Mall Attack

I have been desperately needing to get a new cover-up to wear over my bathing suit. After checking online, I decided JCPenney's had the style and price to make me happy. When momma is happy, everyone is happy!

However, this means going to the mall for a 'fitting' and the mall in my town makes me a little nervous. Even though it is a beautiful mall with nice variety, it has a reputation as being not safe. This is something that is known in my mommy circle of friends. We've discussed it and decided that the earlier in the day you go the better and at all cost to avoid weekends.

I chose to go around lunch time on a Wednesday. But still I was nervous. My son and I found a safe parking spot and proceeded straight to Penney's, where I purchased 2 cute cover-ups.

So far so good but the worse is yet to come. From inside of Penney's you can see right down the mall to one of my favorite places to visit - Pretzel Time! My son and I just love those pretzel bites!

Unfortunately, standing in the way between our pretzel-loving, growling bellies and relief was the most horrific and scariest thing at the mall! The dreaded, pushy kiosk salesgirl! Horror!! (insert scream)

Up to this point in my life I didn't even know what she was selling. I just had a feeling that she needed to be avoided. Like most women, I don't want to be talked into anything. It has to be my idea if I am going to do or purchase something. I used typical avoidance tactics like not allowing her to get a word in and saying things like: 'on a mission', 'no money', 'no time', 'all my money goes to the kid.' All true and somewhat sad. The worst part is the look she gives you as you walk away - it is that look that makes me nervous. All the mean thoughts she is having toward me make me nervous. I cannot stand her mean looks trying to ruin my day! How dare she!

But this was a particularly slow day at the mall and she caught my eye from 15 yards away. Holding out her little tray of lotions and beckoning me to try. Right at this point my mind flashed to the classified ad I read recently looking for kiosk workers that paid $7/hour. So I felt kind of sorry and I decided to give her a chance.

I tried the lotion. It was just ok. I really do not have much memory of it cause she started to talk and talk while my head started to spin and spin. She had my hand and she was filing away with a buffer on my nail. She said the sweetest things to me - maybe this isn't so bad! We started a count down together ...

3 - 2 - 1

WOW, I HAVE NEVER SEEN MY NAIL SHINE LIKE THAT EVER!

She keeps talking and doing things to my nail. (Yes, I do love the nail salon and I go often but she is getting my nails to do things with little effort and her majic buffer never before achieved by the nail 'tech' who makes fun of me in another language to her friends!)

'So how much is this buffer?'
'Only $200.00'
'That is way too much for me.'

But she kept talking and I soon realize she probably makes a lot more than $7.oo/hr with her skill set. Finally she talked herself down to selling me 2 kits, including the buffers for ONLY $49.95.

Did I buy them?

Heck no!
I got my pretzel bites and headed to Sally Beauty Supply. I found 2 wonderful nail buffers that produced the exact same results for uder $3.00 each! Picked up some cuticle oil and cuticle remover and did the happy momma dance to the car for less than $13.00 total!

I cannot believe I have been missing out on how easy and cheap it is to have such shiny, beautiful nails. This shine has lasted more than a week so far. I am so thankful to the kiosk girl for showing me what I was missing out on!

From now on I will have to find another route entirely to get to Pretzel Time.
Or maybe not... I can see how some of her skills could come in handy as a mom of a 3yo. I might just have to go back to study her craft again!