How To Have A Ball When you Shop At The Mall!

Ok, maybe I’m not Rebecca Bloomwood, but I love shopping. There is a bit of magic in buying something new. An instant gratification… and all’s well with the world! One of my favorite places to shop is the mall. Somehow it makes me feel young again- the vibrant variety of various stores, the mad medley of happy faces and the potpourri of things to do when you’re not actually shopping! Surprisingly I also end up buying quite an awesome collection of stuff at the mall. But there are many women, who avoid malls like the plague! The trick to an enjoyable shopping trip lies in being planned and prepared.

“When I shop, the world gets better, and the world is better; but then it’s not, and I need to do it again.” ~ Confessions of a shopaholic

Here are a few ideas to make sure your trip to the mall is as fun as a sundae in the sun!

Where to park-

Now that is the chief question in mind when one thinks about going to the mall. So this is what you do- arrive early! Get there when the mall opens, and you’ll be assured of a space (surprisingly, morning shoppers even get the best bargains). If it is not a closed parking lot, try to find the shade of a tree so you don’t have to climb into an oven a few hours later! Also, if you plan to stay late, park in an area that will be well lighted after sunset- for your safety.

What to wear-

When you go to a mall, you will invariable end up buying clothes- maybe a dress, a couple of cute tops and jeans! Do not wear fully buttoned shirts or multiple layers that you need to remove every time you try something on. I prefer wide-necked tees or easy open blouses that don’t mess my hair when I take it off.  Also wear skin-colored or nude underwear, so you don’t get distracted by the dash of color blurring the image of the dress you’re trying to purchase. Keep a little make-up kit in your handbag so you can go back to looking stunning after an hour in and out of trial rooms. Most importantly, wear comfortable shoes that are also easy to take off (like when you’re trying pants or when you see Lotus boots on sale)!

Stay organized-

You need just one bag when you’re shopping, but it must multitask. Keep your coupons (stacked by item-type) in a separate compartment so you can access it easily. Have a little purse for your receipts (make sure you ask for a receipt, even if you believe you are very satisfied with your purchase).  Carry a little bottle of water that you can regularly refill at kiosks.  If you’re wearing a long coat, keep it in the car- leaving your arms free to carry multiple shopping bags. You’re also definitely going to get hot jogging from store to store salivating at the sales, and you don’t need to be overly covered!

There are also many other must-do-tips to make sure you get the best buy for the best price, but I’ll save them for another day!