A GOOD SHOPPING DAY

I really dislike shopping in crowded stores, I actually get claustrophobia and horrific pangs of anxiety. Tired little children, through not fault of their own, that should be home napping, cranky sales people, way too long check out lines are just a few of my demons. So my plan is shop on a Monday, start really early, and hopefully I can beat the crowds. That’s what I did today, the stores were still packed though. All in all, I did pretty good, my Christmas shopping is just about done. I do a lot of online shopping, which is best for the long distance gifts that have to be shipped. Got lots of clothes for hubby and son, won’t bore you with those. Liz and David said no physical presents, just gift cards or donate to their foundation WII’S FOR WARIORS.

Every year I need small gifts for hubby to give to a few people at work, mostly ladies. This gets more difficult every year to come with something different then last year. So today I found these reed diffusers….LAVENDER and CLEAN COTTON. Light classic aromas.

The bottles are all so pretty

and unique

these bottles can be reused since they are so lovely

faux mercury glass urns

still quite nice. Hubby usually gives LIQUOR to the men at work.

Had teary eyes when I found these aqua crackly balls, only three left in this color!

I could kick myself for not going to TJ MAXX sooner! I wish I had another TJ MAXX around to find more. I googled the company but no luck there!

And this big tall baby, from Pier 1. Been searching for something large like this.

MY AMUSE BOUCHE SPOONS!!!!! Well, they are really Asian soup spoons…I have been hunting and googling these spoons for a year now. Some Amuse bouche spoons are so expensive. Check that link out….$19.95 for 6 spoons! These were 75 cents a piece and are ceramic. I bought 36 for the BIG CHRISTMAS EVE OPEN HOUSE HERE !!!! CHOWHOUND discusses using Asian Soup Spoons for Amuse Bouche, obviously there are a little more awkward for 1 bite, but I think my guests will survive the BIGGER BITE!

I broke 1 spoon by dropping it on porcelain tile floor. I am making my amazing SHRIMP REMOUADE, with the best & fresh off the boat shrimp here from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Shrimp Remoulade is so delicious. My recipe is from GALATOIRE’S and I found it in Creole Gumbo and All That Jazz! I can make it ahead of time and dollop each spoon with the lovely goodness of the cold pink shrimp,the green of the sour pickles, and the creamy homemade mayonnaise that becomes the delectable sweet, tangy, and PIQUANTE Remoulde sauce. It will look so pretty against the white spoons!

And last, my favorite walk in store….J CREW OUTLET! Be still my heart…

J CREW HAD my number today when I walked in, There were so many things I didn't get for myself. But I did get the grey leopard cardigan, the 2 flouncy chiffony cardigans in white and cream, and the pink cardigan with silver stars, and

the silk pearly grey fou fou collar shirt

So yea, for someone that hates crowded stores, I did well today. Off to wrap gifts!