Stocking Up: The Wonder of Cheap American Stuff

T-minus 5 days until I board the plane for Sydney. In order to save myself from an impending heart attack based on the price of goods in Australia, I've been undertaking some serious stocking up, mostly at the local Happy-Faced-Retail-Industrial-Complex.

I brought home quite a stash today, to accompany another Smiley Stash from a previous day. Items on the Happy-Face stock up list include (but are not limited to):

:-) -Vitamins

:-) -Splenda

:-) -Toothpaste

:-) -Deodorant

:-) -OTC medications (Clariton, Advil, Pepto Bismol, etc.)

:-) -Pantyhose (lots!)

:-) -Toothbrushes

:-) -Sunscreen

:-) -Knitting needles

:-) -Airborne

:-) -Socks

:-) -Misc. Kitchen items (Kitchen score! I found the most awesome Chicago Cutlery bread knife on clearance for $10!)

Another big ticket item I've focused on to prevent embolisms in the shopping mall is shoes. I picked up another pair of comfy flops, a second pair of the rough and tumble Mary Janes I love to walk around town in, a pair of groovy heels (birthday present to myself), but most importantly - athletic shoes.

Partner In Crime and I are both proud owners of new tennis shoes (tennis-tennis shoes, as I explained it to the clerk in the store). I've also made the supreme investment in a second pair of running shoes. My Brooks Adrenalines are quite literally TWICE the price in Australia. And, when I tell you that, even in America, they are the most expensive piece of attire I've ever purchased, you'll surely understand why I had to grab a back up pair here in the Home of the Brave.

I'm also loaded up on prescriptions and contact lenses to last me 'til the next millennium.

Finally, my stocking-up update would not be complete without a gigantic thanks to my college friend Dawn, who is a guru of all things beauty related. If you are of the female persuasion, you should probably be reading her blog, Too Beautylicious. (Heck, I'd even read it if I were a particularly metrosexual guy). I imparted upon her a challenge to help me stock myself in makeup (affordably), given that I am not particularly, shall we say, advanced in the arts of cosmetics. She took my challenge, and I am now equipped with a brand new bag of tricks.

My favorite items on her list were a couple of pieces that included some serious SPF action because, holy inconvenient truth y'all, the sun in Australia is intense in a way that I cannot even describe to you. And, I moved from Florida - the Sunshine State.

I am stoked like a 4-year old with my mom's red lipstick to try the Physician's Forumla Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 50. 5-0.

My beauty guru has also sworn her allegiance to Neutrogena MoistureShine lipgloss with SPF 20, of which I am now the proud owner of two tubes.

Bring it, ozone layer (or lack thereof). My face is ready for you.

Now, with just a handful of days left, I swear myself off shopping and turn my attention to some final visits with friends/family, and packing all this wonderful stuff I've acquired into something luggagey. 100 pounds of baggage seems smaller and smaller everyday ...