Oh, man. We really found some deals. I certainly feel better now. Way better.

Details on the take: Okay, so after a late breakfast, Keith and I hit the Citadel Outlets which has a parking area that is undergoing renovations right now. Still very easy to get to, no bad traffic, and great great great selections. No big crowds or anything. Great option. Much better than the MALL.

First stop: Old Navy Outlet. In our bag: 9 pairs of socks for Keith, 2 ringer Ts for Keith, one gorgeous ribbed crew-neck shirt for Keith, one short duster for me, and one kick-ass $5 plunging-neckline paisley blouse for me. Total spent: $57.31.

Next stop: Eddie Bauer Outlet. In our bag: 2 pairs of shorts for Keith, in two colors. Total spent: $48.50.

Third stop: Some random Fragrance Outlet that doesn’t have Donna Karan Chaos, the one and only fragrance I’ve ever loved SO MUCH. No one has it, though. It isn’t made anymore. So, while I continue to ration out the few remaining drops from the bottle I bought in 1997, I will also always pop into a store that sells fragrances on the off chance they have ONE LAST BOTTLE stuck away somewhere, hiding, waiting for me. I did buy two lipglosses there, though. Total spent: $2.11.

Next stop: Max Studio Outlet. This is the place that was my FAVORITE source for nice clothes when I lived in Los Angeles in 1993 and 1994. Man, I LOVE their clothes. And… this was where I really started feeling a little mood elevation. In our bag: this GORGEOUS duster in bone, a lovely camel sweater with ribbons and lace, and — HOLY CRAP — an amazing chocolate brown suede tank top for $18!! Of course, what I REALLY wanted to buy, we left on the rack. And someday, she will be mine: the (originally) $700 long, suede coat. Holy crap, it felt like butter. Total spent: $138.56. We got away soooooo easy.

Next stop: Kitchen Collection Outlet. This was less about fun and more about needs. In our bag: grater, a spatula, a few wooden spoon-like things (including a plain ol’ wooden spoon), a serving bowl, and some ginger wasabi sauce. Total spent: $23.29, but $2.99 plus tax doesn’t count, as we were charged TWICE for the grater. Grr.

Finally, we hit For Pets Only, which doesn’t seem to have a website… and it wasn’t part of the outlet store area anyway. But Keith had long wanted to get the kitties some corner-mounted self-grooming thingies and it was definitely time to replace the cardboard panel in their Alpine Cosmic Catnip Scratcher. Man, they are high as kites now. LOL.

So, the whole day turned out to be really wonderful. Bags and bags of goodies for less than $300. Considering we were going to do a getaway (to Mammoth or Palm Springs or San Diego) for a few days, I’d say we got off WAY cheaper and I have clothing to wear for Hollywood Happy Hour, Keith’s set for Ts and socks and shorts, kitties are happy, and there’s new stuff in the kitchen.

Rock on, Citadel!

Time for our walk. Then I’m back to organizing headshots for hours. LOL — Salema is falling asleep standing up. So funny!!