Friday, February 19, 2010

Love that Shopping Rush...

My husband thinks I’m being funny when I say I get a rush from shopping, but honestly, it’s true. When some people have a rough day at work they hit the bar for a few drinks, and others go for comfort food. Not me. When life gets rough, nothing is as soothing to me as shopping.

I was thinking back on different shopping moments that stand out (there are a lot) and I thought of one in particular that was pretty fab-o. We were planning another trip to Paris (we lived just a few hours away in Germany, so these trips were often) and my friend Angela was giving me some pointers on places to hit while I was there.

(Just a side note – Angela has an amazing Euro shopping blog if you want her scoop…).

So Angela very casually asked me if I had ever been to the fabric district in Paris. As the words rolled off her tongue, I suddenly felt light-headed. The FABRIC DISTRICT in PARIS??? Why hadn’t I thought of that? Talk about combining the best of both worlds – I’m a fabric collector (or as my husband would say, a “fabric junkie”), and any kind of shopping in Paris is always a dream. Magnifique!

So, I carefully copied down the metro directions from her and made plans to squeeze in a fabric moment while in Paris. I have to pat myself on the back that I actually navigated the Paris metro with ease – this was a major accomplishment as it was the first time that I was playing along the streets of Paris on my own.

As I exited my last metro stop, I walked through a few streets and found some clothing stores, but no fabric. But then I turned the corner, and the waves of fabric were there greeting me. Oh my. Lots and lots of fabric stores, with oodles of fabric everywhere. I stood there for a moment, taking it all in and I swear I felt woozy for a moment because I was so overwhelmed. (ok, maybe he is right – I’m a fabric junkie…).



Besides trying to figure out what and how much to buy (I had a bazillion projects rolling through my head…), the toughest part of this adventure was attempting to place my order with the cutters. People were buying in a frenzy and no one spoke a word of English. I can find my way around with a little Français, but making sure that I was ordering two meters and not twelve was a little unnerving.



This little trip ranks as one of my most favorite shopping feats as:
1) it was a fun Frenchy venture, and
2) because it was one of those moments that I probably will not repeat very often (although I have frequented the fabric district twice since then!).

Some people enjoy shopping Paris because of the hoards of designer labels, but not me. I love shopping Paris to find the funkiest off-the-path kind of shopping ventures. This was definitely an off-the-path experience that ranks top in my memories. If shopping is your go-to rush, what’s one of your high ranking buying triumphs? Do tell!


Update: I'm linking up with Happy To Design's Sunday Favorites! Find your favorite oldie and link up with us!

8 comments:

Fabulously French said...

I adore shopping and most admit that I get the biggest thrill when I spot a new treasure in an unexpected place.

I also enjoy learning about items and love the amount of interaction that buying a preloved items involves.

Leeann x

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

I had never thought of a French fabric district.....not that I've EVER been to France... :-) I am crazy over fabric too as MY husband would attest. That's probably and 1/2 of what's wrong with our garage. Bins and bins and bins of fabric. Somehow I just can't part with it and the idea of going to the store to buy just what I need for a given project is appalling to me. I like having a ready supply although I don't always have just what I need. :-) I wouldn't go for the designer labels either....give me the vintage shopping spots any day!

Have a wonderful weekend....

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Brabourne Farm said...

There are not many things that are better than shopping! Love all your fabric finds. Leigh

*Chic Provence* said...

I would have been right there with you sister, finding the fabric district sounds like a thrill! But you were living there and didn't have to ship fabric back to the States then, right?

thanks for posting, I'll do a little research for my next trip over!
Kit

Lori E said...

There is nothing better than finding a great shopping district. That is what good friends are for.

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hi, How lucky that you got to shop the fabric district! I love to go shopping too, but I think I have over done it lately! I really love the fabric your purchased, can't wait to see what you make with it!
Hugz,
Kim

Love Of Quilts said...

What female doesn't love to shop...and what male doesn't want to go in get what they want and leave. Trish

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Diane...

Ohhh my...what a fabulous shopping trip...to visit Paris' fabric district! I just know that my heart would be all a flutter...as well! Both fabric pieces in your photos are gorgeous! I did a little bit of shopping when I was in Paris but would love to spend much more time there! I wanted to go to some of the Paris flea markets and never made it! Boohoo! What a fabulous post to share with us for Sunday Favorites this week...I truly enjoyed it! And...if I ever get back to Paris...I'm going to do a little shopping in the fabric district as well!!!

Thank you so much for joining in with the fun of Sunday Favorites this week, my friend!

Have a marvelous Monday...
Chari @Happy To Design

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