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Jan
28
In which the Shop Tart gets something she’s always wanted and learns how to order a cocktail.
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Although it seems like the decidedly materialistic Shop Tart would be easy to buy for, she isn’t. Her husband - who tries, y’all, he really tries - is not a smart shopper. Whenever he gets her a gift, she cringes a little, knowing if he had waited just a week or two, it might have been on sale. Recently, for the first time ever, she decided to buy herself a dress - any one she wanted - not on sale. It was for a party at her own house and she “had nothing to wear,” which is a rarity for her. She tried on everything she craved, glancing at the price tags for a fleeting moment. (She did still have a vague limit in mind.) She tried on frock after frock, without considering the price. She knew she would find the best party dress ever. And…she couldn’t. In the end, she tried on a sequined number she had been afraid to even touch. She wanted it real bad. She told herself the lights in the dressing room were bad, so she went out into the shop, where the salesclerk confirmed what she already knew: That dress, albeit pricey, did not look good on her. Not at all. She ended up buying a different dress, priced lower to begin with and marked down even more. Love!
So, what can Mr. Shop Tart get her? The kind of thing she adores that never, ever goes on sale. He once got her the watch she had dreamed of since childhood. For her birthday this year, with only very strong hints as opposed to insanely over-bearing hints, he gave her a Fiona Paxton necklace. Squeeee! She had seen them in magazines and on-line, but seeing them up close at Hampden Clothing in Charleston sealed her desire. Every time she goes there, she looks at them and sighs. They are (her) style-defining, life-changing accessory. And, enfin, she has one, in exactly the color she wanted. How did he know?
Hampden has them in several colors and they all rock. Next time you are in Charleston, go take a look. Or don’t. Because then you’ll want one real bad.
And nothing makes the Shop Tart want a fabulous cocktail like wearing something new. She likes to celebrate. (She is the sort of person who will have a party just to debut a new dress. She doesn’t tell people that’s why they’re invited, of course.) Thanks to Andy at Terra, she now understands that shaking a cocktail more than one might think necessary results in a lovely, cold beverage with little flecks of ice throughout. She took her necklace to the bar at Garibaldi’s, instructed the bartender to shake it like a Polaroid picture on speed, and enjoyed this charmingly alliterative cocktail: a Grey Goose gimlet at Garibaldi’s. (Shop Tart Tip: For slightly more budget-friendly drinking, order the fanciest brand for round one. Take a step down for round two. Round three? Probably you should skip this one entirely, but if you must, switch to house liquor. If you can tell a difference, your tolerance is too high.)
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
P.S. Don’t forget to comment on Monday’s post to be entered to win tickets to John Tudor’s amazing magic show at Cromer’s on Saturday. Let the Shop Tart and your fellow readers know what your favorite party favor is. Favor suggestions for adults, children and pets welcome. The drawing will be random, so even if you feel your suggestion is not the most creative, please share!
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3 Responses to “In which the Shop Tart gets something she’s always wanted and learns how to order a cocktail.”
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The Shop Tart Loves...
pug’s loves a Goose Gimlet!
I completely agree on your drinking methods. I like to get the good bubbly first, then switch to the cava or whatever! Because not only are you less likely to tell the difference after the first glass, the first SIP is always utterly heavenly! So why not make it even more so?
Shaking a cocktail dilutes the burn, baby….