"Neutral tones, cream or beige or soft pink, nothing too dark since she wears a lot of light colors."
The saleswoman leads us to a display of designer bags and I examine each one carefully, checking the stitching and the hardware and the weight of the leather.
"This one is too stiff," I say while setting down a structured tote. "She likes bags that have some give to them so she can stuff extra files in when she needs to."
"Perhaps something in a softer leather?" The saleswoman pulls out a cream-colored bag with gold hardware and a slouchy silhouette. "This one is very popular with professional women, it's spacious but still refined."
I take the bag and turn it over in my hands, examining the interior pockets and the quality of the zipper. "The hardware is too yellow, does this come with rose gold instead?"
"I believe we have one in the back, let me check."
She disappears and Anya tugs on my hand.
"Papa, that bag is big."
"Mama carries a lot of things."
"Like what?"
"Papers and books and her laptop and snacks and extra shoes in case her feet hurt."
Anya giggles. "Mama has a lot of stuff."
"She does."
The saleswoman returns with the same bag but with rose gold hardware, and I nod in approval.
"This one, we'll take it."
"Excellent choice, sir, shall I wrap it?"
"Yes, and add a dust bag for storage."
She takes the bag to the register and I pay while Anya wanders around the shop looking at the different displays.
"Papa," she calls out. "This one is pretty too."
I walk over to where she is standing and she is pointing at a small crossbody bag in a soft blush color with a delicate chain strap.
"That's too small for Mama's work things," I tell her.
"But it's pretty for when she's not working."
I consider this and then call the saleswoman over. "We'll take this one as well."
"Two bags?" the saleswoman asks with barely concealed delight.
"My wife deserves options."
The dress shop is our last stop and by now Anya is starting to get tired, rubbing her eyes and leaning against my leg as we walk through the entrance.
"Just one more stop, princess," I tell her. "Then we go get Mama."
"Okay, Papa."
A saleswoman greets us and I explain what I am looking for. "A dress for my wife for Valentine's Day, something elegant but not too formal, she prefers soft fabrics that move when she walks and colors that complement her red hair."
"What is her size?"
