In 1996, I was 22. Besides being in my first year of marriage, I was a new mother to boot. I also didn’t have two dimes to rub together. That is no exaggeration, I literally dug through my couch cushions trying to find change to buy a Coke Slurpee and couldn’t even come up with it.
The whole, “I’m poor as dirt” thing sucked a duck. I had to mind every penny and rarely, if ever, bought anything. So, I already knew what the situation would be when my best friend called and said, “Do you want to go to the Eddie Bauer warehouse sale with me?”
Even though I was a pauper I was still quick with my answer.
“Umm…YES! Except, I CANNOT BUY ANYTHING. Ok, I can’t buy anything unless it is fluffy. And made with angora. And perfect. And almost free.”
In other words? I was not going to be buying ANYTHING, because I couldn’t see anything being under $15.00. Oh, well. I was happy to be tagging along. Even if it was me just gazing longingly at heaps and heaps of clothing on row after row of tables that gave the same never ending feeling as that last scene in Raidars of the Lost Ark.
UNTIL I SAW IT.
The.perfect.sweater.
It was laying there, flat out on top of a pile of crew necks and I swear there was a hazy stream of light hitting it as a chorus of angles began singing the opening stanza of The Hallelujah Chorus.
It was the exact shade of rosy coral that perfectly complimented my skin and eyes, it was the perfect size, it was FLUFFY and made with rabbit and angora and THERE WAS ONLY ONE OF THEM (I know because I went through every.single.one of those unending tables looking.).
I stepped out of my sweater lust long enough to remember the change-digging Slurpee sadness of the week and my heart sunk.
It had to be way out of my price range, it was so glorious.
Holding my breath, I turned the price tag over.
$14.99.
AS IN UNDER FIFTEEN FREAKING DOLLARS!
From that moment on, it was referred to as “The sweater of destiny”.
I almost floated to the cash register and parted willingly with my 1500 pennies. Even though that would have kept me in Coke Slurpees for a month, I didn’t care one single bit. That was an almost perfect moment. I forgot about my life suck and troubles. I was completely happy and whenever I wore that beautiful sweater I remembered how totally GREAT that moment was.
*This is the only digitally stored photo I have of my sweater. I wish I could say that I still owned it, but my dad dried it in the dryer one day and it ended up fitting my 3-year-old.
R.I.P, little buddy.
Do you have a “Perfect shopping moment”? Spill it!
If you DO have one, you may want to consider clicking hereand posting it. Not only would it be cool, but you will also be entered to win a shopping spree at TJMax!
(You know you want to.)
Missy says:
I don’t know about ever, but jeans shopping always frustrates me to no end. Finally finally finding the perfect pair is always an awesome moment.
Missys last blog post..Numbers
May 13th, 2008 at 1:45 am
witchypoo says:
The way you wrote this, it’s like the warehouse was your place of worship. Awesome!
witchypoos last blog post..Grace
May 13th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Kate says:
Unfortunately the shopping genes were not passed on to me. My mom had kept them all for herself.
This is funny - and yet, it’s the truth.
I think I am the only woman who just doesn’t care to shop. Go figure.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Sparkliesunshine says:
Oh! I totally loved this story. Do you still have the sweater?
Hmm…I’ll have to think about this one for myself…
Sparkliesunshines last blog post..Sk*rt no longer, now kirtsy
May 13th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Antionette says:
I can totally relate. This actually happened at a TJ MAXX too.
I had searched all day at the malls and all the Major Department Stores for that perfect pair of sandals. I don’t particularly like my feet, but I live at the beach and those puppies need to breathe. Anyway, I went to TJ Maxx (where I usually only buy purses and socks) and there they were…and in my size and in an even more perfect color than I had seen all day. There was only one pair and they were ON SALE for $19.99. Of course I bought them and I am still wearing them…..6 years later.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Sra says:
I know what it’s like to be that poor, and even though it’s great not to be that poor anymore, you really appreciate your purchases a lot more when you have to think about them very carefully.
Sras last blog post..Wedding Gift Etiquette
May 13th, 2008 at 10:14 am
ali says:
i don’t think i have a specific one…but ANY time i find an amazing deal, i’m HAPPY!
alis last blog post..signs, signs, everywhere a sign…**
May 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Angella says:
I could not spin a tale such as you just did.
I’m going shopping this weekend, though, so I will let you know if I have a euphoric shopping moment
Angellas last blog post..I’ve Got Sunshine
May 13th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Aunt Amy says:
Your sweater from God, I almost forgot! It was truly the most perfect sweater ever! Too bad all our shopping can be so divinely inspired!
May 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Elizabeth says:
That is a SWEET story. Love it. Do you have a picture of the perfect sweater, soemwhere? I want to see it! I don’t think I have any great stories. I’m a lousy shopper!
Elizabeths last blog post..Tiny Moments
May 13th, 2008 at 11:39 am
loralee says:
I did find one photo that was stored on my computer of it, although you can’t really see more than what color it was.
And?
I don’t like shopping. Not really. Sometimes it is pure torture, but sometimes it’s fun. I go in bursts, but it happens like, once a year. Most people I know can shop circles around me.
I have spent so many years being short on money that I got accustomed to just staying out of malls, etc. If you don’t see it, you want it, right?
May 13th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Jennifer says:
Any time that I find something that there’s only one left, it’s my size, and I can afford it is a euphoric shopping moment! It surprising happens quite regularly.
Or maybe I’m just a shop-aholic.
Jennifers last blog post..Why Yes I DO Have Thoughts on This!
May 13th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Jonathan Merchant says:
Online retailers FTW!
I can find the cheapest prices and I don’t have to walk around anywhere and get ouchy feet!
It’s all win win…
plus, being a hefty man myself, all the hefty guy sizes are sold out in brick & mortal stores anyway…stupid ghetto kids buying all the baggy stuff (right? i mean it’s not due to there being more hefty guys or anything right?)
Jonathan Merchants last blog post..It’s framed - almost
May 13th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
JL says:
I am SOOO laughing about your Eddie Bauer experience. Really…this is the best post I’ve read today & I couldn’t even compete if I tried!
JLs last blog post..Things that annoy me…
May 13th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
HRH says:
I always love a good bargain story. Or a good bargain. Is it too late to go get a matching one? You look hot. Not hot like, oh you are wearing a sweater you must be warm. Like really hot.
HRHs last blog post..Monster toddler…
May 13th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
The Over-Thinker says:
The dress I wore last year to Vegas. I found it at JC Penney’s. Penney’s! Seriously, I was there to buy my husband some socks and I found a dress. A sexy (at Penney’s!!?) dress for $25.00. Holy Lord, my boobs looked freakin’ fantastic. Let me know when you’ll need your boobs to look freakin’ fantastic (even though I know they’re super awesome as is) and I’ll mail you the dress. But you’ll have to gain about 20 pounds so it will fit–but the boobs! Fantastic!
The Over-Thinkers last blog post..Remind me to tell you about my accidental enthusiasm about a Strip Club…
May 13th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Doug says:
A few weeks back I found home pregnancy tests at the Dollar Store. I know I can’t get pregnant, but $1???? I was SO all over that. I’m giving them to my sister for her birthday.
Dougs last blog post..Closing out the season…
May 13th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
loralee says:
Doug, you freaking slay me.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
jeanie says:
I am so not a shopper, but I understand that moment when the gates of shopping nirvana opens and the perfect thing is dangled!
It just happens far less often when you never shop!
jeanies last blog post..And the winner is…
May 13th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Camille says:
Ooo, a happy ending! I really needed that after watching “Marie Antoinette” alone in bed last night. Go figure. I hope you win the prize.
Camilles last blog post..{My Worst Nightmare: Permanently Dilated to a 10}
May 13th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
JoeInVegas says:
Wait - you were 22+ and your dad was doing your laundry? Oh, have I let my kids down.
JoeInVegass last blog post..Video Monday (late again)
May 14th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Samiha says:
entering a shopping mall is like getting into a research scientist’s lab..you are awed by everything yet lil scared to touch..reason for awe?? the stuff look so good!! reason for fear?? they never ever fit me!! i refuse to look at a dress until i see an XL or XXL written on it..or funnily..or tragically..ma search leads me to the maternity section always..which i wont b needing for another 5-10 years atleast..(sigh)..
Samihas last blog post..la-di-da not it is..wat it is..
May 14th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Doug says:
I have a phobia of buying nice clothes… I can go Old Navy and occasionally H&M, but nothing better than that. Maybe it’s a guy thing.
Dougs last blog post..Closing out the season…
May 14th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Erin says:
Last year on my birthday, I went to the mall searching for something cute. I found a sweater at Express that was $45.00 on sale for $14.99. I was thrilled! I went up to the counter feeling great for my find, and when the woman rang it up, it was $4.99! She looked at it a second time and said, “Hmmm, must be your lucky day.” I said, “Yeah! And it’s my birthday!” Happy Birthday to me!
Erins last blog post..Something That Might Interest You
May 15th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Alison says:
My step-mom calls it good shopping karma and I had it just the other day. Went to the dockers.com site to find a link to show an online friend my new shorts. Did that and browsed around and found THE perfect spring shirt: mandarin collar (my most flattering style), check; rollup sleeves so don’t drag my cuffs in everything,check; white that can be bleached OR a subtle but busy pattern that will hide stains, double check; even available in petite sizes, check; and then the true glory: on sale for only $4.99!! Even with shipping the two “perfect” shirts were less than $16!!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Alison says:
Someone else mentioned the joys of online shopping so that gives me a chance to pass on my favorite tip: Old Navy & Gap websites are great for bargains on kids clothes because of the “shop by size” search feature. Select the clearance section and it’s like flipping through a rack with great prices but without your children running amuck among the racks (alliteration in there somewhere).
May 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
holli says:
I’m afraid to even talk about it, because even though it was a really amazing deal - and I’m so enamored with the item.. it still sounds completely ridiculous. I’ll just say shoes.
hollis last blog post..Radiohead Manassas 2008: The 4-Year-Old Concert Experience.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:28 pm