Wednesday, May 6, 2009

corner view: shopping


shopping. this one should be easy, because, well, yes, i'll admit it: i love to shop! i'm into things and shopping. those things that i like they don't have to be new, or fancy, or cost anything. it can be a drawing. a vintage belt from my mom with a personal story. something cute and funny i found at the flee market. or when D stopped by the favorite baker on his way home from work and bought me the cinnamon rolls that make my world spin for a moment.

and not only do i find a market place like this charming with all the noise, smells and high intimacy level (it's crowded!), i am also one of those persons who actually enjoy a trip to ikea (not with D, though. he's a party killer in ikea).

when i lived in the city shopping was easy. and it was certainly easier to make impulsive shopping. like when you pass that little vintage shop, or the guy selling handmade jewelry in the street on the way to the supermarket.

living in the countryside makes shopping something you plan. and forget about running out 2 hours before a wedding to buy a new dress when you just can't fit any of those other dresses - probably because you've been eating way too much home-baked bread and good food after moving to a house with a kitchen just begging you to cook and bake - the fashion scene is not big around here (it's actually really small, and to be honest i didn't find it yet).

so, blogging is not the only thing i took up after moving out here. i also found out that the internet is an amazing place to shop. i mostly practice window shopping, though, but that's also extremely convenient to do from your own home (maybe another reason why those summer dresses don't fit...).

i have always preferred to see, feel and touch what i'm about to buy, whether it's food, clothes, or things. and i always preferred those shops where you'd get that personal attention (not the icky one where the sales person ambush you in the dressing room or follow you around, not leaving your personal space for a second). You know, those places where you feel like the person selling you something is proud of the product and is happy to tell you about it. and even if you don't buy, they enjoy talking to you.

and the internet is just filled with passionate and proud crafters, designers of all kinds, farmers and basically whatever your heart desires. i don't buy much, admitted, but the few times i did it was an amazing experience. because it's personal. really, it is, in fact much more personal than most other shopping experiences i have had out here in the real world.

and the funny thing is, that after the internet pretty much killed personal snail-mail, it is now bringing it back to my life. how many birthday cards do you get in the mail? invitations and thank you notes are pretty much only the case when it's big events like weddings and the like (and people seem to move toward the internet here as well). and letters... they are rare. i have sent a few letter the last couple of years, but it's only a fraction of what i used to before everyone got online. and i really don't get many personal letters either. i can't even remember the last time i did.

and now the internet is bringing back the excitement of receiving mail. at least this is the case in my life. because not only do you get what you ordered, usually you also get a little handwritten, personal note. and it's wrapped up nicely so it's a thrill to unpack. sometimes you even have a little email correspondence going on with the seller before or after your purchase. other times you know a bit about the seller from his or her personal blog, or in the case of etsy or the like, from the profile pages. the trust factor, which scares many people away from online shopping, is pretty much eliminated by the fact that you can see there's a real person behind the product.

those pretty cookies at the top of the post... i didn't buy them. i wish i had though, cause i am sure i would have loved to go to the laduree bakery in paris and pick this box out. that would be good shopping! i'm a sucker for places like that, with history, traditions and old fashion ways. these little cookies were bought by a friend of my husband and he brought them to us. and since i didn't do any online shopping recently those photos will serve to illustrate that part of my point about internet shopping: that i was never there, in the shop, but they totally had me with the bag. and the beautiful box, and the bow. and the cookies were wrapped in thin paper. i mean, honestly, that is just plain nice.

the cookies were good, but it's almost not so important: i had my sweet moment unwrapping the whole thing. if i had ordered them myself and had these delivered in the mail (like a really fast mail so they would still be crispy and eatable), i would have thought they were worth every penny. add a personal note from the baker, wishing that i'll enjoy his cookies, hey that would just about make it the best shopping. ever.

have a great day - and please do enjoy these other wednesday corner views:

29 comments:

  1. beautifully put...i love all the same things about internet shopping/etsy. it's such a joy when the mailman comes!

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  2. I agree great post. Jorge is also a kill joy at Ikea too. Maybe it´s the crazy look in my eyes that I get when I´m there that slightly freaks him out... My kingdom for one of those cinnamon rolls!

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  3. I enjoyed reading your shopping habbits and Ikea is one of those things that gives me a headache for days, but I love going there anyway. ;-) Carmie.

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  4. thanks for your shopping corner view ... I enjoyed reading it with a little piece of macaron ...

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  5. Love the colours of the macarons!

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  6. You are so right about the great possibilities that the internet brings to those who live in the country, but as far as clothing is concerned, I know for sure that that is the reason why many of my dresses don't fit!

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  7. I share your love for the internet. Although Potsdam is not like living in the country, I still miss some things over here. Boy, I love Amazon, Ebay, Etsy and DaWanda.
    Ikea...don´t get me started on how it could ruin your marriage. ;)

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  9. Thank you for the wonderful post. I am so with you on the laduree bakery! Yummm.... Yes the internet has a lot of positive things. Enjoy...

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  10. I understand what you mean about loving to be able to see, smell, and feel purchases in a store. Although, I tend to buy most of my books used through Amazon now, there is nothing in the world like the musty attic smell and feel of books in a used bookstore or admiring a new dress on yourself in the dressing room mirror, even if it does go back onto the rack afterward. :)

    Thankfully, as you said.. through writing and photos.. we are able to share so much through the internet now and communicate with others whom we may not have had the chance to meet otherwise!

    I love the pastel colors and textures of the cookies.. yum!

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  11. I like how you put 200% into your post - lots to think about and always interesting. Thank you for that!

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  12. Ok, your writing is fantastic!! I agree with all that you said... again!!

    Ikea... I keep praying that they will put one here in Colorado and they keep threatening but it's still not here! There aren't many in the US. Which is just sad!

    That vintage belt could not be more fantastic! What great taste your mom has!! Love it!!

    It is so sad about snail mail. My dad retired from working for the Postal Service so I've always had a soft spot for sending and receiving mail. Honestly, it's so much fun to walk out to the mail box and see what is waiting inside. Ok, I admit, I could totally do without the bills! Luxe and I make it a point to send out something in the mail at least once a week to one or two people. I don't want her to think the internet is the only form of communication.

    Love that box of cookies! I think I would buy it and just set it in the middle of my table instead of flowers, it's so beautiful! It would last for maybe 2 hours but hey...

    Happy day to you!

    ...Lisa

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  13. Lovely post! I agree with internet shopping and small stores. (And my summer dresses aren't fitting either!) There is nothing more delightful than getting a hand-written note in the mail.

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  14. Let's be honest. I could eat that entire box of goodies. Yes, the entire box. Thanks for such a fun post!

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  15. Internet is great in so many ways. Personally when it comes to shopping I am a bit ambivalent. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by things and long to live a more spartan life. But that's just sometimes...thanks for a great post.

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  16. Yum!!

    I think IKEA is the only huge store I can manage...tried to go by myself with my boys last fall and um, nooooooo (the closest IKEA is 100+ miles away, so must take advantage when near one)! :)

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  17. You can send a box of those to me, and when in /NYC you get a free ride by the King !!!

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  18. I am with you on those cookies, they look great. I think there is a flight leaving to Paris soon...Thanks for the craving!

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  19. Great post!! I use way too much time on etsy .. and right now I'm waiting for the mailman to bring me some colourful yarn and 2 sewing books -can't wait.
    And IKEA -yes please!! Though I prefer going there on my own, like someone wrote earlier 'it can ruin a marriage'!!!

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  20. I really enjoyed reading your post and can relate to maybe all of it. I too like to have a good shopping experience but I hate those attendants who will follow you around - ugh that is so annoying.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  21. when i was in Paris i also got thrilled by those macarons. but to be honest, i must say i prefer the look better than the taste:)

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  22. love this post, love hearing about your obvious joy in shopping and receiving little packages in the mail. and, i have to tell you that, if you actually enjoy shopping at ikea (and by this, i mean in the store), then you are a shopper extraordinaire. my husband has banned me from the place. i always feel like i need a couple of meals and perhaps a blood transfusion about halfway through my time there.

    but. the macaroons? now THOSE i would happily shop for!

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  23. in Damaskus I spent hours on the market - it was like a paradise for me! so many interesting things!

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  24. hi, I read your comment and I wanted to say that I joined Sense of Fashion! I think your website has a lot of potential :> I really appreciated your compliments, thank you!
    ps. gimme those cute cookies!! they look delicious!!

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  25. mmmm....great view of shopping!

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  26. Oh,I love macarons and pretty package! Thank you for sharing!

    Have a great weekend! ox

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