Category Archives: retail therapy

blu-ray

14 Saturday Jul 2012

Posted by in gadgets, rants, retail therapy, television

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After some surprising news from the gyno yesterday (I don’t have a cervix!) I felt so relieved to know that there was one less cancer-causing factor to worry about in my life that I decided to buy a blu-ray player. Yes, it makes sense.

Anyhow, was all excited about this new purchase (50 euros less than a slightly larger Sony model with WiFi I’d previously seen) until I got it home and discovered that it didn’t come with any connecting cords. WTF? I mean, bad enough there weren’t any cords in the box but why didn’t the salesclerk tell me this at the time so I could have picked one up while still at the store? And so, after a bit of delayed gratification while I went out to buy an HDMI cord I came home to set this baby up and… it doesn’t work!!!

I’ve tried everything but am pretty much stumped at the first step of any operation, which says “switch the input selector on your tv so that the signal from the player appears on your tv screen”. This doesn’t happen no matter what I switch. The only thing I’ve had appear on my tv screen is a notice saying there is no signal and that I should check my antenna. Huh? Maybe it’s the player? Or maybe I got a dud HDMI cord? Help?

como una niña con zapatos nuevos

11 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in retail therapy, shoes

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Ever since I ordered these new Mephistos online I’ve been looking forward to their arrival with a mixture of excitement and dread in case they didn’t fit. Well, they were just delivered to my door a few minutes ago and they are perfect! As always, just a bit snug and will have to be worn awhile to break them in, but they are made of lovely soft suede so I don’t expect to have too many blisters.

Wish I’d had them while I was in Granada last week as it was a bit embarrassing to go to my posh tapas tasting at the fabulous Palacio de los Patos wearing my old shredded Mephistos, but hopefully nobody noticed.

So I am as happy as a kid with new shoes (como una niña con zapatos nuevos)! 🙂

another sandal dilemma

23 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in retail therapy, shoes, summer

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Last year I had a slight sandal dilemma when I bought these Mephisto sandals because my usual size seemed a tiny bit short, but the next size up was way too long. So I went with the usual size and they were fine but, because they were my only sandals last year (and I wear sandals from March – October) they are pretty much worn to a nubbin.

The problem is that all the Mephistos this year are either waaaayy ugly or else the same as last year. In order to have something new and comfy to wear (the shredded insoles on the old ones also shred my feet!) I bought a pair just like these, though they aren’t the best for walking as they don’t have a back strap.

In desperation I started looking online and found a place in the UK that stocks the model shown here, which I think look nice and also look like they’ll be comfortable. It’ll cost me 10€ to have them shipped here, but that’s not my dilemma. What if they don’t fit right? I’ll end up paying shipping charges twice and still have no sandals. Though I’m pretty sure I’ve had this style before, or something similar. Having very hard-to-fit feet is it foolish of me to even consider ordering sandals online?

new glasses

22 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in retail therapy

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So these are my new glasses! What do you think? They are totally the opposite of what I was looking for, but as I have such trouble finding glasses wide enough for my face these seemed like a cute option. Also very lightweight. Bought yesterday at Alain Afflelou and being returned this morning for “adjustments”. Lenses aren’t fitted into the frames properly. So if they can’t fix them “just so” they won’t be my new glasses for much longer…

crazy clutter

19 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by in culture, retail therapy, sevilla, spain

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[click on image to enlarge]

Don’t you just love old shops like this? I’ve been going to Bazar Victoria ever since I first moved to Sevilla, which used to be a challenge because most things are “in the back” somewhere and have to be asked for. I think the staff quite enjoyed my miming and bad Spanish whilst trying to get across what I wanted. These days I am more likely to see some cool kitchen gagdet in the window and have to get them to explain what it’s used for, which is also fun. Though I can never tell when Amalio is being serious so I’m still not convinced that the cricket cages are for real…

Do you have a favourite old shop like this where you live?

[more about Bizare Victoria on azahar’s Sevilla blog]