Felt like Elvis

The older (and bigger) I get, the more I hate to shop. Yes, that's right, I'm a female that hates clothes shopping. I remember that our Goldsmith's department store (now a homogenized Macy's of course) used to open the store special for Elvis during the holidays so he could shop undisturbed. I had a similar experience yesterday.

Somehow, and I don't even remember when or how, I got on the email address roster of the district manager for Lane Bryant. Don emails me from time to time with "special sales" and the like. I usually ignore the emails. But the last time he emailed I responded. I described how I hate to shop but am in desperate need for clothes, especially pants, which is the biggest drama for me. I asked if they offered a personal shopping service. One where I could send in my sizes, my color preferences, what I needed and then just have it all waiting for me when I got there to try on. That way, I could do all the try-on at once, and not that running back and forth for sizes to a dressing room that locks behind you each time you leave. So inefficient and frustrating for a time crunched working mom.

He never said if they offered that service, but he told me he'd do it for me. And not only that, they would open the store an hour early...just for me! So yesterday was the day. I arrived at 9 a.m. sharp, and one of the managers, Eugenia, was waiting for me. I went to the fitting room and behold no less than 8 coordinated outfits in my sizes awaited. First one, good sign, fit and was perfect. I loved it. I'm now the owner of five pairs of pants and several tops and an awesome work blazer and a holiday party outfit for a work event. Took only about an hour and a half. Normally, such an outing would be no less than 5 hours, three stores, and mass frustration and self loathing. I don't think I'm going to be able to shop any other way any more. Thank you Don and of course Eugenia. You guys made me feel (and look) like a star.