The carousel at the Garden State Plaza. For more snaps, follow me on Instagram.

One of my closest-held secrets is my unequivocal love of MALLS. I mean, don't get me wrong, shopping upper Madison, SoHo or NoLita is a delight, but there's just SOMETHING about knowing that Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's are in close proximity that makes me feel safe, warm and well, like spending my hard-earned moola. Unfortunately for me, malls are few and far between in Manhattan (okay, there's actually only one, the Manhattan Mall, and it's fully mis), so whenever possible (read once or twice a year), I like to rent a car and take what I call a Suburban Day, which entails me and a friend renting a car, going to a mall and eating at chain restaurant - say Outback Steakhouse or Chili's. It's fun all around, you guys.

The peeps at Westfield clearly understand me, and wish to make my (and your!) life a little less complicated this holiday season though - so, they've launched a FREE Westfield Holiday Shuttle that takes mall-deprived Manhattanites like ME to one of the BEST malls in the tri-state area - the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ. I took a little jaunt out last week, and was thrilled to shop - tax-free! (except fur...I see what you did there, PETA) - the bounty of stores, including Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom - yay! (And yes, I ate a 'bon or two.)

If you're in the mood for some shopping, pick up the Westfield Holiday Shuttle, which runs Monday through Saturday, three times a day from Times Square to the Garden State Plaza mall. The trip takes about 30 minutes, sans traffic:

DEPARTING TIMES: From Times Square 
9:30am, 11:00am, 2:30pm 
(Shuttle Departures board across the street from Madame Tussauds on 42nd Street between 7th & 8th Avenue.)

RETURNING TIMES: From Westfield Garden State Plaza
1:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm 
(Shuttle Returns board at Bus Depot in parking lot by California Pizza Kitchen near Entrance 10 of shopping mall.)

Sundays are a favorite day for me, as after a late morning workout, I'm generally free as a bird. Today, I had the pleasure of celebrating Ms. Kristin Booker of Fashion Style Beauty's birthday with a delicious brunch at Back Forty, a farm-to-table specialty restaurant with a GORGEOUS cocktail list and a cool outdoor patio in New York's East Village. We finished off birthday festivities with an order of today's special doughnut (above) - a Mint Julep glazed beauty. Menus and more on Back Forty here.

Before cruising to brunch, I took a quick swing down to lower SoHo to visit the CHANEL's Little Black Jacket Exhibition, which opened last week to a star-studded reception, including guests Kanye West, Carine Roitfeld and the Kaiser himself, Karl Lagerfeld. I guess my invitation got lost in the mail. Regardless, the exhibit features snaps of style icons and friends of the House of Chanel by Lagerfeld himself (he's actually a talented photog.) My favorite images were of Vanessa Paradis, Sarah Jessica Parker and a very pregnant Charlotte Gainsbourg, and luckily two of the three (Chanel ambassador Paradis and SJP) are available as free commerative posters (along with one of Elle Fanning.) Visit the exhibit at at 18 Mercer Street, between Grand and Canal. It's open from 12-7pm daily, and closes in New York on Friday, June 15.

Last but not least, I spent the latter half of the afternoon shopping the East Village, and stumbled upon a striking fragrance exhibition at Odin. The men's boutique carries an amazing assortment of contemporary and designer gear for gents, and I firmly believe that my future husband is likely to shop here. But I digress. Along with clothing, shoes and accessories, Odin boast a gorgeous collection of unisex scents and candles, and they're merchandised in a pop up gallery setting, created in collaboration with Snarkitecture for a limited time only (through mid-June.) Stop by for a sniff at 330 East 11th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues, from 12-7pm daily.

And now, it's all about Sunday night TV, peeps. if you're a True Blood, Mad Men or Girls fan, be sure to follow @eye4style on Twitter for real-time commentary on tonight's episodes!

Truth be told, I'm not much of an outlet shopper, friends. I'm actually one of those rare, STUPID women who's willing to pay full price for things she loves. What can I say? I'm all about convenience. BUT when the peeps over at Tanger Outlets came a knockin' with a shopping CHALLENGE - oh, and a $500 gift card - I simply couldn't say no. I'm a Leo, you know, which means I live for a challenge. SO, off Sarah and I went, whisked away by car and driver to Riverhead, Long Island last Sunday and shop, we did - at Tanger Outlet stores like Converse, Lane Bryant, UGG, Barney's New York, Saks Off Fifth, Banana Republic, J. Crew and so many more...We also ate Auntie Anne's pretzels, but I digress.

Along the way, we learned a few lessons on outlet shopping:

1. Come with your curiosity, not a shopping list. It's impossible to predict what you'll find at an outlet center like Tanger, so keep your eyes open and enjoy the discovery process.
2. Pay careful attention to quality. Most mass retailers - i.e. J. Crew, Gap, Coach, Banana Republic and many others - produce dedicated factory merchandise, and in some cases, the quality is nothing short of tragic. Don't be seduced by a brand name you trust - make sure that the merchandise they've put their label on is what you've come to expect.
3. Wear sensible shoes. I'm not kidding. Of course, MY idea of "sensible" is likely far, far away (see above) from the AVERAGE woman's idea of "sensible", but either way, shopping the outlets can be EXHAUSTING, so wear something comfy and warm  - layers are a must in cold weather as most outlet centers are outdoors.
4. Last but not least, if you see something you love, snag it - you'll probably be too tired to swing back around for it at the end of the day!

So, what did I buy with my $500 gift card?  (all prices with tax):

• Kate Spade Blackberry Pouch: $13.04 (I know it's EMBARRASSING. But yes, I have a Blackberry. It's for work. My J-O-B. No judgement allowed.)
• Theory Jufina Turtleneck Sweater: $230.83 (Half price!)
• J. Crew W-Pieced Buckle Belt, Stripe Painter Scoopneck Tee, Couplet Dress: $94.46 (total; all Factory-specific product)
• Saks Off Fifth: Two large NEST Candles, Green Saks Fifth Avenue Cashmere Ombre Scarf: $116.81 (total)

Remaining Gift Card Balance? $44.86!

I'm curious! What would YOU snag with a $150 gift card to Tanger Outlets?  This isn't just speculation, peeps - leave a comment here and Like the Tanger Outlets Facebook Page for a chance to win just that! I'll choose three comments at random next Friday, December 16 at Noon!

Disclosure: Tanger Outlets sponsored my shopping trip last week, and graciously provided gift cards for this giveaway.

$525.00 by Rachel Zoe at Neiman Marcus

Fact: When Neiman Marcus says the words "designer sale," I stand up and PAY ATTENTION. And so, it's safe to say that my calendar has been marked for weeks for this Wednesday, November 30, as that's when (just in time for holiday shopping, parties, and the like) markdowns begin on select, premier designers at NeimanMarcus.com.

But this year, Neiman Marcus has been kind enough to acknowledge that eye4style readers deserve something a little...special, a little... VIP treatment, I daresay. SO, starting NOW  - Tuesday, November 29 at 11:00 AM CST  - you get FIRST DIBS on marked down merchandise via this link.

While I can't predict YET what will be on sale (I'm holding out hope for the sequined Rachel Zoe wonder seen above, so perf for NYE!), I can guarantee a bounty of beautiful designer wares, all up to a staggering 40% off.

Four words, friends - Go. Forth. And. Conquer.

The terribly adorable Gabi of Young, Fab & Fabulous.

This post was provided by simplybe.co.uk, leading provider of plus size women’s fashion.

I believe firmly that women of all shapes and sizes have the inherent right to style, be they slim and waif-like or with abundant curves. BUT that doesn't mean that shopping - particularly for the more voluptuous gals among us - isn't a total freaking BEAR. As a Hobbit-height petite, I'm empathetic, my Rubenesque sisters, trust me.

So...I thought it only apropos to share a few of my golden rules for shopping:

1: Know your shopping style.

Meaning...do you definitively know what you like, or do you need a second opinion? If it's the former, don't let anyone even think of tagging along on your shopping expeditions - seriously, they'll only slow you down and make you question your own, clearly superior judgement. The latter? Beg, borrow or steal a trusted girlfriend and beg her to give it to you straight.

2: Set yourself up for success.

Confidence begets confidence (and yes, sales peeps will pass judgement on you the moment you walk in the door), so leave the schlubby gear at home and wear an outfit that you love. You'll feel better, you'll look better and gosh darn it, people will like you better.

3: Arm yourself with a LIST.

As oft discussed on this blog, I have what I call a Fashion Bucket List. On my person. At all times. While my Fashion Bucket List includes admittedly unnecessary things like a Burberry Prorsum Studded-Shoulder Trench and the Hermes Collier de Chien Cuff (DON'T YOU JUDGE ME), it also includes basics and wardrobe essentials that need a restock (i.e., wherefore art thou perf cropped white skinny jean for summer?) To be clear, my rule is simple, if it's not on the list, I don't buy it. This keeps me focused on the task at hand.

4: Don't judge a book by its cover slash clothing on the hanger.

This goes specifically for styles, silhouettes or colors that may take you a bit outside of your proverbial style comfort zone. Try it on and see how it looks on you. There are no rules that say a curvier gal can't rock a skinny jean, a romper or an uber-sexy dress.

5: That said, know/learn what works for you and embrace what you love.

While every trend won't suit every body type (this isn't a challenge unique to the plus-sized among us), take inspiration from trends and understand the golden rule of style - it's all about balance.

What are your best shopping tips for plus-sized gals? Leave a comment and share.

Shopping for a swimsuit is among the most dreadful experiences imaginable. And between paler-than-pale winter skin and one too many holiday cookies, shopping for a swimsuit in December is even worse, if at all possible.To be candid, I feel the need to fortify myself with hard liquor/false confidence first, but perhaps I'm alone here? I digress.

Shopping online makes things a bit easier, and since I'm off to the Bahamas tomorrow (Merry Christmas to me, bitches!), I fell back on Swimspot, an e-boutique with 12 rad swim brands, including Ella Moss (maker of the lovely Solid Swim Dress above, which I've tucked in my suitcase).

In case you were wondering, the slimming side ruching and extra hip coverage on this suit aren't happy coincidences, my friends. On Swimspot, I took advantage of the Fit Specialist Program – a free “personal shopper” that helps guide you into the right style and fit based on your individual taste, preferences, and body type.

Best of all, Swimspot offers free shipping, free exchanges, and free returns -  which is KEY when shopping for the perfect swimsuit. If you're in the mood to browse, visit Swimspot.com.

In case you were wondering, here's what else I've tucked in my Bahamas-bound beach bag:

• Emilio Pucci Cotton-flannel Beach Towel
• Havaianas Slim Peacock Flip Flop
• Supergoop SPF 30 Sunscreen Wipes
• Evian Mineral Water Spray
• Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme
• Ilari Roll-On Perfume
• Lucy by Laurence Gonzalez

While I consider myself to be an EXPERT online shopper (to say the least), I'm often told that the WIDE world of web shopping can be a little intimidating, to lesser women say the least. Enter StyleFind, a new, unique, and easy-peasy way to shop the web, through the eyes of InStyle editors.

StyleFind aims to present the most relevant, on-trend merch from 150+ hand-picked retailers and over 2,000 brands, with even more to come in 2011. My fave way to shop the site are via the Editors’ Picks, which you'll see at the top of every browse results page, as well as at the top of the most popular searches. Other editorial features include a runway-inspired “Trends” section and a “Hit List” that is updated weekly under several categories, including clothing and accessories.

While anyone can shop on StyleFind, make sure to register as a member  - there are exclusive sales, discounts and products available ONLY to members.

Happy shopping!

FTC Disclosure: While it's impossible to buy my love, I did receive a gift card courtesy of InStyle to experience StyleFind firsthand.

Is there any logo in the world more covetable than the interlocking C's? I'd be hard pressed to think of one.

LA gals who lust for Chanel® as I lust for Chanel are in luck this month as Decadestwo will host a can't miss shopping event at their Melrose Avenue store on December 8–9.

The event will showcase (and, of course, SELL!) the store's largest collection ever of pre-loved Chanel clothing, handbags and accessories, including items from the late '90's through 2009.

Classic quilted Chanel handbags? Indeed.  Iconic Chanel jackets? You better believe it!

Visit Decadestwo at 8214 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046.

If you're down with Lucky Shops and Shecky's, you'll definitely want to check out the new kid on the block, StyleFixx.

Kicking off tomorrow in New York, StyleFixx bills itself as the "ultimate girl’s night out experience."  Over 55 cutting-edge designers and brands will be on hand, including special guest Project Runway designer Kara Janx who'll debut her new fall line.

In addition to great shopping, you can expect product sampling, pampering opportunities, flowing cocktails and nosh, along with product-filled swag bags (which include full sized and trial sized beauty bounty, yummy Lindt chocolate and more!)

StyleFixx's New York City debut kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday October 21st and continues on Thursday October 22nd, 2009. The events run from from 5-10pm each night at the Metropolitan Pavilion located at 125 W. 18th Street. Tickets are $30 and available for purchase at www.stylefixx.com.

Happy Shopping!