Mandi Sisilute
A Retail Castle fit for a Princess

My husband wanted a son. He freely admits to this oh-so politically incorrect position, because it is how many men feel, even if they are afraid to admit it. He even acknowledges feeling just a frisson of disappointment that his first born was a daughter; moments before falling absolutely, head-over-heels, gaga in love with his baby girl. The moment he held her, she was his princess.

And oh what a princess. She is now a 4-year-old princess extraordinaire!

We braved “Mallzac” (The new Cross Iron Mills mega mall in Balzac) on a Saturday afternoon a few weeks before Christmas because it was cold and we needed to get out of the house. We wandered the mall, played in the play area and then suddenly, while walking by a store, our daughter cried out,

“Daddy! STOP!”

Daddy complied.

“Daddy – LOOK! It's the 'Land of Beautifulness!' ”

I looked around to see what she was talking about, and was stopped in my tracks too. It was a store of pink sparkly things. Beautiful dresses, tiaras, shoes, blankets, toys and the cutest baby socks you could ever imagine. Helen and I charged in, with the boys cautiously bring up the rear.

“Mummy! Look, a TIARA! Oh oh oh! And a princess wand! Mummy! LOOK!!!!” Helen was positively gushing.

I swear I got whip lash looking around at all the gorgeous things! Every 5 seconds I whipped around to another spot in the store saying “OOOHHH!!! LOOK!” My husband wisely took our son and left the store to sit on a bench and wait for the girls to explore.

There were teeny tiny socks that looked 'Mary-Jane' shoes, or else had luscious bows and flowers on them – perfect for newborns who can't wear shoes.

The tiaras were made with real crystals; they sparkled and gleamed in ways lesser tiaras do not.

There were some of the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen for little girls. The kind of dresses only found in boutique stores but when expecting sticker shock, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the prices were not outrageous.

Although I was caught in a pink haze I did notice they had adorable items for little boys as well. The fireman raincoats were especially cute.

After a while, I came to my senses. Fortunately, this was before I handed over my credit card and asked for one of everything. I looked around again and said aloud to no one in particular, “what is the name of this place anyway?” The answer came from an amused clerk,

"Mandi Sisilute"

Melissa, who recently had a baby girl, also discovered this store. She called me to gush about this amazing store but I was already one step ahead of her after my own visit to “the land of beautifulness” as my daughter puts it. We did manage to get her out before we had to send in a search party, but her credit card experienced an extensive workout. Baby Anya is now geared head to toe in “Mud Pie”, Melissa’s favorite line that the store carries.

As for me, I am hooked! I don't like shopping, I live in the south, and I really hate driving in this city some times, but I'm looking for the flimsiest excuse to go back up Highway 2 and visit Mandi Sisilute on my own so I can really explore it..

That day, however, I didn't want to keep the boys waiting too long, so I reluctantly prepared to take my leave of the prettiest store ever, and tried to collect my daughter. I found her “hop scotching” on a pretty foam floor-tile hopscotch board. When I gave her the bad news that we were leaving, she looked up at me, totally incredulous, completely scandalized and said,

“But Mummy! A Princess NEVER leaves her castle!”

I know how you feel baby girl, I know how you feel...

:)

Cheers!
Voula
January 21, 2009

Sadly, Mandi Sisilute Boutique closed in June 2010.