SWEET Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet Giveaway

Win a $50 gift card to Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores

Here in Central Florida we didn’t “really” get much of a winter, so it may seem strange to start talking about spring, but it IS about that time, which means Valentine’s Day is on the horizon AND… we need to all start planning our wardrobes, shoes, and accessories accordingly!

Just in time for a wardrobe update (or for new luggage, or something for the house, or a gift for Valentine’s Day!), I’m happy to be partnering with Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores for a $50 giveaway!

Whenever I’m in the area I stop by because it’s hassle-free and I can find factory-direct premium quality merchandise at savings up to 75% off (and sometimes more). Plus, there’s easy store front parking, so getting in and out quickly is a breeze!
The parking thing is a BIG issue for me. I appreciate the way I can get “in and out” quickly.

Maybe you’re not wanting a new outfit or two, but have gift giving in mind. There’s lots of options for moms, dads and grads in May, too. I find @LBVFS to be an ideal place to shop for all my springtime needs, from leather handbags and strappy sandals to workout gear, swimwear and that perfect, all-occasion dress. I also have great luck finding “unmentionables,” lol. VF Factory Outlet carries loads of beautiful (and practical) bras and panties… just sayin’!

Here’s your chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the mall, where you can select merchandise from designer and name-brand outlet stores, including Express and eSunWear Swimwear Outlet, the newly-expanded Ann Tailor LOFT (yay, I’m so glad they’ve finished the project), plus other well-known outlets including U.S. Polo Assn., Nike, OshKosh B’Gosh, Tommy Hilfiger Stores, G by GUESS, Justice, Carter’s, Crocs, Calvin Klein, Levi’s®, Aeropostale, Converse, Famous Footwear Outlet, Fossil, Rack Room Shoes, and many more. Several stores sell approved uniform merchandise. (NOTE: Gap and Old Navy outlets do not accept gift certificates). If all that shopping makes you hungry, stop by and treat yourself at Lindt Chocolate, while you’re there!

Enter NOW

Click on the Rafflecopter icon and follow the prompts. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! This is a short-run contest that ends at midnight, February 6. Good luck!

 Even if you don’t win, you can get in on the savings by downloading a coupon from the Center’s website, then bringing it to Travelpro at the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores to receive a coupon booklet valued up to $400 in savings. Savvy discount shoppers can learn about these discounts, as well as specific stores and their hours by following the center on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, as well as visiting www.lbvfs.com. Many stores offer last-minute deals so it’s a great idea to follow the center and check online frequently! Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is located just one mile from Walt Disney World at 15657 S Apopka Vineland Road (State Road 535) Orlando, FL 32821-6316, two miles south of I-4, Exit 68. Open daily. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm, and 10am-7pm on Sunday.

Disclosure: I received a $50 gift card in exchange for this post and my
honest input. I’m not disclosing how much I’ve spent there when I didn’t
have a gift card. ‘Cause it’s more than I’d care to… disclose.

Giveaway for Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores

If you know me at all, you know I am not a huge shopper. At the mall you have to park on THIS end while what you end up buying is at THAT end. I’m more of what you’d call a “hunter/gatherer.” I know I want a spring dress, size (redacted), “this” cost, “such and such” brand if possible, and OH I’d like to enjoy my shopping experience.

Because I’m so picky (even when I’m shopping for either my son or husband), I enjoy the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores when the hunt is on!

They have factory-direct premium quality merchandise at savings up to 75% off (and sometimes more). Plus, there’s easy store front parking, so getting in and out quickly is really easy!

April 10^th-12^th they’re having a big sidewalk sale. I went last year, and it was fun, not only to see all the great deals, but because they have special vendors all around, and activities for the kids, too.

The Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores were kind enough to give my readers a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the mall.

Here’s how to enter: Click the Rafflecopter image and follow the directions. Make sure you visit the Rafflecopter page and the “People can enter by…” section.

 Even if you don’t win, you can get in on the savings by downloading a coupon from the Center’s website, then bringing it to Travelpro at the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores to receive a coupon booklet valued up to $400 in savings. Many stores offer additional savings from 20-40% off to “Friends & Family.”  Savvy discount shoppers can learn about these discounts, as well as specific stores and their hours by following the center on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, as well as visiting www.lbvfs.com. Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is located just one mile from Walt Disney World at 15657 S. Apopka Vineland Road (State Road 535), Orlando, FL 32821-6316, and two miles south of I-4, Exit 68. Stores are open Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm, and 10am-7pm on Sunday.

At the Lake Buena Vista Outlet Stores you can select merchandise at over 50 spacious outlet shops and get great deals at the area’s only Old Navy outlet store, plus other well-known outlets including U.S. Polo Assn., Lindt Chocolate, Nike, OshKosh B’Gosh, Tommy Hilfiger Stores, G by GUESS, Justice, Carter’s, Crocs, Calvin Klein, Levi’s®, Aeropostale, Converse, Famous Footwear Outlet, Fossil, Gap, Rack Room Shoes, and many more.

Join me on the hunt. Mama needs a new pair of shoes!

American Girl Store Opens in Orlando

American Girl opens their 18th store this weekend in Orlando at the Florida Mall, and little (and big!) girls everywhere are squealing with delight. Their 15,000 square foot store features not only every type of doll imaginable, but a doll hair salon, a Bistro, T-shirt design studio, and bookstore.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

The Dolls
Bitty Baby dolls come in singles, or as Bitty Twins. They look so much like a real baby, and can be customized with different skin tones, hair, etc.
BeForever is the historical line of American Girl dolls. Dressed in period-style clothing (and with incredible accessories!), girls can even have coordinated fashions! (Did you see the Project Runway episode where the contestants were tasked to come up with outfits inspired by the BeForever dolls?) Too bad there’s an adult version of the Kaya-inspired outfit. Totally cute!
Girl Of The Year for 2014 is Isabel Palmer, a dancer. She has her own section of the store, and is available (as are all Girl Of The Year dolls) until the end of the calendar year.
My American Girl dolls can be customized to look just like the little girl who will own her, or configured in any way she desires. Hair color and style, eye color, and skin color can be chosen, as clothing, accessories, furniture and, new this year, pets!

American Girl Bistro
Make your reservations to dine in the Bistro. Dolls get their own special clip on seats, so little girls can have tea (and food suitable for both children and adults), with both their dolls and parents. A private dining room is perfect for birthday parties or other celebrations.

Hair Salon
Is your American Doll looking a little… well loved? For $25 (and up depending on service), she can be combed, coiffed, and given a whole new look, including having their ears pierced if she so desires.

T-Shirt Design Studio
Make a custom tee for the doll, and the special little girl who owns her. It costs about $34 to make the two.

Book Store
American Girl was started by a teacher, so it’s no surprise that there are books that follow some of the most popular characters, as well as activity books, and more.

Celebrate their grand opening this weekend both in the store, outside the store, and throughout the Florida Mall.

 

SCHEDULE:

Saturday, November 15, 2014

• 8:50 a.m. – Ribbon cutting ceremony
• 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. – American Girl arts & crafts stations (exterior)
• 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Family-friendly activity stations throughout the mall, live entertainment (interior)
• 6 p.m. – American Girl movie showings (interior, exterior)

Sunday, November 16, 2014

• 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – American Girl arts & crafts stations (exterior)
• Noon – 5 p.m. – Family-friendly activity stations throughout the mall, live entertainment
• 6 p.m. – American Girl movie showings (interior, exterior)

WHERE: The Florida Mall, 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Suite 420, Orlando, FL 32809

 

 

 

 

Back-To-School with Goodwill

For back-to-school shopping (like at any time of the year), I am constantly on the lookout for deals. Whether it’s a great coupon, free shipping offer, online community purchasing deal, or some other way to keep more of our hard-earned money, I’m IN. That mindset also steers me to garage sales and thrift stores where kids’ clothes, especially, are a great find!

Goodwill of Central Florida invited me to do some shopping for my 2nd grader with $25 in gift cards (find out how you can win yours below). As a third-generation recycler and “upcycler” (new term for old habit of re-purposing something others have lost use for), I was only happy to stop by to hunt for clothes for my fast-growing boy.

First up: Gather items WE no longer need. On the way in, my granny (90-years-old!) pushed the cart that carried our 3 bags full of stuff that no longer fit, or were not what we wanted anymore (including a wok she bought and used one time…. It just wasn’t “right” for her, so she donated it.) There are lots of new items at thrift stores!

Next, go in with a mission: For us, we needed to find clothes for field trips, soccer class, everyday, and “formal.” (My son likes to “dress” for dinner sometimes, and can often be seen in a suit and tie “just because.”) As homeschoolers, our back-to-school list is decidedly less extensive than traditional needs, but we do have to get all the usual items, as he’s growing out of his clothes quicker than I can buy them. That is, coincidentally, one of the reasons I buy second-hand—kids grow out of clothes so fast that oftentimes you can get something practically brand new for cents on the dollar.

So what did we find? For $25 we bought:

• 2 long-sleeve dress shirts
• 2 tee shirts
• 2 collared everyday shirts
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 3 books
• art supplies

Prices ranged from 74 cents for a collared shirt (it was the “color of the week” so it was half-off the original $1.49!) to $3.49 for shorts. The dress shirts (worn once if they were worn at all) were 2.99 apiece.

Insider tip: Look for the color of the week tags first. Then, if you don’t find what
you’re after, go back and look through the other items.

Are you a budget-conscious parent looking for a great way to buy back-to-school clothes? Enter this giveaway by clicking on the Rafflecopter photo at left. Maybe you’ll win $25 in gift cards to shop for your kiddos! Good luck!

Leave a comment below for one entry, or add more by Tweeting and if YOU have a cool find, post it on Instagram (details at the Rafflecopter link). Goodwill and other thrift stores have amazing deals on furniture, housewares and adult clothing too. And YES, they even have wedding gowns. I bought my vintage 1940s gown online and consider it my very best second-hand deal! can’t wait to see what cool stuff you find or have found in the past.

$50 Gift Card Giveaway for Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores

Although we homeschool, it just seems “wrong” to pass up on back-to-school shopping, especially during the Florida sales tax holiday August 1-3. Kids grow out of clothes (and SHOES!) faster than imagined and whether your kids go to a brick and mortar building or to co-op, kids need “stuff”. Thankfully there are lots of deals to be had in Orlando, and some of our favorite stores are all together at the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. (And for those who buy school uniforms… you really want to check this out!)

I like shopping at  Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores because there is a nice variety of stores (and it’s plus for me to park right in front of the stores). As a deal-seeker, I really enjoy the savings up to 75% off (and sometimes more). (On my last visit I bought an $80 dress for $12. Bam!)

So, do YOU like deals? Here’s your chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the mall, where you can select merchandise at over 50 spacious outlet shops and get great deals at the area’s only Old Navy outlet store, newcomer U.S. Polo Assn., newly renovated Nike, OshKosh B’Gosh and Tommy Hilfiger Stores, plus other well-known outlets including G by GUESS, Justice, Carter’s, Crocs, Calvin Klein, Levi’s®, Aeropostale, Converse, Famous Footwear Outlet, Fossil, Gap, Izod, Rack Room Shoes, and many more. Don’t forget to stop by and treat yourself at Lindt Chocolate, too!

To enter: Click on the Rafflecopter image, and post a comment. To gain more entries, Tweet about it, too (see link for more information).

Even if you don’t win, you can get in on the savings by downloading a coupon from the Center’s website, then bringing it to Travelpro at the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores to receive a coupon booklet valued up to $400 in savings. Many stores offer additional savings from 20-40% off to “Friends & Family.”  Savvy discount shoppers can learn about these discounts, as well as specific stores and their hours by following the center on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, as well as visiting www.lbvfs.com. Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is located just one mile from Walt Disney World at 15657 S. Apopka Vineland Road (State Road 535), Orlando, FL 32821-6316, and two miles south of I-4, Exit 68. Stores are open Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm, and 10am-7pm on Sunday.

Good luck, and happy shopping!

Save

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores Giveaway

If you know me at all, you know I’m not much of a shopper. I’m a HUNTer. I know I want a flowered dress, capped sleeves, size (none-ya), below-the-knee, on sale…. OH, and it has to be purchased at a store that’s easy to get in and out of. (I know. I’m picky.)

Good for me the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores mall is having their 17^th Annual Spring Festival on Saturday, April 12^th where I can park easily, get in and out easily, and hunt for that perfect Easter dress (or shoes, and…).

I’m especially excited that two of my favorite bunnies in the whole world, Mayor Clayton and Ms. Merry from Give Kids the World Village (GKTW) will be visiting at the Festival and superheroes from Heroes Alliance. The center is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win more than $6,000 in prizes including attraction tickets, hotels stays, store gifts and gift cards. One hundred percent of raffle ticket sales benefit Give Kids the World. (Thank you LBVFS!)

We’re huge GKTW supporters (you can read about one of our adventures here).

In addition, there will be a farmers market, crafts, face painting, balloon sculpting, games and an awesome sidewalk sale.

The Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores mall boasts 50 outlet shops including:

• the area’s only Old Navy outlet store
• U.S. Polo Assn.
• Lindt Chocolate,
• Nike, OshKosh B’Gosh
• Tommy Hilfiger Stores
• G by GUESS
• Justice
• Carter’s
• Crocs
• Calvin Klein
• Levi’s®
• Aeropostale
• Converse
• Famous Footwear Outlet
• Fossil
• Gap
• Izod
• Rack Room Shoes
• and many more including one of my favorites:
  The Ann Taylor Loft store.

 

If you would like a chance to win a $50 gift certificate toshop at the LBVFS mall, click on the Rafflecopter image at left.

Even if you don’t win, you can get in on the savings by downloading a coupon from the Center’s website, then bringing it to Travelpro at the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores to receive a coupon booklet valued up to $400 in savings. Many stores offer additional savings from 20-40% off to “Friends & Family.”  Savvy discount shoppers can learn about these discounts, as well as specific stores and their hours by following the center on Facebook and Twitter, as well as visiting www.lbvfs.com. Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is located just one mile from Walt Disney World at 15657 S. Apopka Vineland Road (State Road 535), Orlando, FL 32821-6316, and two miles south of I-4, Exit 68. Stores are open Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm, and 10am-7pm on Sunday. 

4/8/2014 update: Contest has ended. Congratulations to Mary Edwards, winner of the $50 gift card.