Shopping: A Blast or Dreaded? … by Delsora Lowe

I’ll start off by saying, in general, I do not enjoy shopping. As a teen, I loved wondering stores with my friends to dream about new outfits. I had a clothing allowance, so I had to be frugal. That meant sewing many of my outfits. But truthfully, I can’t remember a most hated experience while shopping. Unless you want to count the day I was pickpocketed, as a teen, while shopping for fabric to make an outfit. I still had fun, since I loved envisioning new outfits and matching a pattern to new fabrics. And, I didn’t realize someone had stolen from me until I got home. As an adult, I avoid at all costs shopping just for fun. And now when I shop, lesson learned: I clutch my purse tight in front of me.

Having said that, I do love shopping for anything to do with food. This is where I differ from most people I know, who HATE grocery shopping. Maybe loving to shop for food is because I used to work food service, where besides hostessing and waitressing, I also cooked in restaurants, in a fraternity, and as a caterer. Shopping for food means that I am bringing to life my creative recipe ideas.

Some of my favorite scenes in a Hallmark-type movie are watching a couple wander and meet at a farmer’s market. Or bumping into each other in the produce aisle reaching for the same, small cabbage that will feed one instead of a huge family. Or their hands touching over the last bunch of asparagus. But I digress, as my imagination of romantic food-related encounters crowd my mind.

My local Farmer's Market on a grassy mall in the middle of downtown

As I was saying, going to the grocery store is an adventure. My list consists of meat, seafood, veggies, bread, fruit, etc. And by that, I mean I literally write those words on my list. Because I never know what seasonal vegetable may inspire a recipe idea. Or which items at the seafood or meat counter may catch my eye and inspire dinner for that night, or lunch for tomorrow.

Love the variety of vegetables, jams, bread, meats, seafood at my local farmers market.

For that very reason, I also love going to the farmer’s market. I usually go on the early side and spend time gazing at the colorful displays of ripe red tomatoes, or dark leafy bunches of kale. I conjure up a recipe using green tomatoes, besides the usual fried green (which are delicious.) I perfuse the variety of lettuce or potato or colorful vegetables, some I have never tried before. I usually ask the farmer ideas on use, and then research the vegetable for more ideas, once I arrive home.

I feel about farmer’s markets as others feel about yard sales—discovering a prize to add to my cooking repertoire. Also, people tend to talk to each other at a food market, versus in other shopping arenas.

“The melons are so juicy this time of year.”

“Don’t those scallops look delicious, and on sale too!”

“How do you usually cook that cut of meat?” Or “I love that cut of meat. I have a great recipe for…”

“Have you tried this new flavor of the goat’s milk yogurt? It’s my new favorite.”

I love going to the farmer’s market in the fall, when the crowds of tourists have headed home, and the newly arrived students who walk from the college blocks away are discovering the magic of a farmer’s market. Bunches of fall flowers are for sale. Jellies and jams from the summer bounty of berries and fruits appear. This time of year, just as early spring does, affords me the opportunity to chat with the farmers without holding up the line. Ask questions about their product. Learn tidbits about farming. And enjoy the crisp fall air—my favorite season of the year.

Do you love or hate shopping for food? And why? There are no wrong answers. And I won’t judge if you hate the kind of shopping I love!

Check out a Fall Wedding: The Love Left Behind

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~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker) were released in late fall 2022. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, in 2024.

 

Social Media Links:

Author website: www.delsoralowe.com

Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe

Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photos and Clip Art:

Yard Sale: Free Garage Sale Images, Download Free Garage Sale Images png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (cli: part-library.com) 
Fall and Farmers Market: photos by blog author  
Fabric Shopping: Free Fabric Cliparts, Download Free Fabric Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)

Shop Till You Drop!

 

By:  Marcia King-Gamble

www.lovemarcia.com

Browsing through stores has always been therapeutic for me.  In fact, I enjoy doing so when times are good, and times are not so good. I find peace and a certain tranquility from wandering through aisles, sniffing perfumes, and touching fabrics.  It’s not about the buying of things, it’s more about sensory overload.  The smells, the sights, the sounds, the people around me can jumpstart me into a good mood.

Strolling through stores is a relaxing endeavor. There are times I buy absolutely nothing, and there are times I leave like Baa, Baa, Black Sheep with three bags full. This may sound like an expensive proposition, but the truth of the matter is I’m a bargain shopper.

I’m fortunate enough to have a body type that fits into one-of-a kind items. Those items are often on the clearance racks of the more expensive stores. What I pay for these finds is far less than those shopping in Walmart would. Shoppers Tip - First search the clearance racks of the Upmarket stores. Go the evening before the sale is advertised, this way you miss the crowds and things are not picked through.

There’s a secret to bargain shopping. Time, energy, and knowing where and when to shop. A dress size that’s not the norm helps, as does a willingness to search for the rare gem with the unbelievable price tag. Don’t let distance be an obstacle. And don't go shopping with anything particular in mind.

Speaking of distance, I have been known to rent an SUV, (comes with a full tank of gas and puts less wear and tear and mileage on my car), and drive to an outlet over 200 miles away. Why? Because when I can buy a beautiful dress at a Sak’s outlet for under $25, or a pair of leather, designer boots for a few cents more, why not?

I am happy to make a fun day of it. Laden down with bags, tired feet, or not, at the beginning or end of an outlet there is always a restaurant where I can put my feet up. It offers a meal, wine, and a relaxing place to look at my bargains.

What are some of your favorite places to shop? You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.

About Marcia King-Gamble

On Kindle Vella as Sari Smith  and Marcia King-Gamble read her Estate of Mine, First three episodes free ASIN: B0CC8HWQ52 and HotShot Doc ASIN: B0CB1TWHCY amazon.com/kindle-vella

USA bestselling romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This former travel industry executive has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8 novellas. She has contributed to Michael Fiore’s DigitalRomanceInc and served as a moderator on the now defunct eHarmony advice boards.  Having witnessed the bad, the ugly, and the not so good in relationships, she still prefers to write about happily ever after. Caring for her animal family keeps her grounded and sane.

Visit Marcia at www.lovemarcia.com or “friend” her on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1MlnrIS

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My best shopping experience–EVER! by Lynn Lovegreen

 

I’m not a big shopper. For most of my life, I didn’t have the money to make it a habit, and I have enough souvenirs and knick-knacks. My small stature makes buying clothes a hassle. It’s hard to find something that fits, and I lose patience after the second or third try-on. But I did have one shopping experience that was surprisingly easy.

 

A few winters ago, my husband and I were traveling to see family in California. Unfortunately, on one of our stops, someone stole the luggage out of the trunk of our rental car. (I’ll spare you the details of how that happened, but I do remind you to make sure your car is locked before you walk away from it.) All our clothes and toiletries were gone. The worst part was, my Bruce Springsteen concert t-shirt was in my suitcase. And of course it was a limited edition print. I’m still mourning that loss. But back to my story:

 

When we arrived at my sister-in-law’s house, we discovered our bad news. She volunteered to take us shopping. First, we hit a drug store for toothbrushes and all that stuff. No problem. Next, we went to a department store. I thought, here we go. They won’t have anything that fits. 

 

Surprise! They had a good petite section! I took a quick mental inventory of what I lost and went to it. I didn’t want to waste my vacation dithering about colors or styles, so went for classic stuff I knew I could wear. I grabbed a couple pairs of jeans, two t-shirts, a flannel shirt, and packs of socks and underwear. I’d need to hem or roll up the jeans, but that wasn’t a big deal. I even found a fleece vest for breezy days. I was finished in less than an hour. My sister-in-law was amazed at my quick decision making and speed in trying on clothes. I was happy to be done with it and go on with life. 

 

Maybe one day I’ll enjoy lingering over items in a boutique, artsy gift shop, or other fancy place. But I’d rather spend time in a bookstore. Now, that’s my kind of shopping!

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

Black Friday 1993: Need I say more? By Ann Chaney

 

My worst shopping experience ever.

Wow! Knew immediately which shopping trip won this prize. Black Friday 1993!

I don’t know how long we as a country have been staying up late or getting up super early to partake in Black Friday retail sales. I can say without hesitation I participated in this shopping frenzy one time only... 1993. I thank the Lord every Thanksgiving for Amazon Prime and online shopping! 

Back in 1993, four of my co-workers cooked up the idea of us making a day of Black Friday shopping at the now defunct Capital Center Mall in Columbus OH. The mall was downtown with three floors of stores. I agreed to join them but would have rather stayed home that Friday. 

I thought I knew these women. Well, I didn’t know they all four were bargain hunters. I know. I should’ve known. Only people with an eye towards bargains would venture out the day after Thanksgiving to be jostled this way and that. I mean really? 

We met at the mall about 9:00 that morning. I had my list in hand. Our first stop was Sears where I found an electric griddle for my husband. John loved to cook breakfast on the weekends. He’d been hinting for the griddle for months. The griddle was on sale. Of course, it was. It was Black Friday. I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed the 20-inch griddle and headed to checkout. Biggest (and heaviest) item on my list was checked off at our first stop! 

I caught up with my friends in the Women’s Clothing department. One of them was trying to decide whether to buy a blouse or maybe she’d get a sweater. After a lengthy discussion on which item and the price, she decided to keep looking. By the third store, my friends had all found something they wanted. All wanted to keep looking. 

I hauled that griddle through every store, up and down every escalator that day. I don’t remember if I bought anything else. Seemed like that box was almost as big as me. I declined all offers of help. My griddle, my burden. 

I did enjoy lunch that day. I remember we oohed and ahhed over everyone’s purchases. We gossiped about office drama, talked about Christmas plans, and discussed what was happening in our lives. 

John loved his griddle. He cooked family breakfasts on that thing for about ten years before we bought a new one and tossed the old one in our annual garage sale. 

The moral of my tale: Enjoy the moment even if you don’t enjoy shopping. Good friends make a huge difference in life. 

What’s your Black Friday experience? What purchase stands out as your best deal ever?