In which I go to the mall

You may know that I really don't like malls much. I go there for some singular purpose, and then get out. Shopping isn't my bag, which is why I tend to take a long time to do it; I am compelled to make the right decisions.

After a week of living in Mytrle Beach and being pretty light in the wallet, I needed things. Hose, a pillow, something to sleep in, hand soap, a hands-free headset for my new cell phone, sodas, a cut and color. Some things I'd forgotten at home, some things I'd consumed, some things just needed doing. I had to take the car to the airport early anyway.

My smoked-in minivan with the CV joint problem exchanged for a sweet Pontiac G6, I headed for Target this morning. I'd say the nearest Target, but there are only 3 within 100 miles, and so the options are limited. Probably a lot more Wal*Marts, but they don't count. It took me three hours to decide on some new makeup (that hopefully won't burn my eyes), a hands-free headset, a new movie (Corpse Bride or Pride and Prejudice?), and that I didn't need new clothes badly enough to have to pack them home. Well, except for the black velvet shrug on sale. I headed for the mall.

I needed to get my hair colored. I managed to park at the opposite end of the mall from the Regis. I walked the entire mall to find that it would be half an hour before they could get me in. It took two hours to do my hair. At first she just colored the roots but didn't do the ends. Then she decided she had to do the ends. They're a different color. I'm not entirely satisfied. My scalp is red - glowing - and I'm eagerly awaiting a shower in the morning so I can scrub it. My hair wasn't done until 4:00, and breakfast was a pair of sausage patties off the hotel buffet and a Diet Coke. I hit the food court.

After a pretty good dinner of Chinese (yes, I had the sugary sauces, but no rice, dumplings or noodles), I stopped at one store on the mall. Although I'm not thrilled with the color, I was pretty impressed with how she styled my hair, and it requires a curling iron. I haven't used a curling iron since the 70's. Needless to say, I don't have one any more. The kind she recommended is the large barrell, with a variable temp control. Not cheap. They had them at Beauty Brands. I also bought the heat-resistant pouch, since I anticipate not always having cool-down time before packing.

I also stopped at the Hot Topic in the mall. Still unimpressed. Their merchandise is all either marketing or cheapo clothing. Poor quality I won't pay for. Having not found suitable sunglasses at Target, I did pick up a pair at another store. But I pretty much bee-lined for Belk's, were I'd parked.

At the Belk store in Auburn, I found some cool goth-y clothes. I thought I'd look. I did really need an extra pair of pants. One just isn't enough. They had a lot of their winter stuff on deep discount, and yes, in spite of overwhelming odds, I did find a pair of pants.

I have a terrible time finding pants that fit my hips and my waist. I'm a 16W/18/1x on the top, but a 18W/20/2x or more in skirts and pants. I found a pair of cotton velour pants with a drawstring waist that fits beautifully. They happen to be 3x, but they skim my bumpy hips beautifully. They will be just right with my goth-y tops. Besides they're Ralph Lauren, so a premium brand. Originally $85, I purchased them for $26.45, including tax. Feeling a little better about the aggregate hair expense, I headed back to the hotel.

I got a new 'do, new pants and a good long walk today. It was good, although I'm tired. Once this laundry is done, I'm going to bed.