Without kids

by Cheryl, posted on February 13th, 2011 in Just me

When I take my kids with me to Nordstrom Rack, it’s with a specific destination in mind: directly to the children’s shoes and out. Nothing more.

There is no time to paw through the racks for hidden treasure. No time to let my imagination take me to a night out where I would need that gorgeous sheer black top with the sequins. No chance to ponder whether a strapless bra would show under the hot red tank or if my butt could actually fit into those designer jeans that are crazy on sale – and of course there’s absolutely no way I’m trying anything on.

But when I’m childless? When I have two hours of endless possibility?

I linger.

I do. I look carefully, running cool silk through my fingers, touching impossibly soft cotton, picturing myself in each outfit. And nobody whines about being hungry.

I slip on a ridiculous pair of strappy stiletto sandals. And nobody asks to go to the bathroom.

I get a cart. And nobody has to be wrestled into the front.

I try on four pairs of jeans and examine my reflection in the mirror from every possible angle. And nobody crawls around on the floor and under other people’s dressing stalls.

And then, sadly, it’s time to go.

I look at my loot piled into the cart: three pairs of shoes, a pair of shorts, a tee shirt and a pair of jeans.

The three-figured number on the cash register screen is a bit startling.

But because I’m a mom, because even when my kids aren’t with me, they’re still with me, you probably won’t be surprised to learn only the jeans were for me.

Those jeans, though? They’re cute. Super cute. Cuffed capri Joe’s Jeans in a dark wash.

They’ll look great: when I’m walking my kids to school, going to the park with X, loading the dishwasher.

And maybe, just maybe, at a cool beachside bar on an evening out.

Without kids, of course.

Tags: I could've stayed for another hour, Joe's jeans, my kids made out better than I did, Nordstrom Rack, the things we find without kids

Comments

26 Responses to “Without kids”

Cheryl D. Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 4:38 am

I love Nordstrom Rack! I live really close to one, but don’t go as often as I should!

Great place though. Definitely a place to go without kids.
Cheryl D. recently posted..Just a Heads Up!

[Reply]
Jessica Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 4:43 am

I feel your pain about shopping with kids. My toddler always tries to crawl under the door in the dressing room so she can escape. I think she is trying to help me save money.
Jessica recently posted..Cups Stairs Danger

[Reply]
angela Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 10:02 am

Shopping without kids is a luxury we’re rarely afforded as moms! I have always loved shopping and browsing, but I appreciate it so much more now that it doesn’t happen often. Nice score on the jeans, and I hope that they see a beachside bar sooner than later

[Reply]
CDG Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 10:28 am

mmm… shopping alone.

for me, though? it’s a latté and a hour in Barnes & Noble, because there’s nothing at Nordstrom Rack for my (ahem) generous ass

Books always fit!
CDG recently posted..Arrival

[Reply]
joann Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 11:06 am

okay I went shopping for myself (with out kids of course) and at the maternity store I was pondering pants and the sales lady said, ‘Here, try joe’s jeans. They are good for people with some junk in the trunk”.
Uhhh…Thanks?
I tried them and they made me look fat.
The end.
joann recently posted..A Mothers Prayer vs The Dark Side

[Reply]
Cheryl Reply:
February 14th, 2011 at 1:59 am
No wonder I liked them. I need something to contain all that junk, all that junk inside my trunk!

[Reply]
Brooke Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 11:45 am

I try to go shopping when my son’s at preschool mostly because he’s still too young to understand that it’s really inappropriate to look under the stalls at other people changing clothes.
Brooke recently posted..Toddler swimming

[Reply]
Samantha Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 11:52 am

My husband and I went out to dinner on Friday night and tried our damnest to not talk about the kids. We did pretty good too, except for a couple of times when we had to skirt the subject. When we go out, just the two of us, we try to make it a time we talk about us and our likes and interests, not “hey do you think we should take the kids to the park tomorrow” or “I don’t know what we’re going to have to do to get O to pull his socks up in such-and-such a subject”. Its us time. But they’re still there … Always.

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Miri Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 12:05 pm

I go grocery shopping with the kids a few times a week, mostly because it’s an activity for them. I NEVER go clothes shopping with them – not for me or them – but the biannual shoe shopping trip is something that obviously can’t be avoided. And that is alway one insane experience… 3 kids running around the store, picking out shoes and trying them on… I always need ice cream afterwards.
Miri recently posted..At Grandma Millie’s Place

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Cheryl Reply:
February 14th, 2011 at 2:00 am
One time my daughter picked up a shoe, put it in her bag, and walked out of the store. Luckily I caught her – otherwise my not-quite-two year-old would have to be bailed out of the pokey..

[Reply]
Katie Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 1:40 pm

oh for a couple hours alone to shop…or just to have a couple hours alone.

and i always treat myself to a latte and a trip to the bookstore when i am alone.

happy sighs…
Katie recently posted..promises kept

[Reply]
Carrie Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 1:44 pm

One thing I love about being a WOHM is that one my lunch breaks sometimes I wander over to a local mall or store and ‘linger’. Do I buy stuff for me? Rarely. I usually can’t justify it EVEN though I do work in an office and DO need to occasionally purchase clothes for that job.

And if I do buy myself a cute new sweater or pair of pants? Well, I almost always buy something for my kids too

Just can’t escape those Mommypants
Carrie recently posted..Red Writing Hood- Sneaking it in

[Reply]
Klz Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 2:02 pm

My escape is always to the bookstore to browse without anyone pulling books off the shelves

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myevil3yearold Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 2:39 pm

I am glad you got something for you. I am trying to remember to do that for myself. My kids have the cutest, trendiest clothes and I haven’t had a new pair of shoes since the birth of my oldest.
myevil3yearold recently posted..Neighbors- Spiders- Hot Water Heaters &amp Nudity- Part II

[Reply]
Lori @ In Pursuit of Martha Points Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 3:10 pm

The nearest Nordstrom Rack is several hours from me.

So I’m safe.

Plus…oh dear…I don’t like to shop! You saw me at my shopping finest.

That type of spontaneity from me in a boutique is quite rare.

Must have been the 50% off that did it.
Lori @ In Pursuit of Martha Points recently posted..Who’s On First in 140 Characters or Less

[Reply]
30ish Mama Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 4:49 pm

I love Nordstrom Rack, it’s like a mini getaway. Time flies when I’m there alone, but it’s a quick in and out when I have m daughter with me. Good for you on getting those jeans, we all need a hot pair for a night out!
30ish Mama recently posted..Day 25- The reason I believe I’m still alive today

[Reply]
Crystal Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Oh man girl! That was wonderfully written. I giggled with the mention of kiddos climbing under stalls…min do ALL the time…when I try to attempt trying something unbelievably cute on. It’s torture…pure torture…to try and shop with kids. I had to shop for wedding attire when hubby was TDY. So that left me and 4 boys in Kohls. Needless to say, it was a nightmare, complete with the toddler feeling up a manequin!!!
Crystal recently posted..The Circus Has Come To TownAnd Im The Ring Leader

[Reply]
gigi Says:
February 13th, 2011 at 11:12 pm

I can’t wait to go shopping with you at Nordstrom Rack, because it’s one of my fave places, too! I plan to go there to get some conference clothes when I go to a conference.

I have a pair of Joe’s Jeans (from Costco!) that I love. So fun!!!
gigi recently posted..Tips for Your Valentine’s Day

[Reply]
Cheryl Reply:
February 14th, 2011 at 2:08 am
Ooh! Costco has them? i’ll have to look next time I go!

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Nichole Says:
February 14th, 2011 at 12:52 am

Sigh…Jo’s jeans.
One day…one day, I’ll have my body back.
I’m certain of it.
So happy you had some free time.
Nichole recently posted..The Luckiest Girl in the World

[Reply]
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation Says:
February 14th, 2011 at 1:14 pm

Oh how I love the Nordy Rack! Those Joe’s sound fab. I think I need to go this weekend for a leisurely trip by myself!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation recently posted..Single Parenthood

[Reply]
Lady Jennie Says:
February 14th, 2011 at 4:13 pm

I know I know I know. Isn’t shopping without the kids heavenly (even if you’re buying stuff for them?)

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Melissa (Confessions of a Dr.Mom) Says:
February 14th, 2011 at 6:57 pm

Oh how I love Nordstroms Rack and I can completely relate to that scenario!

Funny, I go shopping for myself and end up doing the same thing. However, I bet you look fantastic in those jeans…evening out or not!

Hmmm…I might have to head over and try on a pair myself
Melissa (Confessions of a Dr.Mom) recently posted..Sick

[Reply]
Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri Says:
February 16th, 2011 at 10:14 pm

I love shopping alone. You can window shop and try on things to your heart’s content. Glad you had some time to yourself to shop.

[Reply]
Sherri Says:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:57 pm

I love Nordstrom Rack even more than the actual Nordstrom! But it’s not close enough to go very often…and when I do, I linger like you do. I leave with a few treasures, maybe even one or two for myself.

I remember the last time I was there, I dragged my son with me because he needed something at a different store in the same area. We were on the hunt for some strappy heels to match an eggplant dress I was wearing in a wedding. I had to teach him the difference between strappy heels, pumps, and wedges. He still hasn’t forgiven me!
Sherri recently posted..The Very First Thing

[Reply]
Brittany Stewart Says:
November 14th, 2011 at 1:17 am

Love love love this post, because it’s so true- and so very honest. I make a lot of jokes about life without kids, and though I wouldn’t trade it for the world, it’s definitely nice to have those few moments without them. Even though they are constantly on your mind.
Brittany Stewart recently posted..Lifestyle Change and a Bottle of Wine

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