slipped her a special hundred dollar bill tied with a bow and a love note and was sent off to 'enjoy herself' - far too cute for words.

Apparently after they had demolished the dessert bar, the shopping venture began with some blood lust at the new David Jones shoe department before the girls in question decided it was time to really 'cut rug' at the king of chain stores & irrefutable, and irreplaceable ... Target!

Given the value of $100 in Target (above all other shopping outlets), there was no choice for these determined ladies but to descend and shop with intent. Now, do we all know about Target money? Dollars spent in Target are different than dollars spent in other places. Coming from David Jones for example, we have experienced a world of difference - a world where allocated shopping budgets drift through your hands like sand and then only equate to half an item on layby and one stripy hat for the unborn miniature! Unlike the mystic qualities of Target dollars, which are unique and some how take on a new significance, (especially when you can almost clothe the child until they are three years old for $100)!

Three hours later in Target-land and the haul was awesome - so juicy was the booty they had to steal a trolley to get it back to the car to get it home. That one hundred bill (converted into Target dollars), managed to get 7 lots of booties, 9 singlets, 4 stripy hats, 5 jump suits, 2 pairs of mittens, 5 bibs, 4 non flammable jumpsuits, 3 pairs of socks, one vibrating bassinette and a super duper interchangeable and portable changing mat, plus treasures for the Mummy-to-be.

After deciding to wisely avoid the maternity section, it was discovered there were fabulous A line t-shirts to cover a belly in the 'teenagers who like to rock and look  like the Veronica's' section that were perfect. A small mercy after realizing that it was time to move into the 'Christy Turlington-esque-stretch yoga pants done by Target' that needed to be a 14 now instead of the old size 8. I believe people are still offering tea and sympathy en masse.

So ladies, words from the wise: From one of the most dedicated shoppers around - the first lady Emelda Marcos - 'Win or lose, we go shopping after the election' and from me... "You can do worse than receive a Target voucher for Mothers Day".

With love from Felicity McLennan

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