Monroe Outlet Outting - Outstanding.

You're looking at the blog of the newest addition to the Dental Care Plus Group team. (So much for being concise.) I felt compelled to celebrate by taking a trip to the Chelsea Premium Outlet mall in Monroe.

Although the mall is still probably about 20 percent vacant, I love it. Yes, I'm declaring my love, and I don't just throw around that four-letter word.

Store highlights include:

North Face: most of the store was 40 percent off... including some snow parkas, tents, shoes and plenty of other outdoor clothing. I scored capri hiking pants and a sweater for around $40.

Columbia: some great deals around the store. My favorite? A day pack for $20. Has a laptop compartment that actually fits my netbook perfectly. I also snagged some sorely needed snow pants just in time for the White Death.

J. Crew: a beautifully versatile wool blazer... insanely on sale. $42. Down from $158.

GAP: $5 ribbed tank tops. My base layer piece in nearly everything I wear.

Other items that stole my heart: a sweater vest from Brooks Bros., a Kenneth Cole bracelet and Kate Spade sunglasses from Solstice.

There were plenty of other great deals at Banana Republic, BCBG and SAKS - but the items on here were my items of pride and joy.

I'll also say that the strategic design of the mall prevented a horrifically cold experience. It blocks the elements fairly well. Topping off the day with the Southwestern salad from Chicken Now was surprisingly satisfying.

Two thumbs up.

Ms. Manners on Shopping Etiquette: Digest One

Why hello there, fellow shoppers. Welcome to the first installment of Ms. Manners on Shopping Etiquette. The inspiration for this post comes from a shopping trip that my friend, Mackenzie, and I took to the Hebron GAP outlet on Saturday morning. We intentionally arrived there soon after the store opened because - holy crap - does it get crazy on Saturdays.

For those of you who have been to the Hebron store, feel free to skip the next paragraph.

Everyone else, listen up. This place is chaos on the best days. It's located in an industrial park and resembles a warehouse space, but has the typical white GAP walls. They carry the GAP Inc. brands' (Banana Republic, Old Navy etc.) reject clothes, which equals damaged or last season clothing. The aisles are packed so that shoppers can barely get through them. Searching through the miles of racks is a must because there's no order, and no telling when an item is defective. To add to the issue, they have carts for customers' "convenience" leaving little hip room in the aisles. That being said, shoppers can score amazing deals - amazing enough that the bargains makeup for the hassle.

The space issue and shopping nightmare (in many people's opinion) are the inspiration for this entry. Practice the following guidelines for common courtesy while shopping where ya have to dig, where there's only sucking-in-the-tummy aisle space and mass crowds. (This goes for Black Friday too!!!)

1. Aisles: follow the flow. If someone is going one direction while browsing through an aisle. Don't go down the same rack of clothes the opposite way. It's rude, it's pushy and a little obnoxious. Also, pull carts to the side.
2. Leave the kids at home. I know. I'm not a mom, and it may sound jerky. But I'm not a mom! I don't want to deal with your kids. Shoppings trips with children are stressful for parents. Stressful for kids. AND stressful for other shoppers. Shopping excursions aren't appropriate for them.
3. Fitting rooms: clean up after yourself. Properly put clothes back on hangers. Button them, zip them and tie them. Don't leave gum wrappers, receipts or anything else behind on the floor and benches. Everyone knows outlet stores can be chaotic. Why add to the sales associates' stress or other shoppers' stress for that matter?

Kindly follow these principles when on your next shopping trip to outlet malls - these principles can also be applied to any store but explicitly at outlet malls. Most people treat these trips as an all-day affair. The stores can be tight fits and people involved can be really overwhelmed with the situation. Being courteous is beneficial to all and can keep everyone's day a good one.

I like Old Navy jeans and other reasons I miss my waist

My most recent shopping mission mantra has been "I need pants... must find new pants." Then I buy five new tops and no new pants because I can't find any that fit well.

So last night I went to the Gap Factory Outlet in Hebron, Ky. with that same mission. New pants. And though I still managed to find myself with -um- four new sweaters (in August), I still scored two new pairs of pants.

Pause for momentary celebratory dance.

Then insert hypocracy. My rant about wasting time at discount Old Navy stores... yeah, sorry 'bout that. Last night I purchased pants of the Old Navy persuasion for $4.99 each. They fit beautifully and for that I'm pretty thrilled.

Which brings me to the title of this post, "I like Old Navy jeans and other reasons I miss my waist." Old Navy pants used to never fit me because while I had a small waist, I had/have "muscular" legs (friends' way of saying "nooooo, you're not fat"). Point is, they didn't fit me because if the legs fit then the waist was too big.

Now they fit everywhere. Bright side? My desk job has made me more proportional. Yay, right?

Don't buy Wal-Mart brands unless you're at Wal-Mart

Any shopping aficionado will tell you... know what you're looking for. If you buy an authentic 1908 German beer stein, you'd be pretty disappointed to find out that you're actually the proud owner of a 1988 Zinzinnati Oktoberfest souvenir.

Shopping is not fun when you're left wondering if you landed a good deal. Being able to find good bargains is what makes a good bargain shopper. Plus, you'll waste a lot less time.

That being said, knowing brands is important and knowing price brackets is key. The cost difference between a shirt on sale at Express or T.J. Maxx isn't that great. And unless you're a brand wh*re, it's good to know when you're only paying for a label.

And the outlet malls.

My friends, they're designed to induce shopping spree-itus. So unless you simply love Old Navy, why go to an Old Navy "outlet?" It's a regular store. Old Navy prices are basically outlet prices. Why waste time getting an everday deal when you can really score at the Banana Republic or Pottery Barn outlet stores?

Also, you never know why something is discounted. Look for "as is" signs (holes, stains, whatever) and spare yourself some serious buyer's remorse.

* Hot tip: Gabriel Brothers does carry a wide range of brands. While it's overwhelming at first glance, racks are nicely labeled. Scan rack top signs for hot spots to avoid premature burn out.