Last night my mom and I visited the brand new H&M store downtown. This is the third location in the Lower Mainland, and the only one within a walking distance from my home.

I’ve been a fan of H&M since the early nineties; I was a tad disappointed there were no US locations when I first moved to the States. I was a secretly pleased at the same time because it made the brand a bit more exclusive – I liked the fact that you could only get it when you visited places like London and Copenhagen.

I just so happened to be in New York in 2000 when the first US store opened on Fifth Avenue – it felt a little like Christmas and I’d go on to tell people I went to New York because of the opening.

Soon it popped up all over the East Coast and I knew it was a matter of time before it reached us.

I like H&M for a number of reasons; the first being their relatively inexpensive trendy pieces, thanks to them I can try out fads I like without having to worry about their longevity. Like those bubble skirts from sessions ago, I doubt those will ever make another comeback in my lifetime.

It was loud and crowded despite it being less than an hour to closing when we got there. My mom decided she wasn’t in the targeted demography but thought the prices were encouraging, although at some point she looked on worriedly at the crowds and said “Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean you have to take every crappy thing home!”

I succumbed to the euphoria I came away with a maxi dress for $18.93 which I’ll probably never wear.

In line with my new budget conscious lifestyle, I will no longer apologize for patronizing Swedish giant merchants.

In other related news; we’re getting our very own Apple Store (right next to the H&M!) – if they keep this up I never have an excuse to leave this city ever again. What’s next, a Camper store?