Fashion Friday: Sawgrass Mills Mall

Happy Fashion Friday everyone! For today’s post I’m teaming up with Sawgrass Mills Mall.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with said mall, it’s the largest outlet and retail shopping destination in the US.  It is the Disney World of outlet malls.  Seriously.  It has over 350 stores and restaurants, as well as, my favorite part, The Colonnade, which consists of luxury-brand shopping stores including 60 exclusive stores found nowhere else in South Florida.  With outlets such as Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store, Neiman Marcus Last Call, DVF, Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, Kate Spade New York, Prada (and more, much more), this isn’t your grandma’s outlet mall. So now you’re wondering what kind of deals you can actually find here, aren’t you?  Well living in South Florida for most my life, I’ve had much experience learning that you can in fact find absolutely ridiculous deals here, but I was ecstatic when the fabulous folks at Sawgrass Mills gifted me with $500 to see what Summer Travel Essentials items I could purchase.  (Don’t get too bitter and jealous that you don’t read on, trust me, you could benefit from it!  {Cough, giveaway, cough})  Umm, can we say most fun challenge ever?!    However, I was almost so excited I felt like I was hoarding the money and didn’t know when to actually pull the trigger and buy something.  I was worried I could black out and spend it in 5 minutes and wake up waiting for my car in valet with a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cone in hand.  Luckily none of this happened, phew. I’d like to point out how organized the stores were!  Typically you think that outlet stores are chaotic and messy, right?  Turning you off for even looking for deals?  Not the case here!  So you want to know what I bought?!  I am now the proud owner of the following items (drumroll please…): Diane Von Furstenberg Arianna Cheetah Print Front Dress Ok, so I’ve been eyeing this dress at all of the big department stores (where it’s still being sold) and oh wait, I find it at the DVF Outlet, score!  This dress is perfect for a cocktail party or throw on a jacket for a business meeting, whatever the occasion is, I absolutely love it!  And I’m a big believer that you can make leopard print appropriate all year round, including Summer!  Best part?  This dress was originally retailed for $398 and I bought it for $179!! J.Crew Factory: Boy Blazer, Short Sleeve Sweater, Neon Pendant Necklace, and Floral Blazer  Given my past, I was clearly a kid in a candy shop in the J.Crew Factory Store!  I went a little blazer heavy here, but with such low prices, I just couldn’t pass them up!  Plus, what gets you ready for traveling fashionably (even in the Summer), than a blazer for the airport?!  Umm, nothing.  And of course, I can never leave J.Crew without a little sparkle, and the factory store was no exception!  Like what you see? The Navy Boy Blazer and Neon Pendant Necklace is available online now! Bloomingdale’s Tan Travel Bag  Does this bag not scream travel?  It is so luxe in person that I could have said I purchased this at either the Coach or Salvatore Ferragamo Outlet and blown my entire $500 on it and you would’ve believed me.  Even when I first saw and felt it, I could barely tell that it wasn’t real leather.  And since I paid SO little on it ($47, I repeat, $47) I plan on getting my initials printed on the luggage tag, which I think will pretty much be the cherry on top. bareMinerals Lip Gloss and Mineral Vail Well obviously it wouldn’t be a trip to anywhere for me without getting some makeup!  Did you happen to catch the sign in the picture above from the bareMinerals showing 3 products for $18, mix and match?  I’m pretty sure I saw it from the parking lot, I was so excited!  I snagged the most gorgeous bright pink lipgloss, a Faux Tan Mineral Vail, as well as a Highlighter Mineral Veil.  And just like that, for $18, I’m all set for a summer glow! Ok, so I’ll stop bragging now.  You want to know how you can join in on the shopping?  For all of my South Florida readers, like the Facebook or Instagram post and comment on what Summer Travel Essential of mine I purchased that you like the best and you can win a $100 American Express Simon Gift Card! How fun and easy is that??  Please note: winner has to pick up the gift card in person from the mall in Sunrise, FL. Contest ends next Friday, 8/8, so get to commenting! Good luck, happy shopping, and have a great weekend! Xo, Leah