Shopping Spree

I have been promising the girls (and most specifically, Joy) to go shopping for Easter dresses. Today was the day. Well, at least tonight was the night. Shopping here poses many possibilities. We can go to the market and bargain for each and every item we buy (which I find exhausting). We can go to Big C, gather an entourage of on-lookers who follow us throughout the store, right through the check-out. We can look for a small shop and risk higher prices. Or, we can go to our friend, who sells children's clothing out of her business office.

Tonight we visited my friend. She buys clothing at outlet centers in Saigon, most likely where the clothing is made. There are many namebrands: Gymboree, Gap, Old Navy, Children's Place--even some Ralph Lauren. Other brands are Australian or British. We arrived about 6:15pm, after the office was closed. About 15 plastic bags of various sizes were in the middle of the floor, and we were invited to plunge in. Every bag was packed full of new clothing--from fancy dresses to sundresses; pants; shorts; tops; even some hats, house shoes, and underclothes.
The girls loved it. They used an empty office as a changing room and had a grand time trying on different styles.

Of course, at the end of the shopping session, we had a big job folding and returning the clothing to the bags. We all came home happy. The girls have a total of 4 dresses, 2 skirts, 3 pairs of capris, 6 tops and a cropped denim jacket. Dad and Mom are happy, too. All 16 pieces came to a grand total of about $55.

Life is full of exchanges. We shop from bags in an office instead of at a mall. But the tag on Faith's Gymboree pants says they will cost about $30 in the US. I paid about $3. There are limited sizes and no "restocking." Still, to find the right dress in the right size brings some big smiles. All in all, a very good night.

Grace and peace,
Cindy