Saturday, September 26, 2009

PSA: The Hidden Dangers of Outlet Shopping (Repost)

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times, but it bears repeating: Retail is for suckers. Having said that, I feel I should share with you some cautionary advice about spending extended periods in stores that offer "designer brands at discount prices". If you do not find the deal of a lifetime within the first 10 minutes, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY! In your desperate attempt to find a bargain, often things that you wouldn't give at the tackiest white elephant gift exchange somehow find their way into your shopping cart. If you are weak, shop with a buddy -- preferably one who will bluntly tell you just how incredibly ugly that sunflower tea cozy really is. (If you're in the Houston area, I am available at a nominal fee.)

Since a picture truly is worth a thousand words, I will give you some examples of what NOT to buy on your next shopping excursion.

In my exciting and rewarding career as a faux-paux painter, not only do I help my clients choose a color palette, help them with creative decorating solutions, and wipe God only knows what off of their baseboards, as an added service, I also am always on the lookout for decorative pieces that might fit with their decor. I have worked in a vast array of homes with a wide variety of decorative tastes. I have not, however, ever had the occasion to select anything like this:

(Then again, I've never painted for any missionary families.)

And while we're on the subject of decorating, I have also painted a few fairly awesome beach themed rooms (if I do say so myself). Here's the thing -- if a child requests a surfing or beach theme, it is usually because he or she thinks it would be incredibly cool to have their friends hang out in said room. Resist the urge to buy every surfer themed item! Less is more. Besides, little statues like this do not scream, "I am cool":

They scream, "I am as nerdy and as fish-belly white as Captain Shorty Pants, here."

With a name like "katdish" you would think that I would be all about the decorative cat accessories -- and you would be wrong. I don't dislike cats; I have a cat. But having a real cat (and the associated litter box) is really all I need. I'm not fond of the bumper sticker declaring my sworn loyalty to the Abyssinian, Persian or Siamese. Nor, would I ever own any of these items:




And frankly, if you have actual cats that resemble any of the ones pictured, shopping should be way down the list of problems you've yet to deal with. And speaking of pets, if you purchase a lead crystal dog bowl for your little four-legged friend, does the word "Spoiled" really need to be engraved on it, Captain Obvious?


The following items truly defy any logic. I can only loosely categorize them into "weird stuff you might put food into or perhaps frighten a small child with":








While we're on the topic of frightening, have you ever purchased a celebrity endorsed product? I'm not talking about something useful like a thigh master or a George Foreman grill. What I mean is, have you purchased an item with a celebrity's likeness on the packaging? Nothing says, "You really should stay with your own children next Christmas, Uncle Phil" like a celebrity endorsed board game:


Do we have any Dr. Laura fans out there? If you have read all of Dr. Schlessinger's books and listen to her radio program faithfully, yet still are not entirely convinced of what a pathetic loser you really are, perhaps you may be in need of some personal counseling via your very own Dr. Laura doll:




Not only is your favorite snarky psycho-therapist decked out in a fabulous lemon yellow pants suit, but if you politely and respectfully press the center button of her single breasted, designer jacket, she will speak to you in that oh-so condescending voice of hers. I know this to be true, because I do what I am told. And when I saw that little blue circle that says "Try Me", I did just that. I'm not entirely certain what she said to me, as my actions coincided with an announcement on the intercom ("Clean up on Aisle 5"). But I'm pretty sure she called me a tramp.
We've talked about the inside of your house, but what does the exterior of your home convey to others? Seriously, people. Do I even need to mention you should avoid the lawn and garden aisle at Big Lots at all costs?:



I also found a large assortment of toys and games soon destined to for the donation pile at your local house of worship, but I smell a post series, so I'm going to hang onto those pictures for awhile.

I will close this post with a word of advice for readers of the female persuasion. When you are getting dressed in the morning and your husband gazes upon your backside, do you really want him reminded of Easter egg hunts from days gone by, and the "big one that got away"?


While I have been known to rock the granny panties on those days between "when the laundry should be done" and "when the laundry is actually done", clearly this should not be a regular practice. Besides, they make an excellent tea cozy!

9 comments:

Heather Sunseri said...

It's really early on an extremely rainy day here in KY, and I havent had my coffee yet, but that made me laugh very hard! Especially the last part!

Hope you are feeling better!

Candy said...

I don't understand what you have against granny panties. Just sayin'

Billy Coffey said...

That Tableware for Tots thing looks too much like a clown for comfort. Thanks for giving me a scare this morning. Sheesh...

Wendy said...

So, what stores were these pictures taken at? And how long ago? Because I really need to get a jump on my Christmas shopping. You like cats, right?

Peter P said...

You should make a note to never visit my mother-in-law's house!

Jeanne Damoff said...

Ha! Missed this first time around. Thanks for reposting it.

50 points for Captain Shorty Pants.
50 points for the pastel granny panties reminding your husband of an Easter egg hunt. (Yes, I said YOUR husband.)

I go to stores like this only to laugh at the kitsch with friends, never to buy. I'd LOVE to go with you some time.

Anonymous said...

I am standing here in my garage monitoring the amazingly profitable sale we are having...and I wonder when you snuck over and snapped a few of these shots?
Thanks for making my miserable morning a little lighter! :)

Unknown said...

I totally cracked up laughing at your first picture....the mask with the horrified face on it....BECAUSE I spent my day today painting my little 1/2 bathroom. It has one blank wall that you see when you walk in, and I was *JUST*, 5 minutes ago, telling hubby as I showed him my fabulous paint job, that "I can't think of what would be good to hang on that wall!" ... as soon as I saw your picture of the mask.... there was my answer.

Unknown said...

Hi,

No doubt! When you buy from an outlet store some of the items you purchase are “first quality”-which means that they are in great condition.

Good luck.

Chopard Watch