K and I have a few events to go to in the next two months, so I needed to get a dress. The last time I had to do this (around this time last year, actually), it was simple. I tried on 2 dresses, and was in and out of the Galleria in under an hour. I kid you not, I really was that efficient.
Last weekend, we ran a number of holiday-related errands, including dress shopping. Our plan of action: get to the Galleria early, before the major crowds, and find the dress. Sounded easy enough, especially given my previous record of speed. Alas, the fashion industry was not on my side. The pickings, they were slim. Has anyone else noticed that Prom 1982 has exploded all over us? At least 4 different stores had racks upon racks of ruched cheap satin bubble dresses in jewel tones. And yes, they came in both strapless and one-shouldered. Betsey Johnson? Put away the plaid please! Around and around we went, searching for a simple, wedding- and party-appropriate dress that wasn't black (see 'wedding-appropriate' for the why). This is not a huge request people! By hour 2, K was convinced that in order to find clothing we like, we must go to Hong Kong and have it handmade. Should we come into some money, that's the first thing we'll do. Ok, maybe not the first, but it's up there. Anyway, the 2nd half of Hour 2 and the 1st half of Hour 3 were spent in Nordstrom. I feel that I need to mention this because it was a huge failing on their part. Nordstrom is known for stellar customer service, right? Normally, I would agree with this. But Saturday was a complete breakdown of their corporate mantra. Not only was I completely ignored for half an hour, when I finally did find someone to assist me, she was rude and dismissive, and then disappeared after trying to pawn me off on another sales person! I probably would have bought that dress had the service been better, but after an hour of being made to feel inferior because I wasn't spending $600, I wasn't about to give them my hard-earned money.
Feeling down-trodden and disheartened, I let K convince me it was time for lunch. Nothing cures the shopping blues quite like Chick-fil-A. Then it was off to Banana Republic. The short-people version (yes, that would be BR Petites. I just happen to hate the word 'petite'). I'd found a dress earlier in the day and had put it on hold, and after 3 hours of torture, decided to get it. This is it:
Best part about it? It has pockets! That means I can stash an extra cookie or 2 ;)
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