Jan Goes Shopping. Shop, Jan. Shop!

Okay, it's not like I never get any retail therapy. Clearly, I get my share. But I don't often get to go to a much bigger area with a lot more stores.

Last month, I wrote about meeting the lovely Trina of Tea Time with Trina up in Rogers and a pre-meet-up shopping trip that made me disgracefully late. (See what I did there? I blamed an innocent mall for my tardiness. Sad.) But instead of the pitiful Karma I deserve, Dan kindly took me back up for a belated 20th anniversary dinner/ Mother's Day treat that included more time to shop at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Yeaaaay.

Since it was hot and humid again, I wore some carefully calculated shopping togs. A favorite linen top with sheer paneled yoke, easy skinnies and comfortable heels that are cute enough to wear to dinner.

Yes, the top wrinkles like mad in the car but it's wonderful to wear; cool, un-soggy and flattering. I just carry on and carry my clutch so it covers the wrinkles.

I know you've all seen this mall ... it's just like yours where you live.  But this is one of the best in our little state, and I was happy just to be an elderly mall rat for the afternoon.

While I was checking out the first shops, Dan settled in the food court to read and have a cup of coffee. This court just like the one in your local mall, except that not one of the little specialty vendors offered the cup of coffee that Dan had wanted.  So he had to get a coke.  And then he had to have a slice of pizza so he'd have something to wash down with the coke. 

Of course. 

 I got a bite, then left him to it while I went for more shoppy-shoppy.

Unlike our more local mall, The North West Arkansas Mall boasts a set of water features/wishing fountains.  Burbly and peaceful and a lovely damper for the hum of ever-present mall noise that Dan dislikes a lot. He was happier and more comfortable than usual, and accordingly, so was I.  The mid-afternoon lunch didn't hurt his mood either.

Otherwise, it's a lot like our local.  They do have some shops we don't.  A smallish GAP ...

... and what I imagine to be an average size Forever 21.  I'd never been in one before!  No one asked me to leave, so I guess it was okay.  I saw some things that wouldn't look awful.  Who'd a thunk it?

But for me, all roads lead to Aldo, and sure enough, they did not disappoint.  I found the rarest of all items, a clutch that will hold my Kindle Fire and a wallet and a phone!  I really wanted one that wasn't cream or black. And it came with a Mother's Day discount for all moms, or might-be moms, future moms, or even women with no desire to be a mom, ever.   

I showed Dan my beautiful gold metal and tan and coral clutch, prattling happily on about how I had a black one with metal studs, and a black and cream one, and a black one with pink-gold trim.  And how thrilled I was with my new, bright coral favorite.

"Is that a true coral, or just orange?" he asks.

"Oh, well... maybe it's just orange ..." I concede, stupidly.

Pause.

" Then is Orange really the New Black?" he asks, grinning like a very smug, graying, pizza-stuffed monkey.

Time to go.

It was.  I was finished shopping, and I didn't come home with bags of stuff.  I get a little overwhelmed by so much to choose from.  So many new stores, and so much wider selections in the larger versions of the  familiar ones that we have closer to home.  I'll do more damage next time, perhaps, but it felt just fine to go home with just my Aldo shopping bag and one perfect item in it.  

We had to go back to our favorite PF Chang's.  When we were there with Trina, it was dark and rainy and late.  Our camera was uncooperative then, but it was sunnier and earlier this time,so I thought you should see how pretty the dining room is for a chain restaurant.

We got to sit in my favorite section (again!) and opposite is a specially commissioned painting on paper that was made for this particular location.  The setting is 12th century China, but the narrative alludes to events from the history of this part of Arkansas.  It's a beauty, with hidden elements that guests are invited to try to find ... sort of an elegant and historically inspired Where's Waldo.  

I collect chopsticks and chose these to bring with us. They are a Japanese style "hashi" but I won't tell if you don't.  I like the little nicety of these tiny pieces of sculpture or porcelain figures used as a rest for the chopsticks so the tips don't touch the table. They're called "hashi-oki" and I collect them too.  I've made some, as I did this pair. They're made of a silvery coated clay in a bridge shape.  As one does.

We used our chopsticks to eat way too much completely delicious Chinese food, and we'er both pretty handy with them, if I do say so myself.  The perfect end to a special trip out of our usual stomping grounds. Don't worry ... Dan had plenty of room left after his pizza snack.  He did just fine.