So we stumbled upon a new (to us) shopping mall on our way to a cousin’s wedding recently. This mall is pretty out of the way for us so we weren’t really aware of its existence. But it looked promising so we decided to check it out Saturday!

The place is huge. Land is cheaper on the outskirts and mall rental too, I reckon, as things seemed to be cheaper there. Maybe it was purely psychological, I don’t know, but our guys ended up with a heap of shirts and pants at $30-50 each which are normally priced at $300+!

Raine came away with 2 tops and 2 pairs of shoes and hasn’t stopped smiling since. Even the biggest losers, Skye and me, came away with 1 pair of jeans each ! Looks like we bought everything but the kitchen sink driveway alarm!

Between the 5 of us, we came away with 7 shopping bags filled to bursting. You can only see 5 bags and 2 pairs of shoes here. There’s 2 ecobags not in the picture !

We aren’t normally this crazy (or are we ?) but we’ve been so starved of retail therapy lately. And speaking of starved, lunch was (from bottom left) a sumptuous feast of blanched lettuce topped with fried shallots, steamed chicken, tofu in spicy black bean sauce, pot stickers and Thai-style fish in a tangy spicy sauce! Yums!

I would stop here but you know what? We went home so tired we stepped in the door and literally passed out on the sofa! And when we were nicely rested, we skipped out again later in the evening for another feast! Happy days !

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Gone are the days when I was the Queen of Fashion Decisions in the family. Back then, shopping was a breeze. I’d grab whatever I thought would look good on everyone – neckties and shirts for Hip2bDad, shorts and shirts for Steev, dresses, jeans and hair accessories for the girls – and usually ended up with nothing for myself (why do I always forget myself?).

Anyhow, no one ever complained about my choices whatever colors, lengths or styles. Everyone had complete trust in Mom’s good taste. Well, Mom still has a hip fashion sense (ahem!) but apparently teens want to have their say too. Shopping has gotten a tad more challenging since. Some days, we practically have to trawl the mall just to net that elusive pair of shoes or that impossible pair of jeans!

Recently we got just the perfect sneakers for the girls. They’re as hip and fiesty as holiday cards, don’t ya think?

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So it’s been ages since we last went window shopping. And I really do mean ages! As in a whole month, maybe more !

We had to run an errand downtown recently. When it came lunch time, we decided to head for the nearest mall, all in an effort to avoid the wrinkles that come with lunchtime traffic. I swear shopping was the furthest thing from my mind .

Then again, is it even possible to be inside a mall and not take a quick look around? I mean, one quick look never hurt anyone, right? Surely a walk after lunch is good exercise, no?

Well, well, well, how were we to know love would be waiting for us? So unexpected, THIS!

Call it love at first sight! Ever the sucker for chunky jewelry, anything that’s even vaguely reminiscent of what the Queen of Sheba might wear is a must-have ! I love it. Raine loves it. Skye loves it. SOLD!

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Okay, don’t even ask us if we’re Iron Man fans? We’re crazy about Iron Man, even though the kids aren’t exactly kids any more.

Ironman Pajamas for Men and Boys: Iron Man Pajama Pants for Men – $ 14.99

Fact is who can resist these fun Iron Man pajama pants? The bright colors, the cool Marvel Comics print and the fact that it’s 100% cotton knit fabric! A great gift idea for Father’s Day, don’t you think? Right now, you can enjoy free shipping on all orders of over $25 on funky sleepwear for the entire family. No coupon code necessary. Offer ends June 7, 2010.

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I usually try to get my weekly groceries done by Saturday at the latest. Grocery shopping on Sundays are, well, just a little too wild for me. Of late, it’s beginning to feel more like a battlefield. Where do these people come from?

I mean, what can be more frustrating than following a Sunday morning driver straddled over two lanes with his left indicator light flashing when he’s clearly turning right, huh? Or a family having a picnic in the parking lot with groceries, strollers and kids when they know you’re waiting for their parking spot?

On Sundays, the grocery store is one big, happy playground . Toddlers pushing shopping carts twice their height and crashing into people and shelves! Kids dancing, doing kungfu, sitting on the floor and turning the aisles into race tracks. Parents pushing empty strollers and parking their carts in the middle of the aisle. Grandmothers strolling along and stopping to smell the vegetables every 10 seconds.

Not to mention, those couples taking a lovey-dovey stroll along the aisle, tentacles wrapped around each other, deep in whispered discussions of what to buy. Seriously, folks, I hardly think grocery shopping qualifies as a romantic escapade !

Then there are the folks behind me at checkout who slam their carts right into my butt, then proceed to edge close enough to breathe into my hair and peer over my shoulder as I sign my credit card slip. Just great! Whatever happened to personal space?

So you see, all I want to do is to go in, grab my stuff and get out. Fast! Do you grocery shop on Sundays and is it ever a problem for you?

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Is your little girl stylish and sassy like her Mama? Well, then she’s simply going to love these fun leopard-print jammies. Cute, huh? The pretty in pink heart print ruffles and trim contrast with the bold leopard print to make an adorable combination.

Laura Dare Leopard Heart Strappy Capri Pajamas for Toddlers and Girls – $ 25.99

And your little boy will look cute in these bear hug print pajamas with bear paw print bottoms. The fabric is a soft, comfortable cotton. They’re 100% cotton and snug fitting for safety.

Lazy One Blue Bear Hug Cotton Pajamas for Toddler Boys – $ 24.99

Pay only $1 flat rate shipping on fun sleepwear for the whole family. Yes, there’s also pajamas, nighties and bathrooms for Daddy and Mommy. Offer good thru May 27, 2010.

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