Shop 'til you drop!

Caitlin needed new clothes.... wait, sorry, Caitlin needed a total overhaul of her wardrobe for winter, so we arranged to go serious clothes shopping.

Hamilton just doesn't have the available stores, so Michael suggested we go to Warrnambool, it supports a larger population than Mt Gambier. As Michael doesn't "do" clothes shopping, he stayed home with a very disappointed Mim whilst Caitlin and I went.

As clothes shopping with Caitlin ALWAYS degenerates into an insane desire to sell her on the blackmarket within an hour of hitting the shops, I wisely enlisted the help of her friend, Ebony, as a 'fashion consultant'. The Eb-meister stayed the night to make for a quick getaway this morning.

So, after a delayed start (having to round up an escaped Jess not once but TWICE before 8.30am), we hit the roads. Only took 1hr 45mins to W'bool, a better run than expected.

We trailed through Best & Less, Kmart, Cotton On, Target, Payless Shoes and a few other stores. Caitlin is always a hesitant buyer, it took her some time to get warmed up. Was getting sick of the "there's nothing here that I like/would wear..." so I started pulling out garments and making her try them on. Ebony was egging her on as well "That looks good on you... I like that top/jacket... I wish my mum wanted to spend spend spend on me!"

By the end of our time there, Caitlin had amassed two pairs of jeans, a few long sleeve shirts/jackets, a warm jacket (which she swears she doesn't like and won't wear, but I've seen a few of the teens wearing them and it'll keep her warm on those chilly mornings), some underwear, a pair of gladiator sandals (don't ask) and some tanktops. She couldn't find a pair of joggers that "felt comfortable" so we'll have to try in Mt Gambier next week. All in all, a good shop. I also picked up some clothing for myself and Mim. Hate to think how much today cost us (we love you Visa).

Ebony with her gold gladiators (which she bought) and her striped socks

Lunch was at a food court. Eb-meister and Caitlin opted for the super healthy Egg and Bacon sandwich, toasted (and smeared with tomato sauce in Eb-meister's case), whilst I chose a Chicken Caesar salad wrap, toasted. Not a difficult option, I thought, as they had one waiting in the cabinet. But no, they brought me out a salad wrap, untoasted. I took it back to the sulky teenager serving and told her it was not what I'd ordered. "I didn't hear you say you wanted it toasted" she whined at me accusingly. "Well, I did!" was my response. So she said "we can toast it if you want." (Well that's what I'd asked for first time round!!) I went back to my seat and five minutes later (yep, that long) the nice boy brought over my toasted wrap. Sans chicken. By this stage, we only had limited time left in W'bool, I was very hungry and frankly, couldn't be bothered complaining yet again - so I ate it and will never purchase from there again. i think it was called Rio@Gateway, it's in Centro Warrnambool for any of you who may live/visit the area. Avoid it!

Caitlin and Ebony in the food court, Caitlin about to spit Coke everywhere
We were slightly late in leaving W'bool, I'd planned to be on the road again by 2.45pm (it's approx an hour fifteen back to Hamilton and I had to start work at 4). So the pedal hit the metal and we flew back (maybe slightly over the speed limit). Was only a little bit late for work, despite dropping Caitlin and Eb-meister off at her house.

I'm very exhausted and I think my feet are as bruised as my credit card! But Caitlin looks good - and tomorrow morning I'm going through her old wardrobe and op-shopping a lot of it.