Game on: Ellenton outlets July 4 sales
There's nothing like a shopping competition to prove who rules the roost.
On a recent beach vacation, my family detoured to the Ellenton outlets. After a half hour at the sidewalk sale at Ann Taylor, I was bragging about my new dressy summer trousers ($14.77) and black capri pants ($7.77). My coup de grace: An ivory woven skirt, ideal for fall to spring, snagged at an off-season price of $4.77.
But the woman who taught me how to shop had to show me up. My mother paid $20 for a red dress, cap-sleeve sweater and a brown skirt. Don't think she didn't rub in her Momma Diva status. That made her feel guilty, which worked in my favor. She insisted on buying me a dress at White House Black Market, where everything was an extra 25 percent off.
Moral of the story: The July 4 sales at Ellenton offer good deals, and an even better opportunity for mother-daughter bonding. With gas prices in the stratosphere, don't travel solo. Split a tank with family or friends and treat the drive as gossip time. Invite the boys, too. My husband rocked the $12 shirts at Guess. Just agree in advance: Whoever finds the best deal has to be nice about it.
~ Deal Diva Letitia
PS: An Ellenton tip from my money-savvy little brother: When you get to the Prime Outlet mall, be sure to ask for a savings booklet in the food court. He got it for free and found coupons for lots of extra discounts.
Loading...
Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or 
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or 
0
Comments