Forever 21

It's unusually warm today here in Indiana, with temperatures in the 60s. It will turn cold again soon, but today I walked around the yard and took a photo of our naked sculpture here. It looks as though she needs some clothes. I've draped her before to entertain us, but instead I could just go buy her something to wear at Forever 21.

Forever 21 is a clothing store chain that has become very popular all across the country. We have one in Fort Wayne at Glenbrook Square Mall. Teens love this store - they have a huge selection of things, it's trendy, and prices are generally cheap. It began in California, and was first called Fashion 21. There was one store in the L.A. area in 1984, and by 1997 that number had grown to 40 stores. The Korean-born owners bought designs from hundreds of southern California clothing makers and put them together in their original store. It still works that way - one problem with this is there is no uniform size-scale across the store. A 6 in one item might be the same size as an 8 in another. But, who cares? Informal, fun, so-Cal: It's not Macy's or Banana Republic, but it's not intended to be so.

The local store has an interesting decor - faux tin ceilings (at least I don't think they could be real) that have been white washed; a dozen or so elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceilings. I really like how the accessories and jewelry have a room of their own. The costume jewelry is well displayed, and there is a massive collection: it is one of the best features of the store. Costume jewelry is so elaborate and fun right now: lots of metallics, chain mail strung together, and feathers (really a huge trend).

Separates are the focus of the line. It's not a suits or dresses type of brand. Forever 21 has gained a measure of media attention by printing the bible verse John 3:16 on the bottom of their shopping bags - a witnessing of their Christian perspective. What I didn't know is that the hamburger chain In-&-Out Burger has done the same thing on some of their cups.

Although Forever 21 has been sued by Diane Von Furstenberg, Gwen Stefani and Anna Sui for having suppliers copy their designs, reportedly the company is trying to show more business acumen by assuming a policy of corporate responsibility and posting their plans on their website. For some fun and inexpensive shopping, give it a try. The store is kind of jam-packed with merchandise, which I think makes it difficult, but if you're able to keep your sanity while digging, I'm sure you can find something you like.

Plato's Closet and a Snow Globe Moment

My dear friends and family who have moved to places such as California, Florida, and Arizona: I understand. I hear you gloat about how you don't have to remove any ice and snow. Yes, many times I envy you - nevertheless, the Midwest is my home, and sometimes there is just something magical about the snow. Every snowfall can be different. The one this morning caught me by surprise - a steady, mid-size flake blowing in on a brisk breeze - the snow is moving so fast I feel as though I am in a snow globe.

I was struck looking out at the bus stop this morning where the street light shone overhead - the sun had not yet risen, but the snow everywhere glowed as it would, and the street light wore a halo of snow and light. All the street traffic was muffled, and it was a reverent quiet that it seemed even the distracted teenagers meditated upon, their faces rising to the scene. Don't get me wrong, I adore your beautiful, temperate states - I'm just saying even the snow has its moments.

But back to reality. The cable popped off the garage door mechanism, and a bolt needs to be replaced, so the car is stuck inside at the time being. One learns to deal with it. More snow globe effect is applied here. But I digress; the topic is: 11 degree Fahrenheit temperatures yesterday, led to (outdoors) one of us cross-country skiing and (others) shopping indoors at Glenbrook Square Mall in Fort Wayne.

The Sears and the J C Penney stores are open before all the other stores on Sunday, so we hit them first, and took a brisk walk inside the store-shuttered mall in between. The above stores are two of the three anchor stores of this local mall, and by this I mean they are large stores on either end of the mall with their own exterior entrances. Good stores, both, and then later we move on to Abercrombie & Fitch: all the rage with teen shoppers.

I think A & F has done a fabulous job of branding, and I like the quality of their merchandise. That being said, I did not enjoy my shopping experience there yesterday. One walks into such a dark store - I understand, for effect, it's this way to create a mood - but it was oppressively dark. The store is divided up into smaller rooms to the point it's impossible to see a clerk in another room, and you wonder where everybody is.

There was a canoe hanging overhead in one room - I can't remember seeing people wearing any A & F items when I was canoeing more, but maybe it was just the crowd I was with - (that's a joke). The rooms in this store are decorated like a designer house, almost. The branding and all of this stylization sort of equates with pricey. I will say, such detail as nice applique on the shirts and hoodies, good fitting stuff, good colors - No wonder the line is so popular with the young set. I like it too.

But the deal breaker is in the dressing room area. The music pumping over the loudspeakers was so loud, we were shouting at the top of our lungs at each other between the dressing rooms doors, "Does it fit?" "What?" "Do you want to buy the shirt?" "What did you say?" It was not pleasant. Okay, we had had enough.

We left the mall and headed to Plato's Closet nearby at 4627 Coldwater and Coliseum, on the northeast corner. We pass the guy holding the WE BUY GOLD sign - he's hopping, changing feet, as if he's, well he sure looks like - he's really cold. No wonder.

Plato's Closet is a resale clothing store, with items mainly for young women. There is a corner of the store with trendy resale clothes for guys. The store is stuffed, yet has a 'hip' feel. In addition to clothes, there are lots of shoes, handbags, hats, jewelry, video games, and movies for resale. The main focus is the clothes, and only certain name brands - Abercrombie, Hollister, Patagonia, American Eagle, VS Pink - there are more, but you get the idea. A person can bring their items here and have them sifted through to sell to the store, but they'll only offer a price on what they think will sell. If you don't have exactly the kind of stuff they want, they won't be interested. There is another shop next door in this complex that handles resale for more 'mature' women's sizes and styles, but we didn't make it in there on this trip.

This is a green way to shop - it's also fun to sift though the racks and see surprises, stuff mixed together - watch out for the odd earring or Chapstick in a pocket that was missed. This store occasionally has a clearance bag-type sale, so it's worth it to go in the store and hear about their upcoming deals. It's not for everybody, but for those high-end teen clothes on a budget, it's a savvy way to shop.

It's too nice a day to stay indoors - it's finally sunny out, so the shopping is over. There's something about the way a new snowfall leaves everything looking so clean around it; the ditches covered, the white plateau only interrupted by snow-covered buildings and trees. Hate the snow if you must - I'm still enjoying being in my snow globe.

Shoes from Three Rivers Running Company

It was time for running shoe shopping. I also love to hike. California, southern Illinois, parks around Fort Wayne - any where I can. One place that always pulls me back is Colorado - the photo to the right was taken on a mountain road, near a good place to hike.

I finally received my custom-made orthotics for my shoes from my podiatrist. I had to wait nearly a month after my feet were cast in plaster for them, to treat my Plantar Fasciitis that had stopped my running and water skiing by late summer. This is a torn ligament in the band attached to the foot's heel. I am really happy with new new hi-tech shoe inserts, and immediately felt like I was standing up straighter, with more support. I am leaving them in my shoes all the time, and I can feel them up under the arches under my feet.






With a steroid shot in my foot, by the next day I was ready to shop for new running shoes to get off to the right start with these inserts. All along I had planned to go to the Three Rivers Running company on North Clinton in Fort Wayne. I took my new inserts and went inside - parking is very convenient. I think I've bought running shoes in the mall in Ft. Wayne in the past, but there is no other running specialty store like Three Rivers.







After discussing my situation with the salesman, he helped me put the inserts in a pair of New Balance - my preferred brand from in the past. He then videotaped my feet and legs as I ran on a treadmill to do a gait analysis - the doctor had said I was pronating (to me it's like caving inward). Does a person roll inward or outward on one's feet? How can it be centered? People, experts, know about these things.







The orthotics felt good in the shoes, although I was a little nervous about running for the first time in two or three months. The salesman then had me try on another brand that worked well with my running form - another high end, name brand shoe. I ran in them in the Orthotics as well. I felt the heel cage was a little wider, and decided I preferred the fit of the New Balances, which I bought.







The store is comfortable - there were other staff and customers who knew each other and chatted about local races and training. Fort Wayne's running and fitness community has expanded over the last couple of decades - this store has been open since 2004. They had a lot of good looking running clothes, things for women, and triathletes. I'm talking about wet suits and even snorkels. And one customer was buying the snacks - Power Bars, Gu, that kind of stuff.







A table displayed with fliers had the latest news about upcoming walks, races, and community events for people into running and fitness. It looks like you could hang out and talk about running and find groups with whom to train. Good deal.







I got my shoes, and tomorrow I'll go out and try and run in them. It's exciting - I love running, not racing, but to each his own. I like the breathing, hearing the quiet nature sounds, the rhythm - I walk, I run, I don't stress about it. But I gave it up after the severe heel pain of the initial PF - which I especially felt first thing in the morning. I have been wearing a calf/heel brace some, usually while sleeping, to stretch the ligament. So I look forward to running, and then gradually, hiking, when I'm fully recovered. I can't wait.

Grabill Country Sales

I'm back in Grabill again, and it's the cinnamon rolls that got me there. Now, I'm sure I like sweets as much as the next person. But I'm not a kid anymore, so I try to say "no" as much as I can to all the extra sugar and calories. A lot of the cinnamon rolls you buy at the grocery store are pretty 'ho hum'. As in, maybe they're not even worth it.

But there are cinnamon rolls made by the Amish folk at this new store in Grabill for which you will return. They have the regularly iced rolls, and they also have ones with a rich, brown, carmel-y icing that's different, and delectable. You simply must have these sometime. I have to fight the urge to drive to this store in the morning (just kidding), and I've always been more of a chocolate person. Simple ingredients, fresh, perfect.

They sell deli meats and cheeses, other baked items such as cakes and pies, and also prepare several dishes for a hot lunch. What I can recommend today is a chicken salad I picked up - freshly made and mouth-watering. Theirs contains chicken, onions, celery, peas, eggs, relish and the slightest bit of mayo. I toasted some wheat bread and made a sandwich. Tastier and cheaper than fast food - and still cheating a bit in the preparation. I'm not ashamed I didn't make it myself - I'll go with their batch!

This is an eclectic store with greeting cards, party-ware, all the variety of soda pop and chips you could imagine, and candy. The Amish folk, perhaps not having lots of other vices such as televisions, computers, and I-pods, dearly love their candy and sweets. It's totally part of their culture, and very important to them. Everyone seems to have a favorite type of candy, and the Amish will stock up in bulk, be it gummy bears, sugar wafers or sandwich cookies. The Amish aren't apologetic about breaking out the treats after get-togethers, meals and any occasion. In this store glass jars are filled with all these varieties, and any baking supplies as well - no matter how obscure. The Amish seem to believe part of home and love and family, is baking. And they are passionate about it, and share with one another and the store clerks what's cooking at home today.

Now, don't think me a gossip, but the Amish work hard - and aren't always clean in the way you and I (called English) would expect in ourselves. They can tend to be - forgive me - smelly. I get it, the guy looks like he's been out in the field behind the horses all morning, and the woman looks like she's been canning green beans all morning. Well, she has; she's buying more canning salts. A trip to a shower first just hasn't happened. Oh right, they probably don't have a shower - unless it's gravity operated. You also don't see "no shirt, no shoes, no service" signs. In the summertime, small Amish children go barefoot, and you see them this way all the time in stores. In contrast, we English are conditioned to struggle with our little children to get those shoes on.

They also like to send their men off to work with packed lunches, and I've noticed white sandwich bread and soda pop seem to be staples in their grocery carts. Sort of takes me back to grocery shopping as child in the seventies. Kind of pop/comfort food. C'mon, no home baked bread for every day? How disappointing.

And then, for this shopping trip - the bulk coffee. Whole beans - grind them yourself in the store. So many varieties to choose from - I go with a classic bold Colombian, and it smells heavenly while the beans are grinding - it kind of sends off an olfactory/adrenalin rush. Mmm, the smell of those fresh ground beans is almost better than the taste of the coffee itself. I have never been so excited to brew a cup of coffee. I love Starbucks coffee French Roast, but I don't choose the French roast in this store because they warn it's great for espresso or cappachino - and I don't want a hint of bitterness. We'll see - I'll have to sample some of theirs brewed next time.

Time for me to get out of this store before I buy something I regret. I think next time, I'm going to have to write about buying exercise shoes.

Marshalls

Sometimes you just need a go-to store, where you know where to find certain things without having to wander around. I find this is a good thing if you don't have a lot of time to waste looking around in a big store or the mall. The kids love to shop for themselves, but they tend to get distracted from what the purpose of the trip is, and want to buy things they see impulsively.

Marshalls is a useful store for me because I can find things, like shoes and kids clothes, at good prices and I can have fun browsing through unique items while I'm at it. The have some great marked-down designer things and gift items that make it easy if you have to pick up things for the whole family.

On the trip today I bought a Liz Claiborne scarf in a cool spring color, an orangy-pink with a bit of a clover patttern, which I can throw over my Easter ensemble to make it new for this year. I'm going with a classic, starchy white shirt and a swingy, colorfully patterned skirt, and the scarf will give it an additional punch of color and look bright and warm against my face and skin tones.

I'm all for accessories. An outfit looks much more pulled together with a sharp pair of shoes, a great handbag, some interesting jewelry or a flowing scarf. All the Europeans on any flight are wearing scarves -it's an easy and stylish way to quickly regulate your temperature. It's also a way to get mileage out of an old garment in a new way - just don't overdo it, or you'll end up looking like a character in "Legally Blonde."

Rather than spending hours with my daughter at the mall this time, I've found a couple pairs of jeans for her that she can try on at home - one is a dark skinny by bullhead, a hot-enough brand that they had to marker over the label name to undercut the price. The other jean is paperdenim&cloth, with the original manufacturer's label listing these jeans at $68 - ridiculous. They're going for $13 at Marshalls.

I like this store because they have an interesting variety of things that change - home decor and bath items, gourmet snacks and coffees, books and DVDs - if you need stocking stuffers, Easter basket items, party gift bag items, etc., you can usually find something here.

Of couse, you have to deal with the solicitation to apply for a credit card with them, and that's getting old at all the stores. Still, this location is an easy in and out at Chapel Ridge Plaza, off of Maysville Road at I-469. I find myself becoming a repeat customer to this particular store.

Von Maur

Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment. -Rumi

When I muse on poetry about love, somewhere high in my memory are works by the 13th century mystic poet Rumi. What visceral, spiritual love - one can see why Sufism sprang from his sometimes ecstatic thought. I think of this Muslim writer in the days before Valentine's Day - a holiday celebrating a more romantic European era of love - and I realize that's a different topic.

If a person wanted find a memorable gift or simply have a comforting shopping experience on February 11th or so, I would highly recommend Von Maur at Jefferson Pointe in Ft. Wayne. At the intersection of Illinois Road and West Jefferson, Von Maur is a place to take your wife, daughter, mother, mother-in-law or grandmother. It's old-school department store with plush chairs and luxurious bathrooms, never crowded, and just very nice. Seated at the grand piano under the escalator, a polished young man was passionately playing, and there was hardly a lull while I was there as he transitioned from classical sonatas to Seal and back.

Flowers and candy are wonderful for Valentine's Day, but letting her pick out something nice from Von Maur that would last for years - not bad either. I do not have a collection, but I have a personal weakness for browsing through the designer hand bags - and here lies the best collection I've seen in Ft. Wayne, with the possible exception of Macy's. They are just better laid out at Von Maur, somehow. A good bag in a soft-to-the-touch leather or fabric, clean bold lines and streamlined designs - that's real luxury. You look rich and put-together with a nice bag like that. I love the spring bright colors, but I can't carry off something like that seasonally yet, so I move on to accessories.

Here I pick out this year's Valentine to myself - A very wide yet simple, designer leather belt that I can wear to cinch a sweater dress I have - I've been looking for one of these, it's the accessory of the year and I don't have one. To do this right, avoid large buttons or other funkiness that would draw unnecessary attention to that area. I'm happy, I've been wanting something like this.

It's a great store - beautiful shoes, men's clothing, jewelry, well-made bathing suits that are sold not just seasonally - and high-end casual stuff for women. I do splurge here today on a couple of cosmetics items - Clinique black mascara and their 'dramatically different' moisturizing lotion. This is not the only brand of cosmetics I use, but I'll talk about others later, and it's all I'm buying today.

When I leave, I complete this trip to Jefferson Pointe with a stop by Starbucks. I have a personal rule to always make coffee at home and not buy it out. However, I have an empty bag of ground Starbucks we buy in the grocery store to make at home - and when the bag is empty you can take it to Starbucks for a free coffee. Thus, a free caffeine splurge for me on a cold day. La Dulce vita, baby!

Snowy Day in the Fort

An unexpected snowfall hits the Fort and temperatures are bitter. What do you do? One option - stay inside. Watch local grey squirrels collect black walnuts, and if you are in the north Leo-Cedarville or Auburn areas, you may have the privilege of seeing playful black squirrels. I also love the cheeky little fox squirrels that sometimes commandeer tree nest boxes or dash with nuts in teeth across country roads.

Be it where you are with wi-fi, or at a branch of the Allen County Public Library, do an Internet search on a philosopher, such as the German psychologist Erich Fromm, 1900-80. "If I am what I have and if I lose what I have who then am I?" Contemplate materialism. Then decide to have fun without buying something. Go look at the lovely fountain, and then the two-decker carousel at Glenbrook Square Mall, where a handicapped person can take a ride for free. The mounts are spectacular - elephants, a dragon, a hummingbird, a tiger - just beautiful. Buy tokens to ride and be a kid again. Then tour through Spencer's, with their kitchy gifts, or browse through designer clothes and handbags at Macy's. For germs' sake, I carry in my purse a small pack of baby wipes -I don't like hand sanitizers. Good for common surfaces, door handles, etc.