Hi. I’m Alexis and I’m a shopaholic. I’ll admit it. My husband will tell anyone who will listen. I’m not looking to go into a program to correct it anytime soon. The act of purchasing something, anything, brings me such joy….

Once I learned that I was pregnant for the second time and we found out the baby would be another boy, I knew my days of pink bows, cute dresses and shopping trips were dying. No girly days for me…just tons of sweaty testosterone-y activities for this girl.

That’s why back to school shopping doesn’t have the same joy that it once did. Sure I love buying new pencils and paper. And I love checking things off the boys’ supply lists…doesn’t everyone?

This year, we headed to Westland Mall in Miami for the clothing items on our back to school shopping list.You know, the shorts, pants and sneakers for school. My kids wear uniforms to school, but I’m able to purchase the shorts in other stores other than the uniform store. We also have free reign on the shoes that they can wear.

So, of course, we headed to Champs Sports to decide what sneakers they would get this year. This is something that was quick when I was younger since I just wanted sneakers that were pink. With boys this is a different animal altogether. Let me just say we spent over and hour in Champs alone! Kill me now….

We started the experience by getting their feet measured to make sure they would get a shoe that was not only nice, but comfortable for them. I also like to get a half size up so they have some room to grow. Even though I’m not sure why I do that because they tend to wear them out before they ever grow out of them. Although in more recent years they are acquiring so many pairs of sneakers that match different outfits and activities, it’s beginning to rival my own shoe collection.

Then the boys had to examine every shoe on their extensive wall at least 5 times each. I tried to steer them in the direction of the cool ones that didn’t cost $250 each. That was fun. (Can you see my eyes rolling from where you are?)

FINALLY each boy chose their 3rd favorite shoe since their first choices would have me mortgage my house. Then we still had to spend time picking out the right socks to match their coolness. Did you know socks are SO EXPENSIVE? Gone are the days of buying a pack of white socks for $8 and moving on. Now we have to have socks that go up their calves and have interesting designs and bright colors. (My eyes may just roll right out of my head.)

Next up…shorts and pants to go with our uniform tops. We headed to The Children’s Place where we’ve been shopping for khaki shorts and pants since they started school. I love that this time of year they have such a great sale for those very items!

Macy’s is a great place to pick up the essential wardrobe pieces that my boys can’t live without…basketball shorts and t-shirts. They taste has moved past the preppy guys I was trying to form when they were toddlers. Maybe when they are trying to impress the ladies, they’ll switch back. A girl can dream, right?

Just so that all was right in my little world, I had to get a little something for myself, OF COURSE! H&M was my spot…so many cute items for next to nothing prices. Momma needs some new duds for all the PTA meetings, right?

Westland Mall is part of the Starwood Retail Partners. They have this new reward program called OH, SO SIMPLE Rewards. And it really is oh, so simple! For every $250 you spend in the mall…anywhere in the mall…you earn $10. There are easy to use kiosks around the mall where you swipe one of your debit or credit cards and enroll in the program. Then you just go about business as usual at the mall. Go shopping, eat in the food court or a restaurant, or see a movie using your enrolled card. Each dollar amount you spend goes toward your $250. The credits are automatically applied to your card. See? SIMPLE!

 

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Although I was compensated for shopping at Westland Mall and sharing our experiences, all opinions, successes and eye rolling are all my own!