Ah. I've just returned from a shopping paradise. I'm still coming down from my high. HEMA. Are you familiar with it? It is a Dutch based store with an assortment of just about everything - cosmetics, craft supplies, toys, clothes, housewares. If I were to compare it to a U.S. chain it would be closest to Target only smaller. It sells well designed inexpensive merchandise. Well designed and DUTCH designed, I may add.
It was one of those stores where my pulse increased as I looked around. My eyes started jerking from item to item. I picked up the same things again and again. Want it. No I don't need it. Want it. No I don't need it. But I REALLY want it. That whole inner battle begins. Ahem, I don't think I need to tell you what side won today.
I don't like buying lots of stuff. Stuff I know I don't need. Stuff I know will just collect dust. It's ugly. The over consumption is ugly. And, honestly, I rarely do it. I'm not a shopper. I'm not a buyer. But today. Today I did. I left with a bag full of totally cute, pointless stuff. Okay, there was one tube of toothpaste in there that we did need. The rest. Nope. It was all an emotional want. The scary thing. I can't wait to go back.
Their party section was mind blowing. See that garland? I bought one. 1.65 euros. Am I having a party? No. But I could.
The toy section was full of the most adorable things you've ever seen. I shared my buying frenzy with the girls by letting them each pick out something that was less than 10,00 euros. See that red and white polka-dot lunch box? It had a smaller one inside. It was hard to resist. But I did.
Socks? TDF. I have 3 new pairs. Yes, they are all striped.
Look at this little Dutch Kids nightie. Are you flippin' kidding me? So cute. There was even a duvet cover in a similar pattern. I'm going to buy the girls their Christmas jammies here. I am. Guess I'll have to go back.
Don't EVEN get me started on the card and gift wrapping aisle. I managed to restrain myself to only 2 packs of note cards. Hey, I send notes. Haven't you gotten one? Um, international mail takes a while. Really.
Dishtowels? I do have a weakness for them. 2 new red and white ones are now mine. At only 1 euro each they were basically free, right?
See that Pirate Duvet cover? If you have a boy you should really be asking me to buy that for you. Actually the one I liked the best had a huge tree on it with forest animals scatted on and around it. Honestly, I kept searching my mind for how I could use it and why I needed it. Sadly I came up with nothing so it stayed at HEMA.It is such a good thing Emily and I didn't stumble upon HEMA while she was visiting. Oh, the baby clothes!!! I think I did enough damage for the baby without her. He'll be the cutest Hawaiian Dutch boy EVER!!
p.s. How much do you think I spent - euros or dollars?
