When I was 18 years old I met someone at a party who changed my life. It was one of those meetings that you know there's something to it, and it led me to so many things that were beautiful and inspiring and that stay with me now after all these years, bringing a smile to my face whenever I remember that time and the places this person brought me to. One of the places was Hawaii, and in those days my Mother was always my guide to how to pack and what to wear for every occasion. She still is in a way because I learned so much from her about style and presentation and how to look for clothing and find wonderful classic pieces at thrift stores and for discounted prices. When I went to Hawaii I needed pajamas that I could wear, "in case the family likes to lounge in the mornings or evenings," and I found them with my Mother's help at Marshall's, separates for a dollar each, and the pants needed to be dyed because they were white and the top was ecru, and my Mother taught me how to dye clothing using tea bags. I kept those pajamas for years and they wore so well, not every losing their color or looking old. On the plane I wore linen because my Mother told me that it always looks chic and, "it's expected to wrinkle on a plane." I forget where I found the outfit, but the pants I had for years also, and most probably the shirt too.
The other day when I was going through my emails I saw that I had some points that were expiring at Sears, so I took a trip to the mall at Newport to have a little shopping trip. I needed flip-flops and for some reason Sears always is a favorite place to go anyway and just wander around. Until I was on my way over this time around I couldn't understand why I love it so much, but then it came to me that years ago when I was very little my Mother used to take me to Sears sometimes in one of the areas near Boston. I don't know where exactly it was, but I remember going with her and as I walked there this past week all the memories came back about the entry way where there were gum ball machines and snack machines, and how I used to love to get the little toys and not the gumballs and how the snack machines had Cadbury fruit and nut bars in them which were and still are something that for me is comfort food.
Sears has become a go to place for me for so many things. Usually I write about smaller businesses and individual people who own them, but the beautiful memories from those years ago at Sears and my continuing experiences of finding wonderful things there made me want to write a little bit about that store now. From shoes to socks to dresses to Levi's to winter boots, dress shoes, flip-flops, you name it, going to Sears is always just a wonderful time. Maybe it's just the memories, but I think it's something more. Their sales are always great which adds to it, but I think it's the fact that this is a place where you can always find something you like and there are always lots of choices and it just feels comfortable to be there. There is no snobbiness, no feeling of you don't belong, just a place to shop that's actually pretty quiet too with no loud music or crowds of people or anyone bothering you, just helpful staff who check in with you and find prices and give you information when you need it.
I found my flip-flops this time around, and a few other things just to have fun with. It's nice to have a place where not only are the memories precious but the things you find there in the every day are always just what you need.
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