When I was younger (and er, smaller), I loved clothes shopping. But now, I only like (love!) shoe shopping.

Everything else leaves me feeling very, very grumpy. It is simply not fun to try on 10 pairs of pants just to find one that looks “okay.” Not “great” and “fabulous” — but just okay. And when you have very little spare time, I think you’ll agree that this is pretty much the last way you’d want to spend it. To add insult to injury, you then need to fork over your hard-earned cash for something that you feel just “okay” about.

All in all, clothes shopping has transformed itself from a fun experience to a chore that I like to get done and over with as expediently as possible. I’ve found ways to do this, too. I will block off a whole day and go to one or two stores that I know sell clothes that will work for me. I will only buy full outfits — never just a top or a skirt. I want the whole package all at once. I don’t want to have to shop around in other stores to find a match. This might sound like a more expensive way of doing things, but in the end I think I save a lot of money and closet space with this “method.”

My husband shops this way too. Basically he goes into The Bay or Mark’s Work Warehouse and gets all he needs, all at once. So perhaps I actually learned my “method” from him.

So when I received an invitation from the same Mark’s Work Warehouse that my husband shops at, I immediately recognized the name and felt familiar with what their products were. But I guess that’s the point …. most of us have been into a Mark’s Work Warehouse for something practical, like construction boots or men’s jeans, but not to shop for stylish women’s clothing that you could wear on the weekend or to the office.

But this invitation asked me to do just that. To come on in to Mark’s and check out the women’s section — try some things on and let a team of stylists help you do it. AND keep the outfit to bring home. Who could say no, really?

So in addition to spoiling me rotten, my new BFF is named Mark because he introduced me to:

• “Jeggings“: a jean look, but legging in cut and comfort (no fly and an elastic waist!)
• Eternity scarf: you don’t have to fiddle with this thing, it’s one big circle loop like a necklace!
• QUAD comfort: shoes that are comfortable AND cute — including tall boots that fit on my calves!
• Blouses that you don’t have to iron: I don’t wear blouses because I don’t like ironing. But you actually don’t have to with these. They also have them in men’s as well — 100% cotton and NO ironing!
• Sweaters that you can wash AND dry: no pilling or shrinking from tossing into the dryer. Me like.
• Yoga wear that won’t break the bank: really nice detailing and fabrics at good prices (thank you!)
• And last but not least: No panty-line underwear that isn’t a granny panty! (my husband thanks you!)

As you can tell, I’m really smitten. I’m thrilled with the outfit that was I given to take home (which you can see in this picture), but more than that, I’m going to go back again this weekend and treat myself to at least a few new outfits. Mark’s my new BFF … sizes that fit, waistbands that don’t dig in, no mall traffic to fight and really great prices!

Thanks to High Road Communications and Mark’s for opening my eyes — this is my kinda shopping!