Don’t be fooled – women are not the only ones that love today. Men do too! Valentine’s Day is a wonderful day to tell the special someone that you love them and care about them (although we recommend doing this every day).
If you still need to purchase a special something for your sweetheart our lovely Outlet Shopping Gal has some great ideas for you. Check out this video from her latest segment.
Valentine’s Day is just a week away, and with all of the dinner planning, gift buying, and flower shopping that goes into preparing for this day, the last thing you need to worry about is what you’re going to wear. Each year, Valentine’s Day comes around and I have trouble deciding exactly what to wear. After all, its not a typical date, but its not the Oscars either. Furthermore, as we get more and more creative with what our dates will entail each year, the selection of a proper outfit increases tenfold. Dressing properly for the environment you will be dining in is key to successfully dressing for your date. If you over dress, you’ll make your date feel uncomfortable, and if you under-dress you come off looking like you don’t care. In order to help remove a little of the stress involved in preparing for this day of love, I wanted to provide you all with some guidelines on what to wear for your Valentine’s Day date, no matter where you decide to go.
Fine Dining: For those of you planning on taking your date to a nice restaurant, you are 
going to want to get your formal wear ready. Although this may seem like a “no brain-er”, there are some tips you should follow to ensure you look properly suited for your formal date. First, don’t just throw on a black business suit. Every other guy at the restaurant will be wearing a black suit and no one wants to look like one of the herd. Instead, go with a light grey suit that has a slimmer fit. Whether or not you like the slim fit look in the office, when you are out on the town and dressing to impress, you can’t do better. Also, with a light grey tone you will be standing out from the crowd and your date wont be the only one turning heads. Second, pair your suit with black, shiny dress shoes. The black will counter the grey to give your shoes a pop, while the shine gives you a more stylish look that shows you know how to dress on a fine night out. Finally, don’t go crazy with a bright colored tie; instead, match your shoes with a black tie. A great date is all about putting the focus on your date, and this goes double for what your date is wearing. She spent a lot of time putting that dress together and the last thing you want to do is steal the attention from her. You can finish your ensemble with a watch and tie clip if you desire, and if you want to go that extra mile, include a white pocket square to match your shirt.
A Casual Night Out:Going to a fancy restaurant isn’t the only option you have when planning your Valentine’s Day date. A nice, casual dinner can be a great date as well, especially if you want to have a more comfortable dining atmosphere for your date. When dressing for a casual night out, start with a nice plain colored V-neck sweater. This is a great foundation for your outfit because it keeps you looking classy without coming of as too fancy. If you would rather go with a button up shirt instead, thats fine as well, just make sure to wear a solid color or white. In this situation, a tie wouldn’t hurt, but it also isn’t necessary. If you do wear a tie, keep it simple. You don’t want to look overdressed with an eye catching tie, so stick with black. Next, layer a sports coat over your sweater. This will give you a nice layered look and allow you to feel a bit more dressed up than a standard casual date (after all, it still is Valentine’s Day). For your pants, I recommend wearing a nice pair dark jeans. This will keep you looking casual and comfortable and looks great with the layered sports coat and sweater.
Picnic in the park:Some of the most memorable dates are also the simplest. Taking your date to the park for a midday picnic can be a great alternative to the traditional 
dinner date we have all come accustomed to planning. It may not be summer, but if you’re lucky you can plan a great date in the park, and it can be much cheaper than that five star restaurant you decided against.
When dressing for a date outside, I recommend wearing a nice sweater or cardigan. This is a great base layer and always looks good on a date. Also be sure to wear a jacket or coat over your sweater to keep you warm and dry in case of sudden rain. A good coat to choose would be a peacoat since its stylish and pairs with just about anything. Remember that its going to be cold and layers will be your friend both in your style and warmth. For pants, outdoor dates won’t require you to wear anything too fancy and might have you battling mother nature, so a classy pair of blue jeans will be fine. You can also try pairing your outfit with a pair of dark corduroy jeans which have recently made a stylish comeback. For shoes you will need something comfortable yet stylish. Avoid your worn tennis shoes and stick with a pair of dress shoes that are designed to be worn outdoors. Keep in mind that they might get a little dirty, especially if you plan on doing a lot of walking on grass. To avoid grass stains and dirt showing up on your shoes, wear dark brown or black shoes. To top it off, wear a scarf to give an extra stylish edge and keep you warm.
Remember that these are mere guidelines and recommendations. Don’t be afraid to throw bits and pieces of your own personal style into your outfit. When all is said and done, you are going to want to be comfortable. Know what your date might entail and plan accordingly.
Good luck and have a great Valentine’s Day date.
I will freely admit it, I love Bravo TV. Any show on that network, bring it. After too many repeated viewings of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, I realized I was mesmerized with their accessories. Amazing necklaces and sunglasses, fabulous purses, and the shoes! Oh, did I mention those little gems are thousands of dollars each? Real housewife…not so much. Luckily there are perfect accessories out there that will achieve the same effect but leave your pocketbook (or handbag, clutch, sweet little card case, you get the picture) feeling much happier. And with all the money you are saving, you can splurge on a designer brand, at the outlet mall of course!
Here’s a few ideas that will help you keep up with the Spring accessories trends while making sure your wallet will be screaming bravo!
Shoes: Harper’s Bazaar is predicting bright, bold colors and buckles, clasps and 
bedazzlements in shades of gold. Look for a classic shoe style like the peep toe pump or flat and make sure it has a pop of color or a fun embellishment to make you stand out. Floral and futuristic styles are also going to be big, but make sure your inner Lady Gaga doesn’t outshine the rest of your outfit.
Photo (right): green or red flats, Cole Haan. Retail $168, on sale $99 (select stores and locations)
Jewelry: chunky and exotic textures and patterns, with a mix of contemporary and vintage styles (think faux vintage.) Chokers and crosses are back, and make sure you pick a bright, spring color. Fruit shades and pretty sherbet or sorbet colors like bright pink and or lime green will bring you out of the dark days of winter in no time, especially when you show it off on an oversize ring or bangle. Tangerine is the color of the year, so wear it proudly!
Picture:leopard bangle, J.Crew | Crewcuts, $22.50 (Select stores and locations)
Sunglasses: According to Lucky Magazine, cat’s eye
and horned rimmed specs will be on everyone’s faces this spring. It’s Mad Men classic with a modern twist. Choose a bright color or pattern to match your mood, not your outfit.
Living close to the Woodburn Company Stores, I’m spoiled when it comes to shopping for stylish brands on a budget. So, on a recent family vacation to France, let’s just say I was a bit intimidated walking into a Parisian boutique.
Like any good American traveler, I reached for my Rick Steve’s travel guide and flipped open the page titled “French Etiquette.” Here’s what Rick advised:
“Before you enter a Parisian store, remember the following points:
What? Don’t touch the clothes; I’m doing them a favor by shopping in their store? This mindset blew me away, coming from the U.S. where companies like Nordstrom and Zappos were built on the principle of customer service.
Needless to say I didn’t purchase much clothing in Paris. I did, however, find a wonderful boutique in the small town of Gordes where the “Parisian” shopping guidelines must not apply. With an Oregon winter ahead of me, I fell in love with this warm grey coat and its fun ruffle neck-line and a few colorful scarves. And, because I’m an optimist and know beautiful sunshine is just around the corner, I picked a pretty silk tank.
My wallet came home a little lighter, but my wardrobe full of charm.
Contributing Blogger: Linda Collier
Linda recently traveled to France with her husband and 2 year old son (now that takes courage!) to explore the countryside, taste regional cuisine and observe the “fashionable French.” When not traveling across the globe, you can likely find this bargain hunter wandering the covered walkways of Woodburn Company Stores.
The Outlet Shopping Gal from Outlets at Anthem out did herself during her latest TV segment. She found some of the best fashion statements in colors that will get you in the mood for Spring and well, make you happy.
Tangerine dreams – channel the energy of our brightest star in a shade that will garner an equal amount of attention. Ann Taylor Factory Store. Tangerine dress – $35 (where available and while supplies last).
Lemon love – it’s nearly impossible to feel anything but happy when you’re wrapped in a refreshing shade of citron. Button details make it even more chipper. Banana Republic Factory Store. Yellow button dress – $69.99 (where available and while supplies last).
Mellow Yellow — for a casual take on bright citrus, pair a gorgeous burnout yellow top with crisp white pants.
Guess Factory Store. Yellow burnout top – $29.99, White pants – $44.99 (where available and while supplies last).
Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/lifestyle/sonoran_living/brighten-up-your-wardrobe-with-sunny-citrus-colors#ixzz1kEu9Dx31
With the economy remaining somewhat stagnant and gas prices continuously on the rise, people are hanging up their car keys and taking to their bikes to get to work. Unlike cars, bikes do not protect us from the elements as we ride to work. In fact, biking to work will get you sweaty, cold, and in dire need of a change of clothes once you get to the office. I have been an avid bike commuter for years now and have learned many lessons along the way about how to prepare for even the most treacherous of rides, and more importantly, how to look great for your work day. Looking good at the office takes more than a great suit. How you feel and how you prepare are just as important as the ensemble you choose, after all, feeling comfortable and confident is half the battle in style. So, as you take to your bike and combat the elements, remember these tips to keep yourself comfortable on the trip and looking fresh once you get to the office.
Pack Light
This is one of the most important rules you will need to follow to feel comfortable on your ride and looking fresh for the office. No matter how hard you try, you will get sweaty on your ride to work. Its a fact all bike commuters must face sooner or later. In order to minimize these effects, you must pack light. This means no extra bags and not too many layers. Even if you feel cold at the beginning, the ride will warm you up as you go. With a lighter load, you will reduce sweating (which will keep you warmer in the winter), ultimately leaving you feeling fresher for the work day. I cant tell you how many times I have shown up to the office wishing I had followed this rule only to have to sit through half the day looking like I just ran to work. Looking good at the office starts with your bike ride, and when you look good, you perform better.
Leave the Suit at the Office
The last thing you want is a wet and wrinkled suit once you arrive at the office. No matter how well you pack your work clothes, the weather will find a way to get to them, leaving you with a suit that is creased, wet, and ill-suited (pun definitely intended) for the office. Prepare by bringing an extra suit the day before and leaving it at the office. Once you get to work you will be able to peel of your wet and dirty commuting clothes and put on a fresh suit. Also remember to have an extra pair of socks and underwear at the office as well to make sure you are dry and comfortable for the entire day.
Helmet Hair
If you aren’t wearing a helmet on your bike commute, you’re asking for an accident and injury. Especially during the winter months when the roads are wet and icy, you will fall
sooner or later and you will wish you were more protected when it does. However, with helmets comes the notorious helmet hair. Bad hair can ruin even the most well put together wardrobe ensembles, since people look at your head and face first upon greeting. In order to avoid helmet hair, wear a skull cap under your helmet. This will flatten your hair and leave it ready for styling once you reach the office. Which brings me to my next point. Don’t bother styling your hair before you leave for work. It will only get messy on the ride requiring a second take once you get to the office.
Protect Your Hands and Feet (And pack an extra pair of shoes)
No matter how many times I have told people this rule I seem to always break it myself by 
forgetting to wear good cloves and waterproof shoes. When you get halfway to work and you can’t feel your hands or feet, you’ll know what I mean. Not only is this a good tip for staying comfortable on the ride, it will help you look an feel better once you get to the office. Showing up to the office with cold hands and wet feet will effect your entire work day, and will show in your confidence and wardrobe throughout the day. Also, as you bike, your shoes will get wet and dirty one way or another. By packing an extra pair of shoes you will ensure you have a clean and dry pair for the office.
Now that you have some tips to stay comfortable on your commute and fresh for the office, enjoy all the benefits that biking to work will give you. For more information on commuting by bike, check out this link from the blog, “Commute by Bike”. http://www.commutebybike.com/
This year my New Year’s Resolution was to make a fashion statement. Here are four fashion trends that I’m going to wear to meet my 2012 resolution goal of looking great.
Chunky Heels: Love this. I’m going to wear wonderful shoes that have chunky heels. In 
my closet right now I have a fabulous stacked heel, wedge, and a high-heeled loafer. I’m going to wear my fun chunky heels with wide-leg trousers and even cropped skinny pants (weather permitted).
Exotic Skins: Just saying that makes me feel just a bit more stylish and for some reason very feminine. Although my budget won’t let me go with the “real stuff”, the faux skins are just as fabulous and look just as real, in my opinion. I’ve got my eye on a bright yellow croc tote. During the dreary months of winter adding a bit of color really changes your mood (try it).
Polka Dots: I’ve added a few small pieces to my wardrobe with polka dots. I found a 
great scarf and wonderful tone-on-tone dot stockings that give me just enough dots to make me look and feel fabulous. I have my eye on a blouse too because I thought with a solid (or nutreul) suit it would really help me stand out at my next meeting.
Turtleneck: I love the look of a turtleneck. It gives you a mod look while keeping you warm on those cold winter days. I’ve got my basic grey and beige but I also added a beautiful wine color and a dark brown because of their rich tones.
Do you have a fashion resolution for this year? If so, we want to know. Post a comment here or on any of the following Facebook pages – Cabazon Outlets, Citadel Outlets, Outlets at Castle Rock, Lake Elsinore Outlets, Outlets at Anthem, Outlets at Conroe, Outlets at Hillsboro, Outlets at Silverthorne, Outlets at Loveland, Outlets at Vicksburg, or Woodburn Company Stores. Tag us on your fashion picture or post a picture of your fashion trends. We can’t wait to see what you’re wearing.
Happy 2012. Be safe and fashionable!
Scarves are an essential addition to your winter wardrobe. They keep you warm, look great, and can be a perfect accent that sets you apart in a crowd. Better yet, they have only grown more popular in recent years, becoming a staple in winter fashion the world over. However, many people have no clue on how to properly tie or wear a scarf. It’s not your fault; with the overwhelming variety of ways you can tie a scarf, along with a lack in practice of tying them, it can be confusing to learn how to properly tie your scarf. If you are haphazardly throwing your scarf around your neck and hoping it looks good, um, it probably isn’t. In order to master the art of wearing a scarf you must first learn the basics. To help you on your journey, I am providing a simple guide to tying a winter scarf.
The Parisian Knot
The most popular scarf knot is the Parisian knot. This classic knot pairs wonderfully with 
most coats and is simple to learn. Once you have this know down, you can move on to other knots that can accent specific coats, styles, and situations. But first, the Parisian knot:
Step One: Take the scarf and fold it in half lengthwise. (If there is a tag on your scarf, make sure it lies on the inside of the fold.)
Step Two: Lay the scarf around your neck so that the loop end is on your left-hand side and the loose ends are on your right-hand side. (The length of each end is not of importance since you will be adjusting your scarf in the following steps.
Step Three: Take the loose ends of the scarf and pull them through the loop in front of you.
Step Four: Tighten the knot of the scarf until it lies comfortably around your neck, adjusting the loose ends of the scarf to lay at your desired thickness in front of you.
Now that you have the basic Parisian Know down, you can move on to the numerous other, more advanced knots to fit your specific style and wardrobe. Check out this link for more ways to tie your scarves.
Christmas, a time of giving, celebrating and enjoying family and friends. Well at least I think that is the idea, right? Amidst the array of holiday parties, concerts and trying to simply enjoy the season, creeps the looming pressure to come up with the perfect gift for each person on my list. This exact pressure has left me pacing the mall on many a Christmas Eve, my tidings of comfort and joy being replaced by anger and annoyance.
Enter the gift card, my holiday saving grace! The perfect solution for those on my list 
where I just don’t have a clue. I have often worried that the gift card is too impersonal, but recent statistics tell me it’s simply not true. This year the National Retail Federation reported that 57.7% of shoppers said they’d like to receive a gift card this holiday season. Wish my Aunt had listened to that statistic, instead of buying me that sequin purse shaped like a fish years ago.
For those who are stuck thinking the gift card means death to creativity, here are a couple of ways to make gift card giving a little more personal.
Include a small item with the gift card. With a mall gift card, select a small gift from the recipient’s favorite store. For a movie gift card, include the recipients’ favorite candy or bag of microwave popcorn.
Get crafty with the presentation. Instead of sticking the card in an envelope, find a big box to package it in, slip it into a box of cereal or cracker jacks, or create your own fabric envelope with ribbon.
With over 95 stores to choose from, a gift card to Woodburn Company Stores or any of the other Craig Realty Outlet Centers is a great option this year. Gift cards can be purchased at each center’s customer service office or click here to order online.
Hi, I’m Kristy. And I’m a last-minute shopper. No excuses, I’ve just gotten away with it for so long that it works out for me. There is a beauty in that because I can find some pretty awesome last-minute deals!
I have only two friends that I actually must plan ahead for in order to mail their gifts. My BBFF (Baltimore Best-est Friend) will be getting something I ordered online – there are so many free shipping offers out there that I can’t justify shopping then shipping something on my own. And the other lives in Washington (the state!) and she knows that I’m always late with deliveries anyway. Merry Valentine’s Day.
Everyone asks me if I get my Christmas shopping done early because I work at an outlet mall. Ha – “There’s no time!” But now that Christmas is almost here and I’ve recovered from the madness, I just got started on the rest. Here are the results of my Great Week-of-Christmas Lunchtime Shopping Adventure:
For The Girls (ages 12 and 20)… Graphic tees, skinny jeans and tennis shoes are
about all Preteen will wear, so mission accomplished! These adorable skinny-tush jeans are only $24.75 at Aeropostale, and the top that was displayed next to it was so cute, I bought that with the savings. It was only $16.25. Add funk with cool retro Vans. Right now they are buy one, get one 50% off sale items, so two pairs for under $65 (how about the purple sparkly ones for a New Year’s Party?!). Check.
I got the 20-yr. old a reusable travel cup (good for hot and cold drinks) so that mine stop disappearing. Found this one at Jamba Juice for only $12.95, and they have a promotion all month that if you buy $25 in gift cards of any denomination, YOU get a free smoothie! Think I’ll throw those in a few others’ stockings. I’m giving her a WCS gift card, too, because she’s kinda picky. Gleefulness.
For The Parents (aka Hardest People to Shop For) … one of those cool propane patio
heaters for their deck. Basically, it’s just something they probably just haven’t gotten around to purchasing for themselves yet. I’m also getting this a-dor-able bird house from Garden Gallery Iron Works. Check out the “green” rooftop! Only $50 and there is a discount there in the AAA coupon book. Now I’m the Best. Daughter. EVER. At least the birds will think so.
For The Big Brother … He loves the outdoors and travels a lot, so I found him these 
YakTrax for portable traction that you just slip on. I’m also getting him a flask for those “camping” trips with the guys. All the gadgets and such are buy one, get one 50% off at Eddie Bauer Outlet, so $29.93 for BOTH of these things! Maybe I should toss in a deck of these survival cards, too? Only $6.95, but also included in the BOGO. Note: I also bought myself some YakTrax to keep in the car.
For my Sis-In-Law, the coolest Hippie Chick I know, a Mountain Hardware “down
sweater” (aka Zonal Jacket) from Columbia. It’s really just a lightweight down jacket, and this will be her second one, different color/accents. She loves her first one that’s silver, but I can tell you she paid A LOT more for it. How’s this for a last-minute deal? I saw it online for $185, at the outlet for $99.90, then on sale for another 30% off – only $69.93. They had it in black, too. May have to get myself one. Fabulousness.
For a last-minute wedding gift…My friend registered at Macy’s for some Le Creuset
items including this 9” square baking dish (it was $44.99 + shipping online). I found the exact same thing at the Le Creuset outlet for $40! I could then afford a couple of spatulas and other accessories and stay within my budget. Blissfulness.
Still have a few more gifts to get, like for my hubby (I’m open to your suggestions!) Lunchtime is just too short, but I have a couple more days, right? Extended hours, better-than-outlet prices, and I’m sure it will be a festival of many last-minute shoppers other than myself. Rejoice!
