On the Seventh Day of a Feminine Christmas
One of the joys of Christmas that seems to have fallen by the wayside is shopping with friends. The ladies above have had a successful afternoon crossing things off their lists and are now enjoying lunch together. The happy glow is evident.
A few years ago, I had a new friend who I thought might like shopping in our small village with its charming collection of whimsical boutiques. Instead, she spent the afternoon shivering in her coat and hoping that I would finish so she could go home to her warm house. We are still friends of course, and perhaps she would have loved mall shopping but alas, the mall is nearly dead. So too, department store luncheon cafes, long the bastion of the ladies-who-lunch set.
I love the bucket hats on our shoppers and their tossed-off shoes and coats. Sore feet and Christmas shopping is no joke but nice lunches make up for it. A place I used to enjoy a repast after shopping was Toupin’s in a far-off city where and another life but I loved its French name and remember well the chicken salad sandwiches, fresh coleslaw and iced tea which was so refreshing as I rubbed my feet under the table, my packages tucked neatly beside me in the red leatherette booth. Boston Cream Pie slices and other tempting delectables twirled nearby in a lit cabinet while soft Christmas music tinkled from well-placed speakers. Sigh!
4 Comments
Paula
I look forward to poking around my village (SK) and always love shopping in Wickford. It’s never too cold or too hot! Merry Christmas!
Dana
I want to join the fancy elegant shopping trip! What a teat to see someone beautifully dressed. I studied this photo and noticed the white gloves on top of the delicate handbag and the beautiful ribbons on the bucket hats. You have inspired me to plan a shopping trip with my closest friend and I have already declared that we will be dressed well- no stretchy pants allowed!
Karen
I LOVE shopping with girlfriends and lunching afterward–I’ll go with you gladly! These Coke ads are priceless artifacts of a time sadly gone by, when nearly all young women wore attractive, well-chosen outfits for shopping–they never would have considered going out and about in PJs!! I wish I could tell what the gal in the cute camel pleated skirt and coordinating sweater’s brooch is? Possibly a herald angel’s trumpet? Love her pair of gold bangles and jazzy cat-eye specs. She’s adorable! Her stylish uptown friend is so fashionable in her gown plaid suit–love her charm bracelet and her nylons–we can see the run-stopper heel. Imagine wearing pumps for a shopping trip? That’s dedication to self-respect!! Thanks for reminding me of this holiday ritual that needs reviving. Let’s dress up and go shopping soon!
Tracy
Take me with you shopping!
I know just how you felt with your friend.
My dear mother in law picked the first thing off the hanger that she needed and declared “I’m done “.
I would say that there were so many choices and styles and didn’t she want to see them?
Nah. Okay.
I had planned a morning of perusing the stores and lunching afterwards. Nope. Back home we went. Oh well.
We bonded together in so many other ways that it really didn’t matter.
I had my mom for such occasions. I couldn’t keep up with her.
Just recently had a great shopping trip out with a friend.
Like your ladies above, we gratefully sat down in a restaurant booth and gabbed away.
Love these timely posts!