Friday, September 30, 2016

FMM - It Just LOOKED Like Stealing...

For me, shopping is much more fun when I can do it with a friend, which is why Barbara and I do so much shopping when we're together.  I had a list of things that I was looking for, so one day we went on a hunt and ended up at World Market - yes, I have that store in my town but do I ever go there?  Rarely.  Anyway, I found what I was looking for and went to pay for my items.

I guess it was because I was at a familiar store that what happened next confused me:  I swiped my credit card, signed the pad, and the cashier handed me my receipt.  That was it - my items were still sitting on the counter.  To her, the transaction was finished.  To me, I was still waiting for her to put everything into a bag and hand it to me.

Then I remembered that I was in California, where they don't automatically bag your purchases for you, and if they do, they charge you ten cents for the bag.  Sometimes they offer you a bag while they're ringing up your items, so they can add that dime to the total bill, but my items were small so I guess she figured I wouldn't want a bag.

I ended up putting everything into my purse, but then I worried that I looked like a shoplifter;  I mean, come on - items with their price tags in a purse kinda scream I STOLE THIS, right?  I tucked my receipt next to the items, but seriously, I was stressing and couldn't wait to get out of the store to take my NOT STOLEN goods out of my purse and add them to a bag in the trunk.

Maybe if I lived there I would get used to this; maybe I'd be diligent about carrying a bag with me; or maybe, I'd do all of my shopping online to avoid the guilt.

Here's the items that I didn't steal:
Two tea infusers and a tiny tin letter.  Total cost?  Around 10 bucks worth of STRESS right there.

By the way, that manaTEA infuser?  Worked like a champ:
So adorable!

But when I pulled it out of my plum-colored hibiscus tea, it was a scene from a horror movie - the poor manatee looked like it was bleeding from every pore:
Seriously horrifying.  I had to make a second cup of tea to get the picture, as I didn't grab my camera fast enough to capture the depth of the gore the first time.

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Speaking of shopping, I also came home from California with a couple of really cute locally-made ceramic pieces that hold air plants:
A mini hedgehog!
I'm charmed by the seashell fins on the puffer fish.

So far I've been able to keep the air plants alive by misting them with a spray bottle.  I love these planters - functional art at its best.

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My hair always gets sun-bleached whenever I actually spend some time in the sun, which isn't often here in Texas.  But in the more temperate climate of northern California, it's easy to be outdoors, and by the end of my trip, my hair was REALLY light.  So when I had my regular hair appointment last week, I asked my hairdresser to tone it down with some lowlightsHonestly, I'm still not sure about the result - it's pretty dark for me.  My hairdresser said I could come back and she'd put in some lighter pieces if I wanted...I haven't decided if I'll do that or just wait until my next appointment and go a little lighter then.  Here's the comparison pictures:

Before:
Last day, last meal there (at Pedro's in Los Gatos, which was a special treat to go there as a child).  My hair was practically glowing.
 
During:
All foiled up!

After:
Who IS that person?

It's only hair, and except for when I wash and style it, I forget about the color.  So I might just let it go for now...but I'm not sure I was ready for such a drastic change.

Have a great weekend!

20 comments:

  1. Wow, I didn't not realize that stores don't give bags in California! I can see where that would be confusing right there. And could perhaps contribute to the crime rate..lol

    That tea diffuser is super cute. I wish I drank more tea!

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    1. I should clarify, there are certain cities where you can still get a bag for free...which, when we shop at Valley Fair mall makes me even more confused, because half of the mall is in a free-bag zone, while the other half is in a pay-bag zone. Crazy!

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  2. Colorado is the same about no bags or paying 10 cents. I make sure I buy a bag or bring one and use it through out my day of shopping because it is weird carrying unbagged items.

    Love the tea infuser! I'm going to have to look for me a new one and I love how it props up on the side of your cup.

    Big change in hair color but I like the darker color.

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    1. Thanks! That tea infuser is fun and about as easy to use/clean as the more utilitarian one I also bought.

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  3. The new colour suits yourself own colours really well, but on the picture it looks a bit grey. It maks you look both younger and older

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    1. LOL on looking older and younger at the same time. I have magical hair now? ;)

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  4. OMG we are twins. I did the same thing at my last hair appointment and immediately disliked it. BUT it has been a couple weeks now and the darker color has lightened up a bit (if that makes sense) and I'm happier with it. I actually love your color - think it's great for Texas Fake Autumn.

    St. Martin has been doing the bag thing since we started going there in 2002. Since we didn't know this, you can imagine our first trip to a grocery store was pretty funny.

    I love your fish planter! Now I want one!

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    1. LOL on Texas Fake Autumn - and yeah, the hair color is growing on me, too. :)

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  5. If I buy small stuff like that, I usually do just put it in my purse and pass on the bag. But it does feel weird to do that!

    I really like the new hair color! I think it just takes a little time to get used to a darker color. I intentionally went a little darker because of the sun bleach the last time I colored my hair, and it felt REALLY dark (until I looked at pictures of my hair when it actually was really dark a few years back!). But within a few days I got used to it. Anyway, I think it looks really nice with your coloring!

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    1. Thanks - I'm getting more used to it, but I guess any color change feels drastic in the beginning, no?

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  6. The bag thing--not every county in California has signed onto the no-bag policy. So its even more confusing if you live here!My county does not charge yet, so even though I want to be a good citizen and I carry tons of bags in my car, I seldom remember to bring them into the store with me.

    I love your new hair color. The manatea infuser is so cute that I almost want to start drinking loose tea!

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    1. We had an incident at the self checkout in Target in San Jose where we couldn't get past the bagging screen - we were just buying a pack of glue sticks for Theresa's school supply list and set them in the bagging area, but because (as we eventually figured out) we didn't SAY we wanted a bag (for ten cents) the computer wouldn't let us continue with the purchase. It's wild how difficult shopping can be now!

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  7. Where did you get those ceramic containers for the air plants. They are so cute! I'd love to get some for my mother-in-law -- she has many air plants. (I live in San Jose - I'm Sandi's friend, Terri.) Thanks.

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    1. Hi Terri!

      I got them at Many Hands gallery in Capitola, which is next to Gayle's Bakery. They are also available on etsy - the artist is Cindy Searles. I love them and totally want more!

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  8. I LOVE THE MANATEA!!! He's so cute, even when he looks like he's been stabbed by a porcupine. :) And those air plant planters are great!! You're totally inspiring me to try new plants (I stick to the plants I can't easily kill, so succulents and air plants might be safe with me).

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  9. I love your new manaTEA infuser!! Super adorable and love your new color! :)

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  10. I LOVE your new color, so pretty and soft, looks great with your coloring. I'm sure it's a shocking change though, especially after your sun lightened version. You'll just have to see if it grows on you.

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  11. I would feel weird putting that stuff in my purse, too! Sometimes if I have a bag from another store I am happy to put it in that bag... and it feels less like stealing, lol!

    The manatea and pots are so cute!

    The new color looks great! :)

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  12. I don't think it's drastic at all. It's a very warm color and I love it.

    Since January 1st you have to pay for your bags here in every store. I am used to put small things in my purse and bring a bag with me when I need stuff that don't fit in my purse.

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