JENSIZED LAST ACTIVITY IN MEMPHIS TOWN

Via Chicago: Megabus bachelorette weekend, part one

By Jen

People told me Chicago would make me hate Memphis. I wouldn’t go that far, but let’s just say I never felt homesick.

Five of my girlfriends and I rode down on the Megabus late Thursday night and arrived at about 10:30 Friday morning. My cousin flew up from NOLA. We headed immediately to Giordano’s Pizzaon Jackson Street. We split a Family Appetizer Platter and two large pizzas which ended up being entirely too much food. I mean, just look at that heap of deep-fried self-loathing.

Then we headed to State Street for some light shopping. H&M has a deejay who plays the hits while you shop. The music wasn’t bad but I was annoyed by how much space he took up in the crowded store. Nobody was even paying attention to him and he was so much bigger than an iPod. God, how old am I?

I bought some shoes at Nordstrom Rack for $23. They were originally $130, and yes, it felt just like winning the lottery. We watched the Tigers game at a bar called Stocks and Blondes. That was pretty devastating. (The game, not the bar.)

Also devastating was the train ride to SmartBar. Colette was pretty good, but it wasn’t the best set I’ve seen from her.

Saturday brought more shopping. My main objective was to go to American Girl Place on Michigan Ave.

Yes, it was St. Patrick’s Day and my bachelorette party in a strange city where I totally could have gotten away with acting like a jackass. But the idea of an entire two-story shop of nothing but American Girl dolls, books and accessories unleashed my inner 8-year-old. She was pleased as punch when we got there. She also almost convinced me to purchase a $25 miniature Molly doll. (Still my favorite after all these years.)

Instead, I purchased an amazing necklace at Henri Bendel, which has since become the only piece of my wedding day outfit Brian’s been allowed to see. Plus a blouse and jeans at TopShop (omg!) that only set me back $33. And a dress from the other Nordstrom Rack location. And…and… I shopped a lot.

We skipped the St. Patty’s shenanigans and bought a couple bottles of wine at Walgreens (omg!) to take back to the hotel. We ordered sushi delivery. And that was when I understood why people said “it’ll make you hate Memphis.” Like I said, I wouldn’t go that far. But I realized the city is much bigger in my mind. I felt like such a bumpkin at that moment. “Y’all they deliver sushi here. Sushi, y’all.”