NEW SHOPS IN TOWN: PHOENIX PREMIUM OUTLETS

Back in April, a new factory outlet opened in here Chandler, AZ called Phoenix Premium Outlet. Surprisingly though, not all stores were open for Grand Opening weekend. Some shops, like Ralph Lauren were slated to open later this Summer, and others like J.Crew, Cole Haan, and Kate Spade are scheduled to open in the Fall. Since July 4th weekend is historically the time when most retailers execute their seasonal markdowns (to flush out Spring / Summer and make way for Fall) I popped over the Phoenix Outlet this July 4th weekend for a look-see. As expected, most stores were running 40% - 50% discounts on some of this years first half goods. Here's some of what I saw from opening weekend and this weekend...

 

Inside Saks Off 5th...

 

Calvin Klein and Nine West

Lot's of color at Dressbarn.

Tommy Bahama bag (LOVE!) and Elie Tahari

The store with the best visual presentation was Tommy Hilfiger - from merchandising wall texture to graphics to OH (on-hand) assortment to crisp display forms. They even use a clip hook to better maximize wall space en leu of a traditional plastic hanger. This is also a shop space saver since the clip can be used for all sizes, accessories and shirts as well as bottoms.

 

April

 

April

 

 April

 

July

I was hoping it would have been the Ralph Lauren Factory store (which just opened June 28, and had a traveling visual team set the store), but I was a little disappointed. The lifestyle brand known for being an American Icon was set a little too heavy in my opinion for the Phoenix location. I was hoping to see more Americana styling for Summer, but instead saw the bulk of the store already heavily layered for Fall, with most of the Spring assortment hidden in backsides of fixtures. The store itself was huge, and it looked like it will be filled a lot more in the months to come.

 April

July

July

July

 July

Back in April for the Grand opening weekend, the store with the longest line was Coach: it had stanchions and police. The stores shopped the hardest then and now were Old Navy, the Gap and Banana Republic. These stores featured markdowns from 40% and up to 70% off. (best pricing for the "outlet / discount" minded shopper). I picked up some simple nude sandals & a great blue print scarf from Old Navy for under $20, while Jeff scored a great pair of blue/white chalk-stripe linen shorts at Perry Ellis for only $10.

 Kind of makes ya go, "What recession?"

 

Luggage stores too like Samsonite and The Luggage Factory...

Can't wait for their opening!

The outlet was easy to walk around - in spite of the heat. The architectural design provided lots of shade from slats and canvas stretched tarps. Misters + fans also help to keep patrons cool while strolling the race-track layout. Some of the other shops I popped into were BCBG, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Donna Karen, Dress Barn, Guess, Levis, Michael Kors, Nine West, Saks Off 5th, and Tommy Bahama (view the complete store list here.) Looking forward to Kate Spade & J.Crew opening later this Fall.

 

Only two home lines stores listed - What a GREAT opportunity for stores like Williams Sonoma, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Jonathan Adler, or Crate & Barrel to open outlets here at Phoenix Premium Outlets.

PHOENIX PREMIUM OUTLET

 4976 Premium Outlets Way  Chandler, AZ 85226

(480) 639-1776

 Regular Hours  of Operation:

 Mon - Sat: 10am-9pm, Sun: 10am-7pm 

(check site for special holiday hours)

Thanks for stopping by,

July 4th and Things That Matter

I can still remember growing up in New Jersey surrounded with family & friends in celebration for the 4th of July. We'd have the quintessential barbecue with hamburgers and hot dogs, and chicken, baked beans, potato salad and an Italian tossed salad. The neighborhood kids and I would be splashing around in the pool and jumping off the above ground pool deck my father built (sshhh - the garage roof too, but don't tell my mother). We'd play wiffle ball & badminton in the yard, as well as volleyball in the pool, and eating all that food at a traditional-styled picnic table. Later in the day, us kids would churn ice, milk, vanilla and sugar into ice cream and shoot hoops in the park across the street.

At dusk, my dad loved to put on his own little fireworks display: Roman candles in the street, bottle rockets in the yard, firecrackers in an old fashion milk can, and lighting the sparklers for us kids to twirl around with. He'd light everything with his cigarette, and one year (funny story - but not) while my dad was lighting cherry bombs with his cigarette, he mistakenly put his cigarette in the bag of cherry bombs and the lit cherry bomb in his mouth... All the gibberish that followed after he spit out the cherry bomb was so foreign to me (Spanish cursing lol) Thankfully, nothing bad happened, but I always remember that day.

 

If we weren't hosting the neighborhood July 4th barbecue, we would drive down the shore, to Cape May or Wildwood for a Summer vacation. In Florida, we'd go to a pool party across the street at Kay & Doug's or spend the day at Crandon Beach or Bill Bags State Park (beach) on Biscayne Bay. Those days are all long gone - but I still recall them like it was yesterday... And I'm so grateful for the fond memories of growing up with good times, good friends, and family.

In between the pool parties, barbeque's, and Instagrams this July 4th, take a moment to just stop - really look around at who is with you, stop and take in how the food really tastes, and how the air smells of the beach, pool chlorine, or even the after-burn of the fireworks - because at the end of the day, or in later years to come, those memories are going to mean more than any "Like" on a Facebook post - and trust me: you'll forget the retweet of your Instagram, but the things that matter are the moments you capture with your mind and your heart.

Have a happy, fun, and safe July 4th!

 

8 TIPS TO CREATE A SUMMER REMIX

It's not too late to create a quick update in your home for Summer. For next to nothing, you can create a refreshed home for summer with these 8 simple tips: 1. Get inspired not only from magazines & Pinterest, but also visit your local shop displays for summer style inspiration. 2. Look no further than what you already have: Rethink a simple shift of lamp shades, side tables or chairs from room to room. 3. Shop your own closets, cabinets, and garage for your color or style story. 4. Pull together similar pieces (textile colors, baskets, dishes). 5. If you 'feel' like something is missing, follow your instinct - but check your local thrift stores for that textile or texture to pull together your summer look without breaking the bank. 6. Think out of the box: A pretty printed pillow sham can be reinvented into new wall art or tray insert. 7. Paint existing accessory pieces in a new color & finish (go for flat on pottery!). 8. Now it's time to just clean, rearrange, and pull together your summer remix!

Keep it simple for Summer

 Gotta love space saving pillow covers for an instant room update! If staying all neutral, layer textures vs. patterns for summer. keeping it neutral is also a great way to add a pop of color when the mood strikes you...

 Best time to pick up pillow covers: End of season

These stripe linen covers were only $5 ea at Pottery Barn (2007), the blue woven covers were $3 ea from Crate & Barrel (2008), and still a huge savings year-round - linen euro covers for only $12 ea from Ikea...

 No-Sew window panel alternative: Tablecloths

I've been using this alternative since '98 (just hang with simple clip-rings) - I especially love the extra long lengths available in classic seasonal patterns (like these summery stripe tablecloths I got at HomeGoods for only $16 for 108" in linen) - If you do sew: add a black out liner to help block out summer heat...

Your Summer kitchen 

 Have a kitchen island or open shelves? Switch out everyday white dish displays for shades of blue for Summer...

 Layer in an artisan feel

I love using wooden bowls and platters (collected from thrifting + clearance sections at fave home stores) for summer displays - great way to incorporate beads and shells into bookshelves and summer vignettes.

Layer in transitional texture

 Gotta love thrifting for baskets, especially at only .50 to 1.00 each! besides being fantastic storage pieces (especially for toys or extra throws) these add a natural layer of texture to your decor, no mater what season. i like to skip using them a season or two, which gives a refreshed feel to a space. They are also inexpensive enough to paint with a new finish.

Sneak Peek & Tip:

Since I'm no longer in a tropical climate, palm fronds are challenging to come by. Since it's so hot & dry outside, I've actually started to bring inside outdoor plants (think reverse winter protection!) Doing this plus checking out reduced price plants at local garden centers has brought a bit of our South Florida tropical lifestyle to our now southwest dwelling...

Display travel keepsakes

 These are some of the shells I've  collected over the years from walking South Florida beaches. Inside each bag is also a paper with location, which goes with shells no matter which container they are displayed in so I always know where they came from , and the story behind. The seagull feather I found when we took our (unknowingly) last walk on Hollywood Beach in 2009. The agate was from Quartsite, AZ earlier this year...

 Relate to water reflections

Add a little shine for summer with more silver pieces and mirrors...

 Give a new look to an old piece & existing books

I've had this terracotta pitcher since the 90's - It's been black, white, black again, and now a subtle two-tone wash in two shades of grey + a creamy off white. Turning books in reverse helps lighten their look + give texture to shelves & vignettes.

Accessory Update

 Pull together DIY paint projects - Get the mess done all in one day...

 Bring back the sparkle & shine!

Collect & empty all glass containers from around the house: Wash in a warm soapy bath to bring back their shine and you're ready to fill with fresh cut palm fronds, shells, sand or candles...

Save time & grief

 Why dull the glass shine pouring back & forth to get an even layer for two or more containers? Using measuring cups help ensure an even distribution for summer container fillers like sand.

You've got the visual and touch senses working - but don't forget to also pick up a refreshing summer scent. One of my fave clean & refreshing scents for both Spring & Summer is Eucalyptus Mint from Bath & Body Works. Speaking of clean - keep in mind how hard your AC is working to keep your home cool. Switch out air filters every 3-4 weeks during the summer. Help keep the heat minimized by closing blinds a little more during hours of direct sun + pull over window panels to help keep the heat out.

Sneak Peek at my Summer Remix - from a simple shift to shopping thrift...

Old Navy painted thrift buffet + Greek Key urn from Goodwill. The Ikat covered storage box from HomeGoods layers in more pattern and color into the space...

Existing pieces (old vases from HomeGoods) I refreshed with paint + a double-sided fabric placemat fabric print I cut and framed... 

 I really LOVE to repurpose items in new ways. The framed wall art were placemats, the large art is a tablecloth stretched over a canvas, and the tray (another HG find) was green - I painted blue and made a printed insert from a sheet.

Summer Living Room ReStyle...

I usually remix our home for Summer in May, but it was still cool enough to be outside and enjoy the weather. In mid June, temps started to rise, so I started my restyle by painting an existing thrift buffet Old Navy blue. I completed my summer restyle in my kitchen & living room for summer while cleaning over the weekend. Restyling your home for summer is a great way to help beat the heat while inside (temps here this weekend reached 122!! That's insane!) Hope these tips help inspire you to do a little remix for Summer...

Thanks for stopping by,