Apparently retail therapy is a myth—or at least therapeutic only for a select few. A study conducted by British online retailer Marisota.co.uk revealed that one third of women actually hate shopping.

Among the greatest complaints were long lineups for fitting rooms, aching limbs, rude or intimidating sales staff, and ill-fitting clothes. I'm sure we can all relate, but I also think it's a shame that these fixable issues are turning women away from something I love so dearly.

There was plenty of buzz when J. Crew first announced it was coming to Canada. Lovers of the US-based retailer, whose shelves are lined with classic all-American wears, were anxious to have khaki pants and cable knit sweaters so close within reach. Since opening its doors at Yorkdale mall, however, J. Crew seems to have lost its allure.

It likely has something to do with the fact that Canadian prices have been increased by approximately 15% (so much for our strong dollar), but I also believe there is a psychological factor at play. 

You must realize the trauma that a woman faces when she is forced into the fitting room. Unless she is the most secure woman on earth, then she knows what awaits on the other side of that curtain: wrong size, wrong colour, wrong cut, holy geez - get. me. out. of. here!

Since your fitting rooms exist for the purpose of making us women fall so madly in love with your merchandise that we simply can't leave the premises without going into credit card debt, let me suggest a few improvements.

I have made no secret of my high regard for the retail landscape citizens south of our border get to enjoy. In the past, there may have even been moments when I questioned why Canada even bothered having department stores when in comparison to the nirvana that is the Nordstrom shoe department—throngs of well-suited handsome men ready and willing to fulfill your every footwear need—we had The Bay with approximately 20 pairs of orthopedic shoes to choose from and nary a sales clerk in sight if you wanted to try a pair. While HBC has certainly been stepping up its game in recent months, it seems that it might be a case of too little too late as the Americans are coming. And frankly, I think I’m happy about it…

Before the Christmas holidays started, I was in a bit of a frenzy that didn’t permit me to go about my usual well thought out gift buying pursuits. This year it came down to a four hour time slot the weekend before Christmas when I had to get all the gifts on my list and a couple of swanky outfits to get me through the holiday parties in Vancouver—not exactly what I call a leisurely shopping experience.

There are plenty of advantages that Canada has over our neighbours to the south. Sadly, the caliber of our retail landscape is not one of them. When it comes to shopping, it’s no secret that America just does it better. More selection, better deals, superior service, retail therapy in the States is just on another level. You may be surprised to learn which American cities came out on top in a recent ranking of the best cities to get your shop on, however. The results just may have you opting for a visit to Ohio over NYC come 2011?

For those of you out there still searching high and low for the “perfect gifts” on the wish lists of those you hold near and dear, I am with you. I will be spending tomorrow whipping around Vancouver in search of enough charming trinkets to fill my mother’s immensely oversized stocking. May the force be with us procrastinators of the world!  But to those slightly more organized folks out there, Dec. 24th marks the shift for serious shoppers to transition from Christmas gift collectors to Boxing Day strategists…

To anyone out there who is considered by their loved ones to be less than a stellar gift giver, a new study from two professors at the University of Houston in Texas implies that you may actually be doing your friends and family a favour. Sure, last year’s Snuggie is collecting dust in your fiancés closet, but according to this research, by steering clear of designer goods as gifts you have helped your betrothed avoid a potentially dangerous future spending spree…

I know I’m not alone when I say that I have been dreaming of owning a black Chanel classic flap handbag since before I could even pronounce haute couture. There are some items that just never go out of style and that bag, my stylish friends, is one of them. So when I landed this gig on top of my regular magazine editor job a year and a half ago, I thought to myself, “This is it, you deserve a reward for all your hard work and working girl ambitions!” Let’s just say, I work hard, but not hard enough to deserve a Chanel branded reward apparently…