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.

A Shopping Wingman... eh Winggal?

You may have noticed the frequency of my blog updates have slowed (read... nonexistent) the last couple of weeks. Sadly, on September 18, I became a statistic of the economy. My company laid off eight people - including me. The flurry of a job search has taken priority over my fun lil blog.

Not that I have a job yet, but I do have a lot of things in order now so that I can deviate some of my attention back to the topic of bargain shopping. I know! Yay! Right?!?

Now on to the title of this post. A shopping wingman (gal just doesn't cut it - suggestions?). A fellow laid off coworker and I headed to the new Premium Outlet Mall on I-75 yesterday for interview outfits. This was my virgin voyage, and while there, I learned the importance and value of a good shopping partner.

It all started in BCBG - a store that I adore - and a certain sales associate named Sylvana. At first our relationship was great. She offered her help. I declined. Just how I like it.

Then she returned to offer her assistance again and asked... "Are you looking for anything in particular..."

That's when I did it. I made a fatal mistake. Like a shopping rookie, I told her my goal of finding an interview outfit. Dollar signs appeared in her eyeballs and cash registers dinged in her earballs. She was alight with the glow of a predator ready to pounce its vulnerable prey.

WHY OH WHY DID I TELL HER?! It's been a well known fact all of my life that you do not share the details of a shopping mission unless you want the misguided help of an over eager sales associate. I'm among the pickiest of the picky when it comes to shopping. My own mother can't even help me. Why on Earth would Sylvana think she is any different!?!

And then it started. The never ending flow of suggestions, jealous stares when other sales associates would approach me, and her streaming questions. Instead of shouting "let me shop in peace, lady!" I just took it. I took it all.

But then something magic happened.

Kristy - dear sweet innocent Kristy, my shopping buddy - filled the role of something I had never ever considered before. Wingman. She distracted and obstructed Sylvana's advances with skill and stealth. She fielded the questions, she looked at the well-intentioned suggestions, and did all of the talking. She even located a calmer, less abrasive sales associate when we actually did need help. With Kristy by my side, I could shop in peace and with ease.

So many lessons learned yesterday - but above all the magic of having a shopping wingman. On your next shopping trip, I suggest you try this strategy. Find your shopping wingman and enjoy your shopping mission so much more.

And avoid the Sylvana prototype. It may take ninja skills.

Deals on Twitter

So many have asked accusingly, "What is the point of Twitter?!? I don't care what someone is having for breakfast!"

This exclamation is one of course of ignorance. Twitter is handy IF you know how to use it.

Example A: those following @PremiumOutlets know that if you print off this morning's tweet from their Twitter account or show it on your cell, you get a free VIP coupon book. Not too shabby...

Stay tuned for further proof of Twitter's value for the layman.

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.

Cincinnati Premium Outlets OPENS TODAY!

Blue light special indeed. Cincinnati Premium Outlets opened today to a throng of eager shoppers - some of them punching in their time cards at 4:30 a.m.

Those that skipped out this morning may have missed some nice freebies including:

• Nike - $10 to first 200 customers (Oscar Robertson appearance at 1 p.m. and apparently, dancing/cheering employees all day)
• Ulta Diamonds - free pearl necklaces to first 100 customers
• Auntie Anne's - free coffee

Do I wish I could be there? Well, yeah, kind of. But there's work. And honestly, I'm a bargain shopper not a fighter. So standing in line at the crack of dawn for a free pearl necklace isn't my thing. Because (a) people are pushy and (b) I value my time.

Successful bargain hunting does not include elbowing people out of the way to impulse buy something I don't need and in the end probably don't want. That's why I stopped shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Hysteria isn't fun.

It does, however, look like a successful grand opening for a Thursday morning in August. Check out the photos and article from the Journal-News.

Follow @laurabaverman, @warreneditor, @journalnews on Twitter for the latest updates live from opening day at Cincinnati Premium Outlets.

Image source: Journal-News

Cincinnati Premium Outlets - I detect a shopper's haven

All the discount divas out there should know by now that Cincinnati Premium Outlets is celebrating its grand opening August 6-9. The outlets, located in Monroe, will house several -go figure- premium brands. Some run along the lines of those at Prime Outlets in Jeffersonville, but there are a few standouts.

New outlet stores I'm excited for?
* Columbia Sportswear
* Kenneth Cole
* Maidenform
* MICHAEL KORS!!!!
* Oakley Vault
* Maybe Saks (hopefully it'll be better than its Cincinnati Mills version)

* Cole Haan
* Ecco
* Rockport
* Le Creuset

Some of you may also be happy to know that there will be a Crocs outlet there. I honestly didn't know they made enough products for an entire store (illustrating my ignorance on the brand). Except, I do know about these lovely Frocs. I do judge anybody over the age of 11 who wears them.

I must say Northern Cincinnati is becoming quite the affordable shopping mecca. A coworker and I were discussing whether Prime or Premium Outlets were a better trip since both are about the same distance for us. We agreed, though I love Jeffersonville, that Premium would be a better destination based on the surrounding area where Ikea and the Frontgate Outlet are both nearby. Jeffersonville is sadly just too isolated from other shopping destinations (although conveniently on the way to and from Columbus, OH).

Check the Cincinnati Premium Outlets site for sales, deals and stores.