A couple of months ago, I wrote about How to be an Ex Pat and stated that I didn’t need anything from England; I should just embrace life here and all its benefits. Well, I’ve completely reneged on that deal when I turned a corner in Target to see an entire aisle of Boots stuff! Don’t know about Boots? It’s our nationwide pharmacy, you grow up with it, you trust their products.
I just stood, let the Boots love flow around me and enoyed the Britishness of it all. I was home, in Target, in Costa Mesa. Then I thought well I must buy something, it’s Boots! There was even a Boots lady asking people if they knew about Boots. I wanted to put my hand up and say “oooh, ask me, ask me! I know the answer. I know it.’
I treated myself to some No 7 Protect and Perfect knowing full well that there’s been a huge run on this magic potion in the UK. Women have been fighting in Boots to get it. Apparently, it provides you with amazingly beautiful skin (watch this space.) Here in Costa Mesa, no one knows about its magic qualities yet so there were lots of bottles on the shelf.
I have to confess I did the same thing on Hollywood Boulevard. We went into a shop to buy some water and they had a little section of British sweets. We all started jumping up and down shouting ‘Smarties’ and ‘Fruit Pastilles.’ It was, sadly, the highlight of our day.
Last month we stayed overnight in Tiburon and in the morning I whizzed into their local supermarket to get some croissants for breakfast. It’s quite a small town over the bay from San Francisco. I came across a British Foods section and was really surprised, there seemed to be no reason for them to have Heinz Tomato Soup and Ambrosia Creamed Rice, but I stocked up on a few things just the same.
I’m still being good, embracing my life here, but forgive me if I get excited about a few British things now and then. And Boots in Target? That’s like finding Twinkies in Waitrose.
{ 4 comments }
I fully expect to find Up & Up (Target brand) if I go to Boot’s in the UK!
Even though I only lived in the UK for a little while, I fall victim anytime I find a store with Wine Gums and Marmite. Oh, and Christmas cake! British sweeties are da bomb.
I found a Boots aisle in a CVS in Westport, Conneticut. The shelfs were empty – that only proves how superior the British products are compared to their domestic counterparts
I love Boot’s products, but wasn’t sure if the whole “British” label was actually true or a marketing thing. Now I know and must get some of the Serum.
I think it is perfectly acceptable to buy the comforts of home. You have my permission
I totally get it, I just saw a load of Boots, ‘Botanics’ in a shop in Canada while I was on holiday, I was all over them. Then we found this tiny little ‘Brit shop’ and I got Heinz Tomato soup ( greatest food in the world) and TWIGLETS!! yum yum, troughed back about 10 packs, and then did the sweet dance when I saw wine gums and refreshers. saving half my stash for a rainy day now.
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