If there were something like Batman’s bat signal for bargain hunters, it would be up in the sky over the Kate Spade outlet store in Vacaville, California, right now.
There’s a HUGE outlet mall in Vacaville, which is about an hour north of the Bay Area, and it’s like an oasis of awesomeness in the Central Valley (between San Francisco and Sacramento).
Vacaville Premium Outlets: List of Stores
We stopped by on our way home yesterday from Redding, and I kid you not — it took us 30 minutes to actually find the Kate Spade store. That’s how big the mall is. We just kept driving around the giant parking lots.
But we did eventually find it. It’s a big one, too, with a wide selection of bags, purses, clothes, jewelry and accessories like belts, iPhone and iPad cases and scarves — no shoes, though (boo!).
Last weekend was the store’s grand opening, and everything was 40% off. On top of that, the sales associates were giving out coupons for an additional 20% off, so yeah.
I saw so many things I’ve recently drooled over on the Kate Spade website, which was a good sign, but the prices weren’t earth-shatteringly lower than the sale prices I’ve seen on katespade.com.
But I get the feeling they’ll have some great sales at the outlet store from time to time.
I tried on a few dresses and cardigans but didn’t leave with any clothing.
Well, I mean… I didn’t leave with any NEW clothing.
You know what I meant. 🙂
Incidentally, every piece of Kate Spade clothing I’ve tried on in the past has always fit like a glove, but everything I tried on at the outlet store was a little off. Either the fit was wonky in certain places, or the clothing had details that didn’t seem quite right, like plastic zippers that looked less-than-luxe.
I’ve read that some outlet stores carry things that are specifically made for the outlets, and sometimes those pieces aren’t of the same construction as the things carried in the regular stores.
I don’t know if that was the case here, but I’m just saying… If you go, try everything on first, and give it a good once-over before you buy.
Even though I didn’t flip for the clothes, I didn’t walk away empty-handed. I did pick up some jewelry, which seemed up to par with the quality I’ve seen at my local Kate Spade store.
With the 60% discount (or thereabouts), it was a pretty good deal. The round Gumdrop Stud earrings pictured here usually go for $28, but I got ’em for $13. Not bad!
Do you live near an outlet mall? What do you think about them? Are there usually good deals?
Finally, after years of toil and trouble, you land your dream job! You nail the interview, and the company calls you the next day to make an offer. 
Speaking of airplanes, you’re on a packed 8-hour flight to give a huge presentation at company headquarters, and you’ll have to be “on” the moment the plane lands. 
Bonus question for the cat ladies (sorry, this one is tough): would you rather work as a pet assistant for a cat who absolutely adores you but sadly departs to cross the Rainbow Bridge after only five years (*tears*), or land a gig with a cat who lives for 25 years but mostly ignores you, except when food is involved? YOU MUST CHOOSE.
KAREN: Speaking of drama, what’s going on with you and Chaupette? I hear rumors… Care to set the record straight?
TABS: Sure. I think all driven cats want to look back on their lives and say, “I made a difference in this world.” I hope to inspire young kittens and older cats — anybody who wants to chase their dreams. I want them to know that they have the power to make a positive impact on the world, whether it be through kitty modeling or academia or whatever path they choose. 
KAREN: Interesting. OK, how about your love life, Tabs? Seeing anyone special these days? **cough** Snowball? **cough**
