My sweet 13-year-old niece lives in MN. Since we don't see each other very often, we make it a point to have a Girly Date when we're together. A few weeks ago we made a plan to go to King of Prussia mall and spend the day going into fancy stores and trying on hundred dollar sunglasses, thousand dollar shoes, and diamonds that are bigger than our fingers. Sounds like a pretty fun day, right?!
It was soon after we had this plan in place I found out that our Neighborlie Sisterhood was going to be based on an oh-so-lovely Fanny Pack. The thought passed through my mind that it would be fun to wear it to the Mall! And since I voiced that thought to other Neighborlies ... I had the Fanny Pack {aka, The Loveliness} in time for our little trip.
"Aunt Michelle... do you have to wear that? Are we really going to go into a fancy store with it?"
"Mads, it'll be fun. I promise! Trust me!"

"Um, I'm not sure ... Do we have any Fanny Packs in stock?" she asked her co-worker. "I don't think we have any in the store currently. I'm sorry" she replied. At first I thought she was just being polite, not wanting me to feel silly for asking about Fanny Packs in a super-fancy French shop! But when she proceeded to tell me that they might have some in next week and to check back then... I started laughing and said, "Are you serious?!" {FRIENDS, HERMES SELLS FANNY PACKS!!}
I proceeded to explain why I was wearing The Loveliness.
She was not amused.
Friends, I had just unintentionally insulted the Hermes Lady! Epic Fail!
We walked around the store, in an futile attempt to save face, and then slipped out quietly. Sweat was running out of every pore in my body from the uncomfortableness, but I told Maddie that I wanted to try one more store. THIS time, I would not laugh.
We walked next door into Gucci where I asked the same question. Within a few minutes, a Kind Young Man came back holding two options!! GUCCI SELLS FANNY PACKS!! He told me what colors they came in, and I said I'd like to try on the pink one.
And so I did. Without laughing.

I looked it over closely, unzipped it and such, and told the Kind Young Man that I wasn't going to purchase it today. I put The Loveliness back on and walked out of the store, head held high and dripping with sweat.
Maddie informed me that the Kind Young Man was laughing with his co-worker ... I'm glad I could help him have a better day, you know?
We were headed towards Tiffany's when Maddie asked me quietly, "Are you going to wear it in there?" "No, we're done with it." "Oh good" she said with a smile, "That was very awkward!"
I still can't believe it... Hermes & Gucci have fanny packs! I honestly thought these went out with scrunchies and leg warmers. This experience did not go at all like I had expected! But at the end of the day Maddie said she really did have a good time, The Loveliness and all! And that's really all that mattered!