Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
It's no secret that I've been craving travel and an injection of the thrill that comes from new places. Unfortunately there are still many restless months ahead of me. So I had to go with plan B, seeking new places on a more micro level.
I decided to go with the path of least resistance, hop a northbound #22 bus, and visit a little Chicagoan slice of Sweden. Andersonville. I've heard a few people in recent weeks extolling how cute it is with it's independent shops and neighborhood-y vibe.
After browsing the non-corporate options for coffe, I chose an unassuming cafe with a section of floor pillows with low tables and foreign currencies stapled to the pillars. I thought about hanging around to people watch, but a storm was brewing and I wanted to wander a bit.
I ducked in a store here and there. Peeked into windows and at menus for bars and restaurants that opened at later hours. Amused myself with an eclectic and disarrayed collection of antiques and misfit odds & ends.
As I wandered out of my short exploratory jaunt, a rain storm threw me into the arms of Gap. The reverie of novel adventure was broken and as the storm ceased, I walked out with a bag of goods and aimed my feet in the direction of my warm and comfortable couch. It was a nice mini adventure to get my synapses firing and my curiosity piqued. Unfortunately it's not likely to satisfy my craving beyond 24 hours, but that's okay. I'd be more worried if the craving went away.
antiques & andersonville \11.10\
Full View
Labels:
antiques,
building,
chicago,
neighborhood,
shopping
It's no secret that I've been craving travel and an injection of the thrill that comes from new places. Unfortunately there are still many restless months ahead of me. So I had to go with plan B, seeking new places on a more micro level.I decided to go with the path of least resistance, hop a northbound #22 bus, and visit a little Chicagoan slice of Sweden. Andersonville. I've heard a few people in recent weeks extolling how cute it is with it's independent shops and neighborhood-y vibe.
After browsing the non-corporate options for coffe, I chose an unassuming cafe with a section of floor pillows with low tables and foreign currencies stapled to the pillars. I thought about hanging around to people watch, but a storm was brewing and I wanted to wander a bit. I ducked in a store here and there. Peeked into windows and at menus for bars and restaurants that opened at later hours. Amused myself with an eclectic and disarrayed collection of antiques and misfit odds & ends.
As I wandered out of my short exploratory jaunt, a rain storm threw me into the arms of Gap. The reverie of novel adventure was broken and as the storm ceased, I walked out with a bag of goods and aimed my feet in the direction of my warm and comfortable couch. It was a nice mini adventure to get my synapses firing and my curiosity piqued. Unfortunately it's not likely to satisfy my craving beyond 24 hours, but that's okay. I'd be more worried if the craving went away.
Although I sometimes momentarily forget, there is one truth that I continually confirm: I was not born to shop. At least not when it comes to fashion. If someone gave me a shopping spree, I'd hope that it was for sporting goods, home furnishings or books.
Shopping trips for me pretty much always come down to "need" instead of "want". And they're preceded by a heavy dose of online browsing, in an attempt to avoid stores. Oh, and the online browsing is followed by a procrastination phase, which sometimes stretches for a week or more.
When I finally muster the mental fortitude to face retail, there are several factors that can deter me at a moment's notice: heavy crowds, long lines at registers or fitting rooms, disorganized racks. I think that I also lack a fashion vision; I can't look at garments and have a-ha! fashion insights. So, I end up looking for the same colors and cuts over and over again. Don't fix what ain't broken...right?
There comes a point (and it doesn't take long to get there) when I stop pulling hangers to even look at the clothes. I merely begin brushing my hand across the fabric as I pass by. When I realize that I've glazed over and my hands are permanently in my pockets, it's a lost cause.
At this point, I feel sheer exhaustion from the mere effort and trying to make an effort. And I've purchased nothing. I'll probably just pull something out of my closet that I've owned since grad school...and sometimes high school.
target gone urban chic \10.01\
Full View
Labels:
architecture,
design,
light,
shopping
Shopping trips for me pretty much always come down to "need" instead of "want". And they're preceded by a heavy dose of online browsing, in an attempt to avoid stores. Oh, and the online browsing is followed by a procrastination phase, which sometimes stretches for a week or more.
When I finally muster the mental fortitude to face retail, there are several factors that can deter me at a moment's notice: heavy crowds, long lines at registers or fitting rooms, disorganized racks. I think that I also lack a fashion vision; I can't look at garments and have a-ha! fashion insights. So, I end up looking for the same colors and cuts over and over again. Don't fix what ain't broken...right?
There comes a point (and it doesn't take long to get there) when I stop pulling hangers to even look at the clothes. I merely begin brushing my hand across the fabric as I pass by. When I realize that I've glazed over and my hands are permanently in my pockets, it's a lost cause.
At this point, I feel sheer exhaustion from the mere effort and trying to make an effort. And I've purchased nothing. I'll probably just pull something out of my closet that I've owned since grad school...and sometimes high school.
Whenever we head to the Chicagoland suburbs, "we" meaning city dwellers, there is always an interesting dichotomy of sentiment. On one hand, the ease of loading everyone into a car at the exact moment you want to leave, then arriving directly at the door of your destination, is a luxury that seems to fall into the recesses of your mind. So, it's much enjoyed and appreciated. Until you take into consideration that urban to suburban commute...and vice versa. The daily bus and train rides seem less menacing. At least you get to listen to music while you ride or drive in a car.
It's also a refreshing change of pace to recall the singular convenience of a mall, where all stores are located in one place. And every store has room to walk and breathe, instead of resembling a mosh pit. But when you're in mall land, retail therapy completed and the hunger pangs starting, the options for food and beverage start to feel very limited. Urbanites are spoiled by the sheer quantity of options within walking distance, let alone a bus or train ride.
After spending 25 years as a borderline rural/suburban type, I can see both sides of the argument. I hate waiting outside for a bus at 11:00pm, but I love not having to worry about safely transporting myself home when I want to have a few glasses of wine with friends. Just as I still harbor some of my suburban preferences, I imagine that leaving the city would not rid me of all of my urban biases.
rain delay \07.14\
Full View
Labels:
rain,
shopping
It's also a refreshing change of pace to recall the singular convenience of a mall, where all stores are located in one place. And every store has room to walk and breathe, instead of resembling a mosh pit. But when you're in mall land, retail therapy completed and the hunger pangs starting, the options for food and beverage start to feel very limited. Urbanites are spoiled by the sheer quantity of options within walking distance, let alone a bus or train ride.
After spending 25 years as a borderline rural/suburban type, I can see both sides of the argument. I hate waiting outside for a bus at 11:00pm, but I love not having to worry about safely transporting myself home when I want to have a few glasses of wine with friends. Just as I still harbor some of my suburban preferences, I imagine that leaving the city would not rid me of all of my urban biases.