Sorry, but I don’t get it. First there were Uggs, the most hideously ugly shoes I’ve ever seen.

Now Crocs are the new ugly.

I was in the mall today and there was a huge display of all kinds (colors) of Crocs! After I threw up in my mouth, I walked on and just shook my head NO! at the salesperson eying me.

Usually I would agree that ANYTHING made for a baby is cute. Crocs made for babies/toddlers are just as ugly as the ones made for adults. Yes, they are.

I have this $10 off coupon for Sur La Table. The place is way overpriced, but very cool, anyway. They have everything kitchen.

The expiration date is today and of course, I waited until the last minute to use my coupon. Now I’m trying to decide what I want from there, cuz I really don’t need anything. Having a $10 off coupon is just a trick! You can’t JUST spend $10 and call it a day.

Here are some of the things I need want:

Chocolate Fondue

A yellow pie plate

A copper kettle

Balsamo Divino Jelly

Lavender Honey

You see the trap?

Made a trip to Target Land yesterday and found Squid’s costume.

Looks like the Squidster’s going to be a dragon this year. I was really tempted to dress him as Squidward from Spongebob, but I actually couldn’t find that outfit. Maybe next year…

Whenever I find something really cool, I usually try and keep it to myself, so it doesn’t catch on and become a trend.

Don’t you hate that? When you’re the first one to have something or do something, and then all of a sudden everyone has it/is doing it?

But I can share this because I know a bunch of people already know about this site with the most amazing vintage and retro fabrics and patterns!

I’ve dusted off my sewing machine and I’m getting ready to make…something. Anything! With these designs, it doesn’t matter. Anything, even a tea cozy or curtains, will look amazing.

My favorite new place is this children’s consignment store in Bernal Heights. You know, it’s one of those trendy boutiques, but with recycled stuff cuz that’s way cooler than new stuff, in a neighborhood that used to be really sketch and actually still is, just travel three blocks to the right and two blocks down sort of thing, but everyone flocks there anyway because it’s totally in and accepted to like trashy neighborhoods now, as long as there’s a Peet’s Coffee and places like Chloe’s Closet.

So, yeah, it’s that kind of place. And I love it. Clothes are cheap, but books and toys are even cheaper. There’s plenty of space for kids to play and “testing” everything is encouraged. They have strollers, shoes, hats, used toys and art equipment, used books, videos, maternity clothes…you name it. They also have some new puzzles and feeding accessories - that sort of stuff. But mostly, it’s just recycled, gently used GOOD stuff. I knew it was gonna become a favorite of mine when I opened an old book and out dropped a silver dollar. Score!

I hurried home and packed up a bag of stuff I had planned on getting rid of anyway…stuff I didn’t think anyone would want. When I dropped by a few days ago to check out my balance, I imagined I would have about $8.00 of trade cash to spend.

When the girl at the counter said, “38.50,” I tried to suppress my excitement. Yes! And off we went, Squid traipsing through trucks and trains and me browsing reading material. We ended up spending a little over $20, and walked out with a giant bag of new (to us) stuff.

Here’s some of our booty:

I am lucky to have married a man who loves to shop. Jason and I went a little crazy this past weekend. We got new pots, new silverware, a bunch of other stuff for the house, a new car seat for Squid…I even got a new pink silicone bundt pan. Awesome.

Anyway, here comes the part about the pet peeves.

I wanted to stock up on lotions and bath products at Bath and Body Works. Jason nodded and dutifully followed me, pushing Squid. (Did I mention how lucky I am?) I swear, the guy might love spending money even more than I do.

So, we walk in and are immediately greeted by not one but two sales people. “HELLO! JUST SO YOU KNOW, THESE ARE OUR NEW SCENTS…” I type in capital letters because that is how LOUD and annoying they were. But it’s just a greeting. Whatever.

I begin walking around the store, but no sooner have I stepped three feet when another, different woman approaches me. “BLAH BLAH BLAH SOMETHING ABOUT A SALE BLAH BLAH.” Uh, huh, okay, I tell her and roll my eyes at Jason.

Then another girl approaches Jason! “BLAH BLAH BLAH, YOU SHOULD TRY THIS, BLAH BLAH.” At this point, I’m getting hot. I continue to walk, hoping no one will speak to us again. After all, I told them I’m just looking, just want to browse around.

Again! A girl with an equally grating sing-song voice steps to us. “THIS STUFF MAKES YOUR BODY TINGLE! HA HA, OH BUT IN A GOOD WAY. HA HA.”

I am now visibly mad. I spin around to Jason, “Is it me?”

“NO! This place is completely out of control!” he says.

Finally, I just run to the cash register and book it out of there. I would have just left without purchasing anything at all, but I had a coupon and you know me and coupons. I can’t see a good one go to waste.

Once we were out of there and my breathing had become normal again, I said what I always say after an experience like that…”I’m writing a letter!” But this time, I actually did! I sent an email right away and just this morning got a response.

$25 gift card, yo! Just enough to cover the emotional damage.

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope your evening was more eventful than mine (in bed by 11pm after a very frustrating and disappointing shopping adventure and a few hours on the couch trying to watch the latest, extremely boring Sean Penn character study, All The King’s Men).

Now, I was planning on posting this fabulous photo-filled blog on all the great stuff I’m going to accomplish this year, but because people don’t just change overnight (no matter how many New Year’s Eves demand we do), I am procrastinating as usual.

And, because although I have assured every employer with whom I’ve had the displeasure of interviewing with that “I am a fast learner!” I still have trouble applying this particular quality to my own life. So, yes, I am braving the consumer storm yet again today, with hopes of having better luck this time (what is it they say…”the definition of insanity is when you keep doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results?”).

So, the aforementioned fabulous photo-filled blog will have to wait. If all goes well, I’ll have it up by this evening. If not, tomorrow is another day…

Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

What a pain in the ass it is running around this time of year. Squid has been so good all the way through, making it much more bearable. But still, it is a total nightmare out there. I had to stop by the mall today to pick up a few last minute gifts and practically had an anxiety attack. Why is it that when I am in a rush, I can’t find ANY store I’m looking for? I end up walking up and down the entire mall a few times before I land where I’m meant to be. And, why is it that the directories seem to disappear when I need them most? I really think they take them out during the holidays so people can’t find anything and end up wandering into stores they never meant to visit. Conspiracy, anyone?