The Most Fun Shopping Experience Ever in a Strip Mall!

emiri...@aol.com (EMiriamD) wrote in message news:<20030825150312.21868.00000...@mb–m07.aol.com>...
(snipping great rundown of day's events to save space)
Ya know, kids I don't think we've ever had a thread like this in AF,
at least since I've been here. Have y'all had great experiences at
strip malls lately? What kinds of stores and diversity of stores were
at the malls you went to? I'd have to say Sunday's experience was for
me the most fun I've had at a strip mall – finding a surplus store, a
cosy yet spacious Starbucks, Beauty First, and an adult toy store (and
more, there's even a bar in this mall) all in one place in the 'burbs
is pretty hard to beat.
Vicki in DC

So, like, OK. So I drove down for like six thousand hours from northern Noo
Joisey to spend a long weekend with Miss Vicki in DC and Elvis. We did the
standard Mall Thang Friday night (and both Miss V and I scored terrific
earrings at the Silver Heron), then did the Ren Fest on Saturday, with Miss V
and Elvis in full Ren Regalia––beautiful costumes, you guys! But the best was
yet to come...
Yesterday, we visited an incredibly...diverse...strip mall in Leesburg, VA.
After a light lunch at the Chinese restaurant, our first stop was Ranger
Surplus, a truly fun army surplus store. I must say that I was both amused and
alarmed by the sign pasted above the glass case holding the knife collection:
"If You Bleed, You Buy It." Salesdude said, "Don't think it hasn't happened."
Eek. Elvis got a badge holder (is that right?), and Miss V and I tried to
imagine how a.f. would put some of the items in the shop to good fashionable
use. Not sure about the Israeli shell holders...but the Czech camo map bag
made of heavy canvas looked pretty cool, actually. Not seriously camo, more
muted, might work as a very casual shoulder bag. Fun hats, helmets, the usual
Nazi/Johnny Reb suspects, etc. I, however, decided that this was the perfect
place to score a flurorescent camping lantern, since I DO NOT want to be in
total darkness again the next time there's a blackout covering half the eastern
seaboard. Since I have a pathological fear of candles I am now very, very,
very reassured by having this nonflammable lantern stashed in my closet. Oh,
and I got a can of spray–on waterproofing stuff for boots and shoes. Oh, and
the salesdudes were all waaaaaaay cute. Miss V will vouch for that.
Next stop: While Elvis hung out at Tower Records/Video, Miss V and I headed to
Beauty First, one of a new–to–me chain of shops somewhat akin to Trade Secrets
only far more trendy and upscale and fun. Took me absolutely eons to prowl
around the whole place. Fun hair and cosmetic stuff, with cute lines like Blue
Q, Jaqua Girls, Bloom, the entire Burt's Bees line including the cosmetics,
the complete OPI and Essie collections. I ended up getting a Queen Champagne
Lip Balm, because if you bought any Blue Q item over $5 you got a free Dirty
Girl key chain––and I simply had to have one, dontcha know. Also scored a tube
of new–to–me Redken Color Extend Injection conditioner in Copper/Gold. Last,
but certainly not least, I succumbed to the siren call of...Frownies! I'm
spending truckloads of $$ on Perricone cream to erase those dratted laugh
lines, now I'm gonna add on the power of Frownies! Wrinkles begone! I shall
duly report back after the requisite 30–day trial is completed...
Final stop: Night Dreams. This is what is euphemistically known as
an...Adults Only shop. Woohoo! What a fun place! Since this is a family show
I shall refrain from giving any detailed description of the products contained
therein, but suffice it to say that the collection is vast and varied (this
place is to Toys in Babeland as a Super Stop & Shop is to a very mini
mini–mart). Sales associate Chris was adorable, funny and helpful in
explaining all the products that caught our collective eyes––and there were
many. And I think we helped liven up his day because he said he had been
feeling bored before we three wandered in. Yes, purchases were made. No,
they will not be listed here.
After such a pumped–up shopping experience, we needed to simmer down in the
lovely Starbucks located in the same strip mall, complete with upholstered
seats and couches and what looked like a real working fireplace, which must be
very cozy in wintertime.
I cannot say that I have ever had as much fun in a strip mall in my entire
life! Thank you, Miss V and Elvis and Miss V's mom for a fun and faboo
weekend!
EMiriamD
"No fashion is ever a success unless it is used as a form of seduction."
–– Christian Dior

emiri...@aol.com (EMiriamD) wrote:
<snip>
Hey EMD, I don't think you were in Leesburg. I know my diverse strip malls
in No VA, and that one sounds like Pike's 7 Plaza in Tyson's Corner. (I've
never been in the Night Dreams store, tho. Heh.) I'm surprised y'all
didn't hit the TJMaxx as well –– that one is one of the better ones for
designer bags and some decent knockoffs as well.
The next time you drive multi–thousands of miles down this way, give me a
holler, eh? <VBG>
Michele
––
"I realized long ago that skirts are hopeless. Anytime I hear a man
say he prefers a woman in a skirt, I say: `Try one. Try a skirt.' "
–– Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003)

I'm sure you're right, Michele. Unlike you, who knows her diverse strip malls
in No VA, I was going by the info on my receipt from Ranger Surplus––I guess
they have more than one store.
Oh, be sure to check it out next time you're in the nabe––it is not to be
missed, I tell ya!
We didn't have a lot of time so we only hit the places that were absolute
musts. But I'll be sure to put that TJX on the list for next time!
Will do! It was a pretty packed little weekend but next time I will definitely
give you a holler <VBG back at ya>!
EMiriamD
"No fashion is ever a success unless it is used as a form of seduction."
–– Christian Dior

emiri...@aol.com (EMiriamD) wrote in message news:<20030826091843.28568.00000...@mb–m18.aol.com>...
I know my diverse strip malls
in No VA, and that one sounds like Pike's 7 Plaza in Tyson's Corner
Sounds like a plan :–)! And that was indeed the place...
Vicki in DC

Me too! I'm always in the Tyson's area!
Barb

sounds like you guys had a ton o fun emd... but you shoulda borrowed my heavy
pedal foot before the drive; i can make it in under 3 from nyc!