After a year of no shopping, and hearing my cohorts who are now at the end of the diet talk about how they are still not shopping, I realize that I love that particular activity. More than ever. The year off only honed my taste level and made me more mindful, focused, and particular when I shop. I am better at it now. During the diet, I could see what fabrics failed me, wore out too fast, seemed like disposable clothes. I took a mental note of that and paid attention to the fact that three cheaply made sweaters are the same price as one great, long lasting one. I would rather have fewer things than things made with the idea that they can be tossed out because the item is so “cheap”.
I love shopping alone, I love shopping with my friends, I love finding out about new businesses, meeting the owners, and telling my clients where they might find what they are looking for. Even my salon on Queen Anne has a series of photos in each room, photos of women shopping in Paris. The photographer, Esther Sirotnik, uses digital film, but does not touch up the images, crop or change them. The shot above is the shot she captured that day. I love it that only the dog is aware. I adore these images (Ms. Sirotnik also has a book called Unexpected Paris) because it captures these women, who are all doing the same thing, but they are from all different parts of the world. The photos really do capture the feeling of why I love wandering through shops, the feel of fabrics, talking to the boutique owners about their businesses, seeing what kind of buyers they are and what they are passionate about.
You can see the photos on Monday, November 8th from 4PM to 7PM during the Olivine “pop up shop” we are having at my studio. Or go to Esther Sirotnik’s website. But I warn you….if you are still on the diet here looking at the photos is like a person off sugar looking at pictures of Trophy Cupcakes.


