"Balancing All the Wild & Wonderful Things that Make Up Life"

Most of you have heard me quote the Curly Girl-isms from time to time, and given that this is exactly how I feel right now I couldn't pass up the oppertunity. In fact, I can't wait to get the rest of my collection back in my household good shipments so I can once again put them up in my office. I actually just got a new coffee mug from Leslie & Curly Girl Design and now love my morning coffee time even more!

SORRY- didn't mean for this to be an ad (but seriously- if you ever feel like getting me something it's hands down one of your safest bets).

At any rate, given this nearly 2 week TDY in VA I had to find this balance between official travel (you know, the reason they sent me out here) with shopping and hanging out with long lost friends. Throw in a little bit of jet lag and it's almost a model destined for Solver, but a week into it and a shout out to my FB friends to let them know I'm here- I'm learning during the day and socializing in the evenings. Sleep? Yeah, some of that is happening too.

Despite mixed feelings about returning the the states, the fact that my beloved Target beckoned made the 22 hour travel day more tolerable. I'd like to say that I picked my hotels based on shopping locations, but alas, I thought of that after I got here- better plan next trip!
After day 2...or was it 3...I invaded my former boot camp, class break office chatting, "can MIC be any worse?" buddy. Seriously- I showed up about 2 hours earlier than originally planned. Our plan of shopping was not modified. (Get ready for a little flash back...queue water ripples...)

Ever since I can remember, I've been a Target fanatic! In middle school I remember Babs and I going crazy in the aisles- it was the store to find everything! When the Sand City store opened, Nina and I were there for the inaugural purchase. As soon as I had a steady pay check, you could find me there at least once a week. Seriously, until mid-May my credit card statement read something like Target, Michaels, Verizon (oh how I miss my phone), Target, Kohls, Target, Cost Plus, Trident Room. Hey, at least you can't say I don't combine trips when you take into account all 3 locations...

In an attempt to curb my spending I implemented the "only what you can carry" rule. Yes, it means if I can't stack my bounty in my arms- I've collected too much. Yes, I have figured out how to bend this rule but I'm finding that the lack of Targets in Italy eliminate the need for the rule. So why am I going on (and on) about Target? So you understand our relationship history.

So after catching up with Chrystal we headed to the red bulls-eye and started our 3 hour adventure through the aisles, cart and all. Each aisle was a re-acquaintance with American brand names and sizes. While taking in all the items, my brain realized it didn't have to convert prices from euros to dollars to figure out if it really was a deal like the yellow tag claimed. 

But Katie- what about your rule?! Please refer to the living over seas clause which means I pack wine (since we can't ship it) and all free space can be replaced with my bounty. Um yeah, when Chrystals' hubby finally saw us again he asked if we left anything in the store. It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't my typical 1-2 bag trip.

Actually, Chrystal- I'm calling you out- you were a HORRIBLE voice of reason. The whole "you're going to regret it if you don't buy it/do you really want to wait to have it shipped?" didn't help at all. But yes, we found some great deals and I loved your commentary during our raid. More than you comments though I loved the fact that our "let's go run for old time's sake" was swapped to the epic shopping trip and food. I think that's what matters at the end of the day (and perhaps sheds some light into my love of Target)- is the social experience and not so much the stocking up on hard to find items or adding some new things into my oh-so short rotation cycle of outfits (but they are sure an added bonus).