Sunday, January 10, 2010

Mall of Milennia restaurant scoop

Having dinner at the Mall of Milennia on a weekend night (including Sunday)?  Beware the long waits for tables. But you can avoid this if one of your party signs up ahead of the time you want to eat.
He'll get custody of the buzzer.  The rest of you can shop.  If the stated wait is 40 minutes (as it was for a booth tonight at Cheesecake Factory), you can safely leave the restaurant for the first 30 minutes... No sense wasting good shopping time.

Don't miss Neiman Marcus After Christmas Deals!

Covet the pricey goods at Neiman Marcus?  Right now, there are lots of bargains from 50 to 70% off. Sale ends Thurs. If they don't have your size in an item, they will look for it in the other stores. (Try that at Macy's.)  There is still a good selection of gorgeous Christmas ornaments and decorations left this year, unusual for so late in January.

Also,  Williams Sonoma has a sale table in the back with great china, linens and misc. items.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Florida Mall sales

After Christmas bargains at Florida Mall include:
  • The Calendar store (near the Macy's entrance) -50% off for all calendars.
  • Harry and David has gift box pyramids less than half off.
  • Williams Sonoma has some great Christmas items on sale, including linens and candies.  I scored a two-piece $28 caviar server/chiller for $5.99.  Check out the Emile Henry bowls and plates.
Florida mall deals for women:
  • Sephora will give you sample containers of any foundation or cream in the store.  Don't waste you $$ on things you may not like any longer.
  • The famous Armani foundation is available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Armai also gives out generous samples. If you think all foundation is the same, you'll be so pleased!
  • Banana Republic always has sale items at great prices.  Currently they have boots and jewelry marked down as well as the usual clothes.  If you like their fragrances, they have 3 small bottles for $20.
  • Bed Bath and Beyond has a 70% off sale and they have lots of inventory left.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Fun for Kids in Milennia Mall

A few fun spots for the little one's in Mall of Milennia.
  • The fountain in the front (inside) between Brio and Cheesecake Factory.  This is a long low fountain with a small walkway (a bridge if you are under 5 years old!)  and long bench sides that make great seats.  Let the little ones walk around for a few minutes while you rest.  They'll love it.
  • Dylan's candy store in the lower mall entrance to Bloomingdales.  They have candy by the pound and other treats.  This is the most fun that kids can have for under $5 anywhere.
  • The food court.  Cookie samples at the cookie stand on the front right and lots of chicken samples everywhere.  Get a drink and you are done, you don't even need to eat...  Pre-teens love this.
  • Starbuck's in the center of the mall, one upstairs and one downstairs. If the line's not too long, you can get great homemade-style chocolate milk and hot cocoa.  Not for small kids, but great for older, pre-coffee children.
  • Truffles or candy bars at Lindt next to the food court upstairs. If your kids like chocolate, they will be happy to CHOOSE their favorite bar or truffle. Truffles are under $1. Great white and dark chocolate selections here, too. (Moms- Try the mint-infused dark chocolate bar.) Lindt stores are very child-friendly, especially near the holidays.  Not: Godiva is not.
  • For meals, Panera and the food court (upstairs in the center) are both cafeteria style, so no long waits for service.  If you want to sit down, Cheesecake Factory is nice and noisy, perfect for large parties with kids!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Mall of Milennia tips

Here are some tips to save time and have more fun at Mall of Milennia. It's a great place to shop!  Don't miss it.
Parking
Park in front of Neiman Marcus, as close to the center entrance of the mall as you can get.  That is on the right side of the Neiman lot, when you are facing the mall.  Walk thru Neiman's when they are open. Enjoy the nice jewelry, try some perfume or get makeup samples from Chanel and YSL. If the store closes or you go to one of the restaurants in the center, your car will be right there, accessible from the center mall entrance.
In the back by the food court is another good centrally-locates spot.  Since there is no direct store access there, you can usually find a space close-up.  On the way in or out, you can grab a beverage at Panera or Starbucks.  The kids can eat their fill of free chicken and cookie samples, maybe even sample ice cream or a smoothie.  At Lindt chocolate, they will often give you a free truffle as well.
If Macy's is your sole destination, park in the BACK.  Everyone else parks in the front.

Restrooms
Food court bathrooms are the best- upstairs right in the center of the mall- huge and clean.  Big counters for grooming and a place to change the baby. Finally good mall planning!  If you are too tired to go upstairs (it happens!), go into one of the restaurants.  They always let you use the restrooms.
If you have a little one, in the back of the food court, Panera has a single bathroom with a quiet baby-changing table. Panera also has free ice water cups and nice clear cold water for the little ones.
If you are in Bloomingdales, there is a nice restroom on the first floor in the mens' department.

Coffee
When the lines at both Starbucks are ridiculous, go to Panera in the back of the food court. They have lattes and all that, but the best bet is to get a dark roast for less than 2 dollars put in some half and half so you don't miss any quality shopping time waiting around for a drink...

Makeup Counters

Overall, the makeup artists at Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales are better than at Macys.  They are actually makeup artists and they have a lot more time to spend with you...  Ask to try the limited edition fragrances, which debut at these stores before they are widely available. ALSO, Chanel has foundation samples now, so take a few home to try before you buy. Will save you lots of money!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Hit the outlet malls NOW!

It's a great time to shop at the Orlando Outlet malls.  The holiday crowds are gone and the stores are working hard to get your attention with discounts and deals galore.

Get ready for your trip!

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