Day Three in what seems like an unending string of “ugh” shopping days. I seem to take one step forward and then one step back and I’m definitely not following my own shopping advice.

Marshalls — ($32.41)
The Husband and I had an errand to run up north so we took the opportunity to stop by Marshalls to return The Son’s basketball shorts and track pants.

Target — ($21.61)
After dropping The Husband off at his office, I proceeded to Target to return the picture frame I’d purchased.

Target — $126.02
Last Sunday the Target sale flyer listed picture frames as being on sale so I wanted to make sure I returned my frame and looked for alternate frames by the end of the week. The sale was extremely disappointing but I was determined to find just one frame for an 8×10 of the kids together.

I ended up buying two frames. The first was a large frame with a double white mat that fits an 8×10 photo ($17.89). But it turns out I only have one 8×10 with a black background — a really cute close-up photo of the kids lying down looking straight up at the camera. Though this photo is adorable, it would not have been my first priority for framing. I’m still undecided as to whether or not to keep the frame.

The second frame is one of those really cool “floating” frames — the photos are sandwiched between two panes of glass so it looks like the photo is floating ($29.99). But in this case there are two separate layers of double glass so you can float a photo collage on two different levels so some photos float above and others behind each other. It’s a great concept and look but I think it would be more effective with group photos of various sizes and various backgrounds and subjects. Ugh!! This frame was not on sale and will definitely go back.

I hereby resolve to take my envelope of photos with me on any and all future photo frame shopping trips!

But wait the Ugh factor just gets bigger. On my way to check-out, I passed the kids’ clothing department and, because I just can’t leave well enough alone, I detoured to see what they might have in the way of “swish” pants for my nephew. Wouldn’t you know it, I not only found swish pants with functioning drawstrings (a must for this skinny mini), but they’re lined with soft jersey knit fabric ($9.99). And I found a stray black hooded windbreaker on the sale rack ($3.74) that will coordinate perfectly with the black “swish” pants. Naturally, I bought them both but now I have to return the “swish” track pants I bought for him at Marshalls. Yes, the very same Marshalls I’d made two returns to just mere hours earlier; the very same Marshalls that’s way, way north of where we live. Can we say UGH!?

The final two Target purchases were a very handsome Timex Expedition watch ($44.99) with an analog face and a small digital display. The Son desperately needs a new watch for Christmas. This summer he pointed out that he can barely close the band of his several-years-old kids-sized Timex watch around his expanding wrist. He didn’t want a new watch for his birthday but chose to wait until Christmas.

The new watch is beautiful (I hope he likes it) but the band is a leather and buckle affair and I’d bet dollars to donuts that he will only accept a watch with the same sporty webbing and velcro styled band that he’s used to wearing. So I also picked up a replacement band ($9.99). It has the added benefit of featuring a little medical symbol on the band and includes a wallet card for medical notes. As The Son is allergic to penicillin and has asthma, I thought the special watchband and wallet card would be a great idea.

Cash — $2.00
Two hours’ worth of parking on campus where The Son attended basketball practice.

I did manage to take my own shopping advice once today — after leaving Target I stopped in at a local camera store to research sub-compact digital cameras which is what we intend to get The Daughter for Christmas. I looked at the various models available, handled them all, and talked to the clerk but I left the store will nothing but info — no purchases. Whew, at least I did one thing right today.