Should bring her more often

I have made it clear that I don't like to shop. Particularly for clothes. I don't pay attention to what passes for fashionable and don't want to try to fit my given-birth-to-three-kids body into styles that are meant for anorexic 13 year olds.

There is actually one place I do love to shop. It is only open three weekends a year, the clothes are organized by color and the changing area is a big space in the middle of the place.

I go to a warehouse sale for a clothes company near our house. Early last month was the big weekend for the spring/summer clothes. The next one isn't until November. I had to bring my 4-year-old daughter with me and planned to strategically bribe placate her with food praise during my excursion.

What I didn't realize is what an asset she would be.

Less than a minute in the warehouse, she charged a stranger who was holding up a skirt against her legs and assessing the look in a mirror. She asked nicely, "Can my mom have that skirt?"

I nearly died. The woman very politely explained (to a 4-year-old - what is it with this kid that she gets adults to rationalize with her?) she was considering it for herself but if it didn't work she would find us and give it to me. A little later she appeared and handed me the same skirt. "I liked it but was worried there were only a few left. I went and got it for you."

Little lady was thrilled when I put it on. I got tons of compliments from the other women also trying on clothes and many queries as to where I found it in the racks.

For $25, it was a steal. And I think only the beginning of my daughter telling me what clothes to buy.