Today I will go forage in the capital city for groceries. Before you knew me, I wrote a post on the Anatomy of a Shopping Trip. <---- Go check it out, I promise it will make you thankful!
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Gone Shopping!
Today is my shopping day! No Ladies, we don't have Target or Whole Foods here, but we do have a Sav-a-Lot and Astaphans. Never heard of these? Me either till I came to Dominica.
Today I will go forage in the capital city for groceries. Before you knew me, I wrote a post on the Anatomy of a Shopping Trip. <---- Go check it out, I promise it will make you thankful!
Thank you to Lindsey from Trial by Sapphire for the "Before you Knew Me" post idea!
Today I will go forage in the capital city for groceries. Before you knew me, I wrote a post on the Anatomy of a Shopping Trip. <---- Go check it out, I promise it will make you thankful!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Dreaming of St. Maarten
In 10 days I will be packing up to go to St. Maarten! I am so stinking excited about this. This will be my first official "island hop" vacation, my first girls trip abroad, and my first real vacation since Christmas of 2009. I wish we were going tomorrow!
Here are some reasons why I'm stoked for this trip:
Here are some reasons why I'm stoked for this trip:
- watching The Hunger Games {they have movie theaters there!}
- shopping at a mall
- attending Kristen's wedding
- good food
- swim-up bar
- white sand
I'm really proud of myself for earning the money for this trip through my design business. I can't think of a better way to reward myself for the hard work. Because whats the point of working if you don't get to spend some of your earnings on something nice for yourself?
And don't worry, I have some awesome guest posts lined up for you while I'm gone. Until then, I'm dreaming of St. Maarten.
Friday, April 6, 2012
4th Semester Reflections
Every semester, the spouses hold a Farewell Banquet to say goodbye to those who are leaving. It's crazy to think I've spent almost two years living in Dominica. This small island has become my home. I am so glad that we decided to stay on for Chris's 5th semester here because I just don't think I'd be ready to leave in 2 weeks.
For all of my complaining about the lack of Starbucks & shopping, there are so many wonderful things about living here in Dominica. Take yesterday for example. The lovely ladies in that last picture & I hopped on a crowded local bus and went for lunch on the other side of the island. It was Thursday - and we just took off.
This semester was full of milestones for me, but most importantly, I finished my Masters Degree and started Priceless Design Studio. I know for sure that neither of these things would have happened for me back in the states.
Another highlight of the semester has been really getting involved with the blogging community. I treasure the budding friendships I've made with other bloggers around the world. In some ways, I think it has kept me both sane & grounded. Living in a small town on a small island you just don't get to have conversations with new people very often, and I need in my life. The encouraging words & comments from you guys have helped me to remember just how lucky I am to be here.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
American Dreams
If I were in America today, I would...
➻ go watch the Hunger Games & sneak in a Chipotle burrito and/or (probably and) Coldstone cake batter ice-cream
➻ drive myself to Sephora to buy a Clarisonic Mia in Berry (because my skin is freaking out right now)
➻ wander around Target & pick a few things I need like new makeup, moisturizer and a pound of Starbucks (& probably a bunch of stuff I don't need too) ((ok, maybe more like half the store))
➻ visit my pal Stacy & love on her 4 month old (there is nothing like a snuggly baby)
➻ eat a dinner out that doesn't come in a styrofoam container and has real spice and flavor (Maggianos or El Torito for sure)
➻ crawl into our gigantic california king bed & sleep like a starfish
➻ go watch the Hunger Games & sneak in a Chipotle burrito and/or (probably and) Coldstone cake batter ice-cream
➻ drive myself to Sephora to buy a Clarisonic Mia in Berry (because my skin is freaking out right now)
➻ wander around Target & pick a few things I need like new makeup, moisturizer and a pound of Starbucks (& probably a bunch of stuff I don't need too) ((ok, maybe more like half the store))
➻ visit my pal Stacy & love on her 4 month old (there is nothing like a snuggly baby)
➻ eat a dinner out that doesn't come in a styrofoam container and has real spice and flavor (Maggianos or El Torito for sure)
➻ crawl into our gigantic california king bed & sleep like a starfish
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Anatomy of a Shopping Trip
Grocery shopping in Dominica is serious business. At the beginning of every month, several of the other spouses and I pack up our various freezer and reusable bags and try to muster up some energy for an all day shopping extravaganza.
Are you wondering why I have to go shopping an hour away from where I live? That's because our small town only has one grocery store and I just can't get everything I need there. The prices at the store are also a little high. Case in point? Orange and yellow bell peppers are nearly 70 EC per kilogram this week.. which translates to about $12 US per pound. It's a matter of supply and demand.
Because we don't have cars here, a big shopping trip means hiring a driver to make the hour(ish) long journey to the capital city of Roseau. Our favorite driver is an awesome Dominican named Bruno, who lets us turn on the AC {rare!} and drives slow enough so we don't end up motion sick.
There are several "large" grocery stores in Roseau. By large, I mean that 80% of the time you can 60% of the items on your (already pared down) grocery list. Still, I always manage to fill my cart to the top! What this picture doesn't show are the multiple containers of kitty litter I have lined up behind the cart.
Are you wondering why I have to go shopping an hour away from where I live? That's because our small town only has one grocery store and I just can't get everything I need there. The prices at the store are also a little high. Case in point? Orange and yellow bell peppers are nearly 70 EC per kilogram this week.. which translates to about $12 US per pound. It's a matter of supply and demand.
No trip to Roseau is complete without a stop at The Juice Man who is conveniently located in front of The Spice Man at Ruins Rock. "Spice" takes on a whole new set of meanings when you consider the last line of his street advertisement.
When everyone is done with their shopping, the van is carefully loaded up and we make the hour long drive back to town. I have yet to be on a trip where someone doesn't post on Facebook the next day something like, "Hey, I made it home without corn chips, did anyone end up with double?" Good thing we are all pretty honest around here.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Hand-crafted Gifts
For Christmas this year I received several beautiful handcrafted gifts. I love perusing Etsy, and always prefer supporting small businesses - especially stay at home moms.
I got this purse from Katie Read's It's Elemental Fashion shop on Esty. It is really well made, with big pockets inside, and lots of padding on the strap and purse. Plus my 15" laptop fits in perfectly! The front is covered in ruffles of Amy Butler fabric. It is So Sweet.
I got this purse from Katie Read's It's Elemental Fashion shop on Esty. It is really well made, with big pockets inside, and lots of padding on the strap and purse. Plus my 15" laptop fits in perfectly! The front is covered in ruffles of Amy Butler fabric. It is So Sweet.
Just as bright and cheerful, is this blanket that came from Aubree at Fabricadabra Designs. She had agreed to make me a blanket in exchange for a new blog design. I made myself wait until Christmas morning to open the package, and immediately fell in love with the cheery colors and the grey chevron. Thank you Aubree!
My little sister made the whole family their own circle scarves. {I've heard them referred to as infinity scarves as well.} It was so sweet of her to handmake these. Mine has a deep shiny blue inside, and then a thick, textured knit on the outside. Thank you Jules!
Last, but not least, remember the iPad cover I designed a few months ago? Well, Grove did an A-mazing job engraving the leather and creating a bamboo cover for my ipad. Thank you Grove!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
10 Days in Dominica, Day Two
Day Two- What has been better than you expected?
From reading people's blogs and the info on spouse's webpage before I came to Dominica, I thought that it would be terribly difficult to find food and items that I would need (like kitchen equipment, home goods, etc). I was certain that if I didn't bring these things, I would never have them. But between the opening of IGA a few semesters ago and buying things from leaving spouses, it turns out I have almost everything I could need. I probably have too much stuff!
Have I showed you guys the video tour I made on my apartment here? You can see that I'm not lacking in "stuff." My closet is overflowing, in fact.
I've always been a shopper and although I definitely miss the shopping it turns out I don't really miss the "stuff." I have everything that I could need. Besides, I don't think our student loans could handle the weekly trips to Target that would be happening if I lived in the States.
Another thing that has been better than I expected is the friendly demeanor of the locals. The people here are mostly very friendly and helpful. They are easy to talk to, even if their accent makes them not always easy to understand. When I lived in Oxford, I was disappointed by the stoic attitudes and properness of the English. Here in Dominica, people are not afraid to talk to you on the street or joke with you while in line at the store. Sometimes the men can be over the top with their cat calls, but overall it's just another aspect of the friendly, outgoing nature of most people here.
Life here in general has been better than I expected, even if the weather is worse {Day 3}.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Birthday Wishlist
In a perfect world (aka America) where you can order things online and have them shipped to you within a week, this would be my Birthday Wishlist this year.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Mall-less in Dominica
I miss shopping. The joy of wandering around the mall on a Sunday afternoon. Buying things because I want them, not because I need them. Buying anything pretty. If I were in the states, I would have taken Chris to see these things in the days leading up to Valentine's Day in hopes of receiving something special.
Coach Madison OP Art Flower Applique Large Sophia Satchel
FitFlops Walkstar™ 3 Patent
Marc By Marc Jacobs Kissing Doves Watch Necklace
BCBG MaxAzaria Belted Rose Jacquard Sheath Dress
Miranda Pave Disc Earrings
Return to Tiffany™Heart Tag Pendant
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Summer
In my hive-induced imprisonment at home this weekend (don't ask!), I've had some time to devote to catching up with things online. Has anyone ever seen this awesome website called Polyvore? It's online shopping + design in one! Check out the summer collection I made. If only I could afford this stuff.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Booties
Thank you Target Online for showing me your fabulous collection of rain boots! I think I need a pair for my long, muddy walks to school on rainy days. Especially since they are only 24.95, and BOGO! The only problem is, which pair?!
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