Shopping is one of my hobbies and it brings a smile to my inner being. I don’t necessarily need to buy something every time; window shopping also brings a smile. (On a good day, I even like to grocery shop as the possibilities for meals are endless.)
There are a couple of favorite venues I like to stop by and visit and one of them is Washington Square. In the middle of the mall sits my Triangle of Happiness: The Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma and Nordstrom. Oh, what joys I’ve found gliding from one to another, always dreaming of treasures to be found.
The Pottery Barn is full of home décor, trinkets, tableware and bedding. My Favorites are the demo tables set with that seasons choice giving me ideas upon ideas. I view the table as my little stage set. If I had my life to do over again, I would choose stage design as my profession; creating worlds to share with an audience. Since I didn’t make this choice 40 years ago, I now use my table as my mini stage. Williams Sonoma also plays a part in this as I can envision beautiful pots, pans and cooking ware dotting my landscape.
Then we come to the queen of the triangle, Nordstrom. I’ve loved this place since I first started shopping there at the tender age of eighteen. Whenever I walk into the store I am assailed with smells, sights and senses that delight me. From the perfume section to the accessories right through to the shoes (OH, the shoes!!!), I am filled with a calm yet excited glow that doesn’t stop until I sadly exit.
I enjoy and frequent small, privately owned shops and try to support the small business owner as best I can; but Nordstrom will always have my heart. I tried weaning myself off this desire by cutting up my credit card, but what do I find? They offer a special Nordstrom debit card. Brilliant.
Once upon a time, in trying to curb my enthusiasm for my mecca, the husband had the bright idea of freezing my credit card in a butter tub of ice. The theory being that I would have to come home to thaw it out, giving me time to think and contemplate my intended purchase. This was supposed to take care of my impulse buying syndrome. I agreed to this experiment and thought no more about it.
One day, while at Washington Square, I traversed my Triangle of Happiness and found myself in the shoe department at, you guessed it, Nordstrom. One moment I was window shopping, just looking, dare I say dreaming and the next moment I had my shoes off and a clerk fitting me with six different choices.
I arrived home with those six pairs of shoes in two beautiful Nordstrom bags hoping I had beaten the husband to the driveway. Alas, I had not. He took one look at those brimming bags, went to the refrigerator, opened the freezer compartment, looked at the butter tub still intact and then looked over at me with confusion. Well, it seems you don’t actually need your Nordstrom’s card when shopping. All you need is your driver’s license and away you go. To his credit, the husband said nothing . . . just wandered away, shaking his head in defeat.
As I get older I find myself less frequently in the triangle. More thought is given to purchases and I even take the checking account’s feelings to heart. But, every now and then, I hear the siren call of Nordstrom, Nordstrom, Nordstrom. It’s a sweet, sweet sound and I find it hard to ignore. It is now my treat not my every week obsession. I find that only makes it more glorious.
So, to The Triangle of Happiness, long may you exist. My loyalty knows no bounds.
magicalmess 