The Magic of A "Big Box" Along The Way
I am on the way to pick up
(After working in NYC for the last several years, I have become a bit of a germaphobe – but that’s a whole other story).
So I pull off at the next exit in Wytheville, Virginia, which promises a fast food caffeine fix. After securing a Super-sized Dr. Pepper, I spy a 24-hour Wal-Mart on the horizon. A place to get out of the car, walk around a bit and also pick up the aforementioned batteries and hand sanitizer.
At this early hour midweek, do you know that a Wal-Mart can be downright peaceful? Unlike on weekends -- when you enter one of these big box outlets and fight the other harried suburbanites trying to pick up life’s necessities before moving onto the next errand on their seemingly endless to-do lists -- the aisles are virtually empty, the shelves straightened and restocked overnight. I dare say, the calm can even mimic the quiet of strolling on back roads in the early morning hours.
After quickly locating and picking up those batteries and hand sanitizer, I am pulled into the other aisles by the calm around me. Never one to put on the pretense of only shopping in high end stores, I have always been able (good or bad) to discover true bargains and style finds in almost any place that has merchandise for sale. And today is no different. My “discoveries” today include:
s Exotic looking bracelet sets – marked down from $7.95 to $2.50. Sets of bamboo bracelets twinkling with small rhinestones will make terrific napkin rings for an upcoming dinner party (above).
s A cotton, red and white striped blouse with floral cuff accents (also on the sale rack for a reasonable $11). This piece will be perfect to wear with white Capri pants or this season’s popular walking shorts.
s A picnic basket set (above) compiled from 1) a sturdy black-and-white magazine holder 2) matching cotton dishtowels to serve as napkins 3) inexpensive, but fashionable, plastic summer plates and cups and 4) a fresh, apple-scented candle. We will use this romantic picnic set later this summer when we go to outdoor concerts in our area.
With my purchases in hand and caffeine finally coursing through my system, I am ready to resume the long drive ahead, refreshed and reinvigorated.
