When I was a little girl, just 4 or 5 years old, my dad would teach me nursery rhymes and little sayings. He would then parade me around in front of family and friends and have me recite the rhymes and sayings for everyone to ohhh and ahhh over how smart I was.
There was this one poem called "Trees" and the first verse ---or is it a line? Whatever, that isn't the point, I'm not sure what poems are called but you know what I mean--- well the first verse goes like this....
"I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree..."
So line (verse) by line (verse) Dad continued to have me memorize the poem. Then one day, keep in mind I was just 4 years old, when all the family was over, and we were all socializing, Dad called everyone's attention to have me recite the poem for my audience.
Dad would start me out by saying the first few words of the poem...
"Alright Sar, I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a..............."
MALL!
I screamed out loud, excitedly for my audience. It was then that my parents probably realized they had a problem on their hands. It was then that I discovered a deep, undeniable love for poetry. And by poetry I mean shopping.
Have you ever seen that episode of Saved by the Bell when Lisa Turtle opens her locker and reveals a map of the Bayside mall? She goes, "I have a map of every mall from here to Tijuana!" That is me, except I won't read a mall map while in the mall, that is like raising your hand during Turbo Kick to admit to the instructor that you are new. Just keep walking, you'll find your way.
If there is a mall near me, I'll find it. On my work trips, I usually have very little time to myself, but I almost always manage to find the nearest mall heaven to walk to and get my fix. In no particular order, because I will not play favorites with such a delicate topic, here are my top 10 favorite malls I've visited....
1. Short Pump Town Center - Richmond, Va
2. Sawgrass Mills - Sunrise, Florida
3. Tyson's Corner - McLean, Va
4. Fashion Island - Newport Beach, Ca
5. Toronto Eaton Centre - Toronto, CA
6. Lenox Square Mall - Atlanta, Ga
7. Plaza La Isla - Cancun, Mexico
8. The Mall at Green Hills- Nashville, Tn
9. Northpark Mall- Dallas, Tx
10. My last shopping excursion is for a place that I have never been before, Las Vegas. This is a dream of mine to visit Las Vegas, not just for the shows and casinos, but for the shopping (duh)! I've traveled so many places in the US and abroad, but I've never been to Las Vegas. I've partnered with Travel Associates to bring you a guide to shopping and traveling in Vegas! Just hover your mouse over this image below to get the best outlet and retail shopping tips for Vegas. Plus, be sure to visit their site to find deals for holiday trips and vacation experiences all over the world!
So, what mall or shopping destination would you add to my list?
Vegas is definitely a must go for shopping its amazing! I also really love the mall in Palm Springs and Honolulu, mostly because they are beautiful outdoor malls in tropical areas:)
ReplyDeleteOK I can go there! That will work!! :) Outdoor malls are hands down the best. The malls in Richmond, VA are outdoor!
DeleteI don't know if outlets count, but the Tanger Outlets in San Marcos, TX. It's overwhelmingly huge and has amazing shopping! I got a Kate Spade weekender bag for 75% off of what it sells for in other stores.
ReplyDeleteSawgrass Mills was an awesome mall. I didn't go there a lot when I lived in FL but when I did I loved it.
ReplyDeleteGreat Lakes Crossing is a going outlet mall in Michigan.
I have yet to find an amazing mall here in Germany.
I can't believe Lenox made your cut. I don't like it, even though it's right down the road from me, but that might have something to do with the fact that navigating around that place is a death sentence. When I was little, I used to think the Galleria in Dallas was the swankiest place I'd ever seen. But you know, that's probably because I was 7.
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at the Saved by the Bell reference. I'm pretty much a shopaholic myself :) I must visit these places!
ReplyDeleteSo...the next time you're at #1 or #3 you need to let me know....I live 30 minutes from Tysons and about an hour and a half from Short Pump! They are both great malls!
ReplyDeleteHaha, this is pretty cute!! You should definitely hit up Mall of America someday!!
ReplyDeleteOh how I can relate. Except for the map thing I could draw you a map of northpark mall right this second! I had a friend call me to ask how to get somewhere in the mall, and I don't even live in Dallas anymore!! It's a glorious place. Looking forward to Vegas this weekend too!!
ReplyDeleteNorthpark may not be the prettiest mall ever built, but i swear it is still one of the best. It has every single store you could ever need!
DeleteI hate malls, they overwhelm me. Spending money makes me I'll and trying on clothes is depressing, and theres all those stores, how do you handle it? I require pits stops for boos in order to handle it all. So any mall with a selection of places to get a cocktail, and maybe some wings is ok by me.
ReplyDeleteSawgrass and Tyson's are amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou have to go to Vegas.. So much fun!! I can't wait to go back.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh sometimes Green Hills gives me anxiety. I learned to always dress my best when going there.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh yes, I agree. Green Hills is where I once saw a $1400 pair of cowboy boots! Um, that seems a bit much for me! :)
DeleteThe one in Florida looks so pretty!! Im a mall stalker too
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to go to the Mall of America... Mostly because I once saw on the Food Network that they have a restaurant there that strictly sells gourmet style PB&J sandwiches. So, clearly we can see where my "shopping" priorities stand.
ReplyDeleteYou should both go to the Mall of America, but not until I move back there. K? Also, wait, because they are expanding it.
Deletei love this post sarah. i was hoping you would say northpark - just because I do know that mall like the back of my hand. you are cute- i can totally see you shouting mall.
ReplyDeleteI regret not actually going into the Northpark mall in Dallas. I feel like I'm going to have to get a second job just to tame my shopping habits when I get there. In other news, I'd love to go shopping in Vegas too. Could you imagine hitting the jackpot at the Bellagio then spending the rest of your trip shopping!?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Vegas, The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is a favorite of mine!
ReplyDeleteI love the Sawgrass Mills mall in FL! I used to go there all the time when I lived there, even if it was just to walk around and people watch. SO good. Malls usually overwhelm me so I spend as little time in them as possible, but on occasion, I like to go wander. It's especially useful in the winter b/c I can get my walking in while being indoors... and possibly sipping coffee. :)
ReplyDeleteOh man, I can so relate to this! I love malls. The island I grew up on had 4 major malls on it and I knew them all like the back of my hand. How can you not have Mall of America on here? I loved that place.
ReplyDeleteI am totally stoked that you have TWO Virginia malls on this list, thus making you one of my new favorite bloggers! & like you, I have travelled quite a bit (though not abroad) and I still get "OMG, you've never been?!" when I say I've never been to Vegas.
ReplyDeleteI would have put even more if I didn't feel crazy! Macarthur center, Stony Point in Richmond.... But I grew up in Richmond so maybe I'm a bit partial!! :)
DeleteGlendale Galleria and the Americana!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to go to Fashion Island ever since The O.C.
ReplyDeleteFunny to admit, but I don't actually like to shop! Please don't take my girl card! lol! However, whenever we go on vacation, road trips, etc.if there is a mall around I must go to it and check it out. I don't need to buy anything or actually go in the stores, but I must go inside and see what stores they have, what it looks like, etc. My husband can't stand it, but deals with me and will go to the malls. It is so fun to see what they offer or how they look based on the state they are located.
ReplyDeleteAnd Vegas? All the stores that are there, all in one place! OH MY! You will love it!!!
I have never been to any of these malls, but I would love to go to the mall in Cancun...actually I take that back. If I was in Cancun, I am pretty sure I wouldn't leave the beach unless it was raining. :)
ReplyDeleteEva Marie
Love love love Tyson's Corner. That's the mall I always go to since I live in DC :)
ReplyDeleteFashion Island and Lenox for shiz. Love those places!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI was in Dallas in December and I loved how Northpark had a Christmas activity in every corner of the mall! Phx,AZ has an over abundance of great malls and outdoor promenades .
ReplyDeleteNice to see the Eaton Centre on the list :)
ReplyDeleteMall of America is a must! I live in Minnesota and still don't visit as often as I should! There is a gigantic Ikea across the street, too. So, yeah, it's a must! xoxo
ReplyDeleteCan you go to the mall and shop for me? I can't go in one without getting lost and confused - and broke!
ReplyDeleteSHORT PUMP MALL!!!! le sighhhh.....be still my heart, be still. I just knowing that you're from RVA. I just.......relate! :)
ReplyDeleteI am sad to report that I haven't visited ANY of these malls!!! :( I'm going to go hide in the corner now, bye bye.
ReplyDeleteYay for a CA mall! Fashion Island is my favorite mall out here…other than The Grove. I was totally gonna suggest we visit either and shop next time you’re out here, but I’d rather go to a game with you :]
ReplyDeleteHave you been to Galleria in Dallas?!! I’ve only seen it from the outside, but it looks incredible!
LOVE Fashion Island in Newport. It is so beautiful!
ReplyDeletethe Shelby lens
Short Pump! Ah! I love that mall. I'm so sad I moved North and it's now 2+ hours away from me.
ReplyDeleteBut, I do work right next door to Tyson's. It ain't all it's cracked up to be...especially at Christmas time.
oooh I love malls and haven't been to any of those that you listed I think. but vegas is sooooo fun. there is normal mall shopping but also lots of fancy stores where I can't afford anything. so fun.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to any of those malls. But I used to be a regular (as in every time my family drove the 3 plus hours to Edmonton- we went there) at West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta. It's pretty huge and there's a lot to see.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big shopping fan- shocking, I know! I am also the type to just sit on the benches outside of the store with my Kindle, patiently waiting for my husband to be finished in whichever store he's in. The idea of going to West Edmonton Mall with him is a bit of a nightmare. I'd never get him out..!
We don't have "malls" we have "shopping centers" ok they are the same thing but still anyway I would love to visit Vegas one day.
ReplyDeleteAs I started this post, I was thinking to myself how I really haven't been to many malls around the US, and how I totally DON'T have a shopping problem...then I realized I think I have been to half of the malls on this list, and of course would include the few that I went to when I was in Vegas a few years ago (especially the shops at Ceasar's Palace!). I love Short Pump, especially at night, and I actually prefer Tysons II...even though it's pricier and I usually don't buy much, there's just less people and crowds in there.
ReplyDeleteoooo Fashion Island looks so beautiful!! I love the mall as well, nothing like a good shopping trip wherever you are to brighten the mood :)
ReplyDeletehahhaha! My supervisor chooses her hotels on their proximinty to malls during travel season!
ReplyDeleteI lived across the street from Tyson's Corner for two years! I had a love/hate relationship with the mall. Loved the mall, but hated the traffic! I would go there for a beer from Gordon Biersch almost every Sunday night with friends. I think the metro stop there should be finished soon, too!
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely post, Sarah! I like your shopping photo where you looked like you had a celebratory drink in hand after scoring some shopping gem, haha :) My fav spot is Palm Spring outlet x Juliet http://lacenruffles.com
ReplyDeleteWest Edmonton Mall. Mall of America and of course Destiny USA (formerly Carousel Mall in Syracuse) Although you do have some great ones listed.
ReplyDeleteLenox Mall is the best! I actually used to work at the Bath and Body Works there :)
ReplyDeleteWe just got back from Vegas so shopping malls on the strip there are at the top of my list!! From Dior to Victoria's Secret, I was in heaven!!!
ReplyDeleteI was just at short pump. It is so funny bc in high school, we would have baseball tournaments the other side of Richmond and would always stop in short pump for dinner and the only two places there were a Hardees and wendy's that shared a parking lot. No exaggeration. I am always amazed at how awesome it is now. Have you been to Tazza Kitchen? Oh my word. I die.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't add Galleria lol Could have also added the Outlet Mall in San Marcos as the best Outlet Mall to visit. Vegas is a must for you. You would love it. While you are there you have to see a show. Tons of shops at Cesar's Palace.
ReplyDeleteHanes Mall in Winston-Salem, NC, it's like two malls in one! If you walk through JC Penny which looks like an anchor store their are a TON more stores on the other side!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is The Grove in L.A. - love the shopping, of course, but love the atmosphere too... shopping outside in the warm Cali air! And the Farmer's Market there too... so much character, love it!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could be a shopaholic! haha. My favourite is the Eaton Centre in Montreal. It's underground. The top floor is accessible from the street, like a normal store, then there are stairs that go down and does I think 3 or 4 levels, plus different parts. It's so much fun to walk through it! It feels like it never ends.
ReplyDeleteNorthpark Mall, YES.
ReplyDeleteIronically my senior thesis was on mall directories and how almost NO ONE uses them. Huge design/signage dork over here.
Short Pump & Tyson's! You must be semi-local. ;) I have grown to appreciate Pentagon Row as I've gotten older. Potomac Mills is my go to for an easily accessed Nordstrom Rack.
ReplyDeleteI love Short Pump! We are going back to the states this summer to visit and it is one of the top places on my list to visit!
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever in Columbus, go to Easton! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI've been to 8 and 9...guess I need to do some more traveling!
ReplyDelete-AJ
OccasionallyAJ.com
Mall of America!!! that place is great and has everything!!!
ReplyDelete