Fibermania

The Shopping Diet

Starting the day early with a good cup of Earl Grey, ( O yeah, caffeine is back too, if only to balance the wine intake) I rushed off to pick up Frieda's printing at our mutually shared printer, and complimented him on his nearly 80 lb weight loss. Then I buzzed off to my library to put my slightly overdue books in the slot before they opened, hopefully avoiding another fine. We met at Panera for a wee cup of the finest and a visit. Frieda is writing me a check for her printing, wearing one of my shawls that became everyone's Christmas gifts. She gets the compliments from the gal in the booth behind us. Not mentioning I was the maker...ANYWAY,

We gabbed about art, sex, food, work, finances and great stuff she recently bought at Target, which of course piqued my interest, since I had shopping on my to do list for the day.

She worked on a scarf for her son Lars, while I imbibed a big mug of Hazlenut and became ever more wired and verbose.

While I worked on whatever it is that this may become. I am designing as I go and the result is up for grabs. At the stroke of ten we parted and I headed straight for Target to see the stuff she had described. I was immediately attracted to their $1 section...

They must have just put all this stuff out, as it is still in an organized state. I suspect all of China knows just what we want and have it ready when the corporate buyers show up. I got three sweater hangers and a mesh laundry bag, which I have always thought I needed and now can't think for what??

Like a five year old I am a stopped in my tracks at these colors and patterns. Can we have some Mom?

Note to self: you were going to stay away from All Color All the Time. But oooohhh.

Magnets and little bags with pens and pads and smaller pads and teeny pens and all in neato colors.

This suede sketch book is what Frieda had alluded to at coffee. It holds a pad of paper (who can resist a fresh clean pad of paper) and several places for drawing pencils and it folds up and you can carry it around to make sketches...and it was like $15! Yuh, like I am ever going to draw on that pad and mess up its perfectness? No way. Pass.
But it was pretty kool. There were wonderfully colorful leather two tone, yummy office supplies in that aisle, which I warn you to stay away from, lest you spend all your Christmas money on stuff that is too neato to use.

I succumbed to these mechanical pencils (10 for $3.99) which match the push pins and magnets that I got for my birthday from Emily.

Too cute, no?

O yeah. I also had to get another box of Target's brand of Magic Sponge, the world's greatest clean up device. Tommy originally turned me onto these, and they really take off every stinkin' mark on every surface you own. They make me feel cleaner already.

I was well into my second hour roaming around this Super-Target when I found the 75% off aisle of leftover Christmas stuff. I felt I really ought to rescue these Amaryllis and Paperwhites. At $1.24 a box, who could resist?

They were originally $4.99.

I made it out of the store, high on bargains and having only spent $18.50.

Then it was onto the Famed TJMAXX.

I was in search of a new pair of shoes, since I had spilled marinade on my fave red suede slipons and lucky me, I found another pair, only in black but of the same manufacturer. They were already broken in! having been returned and reduced on the Clearance rack. I put them on and wore them around the store as a tryout while I looked for other stuff I absolutely don't need but cannot pass up. I was disappointed to find, after a good hour of searching, that nothing presented itself, or even temporarily made it into my cart.
When I decided to leave, I removed the new shoes and put my old shoes on and my tootsies cried out in relief, telling me not to buy the new pair. Well that saved me a return, didn't it? So I left empty handed.

By now it was 2ish and I still hadn't had any food for the day.

It is a little known fact that bargain shopping overcomes hunger.

Then it was onto the yarn store where I was to cash in my gift certificate, and found this wonderful sock yarn. On Line is the brand. One skein makes a pair.

The fancy striped design appears automatically making the knitter appear to be a genius, which is right up my alley.

Occasionally the sale bin has some magazines or books which are usually about knitting, weaving or beading but this time I found this wonderful book, just made for me.

Note the ridiculous bargain price!

It is so perfect for showing me how a limited color scheme can be exciting.

Pastels! Who knew?

Gray blue and peach, yummamente! I will create something like this, I can see it now...

Subtle, yet so wonderful. I am way inspired.

It's 3:30 and I am on my way home, but must stop back at Frieda's house to show her my loot. She offers me another cup of caffeine and I accept, having no will power to resist. Along with the chai I get a half an Asian pear and the information that another TJMAXX that I will pass on the way home is having a huge jacket sale, and I should stop and see if they have something I need.

O OK if I must... Another hour spent there, ending empty handed.

I have been gone most of the day, and have spent only $25.50 and have oodles of goodies. I have walked at least 5000 steps, pushing carts and bending down and reaching up and not eating much but that half a pear. What a great new diet concept! And I didn't have to wear any of those sports bras or ugly gym shoes!

The thrill of a bargain staved off my hunger and when I reached my final destination I whipped up this wonderful diet meal,

Pears, mandarin oranges, walnuts, bacon, feta cheese, and four ounces of chicken breast on a bed of fresh mesclun, topped with homemade lime garlic dressing.

This was a great way to jump start my serious dieting.