Over the past weekend I had a chance to "go south" for the first time since I arrived in the Arctic five months ago. And I did what most northerners do when they get anywhere near a mall -- I shopped til I dropped.
In case you ever wondered what northerners stock up on, I can't speak for others, but this was my personal list: fancy napkins, gift bags and wrapping paper, large picture frames and matting, picnic stuff (tablecloth, plates, etc.), take-out tins with lids (those lids are elusive in Inuvik!), a shower caddy, pretty soap dispensers, art supplies (paintbrushes, palettes), hotpads/trivets, nice cutting board, curtain hold-backs, cake decorating items (food coloring, cupcake liners, cake bases), a journal, hair highlighting kit, fleece throws for the winter (reduced to $12 at Fabricland... what a deal!), squash goggles, and a pair of comfortable Sketchers (got to be sensible in the north!).