Some Of My Shopping "Secrets"

Alright I can't even believe I am going to share some of my go to "Shopping Secrets" but I will be sharing them over time through out this blog and through my travels I will be finding all kinds of places to shop and deals to be had!

I have personally been lucky enough to get out of Victoria explore the World and Shop. And one place I frequent that is just in our own backyard is Unique Seattle. So like most people are realizing some of the best shopping to be had is to head on over to the States and with our dollar being strong it's a no brainer.

Of course this also comes at a price and most times it's not feasible to put your car on a ferry head over to Seattle and put yourself up in a hotel on top of all your shopping damage you need to do!

There also is the Clipper Vacations from Victoria-Downtown Seattle but again may not be feasible...But both these options are a means of a "Vacation" to Shop! And the Clipper Vacations also put's together 2 night Hotel packages along with the ferry to and from.

So if you can get off the Island for a couple days check out Seattle since it's Spring now and Baseball season is soon to be in full swing check out a game at Safeco Field indulge in a few Budweiser's and their oh so yummy but stinky Garlic Fries that they serve at Grounders which has 4 locations through out Safeco Field. You can pick up tickets for the Centre Field Bleachers for 7-15$...Might not be the best seats in the house but there good enough :)

Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians
Safeco Field
Seattle, WA
Opening Night Fri, Apr 8, 2011 07:10 PM

...Oh right back to the Shopping!

So I normally drive down to the States so I can load the car up and that way it's easier to get around to all the places I like to Shop... First stop the Premium Outlet Stores, I don't normally find tons of stuff there but this is where I get all of my runners at amazing prices
-Nike
-Adidas
-Puma

Of course they have a Coach outlet store there...that is if your not already "Over Coach" then there are lot's of good finds to be had.

The Nine West Shoe Store is also a great place to pick up deals on Spring & Summer shoe's.

There is also a Michael Kors Outlet and a good place to pick up that Gold/Tortoise Jet Set Watch that retails for $250 or the new and popular Baguette-Bezel Rose Gold watch that retails for $295

I can't promise that these exact watches will be in the Outlet Stores as Outlet stores carry fashions of the year/years past.  But these watches are on the Michael Kors website:
www.michaelkors.com

So after I'm done my Outlet shopping I'll drive towards Seattle and stop in Lynwood which is about 20-30 min outside of Downtown Seattle.  And this is where I get my mall shopping on, at the Alderwood Mall.  Usually I check into my Hotel at this point drop off my bags then head over to the mall.
My Hotel of choice is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites it's a brand new Hotel built at the end of 2009 and the Rooms are New, Clean, Comfy and the Bathrooms are Big.  Prices starting from $107 a night for 2 ppl and free Wi-Fi.


Alderwood Mall Directory:
Macy's
Nordstroms
Sephora
Victoria's Secret
Bath & Body Works
Williams-Sonoma
Wet Seal
Forever 21
ForLove 21
Love Culture
Express
Abercrombie & Fitch
Banana Republic
Urban Outfitters

And More... but these are my picks.

So after all that shopping and that long day I will head over to PF Changs  for some good eat's!
See it's not all Champagne and Caviar dreams for this girl :))

Onto day 2: I'll head across the Street from my Hotel to Nordstrom Rack...Now this is one of my

goldmine locations I like to keep as my "Secret" till now... This Nordstrom Rack is worth it I purchased a really nice pair of Christian Dior Sunglasses from here for $69 that they were selling on Robson St. in Vancouver for $365. I usually clean up in the Jean department here as you get True Religion, William Rast, Rock & Republic and Hudson Jeans for no more then $120. Now onto Shoe's I picked up a pair of Burberry Shoe's I fell in Love with for $199 compared to the retail on them at $479.  Not always at this particular Nordstrom Rack will you have this luck or find these items so that is why I head into Downtown Seattle and hit up that Nordstrom Rack 

But before I leave Lynnwood I stop into Target and pick up my Wine: They sell 7 deadly Zins for $13 compared to $30 here...so well worth it!

Now into Downtown Seattle...Where to stay it depends on your budget. When we come in on the Clipper we stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel as it's a part of their package the hotel is clean the rooms are big and the beds are comfy it has everything I need. Or go on Hotwire.com I have done that a few times and I always end up @ the Westin which again isn't a bad choice but the rooms look just like the Crowne Plaza as do the bathrooms.  But of course you don't get the "Hevenly" Bed the Westin's are known for.

Some of my Favourite places to eat:
-Lola it's just up the street from the Westin and is attached to a really nice Boutique Hotel called the Andra. Lola serves the best Eggs Benny I've had, yum it's worth the $17 they charge.

-Dahlia Lounge...another great pick. Both these restaurants are run by the same company and there are a bunch more to choose from as well.
Check Out - www.tomdouglas.com

Another one of my Fav's is,
-Purple Cafe & Wine Bar...The wine selection is amazing as is the food!
Sauteed Prawns & Shoe String Frites, Yum
Apple Walnut &Stilton Salad, Yum
and the Pizza's & Pasta's, Yum
-www.thepurplecafe.com
The last time I was there I was dinning beside Mario Lopez...Some may know him as AC Slater from Saved By The Bell.

Of corse I took a photo...a little paparazzi action @ Purple

And to cap off a day of Eating and Shopping I'll wind it down at Triple Door and listen to some live music whatever is playing mostly Jazz or Blues, I'll have some Wine and Dessert and call it a night!
Another one of my favourite places to eat is a restaurant called Wild Ginger it is above Triple Door they specialize in Asian Cuisine, the room is big and nice and the prices are great.
-www.wildginger.net

Also don't forget to check out the Pike Place Market @ Fishermans Warf... I love to head there, when I'm walking through the market I always buy a bouquet of flowers to take back to my hotel room...they usually have a vase I can borrow and if not they always find one :)

And last but not least you can't forget to check out Barney's New York they have Louboutins!

Blazer from:Zara
Pants From: Club Monaco
Watch is: Chanel J12
Ring: Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume Ring
Shoes: Christian Louboutin Cage Booties