I’m really excited to announce that I’m a Tanger Outlet Ambassador this holiday season! The Tanger Outlets are near and dear to my heart — not only because nearly half the clothes I have are from one of their factory outlet stores, but also because I have been meeting my college bestie at the Tanger Outlets in Lancaster, PA for over a decade.

They provide the perfect halfway point for us to meet up and enjoy our favorite past time — chatting, of course!

What did you think!!!???

Okay, so shopping is our second favorite past time.

And then we always manage to find time for lunch (you guessed it . . . our third favorite past time!)

We met up earlier this week at the Lancaster Tanger Outlets for a shopping spree. Tanger generously provided me with a gift card, and I was like a kid in a candy store. I went armed with requests from each child as well as my own fall shopping list. We started out at the Gap Outlet, as is our tradition. I stocked up on some basics like pajamas for me, jeans for my daughter and a couple of tops for the girls.

Then it was on to the Osh Kosh Outlet where I stocked up for both girls. I fell in love with these capes. I got one for each of them.

After a few more stops, we found ourselves in the JCrew outlet, where I picked up some basics like tank tops and a long-sleeved black tee-shirt.

And then. I spotted. THIS.

I have been wanting an envelope clutch ever since I saw that it was a trend to watch. I loved it immediately, the simplicity, the sophistication. But I have never found one that spoke to me until this one. I adore the color — not red, nor orange — something in between.

And the icing on the cake? The chain shoulder strap that was tucked neatly inside. THAT is key to me. I hate a clutch without a way to attach it to my being. (You’ll have to watch the video to see that part!)

I immediately grabbed the bag and declared it mine. It was my one real splurge of the day — the one thing I wasn’t looking for and don’t really need, but knew I HAD TO HAVE IT. I had also purchased a Pink Card for $1 in exchange for a 25% off coupon good for one item in participating stores, so I whipped that baby out and plopped it down on the counter and got 25% off the price of the purse. SCORE!!

Money raised by Tanger through its sale of Pink Cards is donated locally through the Stanley K. Tanger Breast Cancer Fund to over 35 different organizations across the country as well as to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Since losing a dear friend to breast cancer earlier this summer, I was more than happy to donate. I only wish I’d purchased more cards. I didn’t realize that you can actually purchase as many a you want! D’oh!

After JCrew, we wandered through a few more stores and then made our way back up to Banana Republic. I knew this was gonna be the killer. I always love their stuff. I had already spent the gift card Tanger provided for me, but I wasn’t ready to stop shopping!! Fortunately I have a handy dandy Gap credit card that earns me rewards points every time I use it, so really, I just saved even MORE, right????

(I can always find a way to justify more shopping.)

I racked up at Banana Republic. I ended up with a cami, a cute top, a couple of sweaters, and an adorable dress! This is one of the tops I purchased.

I wasn’t sure about it so I took this picture and asked the Internets. I got some yays and some nays, but I decided to take it. I’m pretty sure it looks better in person, and I love the color blocking. It adds interest without making it bulky or cumbersome, and I’m all about the marriage of comfort and style.

After that, I’d about had enough. We wandered through the Coach outlet before heading over to Red Robin for lunch, where I got to enjoy a delicious burger on a gluten-free bun, thanks to their partnership with Udi’s — what a treat!

And those Parmesan fries . . . out. of this WORLD. My stomach didn’t feel quite right afterwards, so I wonder if there was some gluten in them, but they were worth the risk! (disclaimer: I am not Celiac, I just have a self-diagnosed gluten intolerance that is fairly mild. People with Celiac Disease should never take risks where gluten is concerned, as it can be quite damaging to their health.)

I could have spent several more hours shopping; we only covered about half the shopping mall, but I’m sure I’ll be back before the holidays. I love outlet shopping for finding current styles that are affordable. And with the coupon books and special deals available, you can usually save quite a bit over the regular mall prices. This is what my car looked like by the end of the day. I’d say that was a successful shopping trip!

Check out my Fashion Haul Video!

And if you blogged about fashion this week, be sure to link up below for Fashion Friday!

meet Jo-Lynne Shane

Jo-Lynne Shane has written 3385 posts on this blog.

I'm a wife, mom, writer, Christ follower, aspiring runner, avid style watcher, recovering foodie, hopeless coffee addict and connector of people. My husband says I have two speeds -- stop and go. I talk too fast and I over-think everything. When I'm not online, you will mostly likely find me curled up with my Kindle and a glass of wine. And I'll never turn down a pedicure.

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