I'm not one who usually shops during the middle of the week; I define my schedule by waking up, working, working out @ lunch, working, and then home to cook dinner. That leaves about half an hour to an hour for reading/crafting or cuddling/watching TV before calling my mom. Which invariably ends with me zonked out in bed, lights still on and my phone a few inches from my outstretched hand. Sounds like a summer-read thriller right there, doesn't it?
Yeah, it's domesticated. So I give tons of thanks to my newfound friend and neighbor (something good actually came out of attending the HOA meetings!), T. This happy, fun, super-cute, kind-hearted girl told me about a
Girls Night Out shopping event in SF and we headed up together.
It's a simple concept of combining shopping, fun splashes of unmemorable alcohol, gift bags (for those who actually signed up ahead of time, unlike my procrastinating butt - but no worries, because I ended up getting in for free!), and lots of the female persuasion. A few guys too - this one guy claimed he was there to support his urban t-shirt selling friend, but he was far more intent on scanning the throngs of girls like a shark in an overpopulated koi pond.
I was the only one of our little group who ended up getting anything. I wasn't looking for anything - I'm
never looking for anything but I always seem to find something - but I liked the styles at
Fan Clothing. And so I found myself with a snuggly, form-fitting tunic in black for $15.
It has a wide neck, and I could see pairing it with a tank top, wide belt, and leggings or jeans. And so I did for work today, where I promptly got several compliments on it. :) It turned out to be perfect for today's spring 70-degree weather and the cool office environment!
Back to the Shecky's event: how was the shopping overall? Actually, it was larger than a previous night-out I had attended, but it was still smaller than I would have liked. Boutique prices were expected, although I noticed ridiculous mark-ups for jewelry. Jewelry boutique sale prices always make me raise an eyebrow since I can identify the components and labor that went into them - I noticed a 60-90% mark-up in general. Honestly, you're getting more for your money in the pieces sold at Nordstrom, done by independent designers. At another stall, gently-used bags for sale were more like torn-and-visibly-worn bags. But the atmosphere was fun, there was a good spread of styles, and I thought the DS lounge and blinged-up Swarovski-studded DS lite was an ingenious, alluring way for Nintendo to attract the female market.
About jewelry, if you're a jewelry/gem aficionado, I suggest attending the
Internation Gem and Jewelry Show this weekend at the San Mateo County Expo fairgrounds. I always go overboard with the bead buying there, but you'll find the HUGEST selection of jewelry including the whole gamut of: fun costume, gold chains, fashionable jewelry, unique pendants, certified diamonds, and loose gem stones for the best prices that I've seen available to the general public. If you go, you'll find me poring over the crystals and pearls. :)
[edit] Click
here and print out for free admission.
