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The Container Store Arrives In Orlando!

April 27, 2013 in Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

 

 

Orlando shoppers have been eagerly anticipating the opening of The Container Store, and now all of their home-organization dreams have come true! The Dallas-based retail chain’s 60th location, their first in Orlando, opened its doors right across from the Mall at Millenia on Saturday, April 27.

Many homeowners in Orlando enjoy having a place for everything, and everything in its place. The Container Store is a one-stop-shop for education and supplies to reach the goal of a peaceful and orderly home.  One of only four in Florida, the store is impressive inside and out.  Neatly organized, beautifully displayed solutions for travel, storage, office, and more tempt shoppers to organize everything in sight!

Walking around the store, you will see thousands of solutions for every possible need, from the 80 styles of hangers to the 120 types of trash cans.  You’ll see lots of unusual doo-dads, too, like the handy-dandy JarKey Jar opener that opens any jar with ease!  You may feel overwhelmed by the selection and wonder how all of these items could possibly do anything but gather dust in your kitchen drawer.

That’s where the amazing Container Store employees come in, offering personalized service that’s unmatched in the industry.  Average retail salespeople receive 7-10 hours of training, but Container Store team members are trained for over 263 hours in their first year of employment!  That means they have a lot of knowledge to share and can help you figure out how to solve your storage challenges.

The most popular Container Store product line is elfa, which offers custom solutions for garages, closets, pantries and kitchens. Container Store offers free closet design services at the Orlando location. 

 

 

My favorite shopping find was the Little Black Dress Hanging Jewelry Organizer.  It’s so cute and takes up just one hanger’s space in a closet.  I’ll get one for travel and one for home, so I’ll always be able to find the perfect earrings to go with any outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoe lovers will go crazy for the many different ways to organize and protect your shoe collection.  I predict that this store will be a hit with Orlando shoppers, and that better-organized homes will be the happy result!

 

Waterford Lakes Town Center: The Epicenter of East Orlando Shopping

May 12, 2012 in Florida Outlet Shopping, Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

 

The main drag at Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando Florida

This beautiful outdoor mall is the shopping hub for East Orlando.  With wide palm tree-lined avenues for strolling, an excellent variety of dining choices, and shops for everyone from teens to grandmas, it’s no wonder the town center is always packed with people!

Super Target at Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando FloridaOpen-air shopping centers have been rapidly eclipsing traditional malls as the preferred choice for shoppers, and this concept works especially well in Florida.  The idea is to park your car once, and walk from store to store getting all your shopping done in one place.  Waterford Lakes makes it easy, which is why I stop by there at least a couple of times every week.  There’s even a Super Target with a full grocery store inside, making the towncenter a true one-stop shop.

Pier One Imports at Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando FloridaHome decorators will have a field day at Waterford Lakes.  Bed, Bath, and Beyond, TJMaxx, Kirkland and Ross are located all in one corner, and each has a large, constantly replenished selection.  There’s also a Joanns and a Michaels, if you want to do it yourself.

Back-to-school shoppers will find everything  teens love at Waterford Lakes.  Tilly’s and Buckle offer surfer-inspired fashions. American Eagle and Aeropostale  are your source for trendy, preppy looks.

There’s a huge Skechers Company store, one of the only ones in Florida, with a huge selection of shoes at prices WAY lower than even a Skechers outlet.   And for some real bargains, drive across Alafaya Boulevard to Waterford Towers, where you’ll find a Plato’s Closet consignment shop full of the latest trendy designs for a lot less.

Regal Cinemas at Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando FloridaWaterford Lakes is a perfect date-night destination.  The Regal Cinemas features an IMAX theater, and is a great place to catch the latest Hollywood release.  Even if you’re not in the mood to shop, you’ll love the restaurant options at Waterford Lakes. Two of Florida’s favorite chains, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Toojay’s Deli, both offer delicious meals, and the Marble Slab Creamery will make your favorite custom dessert right before your eyes.

Stahli at Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando FloridaIn addition to all the great chain stores at Waterford, we do have some unique local hotspots worth checking out.  Stahli Celebrity Fashion Boutique holds a carefully curated selection of celebrity-inspired fashions from hot designers, plus some amazing accessories and fun home décor and gifts.  And you MUST stop by Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly, the amazing cupcake and frozen yogurt store whose chef has won Cupcake Wars on Food Network twice so far!

Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly at Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando FloridaBefore you go, check out the mall’s website at http://www.simon.com/mall/Deals.aspx?id=394.  They offer exclusive coupons for many mall retailers, so you can experience all that this fun mall has to offer.  If you’re looking to spend a fun day shopping outdoors, complete with dining and entertainment, Waterford Lakes is the place to go!

 

Florida Mall- The Ultimate Orlando Tourist Shopping Destination!

January 30, 2012 in Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

Zara Store Florida Mall OrlandoLocated right near the airport, close to International Drive and the theme parks, Florida Mall is a tourist mecca. On any given day, you’ll run into hundreds of shoppers from all around the globe, looking to snap up all the best that American shopping has to offer.  But it’s not just for tourists: Florida Mall has great outposts of all the major brands, and some fun, unusual stores that keep locals like me coming back week after week.

My favorite store at Florida Mall is Dillards. This is a major department store that’s really big in the south, and this one is the best I’ve seen anywhere. They have an excellent men’s department, lots of dresses and swimwear for women, and their handbag and shoe selection is quite comprehensive. For the best deals, watch their Facebook page or sign up for their promotional e-mails. That’s the only way to find out when they’re running their blowout sales, where they take an extra 30% to 50% off all clearance items.

Express Florida Mall OrlandoExpress is a  great place to shop for ladies clothing. Year after year, they offer well-made, on-trend fashions for work, casual, and weekend wear. They also have excellent sales, which are irresistible when they take an extra 50% off all clearance items. Express is definitely your best bet if you’re looking for jackets or pants for work, and they also make my favorite jeans in the world- try the Stella fit!

M&M World Florida Mall OrlandoBesides serious shopping, Florida Mall has lots of fun things to do. It’s really easy to make a day of it, checking out all the fun shops and restaurants. M&M world is loads of fun, it’s bright and colorful, with lots of games to play. M&M fans won’t be able to resist making a custom mix of all their favorite M&M colors and flavors.

Dylan's Candy Bar at Florida Mall OrlandoSugar-seekers should make sure to visit Dylan’s Candy Bar. With bouncy, cheerful music and a variety of rare candy from all over the world, it’s a paradise for candy-holics. They have lots of cute clothing and candy-related accessories as well.

Disney Store Florida Mall OrlandoCharming Charlie’s is a new, small chain of stores that is the best place for finding the perfect accessory. They have a decadent array of cleverly arranged tables, sorted by color and style, where you are sure to find the finishing touch to any ensemble.  And if you didn’t get your fill of souvenirs at Disney World, you can stop by the Disney Store, located right near the Food Court, to pick up some more. They also sell Disney World tickets, which can save you a stop if you’re planning on theme park hopping while in Orlando.

H&M Florida Mall OrlandoH&M is a new addition to Florida Mall. They specialize in trendy, European designs, at amazing prices. The price points are mostly under $40, and the items are quite well made. When they have sales you’ll find jeans, sweaters, coats, and more for $5, so the sales racks are always worth a look.

When planning your visit, keep in mind the that Florida Mall is the busiest of all of Orlando’s shopping areas. During the holidays, it can be nearly impossible to find a parking spot, and it’s often so crowded inside the mall that it takes all the fun out of shopping. To avoid the crowds, the best times to visit are early in the day on weekdays. Sometimes you’ll need a break from your shopping, and there are plenty of nice restaurants like Buca de Beppo, California Pizza Kitchen, and the very fun Mochi Frozen Yogurt.

Starbucks Florida Mall Orlando

Right in the middle of the food court, there’s a Starbucks that is always packed, with very long lines. But for a more relaxing coffee experience, just head around the corner, towards the Florida Mall Hotel, and there’s a quieter Starbucks with comfy seating and no lines. It’s the perfect place to rest up and get your caffeine jolt so you can get back to power shopping!  Florida Mall is a fun, energetic place to shop, and the stores there offer the best of everything. Just follow my tips, and you’ll have a great time while scoring some of the amazing bargains that Orlando is known for!

 

 

Shopping In Orlando, Florida: The Best Places To Find Theme Park Souvenirs

December 14, 2011 in Florida Outlet Shopping, Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

Orlando Souvenirs- Disney World & Universal Outlets

So you’re coming to Orlando- in between the shopping trips, you plan a few theme park visits, and of course you’ll need some trinkets to bring home to your family and friends. But DON’T buy them at the parks! You’ll just end up toting huge bags to the parking lots and paying four times as much as you should. Both Disney and Universal Studios have outlets in Orlando that sell their theme park souvenirs at deep discounts.

Disney calls their shops by different names so you won’t know at first glance that they are Disney outlets. They have the same items you’ll find in the parks for 40%-90% off retail. So you can pick up your favorite authentic character t-shirts, toys, even collectibles, without getting gouged at the park. Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive, located right near Universal Studios, has a big Disney outlet called Disney’s Character Warehouse. Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland, down the road from Downtown Disney, has a Disney’s Character Premiere store with lots of great merchandise direct from the parks.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

Universal Studios offers excellent values at their outlet, the Universal Orlando Store at Festival Bay Mall. This is an attractive mall with lots of great restaurants and a luxurious movie theater, located right down the street from the Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive. It is just about a five minute drive from Universal Studios. They often run EXTRA 50% off sales so you can get anything in the store for half-off the lowest price.  Universal also has clearance stores in both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, both are located directly to the right of the main park exits. They offer park merchandise at a discount of 50% or more.

Check out these Orlando outlet stores and next time you’re looking for theme park souvenirs, you’ll get much more for your money.

Black Friday 2011: Florida Outlet Shopping Tips For The Day After Thanksgiving

November 9, 2011 in Florida Outlet Shopping, Naples Shopping, Orlando Shopping, South Florida Shopping with 0 Comments

As a professional shopper, I have spent the last 8 Black Fridays at various outlet malls across the state of Florida, with varying degrees of bargain-hunting success. Shopping an outlet mall on Black Friday can be a great opportunity to score big discounts, but it can also be an exhausting, fruitless wild goose chase. Here are some of my best tips to make your holiday shopping experience worth your while.

SCOPE IT OUT FIRST

If you’re planning to shop at a Florida outlet mall on Black Friday, I highly recommend that you visit it first. Get the lay of the land, and find out where the stores are that you want to shop at, so you can try to park nearby. Check out the merchandise at your favorite stores to get a feel for what the normal markdown levels are.  A lot of outlet stores offer the same deals on Black Friday as any other day, so it may not be worth waiting in line for hours.  You should also get on the mailing list for any store you’re really interested in. Usually they’ll sign you up for it at the register when you check out. I’ve done this for all of my favorite stores, so I always get lots of great coupons in my email and mailbox.

KNOW THE REAL DEALS

I’ve found that many times the day-after-Thanksgiving discounts are just about a 10% improvement over the usual outlet deals. The big difference on Black Friday is that stores often are really well stocked with new, exciting merchandise. Coach Factory stores are an example of this, their Black Friday markdowns are usually the same as always.  There are usually hour-long waits just to get into the Coach Factory stores on Black Friday, but they often have new arrivals direct from the front-line stores which are better than the usual outlet-exclusive merchandise.  Come before Black Friday, tour the mall, identify your target stores and map out a plan of attack for the big day.

DON’T BE A DOORBUSTER

Most outlet malls, including the Premium Outlets chain, will open at midnight on Thanksgiving night. I’ve done the midnight thing, and I don’t recommend it. The parking lots and stores get flooded with people, and you’ll probably spend about two hours circling in the lot to get a parking space.  Not fun at all. My rule of thumb is to arrive 3 hours after the mall opens. That way, the first batch of people will be done shopping, and their parking spaces will be available!  There’s really no need to arrive right when the mall opens.  Most of the sales go on all day, or at least until noon on Black Friday.  The stores restock throughout the night and day, so you really won’t miss out on anything by not being first in line.

COME PREPARED

It’s going to be crowded and exhausting, and you’re probably going to have to park REALLY far away from the stores. Plus, it’s dark outside, so there’s really no need to wear fabulous shoes.  If there’s any occasion that calls for comfortable footwear, this is it!  You may also want to bring a baby stroller or wheeled luggage to carry your finds so you don’t have to waste time walking your shopping bags back to the car over and over.  When you first get to the mall, pick up a Black Friday sale flyer, usually displayed at the entrances and map stands. This will show you what kinds of deals the stores are offering and when the specials end, so that you can prioritize your shopping time.

PICK THE BEST ONE

I’ve done Black Friday at every outlet mall in Florida. If you have a choice of where to go, and you want some serious bargains, my favorite Black Friday outlet mall in Florida is the Silver Sands in Destin.  This Florida panhandle town is off-season in the fall, so the crowds are much lighter than the usual suspects in Orlando, Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Miami.  The deals are better too, since the fall merchandise doesn’t sell as quickly, so it has a chance to get marked down much further. The Off Fifth Saks Fifth Avenue at this mall is amazing. Every time I’ve shopped there, I’ve found incredible markdowns on major designer pieces. Orlando’s two Premium Outlets, the Vineland and International Drive locations, offer some great deals, but the crowds are always really overwhelming.

HAVE FUN!

Remember, you don’t have to get all of your holiday shopping done all in one day.  There will be great deals all throughout the month of December, sometimes even better than Black Friday. If you focus on picking up a few amazing deals at the stores that are offering truly special discounts, you can return home triumphant and return to shop another day! Scope it out, make a plan, come prepared, and enjoy the shopportunity- I’ll see you there!

Fashion Square Mall: A Great Basic Shopping Center in Orlando

October 25, 2011 in Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

Orlando is full of big, splashy malls with beautiful displays, decadent eateries and luxurious merchandise. Unfortunately, most of these malls are also FULL of tourists, especially on the weekends. As an Orlando local, sometimes I just need to go shopping for things like school clothes, makeup or a pair of sneakers, and it’s not worth the effort to go to one of the ‘fancy’ malls.  That’s when I take my family and head out to Fashion Square Mall, located just east of downtown Orlando.

Fashion Square is an older mall, but has been recently renovated so it’s actually quite bright and fresh-looking inside. It has a good selection of anchor stores including Dillard’s and Macy’s, both of which have good selections of all of the major brands.

My favorite thing about this mall is the movie theater. It’s a Premiere Cinema, and it was built just a couple of years ago, with big comfortable chairs and high-quality digital projectors and sound systems. I take my kids to this theater very often, because the first showing of each movie is just $4.50, half-off the regular ticket price.

There are plenty of good options for food at this mall, including a popular Panera Bread located inside. The food court is pretty small, but covers all the basics like Sbarro and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. There’s even a brand-new Green Day Cafe which offers healthy organic fare. The mall has started holding special events to bring in more customers on the weekends. The strategy seems to be working, especially when they host the ever-popular Food Truck Bazaars!

Fashion Square Mall covers all the basics, with very good outposts of Express, The Limited, Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works, and Hot Topic.

With easy parking including a covered parking garage, plenty of good stores and food, and a clean, pleasant environment, this mall is just the ticket if you’re looking for a good no-frills shopping experience in Orlando.  Add in a trip to the movies, and you’ve got the perfect way to escape the heat on a hot summer day!

Orlando Outlet Shopping: How to Save BIG At Premium Outlets International Drive

October 17, 2011 in Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

People come to Orlando from all over the world, looking to save big at our amazing outlet malls. Don’t get distracted by the many fake outlets scattered around the tourist areas, for the real deals you need to head to one of the Premium Outlet Malls. We have two of them, one on the North end and one on the South end of International Drive.

My favorite of all the Orlando outlet centers is Premium Outlets International Drive, just a stone’s throw from Universal Studios. This center is a treasure trove of real factory outlets with amazing deals.  I shop at this outlet mall at least once a week, and I can give you the advice you need to find what you’re looking for at the best price possible.

START YOUR TRIP RIGHT:  GET A COUPON BOOK!

Before you begin your shopping adventure, stop by the Customer Service, which is located on the side of the Neiman Marcus store (conveniently, right next to the restrooms!) Here you can get a center map, and request a coupon booklet.  It is free if you have a AAA card, or with a voucher you can download from the Premium Outlets website before you go. The discounts in these coupon books are substantial, with big $$ off and percentages off at most of the outlet stores.

Orlando Premium Outlets Victoria's SecretThese coupons can usually be combined with other outlet discounts, which can help you score a really big deal.  If you’re looking for a specific item, shop around before you buy to make sure you get a real bargain. My outlet shopping rule is to not pay any more than 25% of the original retail price for anything.

BEST OUTLET OF THE BUNCH: VICTORIA’S SECRET

 

The absolutely best store at this outlet center is the Victoria’s Secret Outlet. It’s the only one in Florida, and the best thing about it is the flat pricing structure.  They carry clothing, lingerie, bath and body, and other overstocks from the Victoria’s Secret catalogs, and from their retail stores. I wrote a full article just about this store, so check it out if you want to learn more!

MY FAVORITE STORES FOR AMAZING DESIGNER DISCOUNTS

Another great store at this center is the Off Fifth Saks Fifth Avenue outlet. The best deals are in the clearance sections, which are frequently marked an extra 50% off the lowest price. It can take a lot of digging, but it’s worth looking at everything they have in your size, since there are some real treasures here. They have a great selection of designer denim, and some spectacular shoes from luxury brands like Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, and Manolo Blahnik. The fine jewelry cases offer a tempting selection from brands like Damiani, David Yurman, and Gucci.

Express Orlando OutletLooking for designer watches? Your best bet is Watch Station, which carries Michele, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Emporio Armani, DKNY, Burberry and other designer brands. They have a selection of Emporio Armani and Diesel jewelry as well, and they’re usually marked down at least 75% off.

Express is a mall staple that is a great source for business and going-out attire. They are known for their expert tailoring and high-quality fabrics. They’ve recently opened an outlet in this mall, located right next to Victoria’s Secret, which offers big markdowns and a huge selection, much bigger than any regular Express store.

Chico’s is another popular brand, known for creative prints and unique jewelry and belts. It’s a great source for gifts and comfortable clothes for travel. Their Soma line of lingerie is exquisitely crafted, with many pieces made of pure silk, and all of the Soma merchandise is usually an extra 70% off at this outlet.  Don’t forget to use your $20 off coupon in the brochure!

White House Black Market carries only clothes in shades of black and white, and they create some great prints every season. It’s a perfect source for finding workwear basics, and they have a great selection of fun, pretty dresses as well. They often offer flat-price sales where all pants and tops are $29 and all dresses are $39, which works out to a huge discount, so it’s definitely worth checking out.

Banana Republic outlet offers huge markdowns on a broad assortment of classic sportswear. They often mark down the entire store by an extra 40%, and that offer can be combined with markdowns AND the 10% off coupon in the brochure. Stacking all of these discounts on top of each other can help you revamp your entire wardrobe for under $100. The clothes here are made just for the outlets, but they are still very high quality, especially the jeans, suits, shoes, and dresses.

Handbag shoppers will be in seventh heaven at Premium Outlets International Drive. Michael Kors, Brahmin, Dooney & Bourke, and Kate Spade all offer big markdowns at their stores, and there’s a big Coach outlet store that’s always full of eager customers. For all of these brands, the best deals are in the clearance sections, especially when they’re offering an additional percentage off.

DON’T FORGET THE FOOD COURT!

Pinkberry at Premium Outlets OrlandoThis is one of the few malls I’ve found that actually has food that’s worth the trip all by itself!  The Red Brick Pizza is delicious, quick, and inexpensive, and the Pinkberry frozen yogurt is just perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up. Even the food court is better than most, it has the world’s best chicken fingers at Chicken Now, and the best hamburgers EVER at Five Guys.

 

A FEW MORE TIPS…

It can be really hard to find a parking space at this mall, but there’s usually a spot around the back near the Off Fifth Saks Fifth Avenue.  If you want to avoid circling the parking lot for hours, it’s best to arrive at 10am when the mall opens.  Most of the upscale shops are on this side of the mall, but if you’re looking for trendier clothing for a teen, the north end of the mall is your best bet. Plan your trip wisely so you can come home with brag-worthy shopping scores at Orlando’s best outlet mall!

How To Shop Orlando: Guide To Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue

October 4, 2011 in Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

Orlando is a famous shopping destination throughout the world, and for good reason, we have some amazing malls and two of the best outlet centers anywhere.

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland AvenueThe most visible Orlando outlet center is at the south end of International Drive- Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue, right next door to Disney World. This center is a treasure trove of real factory outlets with amazing deals.  But you’ll also find some fake outlets with either cheaply made knock-off merchandise or pricey items that are only slightly discounted. Never fear, you don’t have to shop alone!  I’ve shopped this outlet mall literally HUNDREDS of times, and I will give you my insider tips on the very best stores to find big bargains on designer merchandise.

FIRST THINGS FIRST:  GET A COUPON BOOK!

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland AvenueBefore you begin your shopping adventure, stop by the Customer Service office in the middle of the food court. Here you can get a center map, and request a coupon booklet.It is free if you have a AAA card, or with a voucher you can download from the Premium Outlets website before you go. The discounts in these coupon books are substantial, with big $$ off and percentages off at most of the outlet stores.

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue Tory BurchThese coupons can usually be combined with other outlet discounts, which can help you score a really big deal.  If you’re looking for a specific item, like a pair of leather dress shoes for example, check out a few stores before you buy.  Don’t settle for mini-markdowns; if you shop the clearance racks and use your coupons, you can expect to save 75% to 90% off of retail on your purchases.

BEST OUTLET OF THE BUNCH: COACH

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue Coach Outlet

The absolutely best store at this outlet center is Coach Factory Store. This is one of the biggest Coach outlets anywhere, which means they have a much better selection. Be sure to check out the jewelry case, which usually features current Coach Store accessories at really great prices. Sometimes the jewelry is an extra 50% off, which makes for some super deals.

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue Coach OutletI usually go directly to the Clearance section, which is located at the back left corner of the store, and is usually all marked an extra 50% off. This store does offer a mix of Factory exclusive merchandise, which is lower quality, and high-quality overstocks from Coach stores. To find out which you’re looking at, just check the style number at the upper left corner of the tag. If it starts with an F, it’s a Factory item, if not, it’s a regular Coach piece.  If you’re lucky, you may come on a day when they are passing out additional 30% off coupons at the door. These are combinable with other discounts, so your dream handbag may be well within reach!

MORE DEEP DESIGNER DISCOUNTS

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue Polo Ralph LaurenAnother great store at this center is the Polo Ralph Lauren outlet. They get new merchandise in every day, and carry all of the Ralph Lauren lines, including the pricey Purple Label Runway line. Check out the clearance racks, often they are an extra 50% off the lowest marked price. Flat-price racks are a great deal, sometimes there are $19.99 racks with items that retail MUCH higher, so you’ll score a huge discount. And just present your coupon book to take an extra $25 off every $250 you spend.

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue Watch StationLove designer watches? Be sure to stop by Watch Station, which carries Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Emporio Armani, DKNY, Fossil, Burberry and other designer brands at deep discounts. For even bigger discounts, be sure to ask to see the refurbished watches, they are often just as nice, but much less expensive.

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue Diesel OutletFor hip Italian style and sexy denim, Diesel is your best bet. This mall has two Diesel stores, one with shoes and accessories and the other with men’s and women’s clothing. They have some great markdowns, and occasionally run huge sales where racks of clothing are priced at only $9.99 per item. Plus, the coupon book gets you 15% off if you spend over $250.

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue Giorgio Armani

A FEW MORE TIPS…

There are lots of high-end designer stores at Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Avenue, which offer pretty significant discounts off of retail, but their prices are still out of reach for most shoppers. Some of the best deals can be found at Tory Burch, Giorgio Armani, Dooney & Bourke, and Tod’s.  If you want first dibs at the new arrivals (and at a decent parking spot!) it’s best to arrive at 10am when the mall opens.  This is a really pretty outlet mall, and is a great way to spend a day scoring big bargains to make your Orlando trip one to remember!

Kennedy Space Center: Great New Shopportunities For Cool Souvenirs

September 29, 2011 in Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

I visited the Kennedy Space Center recently, and was really impressed with all of the new additions to the park. They now have a really cool interactive Star Trek exhibit, where you can take a picture on the bridge of the USS Enterprise and see all of the beautifully made costumes from the early Star Trek days until today. There’s also a hilarious live Star Trek show that’s lots of fun to watch. It’s a great integration of the show’s futuristic sci-fi themes with the real modern space technology, and it’s fun to see how many things they imagined on the show are a reality now!

The Star Trek theme carries over into the KSC gift shops, with a great selection of Star Trek merchandise.  I’ll tell you right now, if you have a son or daughter that’s a big Star Trek fan, you won’t be able to get out of the store without buying them a Tribble and a pair of Spock Ears!  They also have costumes from the show and even adorable baby onesies that look like something an infant Captain Kirk would wear.

Space Shop is the main gift shop at KSC Visitor’s Center, and they carry an impressive array of the usual souvenir items and some great toys, including limited edition NASA Lego kits and some cute Hello Kitty astronaut toys.

One of the must-have souvenirs that your kids are sure to beg for is the Freeze Dried Ice Cream, just like the kind astronauts eat in space!  It’s a great gift to take home, since it’s easily packable and very unique, plus it’s delicious, especially the Mint Chocolate Chip flavor!

The upstairs part of the Space Shop contains unique and collectible space memorabilia. You can take home your own real meteorite for just $29.99, or if you’re a BIG space fan, there’s a poster signed by all of the Moonwalker astronauts for $4,800.

I really liked the Glass Eye Studios Celestial Series paperweights, which depict the planets in handmade glass. The Kennedy Space Center gift shops have an interesting, appealing array of merchandise, making it a perfect place to find great souvenirs for all of your space fans back home!

Top Three Stores For Designer Bargains In Orlando, Florida: # 1 … Victoria’s Secret Outlet

September 19, 2011 in Orlando Shopping with 0 Comments

With hundreds of clothing and accessories stores, Orlando is a shopper’s paradise, and as a professional shopper I’ve checked out just about every one of them. But there are three great stores that keep me coming back week after week for the spectacular discounts and high quality merchandise. If you love scoring huge bargains on top quality clothing, these three should be at the top of your list when visiting Orlando.

NUMBER ONE BEST PLACE FOR DESIGNER DISCOUNTS IN ORLANDO: Victoria’s Secret Outlet!

There are lots of great outlet stores in Orlando, but one stands head and shoulders above the rest: The Victoria’s Secret Outlet at Premium Outlets Orlando. There are only a few Victoria’s Secret outlets in the US, and this is the only one in Florida. They carry clothing, lingerie, bath and body, and other overstocks from the Victoria’s Secret catalogs, and from their retail stores. What makes this store better than all of the rest is the flat pricing system. They charge the same amount for almost everything in the store, regardless of the item’s retail price. Usually it’s 2 items for $15 but sometimes it’s even cheaper, they change it pretty frequently. This means that you can go through the racks and anything you find will be $7.50, even if the price tag shows $198!

I have been shopping this store for about two years, since it opened, and have scored some spectacular deals. $198 robes made of 100% cashmere, $99 evening dresses, $89 jeans, $79 silk pajamas, all for $7.50 each!  It’s a true treasure hunt, you’ll want to dig through each of the racks since you never know what you’ll find.  The 2 for $15 offer applies to all clothing, which is a mix of sleepwear, separates, and dresses. They usually have a good selection of work-appropriate clothing like their popular Christie pants and blazers.

Other sections in the store have different pricing: the bras are usually flat-priced at $10 to $15, which can be a great deal on the newer, fancy models that run for around $50 in the stores. The swimwear is usually 2 for $15, and they sometimes have a huge selection of bikinis and coverups, so it’s worth checking out.

There is a big room full of Victoria’s Secret PINK clothing, and it sometimes is included in the flat price sales, though it usually is priced at about 60% off retail. It’s a great place to buy PINK jeans, they have a really good selection of them.  The bath and body section includes lots of fragrance and cosmetics as well, and they are usually 50% to 75% off retail, but check out the 5 for $5 bin for some great deals.  They have $2.99 bins full of accessories like cashmere slippers and socks, Havainas flip-flops, and cozy scarves.

It’s not just Victoria’s Secret brand merchandise, since they clear out anything that they carry in the catalogs, including designer goods. I have found Ugg boots for $19, Betsey Johnson dresses for $5, and DKNY tankinis for $10. It’s great for stocking up on Christmas gifts, you can easily leave with a bag full of amazing presents for under $100.

The store gets new stock in on Wednesday and Friday mornings, and sometimes more often in the busy season. It is often PACKED with shoppers, and can have some pretty long lines, so the best way to get your pick of the merchandise is to arrive at 10am when the mall opens. Next time you’re shopping in Orlando, make sure to check out the Victoria’s Secret outlet, my pick for the best store for designer bargains in our ‘magical’ city.

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