Going to my happy places...

Don't you just love Sundays? Whether it's a lazy Sunday, a football Sunday, a shopping Sunday, it's usually the most relaxing day of the week. For me, today is a shopping Sunday and I'm looking forward to it!

I don't always love going to the mall. We live in a tourist mecca so the mall is usually a zoo. Seriously, this place is a spectacle. Especially in the summer (tourist time!) and at the holidays.

But, it has some great stores and it's 10 minutes down the road, so I'm occasionally willing to brave the crowds. Sometimes you just need to see things first hand, try things on and pet the pretty, pretty shoes in person!

Today is one of those days. Christmas is just around the corner and I'm behind on my shopping. I'm going to go check out a few things I have in mind for the people on my list. And maybe a few things for me too....

First stop, Starbucks for some shopping fuel! Venti skinny vanilla latte please!

Next up...shoes, shoes, shoes! Bloomingdale's has the best shoe department in these parts, so I'll head here first. Although, it doesn't hold a candle to the shoe department at the Bloomingdale's in Manhattan, which is almost an entire floor of shoes. Doesn't really make much sense to shop the crappy condensed version today since I'll be shopping the real deal in just four days. But, like a swallow to Capistrano, I can't help but return again and again.

I'll probably head here next and drool over stacks of cashmere sweaters and gorgeous ruffled blouses.

The Crew is right next door to Williams Sonoma. I'm sure the smell of whatever yumminess they're sampling today will draw me in. And then I'll spend an hour looking at KitchenAid attachments, table linens, Le Creuset cookware, and other kitchen lovelies.

I can't believe I forgot to find a picture of Anthropologie. Anthro is neighbors with J. Crew & Williams-Sonoma, so you KNOW I'll be spending some time & money there!

If my hands aren't too full of bags, I'll probably head down to the other end of the mall and see what kind of pretties I can find at Ann Taylor Loft. I think ATLoft has really been stepping up their game lately. I used to think that their clothes were pretty boring and matronly, but I've been finding so many adorable things at the Loft lately. And, they're running a friends & family sale right now, so everything in the store is 30% off with the F&F coupon!

My last stop of the day will probably be Barnes & Noble. I have quite a few readers on Christmas list, so this is a must for my holiday shopping. Here's hoping I can find the self-control not to fill my up my basket with books for myself. If my dad is reading this (Hi Dad!), he just said to himself, "Fat chance!" My dad and I share a love of books and reading and can easily spend hours wandering the aisles of B&N. (Starbucks in hand of course.) We always meet at the checkout counter with piles of books. A GREAT way to spend a couple hours, if you ask us!

So, there's my Sunday plan. I hope I find lots of great gifts for my family, but if I don't...NYC here I come! Poor husband...he has no idea what he's in for.