Erica online

Wednesday, December 22

"A Mini-Break Means True Love!"
(For all the B.J.D. fans)

D.J. and I went away to Rochester, MN for four days. This is the first time we've been away together for that amount of time since before we had kids. It was a wonderful get-a-way.

We have friends down there who own a couple of hotels and a restaurant so we went to visit them. Their generosity was overwhelming!!!! They gave us free accomodations at their hotel, free meals in the restaurant and paid for our meals when we ate out (at fabulous places!!!). It was quite incredible to be treated with such kindness and generosity, and from people who clearly derive pleasure from giving. They were most astounding people!

*Now for those of you who have strong opinions on materialism, commercialism and capitalism being the foundation of societal decay, please avert your eyes and read no further. The following section is intended for shop-a-holic, bargain-hunting, material girls only. Like me and Yvonne*

After spending four hours at IKEA, I still wasn't shopped out. We went to a place near Minneapolis that I can only describe at as a shop-a-holic's Mecca! At first sight, when the car pulled up the song began to play in my head...."Almost paradise! We're knocking on heaven's door.....Almost Paradise, How could I ask for more...."

Its called the Premium Outlet mall in Albertville MN. Its a dream come true for people like me!
It is high end outlets all attached together, with HUGE discounts just waiting for me to come and adopt clothes, shoes, linens, you name it.....waiting for me, with large RED TICKETS saying beautiful things like.....50-70% OFF and 60% OFF and the elusively sexy tag 90% off.

The stores are Nike, Old Navy, Gap, Guess, Levis, Dockers, Osh Kosh', Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Eddie Bauer, Reebok, Oakley, West Nine...etc...stuff that I could never afford in the real world. But here....in paradise.....I could afford to shop, with tears of joy, I flitzed and pranced from shop to shop.

I rescued some pretty tops from the clutches of the evil Levi Strauss. I saved some fleece sweaters and tees from Old Navy. I even adopted a pair of knee-high suede boots. It was beautiful sight, I took all my treasures home to live happily ever after!

By far, my greatest conquest has to be my Polo (Ralph Lauren) sheets. Queen size, beige with a gold trim, 250 thread count, regular price $48.99....I paid $1.99!!! No, I am not making this up! Oh, and my designer pill shams for $.99 was pretty thrilling too. I gotta say, there were endorphins pulsing like I never knew could happen from a shopping trip.

Now, if I ever in a situation where I need to "find a happy place", I know where that place will be, the outlet mall in Albertville, MN.....

(You can all pray for my capitalist, materialist, commerical-driven, shallow soul now!!! ;)
Erica at 7:55 PM

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