It would be a random assortment of women’s shirts, tote bags and coffee.

Coffee – there’s a dearth of good coffee in my ancestral village in Pakistan. There’s only one cafe which sells proper coffee, also known for its walnut cake. It takes half an hour just to get a coffee and a sandwich, the cake is always sold out. I could open a temporary shop at the end of the street selling coffee and chocolate cake so they get more staff or equipment!

When I visit Pakistan, I bring my coffee and French press with me but the glass cracked when I left it in the sink. I resorted to tape and glue which of course made me feel sick but then got my coffee from the walnut place.

Women’s shirts in Australia- the quality is poor, the fabric isn’t breathable and the designs are generic. I used to like Gap but they shut store here. Just Jeans is the only decent store which isn’t overpriced. Zara would be ok if they didn’t add a strange detail to every item like ginormous sleeves on an otherwise pleasant top.

Tote bags – I ditched my handbags for totes during COVID. There are different types of totes but rarely ones which ticks all boxes. I’d have a cotton or denim tote with an inner compartment for storing little things like keys, sanitiser and chapstick, an outside pocket on the side for a water bottle, with handles long enough to feel comfortable and the bag should be large and sturdy enough for shopping.

Khaadi in Pakistan have wonderfully colourful cotton totes but without lining or compartments. As it’s an imaginary shop and an imaginary bag, I’d like to fold up the bag like an envelope with a button which clicks so I can put it in my pocket and carry it easily.

I’ve sewn one bag under supervision and have one unfinished bag. I bought a new sewing machine in the hopes I’d learn how to sew but it’s been collecting dust for months. Sewing is typically an end of the year project when I’m bored during the holidays so there’s still hope.