My future father-in-law has quite the sense of humour, which is no surprise if you know the Fiancée.

Today, he emailed me this:

By coincidence, I recently received the enclosed photo from my old friend X. I’m sure that your readers would love to see the newest wedding dress trends in Moscow.  I’ve been told by authorities in Russia that it is an old custom for the engaged couple to share a litre of vodka before embarking on a wedding dress purchase & you can see the results in this jpg. (follow the email trail below & you can see it does originate in Moscow)

Xo Pops

I replied:

Wow-zahs. Really too bad I already bought my dress.

(Thanks to everyone for their advice regarding the dream Loub shoes. I have decided to order the half-size larger and am just awaiting a response from an American based friend-and-hopefully-co-conspirator (shipping/customs/taxes are ridiculously unfair for us Canucks) before I make the click and they are mine!)

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Remember when I was all depressed a couple weeks ago because the plans I had made with my MOH Pepperpot and my (non-bridesmaid) sister-in-law… we’ll call her Mrs Nenny… to go on a shopping trip to the States fell through?

Yeah, well, it’s back on. For real this time.

ROAD TRIP!!!

Pepperpot and Mrs Nenny are flying into Vancouver from Toronto and Calgary this Thursday, and I will pick them up at the airport and make a mad dash for the border. Destination: Seattle (and surrounding areas).

I am almost as excited about this trip as I am for the actual wedding. That’s how much fun I am anticipating!

Since she lost her Westjet buddy flying privileges last fall, I haven’t seen Pepperpot nearly as often as I used to. In fact, the last time I saw her was when she came for a visit last September, bringing my engagement ring with her (I didn’t find out about that part till after Mr Purple popped the question), and I miss her like crazy!

Not only do I foresee many multi-coloured martinis, mani-pedis and hours of some seriously high-quality dishing sessions, there will be shopping. And oh, what shopping it will be!

Apart from spending time together and making memories, the object of this trip is to purchase some very important wedding-related items, namely:

• Bridesmaid dresses
• Groomsmen attire (possible just pants… more on that to come)
• Wedding shoe back-ups (in case the Loubs don’t work out… oh dear God I hope that’s not the case but a girl has to be prepared)
• Cute dresses/outfits for the rehearsal dinner, the day-after event (more on this to come, too) and and other photo-heavy moments (er, that might be the entire week)

It’s no secret that our friends south of the border are much, much more blessed in terms of stores, labels and general availability of clothes and shoes, so I’m looking forward to a smorgasmord of orgasmic shopping delights.

There’s only one problem.

Apart from one short day trip to Bellingham and the Seattle Premium Outlets near Tulalip last year, I’ve never gone shopping down there.

I don’t really know where to go!

We’re thinking of staying at the Tulalip Resort & Casino our first night (after hitting the outlets, natch) and trying our hand at winning back our purchases (wish us luck!) but that’s about as far as we got, planning-wise.

Anyone have any recommendations for other places we should check out in and around Seattle for shopping (or other fun girly activities)?