Land of the Bling

The thing about America is that it's the mecca of consumerism. Every single time I come here, I promise myself that I'm going to stay out of the shops. But, people, they're everywhere. Everything you've seen in any magazine; all the newest flashy stuff on e-commerce sites and blogs; the loveliest shoes, the sweetest dresses... They're all over. Well, actually, they're all at the mall that you drive to. And since it's 8000 degrees in the South, you get a mani-pedi while you're at it. And then you go to the Dean and Deluca for a snack, and before you know it it's 3 pm at which point you're a sweaty mess.

But you sure do get good loot, at lower prices than you'll find anywhere in Canada or Europe. If you want a lesson in the devaluation of goods, you really have to shop here. I know the US economy is in the tank, but the stuff here is so cheap, and so desirable, it scarcely seems to matter.

Here's what I've acquired, absolutely without trying:

• Merrell Barefoot shoes. I'm not going to try and tell you that they're attractive, but they are AWESOME for your feet, and I can see myself wearing them on weekend days for errands.

• Another bottle of Jasmine White Moss, by Estee Lauder (of all the crazy brands). I first came across this at the Holt Renfrew in Montreal and it is pure gorgeous. A little bit of chypre, some fine floral. It's entirely my kind of scent.

• You know that gimmicky Clinque stick I got in honour of the big 4-0? Well, 2 yrs (and 5 rollers later), I'm still addicted. So I replenished the stock.

• A persimmon-coloured rain jacket by GET. This was a gift from my mum, like the Merrells. What I would have given for this thing in Europe last summer. I'm trying to overcome my issue with precipitation, so I'm optimistic about options for wearing this. Hell, why not pair it with the Merrells to look totally "hike".

• Books and clothes for M. (It adds up...)

•  And finally - I can't believe I've done this twice in 2 weeks - I bought another pair of NYDJ jeans. These are lightly stonewashed. They look very Farrah Fawcett / California hottie, NOT 80s throwback. Honestly, and I can't say this has ever happened before, my body IS the sloper for these jeans. The size 4 fits perfectly in the rise, in the waist, in the ass, in the length, in the width. It's frightening and I'm vain enough to want as many pairs as I can stash in my closet.

So there you go. Of course, it would have been better to buy utterly nothing, at least from the perspective of saving cash. But it's all but impossible to resist.