The Mall Phenomenon

I think I may have ranted once before about how much I hate the mall. But since I've been there twice in the past two days, I think it's time for another one.

I went to the mall on Monday afternoon because I needed a new battery for my watch. While I was there, in between buses and since it was time to myself, I browsed around at some of the stores. I suddenly became very aware of what I was wearing, and suddenly it just didn't feel good enough. I had the overwhelming urge to buy, buy, buy.

What the hell is up with that?

It's soooo amazing to me the incredible pull of the mall. I honestly don't know how they do it, but "they" (whoever "they" are) are able to make shoppers feel like they need "more" in order to be worthy. This is a huge problem in our society - our consumerism. Hey, I fall into it too, sometimes, believing that "stuff" will bring me happiness in some way. Sure, there's a little thrill in getting something new, but usually it's short-lived and hollow. Well, the answer must be to just get more, right?

That's how people end up with houses packed full of things they don't need, don't want, and don't use. That's why our landfills are growing and growing and growing. Where's it going to end?

So I went to the mall on Monday for a watch battery, and ended up buying a dress. Granted, I needed a dress for a wedding that I'm going to next month, and it was a reasonable price (although admittedly probably 4 times what I'd pay for a dress at Value Village), so I bought it. And then guess what? I found myself at the mall again last night, buying a pair of shoes to go with the dress. And THAT is how they "get" you....pull you in. More, more, more.

It's interesting, in talking with a friend about this phenomenon yesterday, it occurred to us (and she suffers from the "mall syndrome too" that we never feel this way at Value Village, or at any of the individual shops downtown. There's something about the mall atmosphere that makes people transform into hungry consumers.

I think I'll be sticking to my second hand shops. Not only are the prices waaaaay better, but when shopping there I don't start questing my worth and thinking that a new pair of jeans might make me feel better. On top of that, by shopping at second hand stores, I'm not contributing to the problems of over-consumption and child labour. I feel good after a 3 hour stint at Value Village, rather than walking away thinking about what more I simply MUST buy.

No, I can't totally boycott the mall, for a lot of reasons, but I can sure as hell make sure that I only shop there when I absolutely have to.

That being said, though, the new dress I bought is totally adorable. ;)

Retail Therapy

I've probably mentioned before that I LOOOOOOVE second-hand shopping. Love it, love it, love it! I love it to the point where I'm basically ruined for 'regular' retail shopping. I hate going to the mall and seeing a shirt for $40 - I see it and think to myself how I could find something very similar at Value Village for $6. Hey, even Value Village prices sometimes are too high for me. I found a cute top there (American Eagle, brand new with the tags still attached) - it was $10. I tried it on, loved it, but then decided that I didn't love it enough for $10, and put it back on the rack. Yeah, I'm cheap like that.

The things I love about second hand shopping, other than the cheap prices, are the facts that I'm helping to recycle, and I'm not supporting 3rd world child labour with my purchases. It's win-win for everyone, as far as I'm concerned.

Yesterday I hit Value Village with a carload of my girlfriends for the afternoon. It was great! I love going there with a big group of friends - we act silly, hauling strange things off the racks and holding them up for some laughs, plus everyone is pretty good about offering their opinions on the items we choose to model for second opinions. We giggle, we laugh, we draw in strangers with our conversations and our good moods. It's great!

I made several good finds yesterday.

Mel would be proud of this one. I found the best mug evah! It would appear to be authentic 70s retro. I love the pattern on it. The only problem is that it's sooooo small! Definitely not a coffee mug. I'm thinking I can use this for my shot of grapefruit juice in the morning. Plus, it was only 49 cents, so I really couldn't pass it up for that awesome price.


Ah, if only it were four times the size, it would be the PERFECT coffee mug. Ah, well, we can't have it all, now can we?

Another great find was this tin. I haven't the foggiest clue what I'm going to do with it, but hell, it was 99 cents, and pretty funky looking, so it found it's way into my cart. I've always got something I need to hide away in my house - this tin will be the perfect hidey spot. Yes, I am a hider. And I need places to hide things. This will do nicely.



I also found two lovely bags. Since I'm a mom, I find myself carrying a backpack when I go out with the girls anywhere. Really, it's the most practical choice, when I've got tissues, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, library books and who knows what else to lug around with me. the only problem is that I didn't really have a bag for me to carry when I go out without the girls. I'm getting a little old for the "grade 7 look" every day. So I bought this lovely, big-ass bag:



Still big enough to carry tons of stuff, but a little bit better than a backpack.

I also scored a real "grown up lady purse".



This one I'm not sure where I'll take with me, but events do arise when I need something a little bit nicer than a big-ass bag packed full of pretzels and dried fruit bars. So when I do, this will be the purse I'll take with me. I'll feel like an actual grown up! What a concept! Now, if only someone would invite me out someplace nice (yes, honey, that's a hint directed at YOU - after all, my birthday *IS* coming up...) hehehehe

These were my favourite finds. I also scored some tops and pants (us short girls really have a hard time finding pants!) so all in all, it was a great Value Village day. Even found some shorts and a couple of t-shirts for Chris, but sadly, nothing for the girls. They'll have to wait for another day. They're also in desperate need of summer things, now that the nice weather is on the way. So you know what that means - more retail therapy for me! heh.