The New Shopping Experience and a Lesson Learned (Stephanie-Don't read this entry)

I learned a lesson yesterday and I thought I'd share it with all of you: Don't shop at high-priced stores for a birthday present when you're in a hurry to get to a birthday party.

Here's what went down.  About a month ago I decided on what I was going to purchase my dear sister Stephanie for her birthday.  I knew that I wanted to get her some of the awesome tea sold at Teavana.  I had never really shopped there before because 1) I am satisfied with my cinnamon tea from Caribou Coffee and the white tea from my mom-in-law, (2) I find the place slightly intimidating, and (3) it is freakin' expensive.  I love my sister a lot, however, and I got the other two sisters to agree to chip in.  Victory was sure to be mine.

Then disaster struck--mostly I just kept putting off the actual purchase of the gift.  I finally made it over to the mall 45 minutes before my sister's b-day dinner last night.  Luckily I already knew what kind of tea I wanted, having sampled some types each time I visited the mall.  As I drove over there though, I realized I would need to get her some sort of brewing/infusing hardware as well.  So I walked into the store, all set to by a brewing tumbler and a canister of tea. The salesman had other plans for me and my budget.  First I needed to get the fancy tumbler with the hidden tea leaf compartment.  Then I needed to keep the two types of my tea blend in two different tins for "best results".  Then I needed to get just the right amount of tea to put me considerably over budget. 

I'm not usually the type of person to allow sales people to coerce me into spending more than I want (however, as I type this, I realize that I may not be as strong as I thought).  I was in a major hurry and already upset that I had procrastinated on this brilliant idea; so I just bought what the guy said was best, paid my bill, and ran to my car.  I should say here that I am not at all unhappy with the service and product I received for the money.  I just wish I had been at the top of my game to stay within the budget.  I have no one to blame but myself and I will blame myself yet again when this month's credit card bill arrives. 

Stephanie absolutely loved it, though!  She thinks the tumbler is spectacular and called to tell me how much she enjoyed the tea she brewed as soon as she got home.  Despite my lesson learned, I call that a success!

Happy Birthday, Stephanie!