Summer Desert Detour: Back to School Shopping

Sometimes you just have to get away to get rejuvenated. There's something special about being removed from the location of your everyday life that changes the way we feel, behave, and interact with the world and people around us.  We needed a removal for a few days so hopped on the opportunity to head two hours east to our Palm Desert vacation rental to soak in the pools, watch movies, and do some back to school shopping.

Boots, Tops, Funky Wallet-Good Buys Today

Like most families, we like nice stuff, but we are more cost/value conscious this year than even last with one kid in college and one in private high school, and the economy wondering if it's going to "double dip." So we stopped at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets at the Cabazon exit off I10, just a half hour out of Palm Desert.  Although hot, it wasn't unbearable very late in the afternoon, The summer heat does help to keep the crowds down, which helps with my mood, and our efficiency.

First in the West wing we checked out all the coolest denim brands but still walked away empty handed because $100+ jeans means fewer jeans in our house. We did get lucky for myself and my husband at Nautica, Bass, Coldwater Creek, and Ecco (incredibly comfortable cute sandals). As we started to fade, our daughter picked up a few items at PacSun for less than retail, but surprisingly her real deal came on boots at Charlotte Rousse where the second pair of shoes today was only $10.50. When buying boots...that was 75% off. They aren't top quality, but a good fashion bang for the buck. Finally, we picked up a great laptop/brief case and wallet for my husband's birthday at Wilson Leather, and I have a whole new opinion of the store. Good quality, interesting style, moderate prices.

When we finished up with a $2 water from the vending machine, we were really wishing that there were golf or electric carts to haul us back up to the far end of the plaza where we parked. If we they had one, we would have certainly shopped more...but it was a lot of bags to haul a long way.

Tips:

• Go on a weekday in the summer for the best deals and fewest people.
• At the counter check for any current promos. I got $5 off shoes at Bass by allowing them to text me. The texts can be turned off easily.
• If you are 50 or older. Shop on Tuesdays. Many of the stores participate in 10% off for the over 50 crowd on that day. Unfortunately it was a Thursday, but now we know.
• Bring a reusable shopping bag, and some bottles of water. You purchases will be easier to carry and be green as well.