Travel Essentials with Briarwood Mall
With summer upon us, travel season is finally here! Of course, one cannot forget all the essentials when it comes to packing for summer vacations. While online shopping is convenient, it is so nice to have an upscale mall such as Briarwood Mall less than five minutes from my home. Featuring 120 stores (including my favorites Macy’s, Von Maur, Banana Republic, Vera Bradley, Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Coach, and L’Occitane en Provence) Briarwood Mall is the retail hub of Ann Arbor!
Outfit Details: Banana Republic One Shoulder Poplin Dress (c/o) | Banana Republic Genie By Eugenia Kim Willa Hat (similar here) | Cult Gaia Gaia’s Ark Bag | Gucci Scarf (old – similar here) | Michele Deco Diamond Watch | David Yurman Cable Classics Bracelet | Raye Lulu Heel in Tan | Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment (Tulip)
I first discovered Briarwood Mall when I moved to Ann Arbor four years ago. Having lived in much larger cities previously, I was impressed with the quality and variety of stores at Briarwood Mall. Briarwood has many of the major anchor stores where I normally shop, including Macy’s, Von Maur, Sears, and JCPenney. Briarwood also carries the brands that I post about on this blog all the time, including Banana Republic, Gap, Ann Taylor, Loft, and J. Crew. So when planning my vacation outfits it is easy to head to Briarwood to see the latest fashions to take on my trip! While online shopping is convenient, it is so nice to be able to try on clothes in person, see how they look and feel, and of course not have to worry about shipping. If I do buy online, it is so convenient to make returns to the stores in person versus dealing with the hassle of shipping back to the retailer.
Heading into the holiday weekend, now is a great time to be shopping at the stores of Briarwood Mall. Macy’s is having their Give $3 and get 25% off storewide (or 2o% off without donating). Banana Republic is having an extra 50% off all sale items (and everything I am wearing in today’s post was a part of that sale). Gap is offering 40% off of everything (Online use code JULY). Ann Taylor is offering 50% off everything (both in stores and online with code JUSTBEACHY). Loft is also offering 50% off of everything (in store but use code SPARKLER for online shopping).
Outfit Details: Banana Republic One Shoulder Bow Top (c/0) | Banana Republic Ryan Fit Solid Shorts (c/o) | Gucci Marmont Mini Bag | YSL Serpent Belt | Prada Gradient Round Sunglasses | Ann Taylor Leda Block Heel Sandals | Michele Deco Diamond Watch | David Yurman Cable Classics Bracelet | YSL Lipstick (Smoking Plum)
Fine and Casual Dining at Briarwood Mall
Even if you aren’t doing last minute shopping for your vacation, Briarwood still has a lot to offer. With four children, it isn’t realistic for us to go to the trendy restaurants of downtown Ann Arbor. We love the upscale yet family friendly dining that Briarwood Mall offers! California Pizza Kitchen offers a nice lunch menu and their dinner menu is very family friendly. Bravo Cucina Italiana has been a long-time favorite for our family, and the cozy ambiance and outstanding service keeps us coming back over and over again. PF Chang’s offers a tasteful Chinese cuisine in a relaxing environment.
Briarwood Mall also has a variety of smaller, more casual restaurants, including Chipotle, Freshii, Sozo Japanese Grill and Which Wich. It is so easy just to grab a quick bite to eat for lunch with my family when shopping at Briarwood Mall!
Vera Bradley Large Blush & Brush Makeup Case (c/o)
Innovative Travel Pieces with Vera Bradley
When it comes to travel gear, Briarwood Mall also has several stores that sell small and large luggage pieces. Vera Bradley specializes in creating innovative and stylish bags, luggage, fragrance and accessories for the modern woman. I absolutely love this large blush and brush makeup case by Vera Bradley! This makeup case is perfect for carrying all my travel essentials, including brushes, makeup, creams and lotions. Some of my other favorites from Vera Bradley include this large floral hard side spinner. You never have to worry about losing your luggage at the airport with this suitcase! I also love the classic yet glamorous Grand Traveler bag. With it’s interior pockets to keep me organized and the trolley sleeve to make it easy to stack on rolling luggage, this bag is a must for travel. Vera Bradly is also having an Independence Weekend sale that includes 50% off all sale merchandise and a free beach towel with any $100 purchase.
L’Occitaine en Provence Products: Nourishing Shea Butter Travel Set (above) | Shea Butter Hand Cream (c/o)
The Fine Details with L’Occitane in Provence
Finally, when it comes to planning your vacation, one cannot forget the fine details. Essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, body lotion and hand cream come conveinently together with the Nourishing Shea Butter travel set from L’Occitane en Provence. Shea butter is known for it’s moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. This Nourishing Shea Butter travel set is perfect for keeping your skin and hair healthy and mosturized during your vacation. And last but not least, you don’t want to forget your Shea Butter Hand cream, one of the bestselling products at L’Occitaine (one is sold every three seconds around the world)! L’Occitaine en Provence has a convenient location centrally within Briarwood Mall, and this makes it very easy to pick up these last-minute essentials for your trip!
So whether you are a local to Ann Arbor or just visiting, take some time to visit Briarwood Mall, where you can explore, relax, and prepare for your all-important vacation!
*This post contains affiliate links.
This post was sponsored by Simon Malls, but all opinions however are my own.
These outfits are so cute! That’s much better shopping than the city I live in right now lol. I miss having big malls around!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
wish I could visit!
So many cute outfits! I love that your mall has such a great selection of stores in one place. I always find myself going to three different places to get what I want 🙂
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
This post is so fun! You look beautiful girl. Your outfits are both super cute too
– xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
You look great, April! Such a fun idea too for a post. I’m collaborating with Simon Malls in Charlotte next weekend and I am so excited about it! So this is giving me major inspo!
xo, Amanda | http://www.thegoldengirldiary.com
Amanda…So fun that you’re able to collaborate as well! It was so much fun doing this and I hope you have fun too!
I love all of your looks!! This is such a great post! I love how this mall has so many amazing shopping options too!!
Loving all these shopping options! So cute!
Great post! I also shop at Briarwood Mall and love the variety of shops and places to eat!
Briarwood is such a great mall! I used to go there all the time when I was at U of M!
you look so beautiful in these colors
Dang! 120 stores! That is definitely a one-stop shop, I wish I had something like that close by! Your outfits here are so cute, I love that one shouldered top paired with those shorts!
Emily
http://darlingdearestblog.com
That’s awesome that your mall has so many great stores! Love the color of those Banana Republic shorts that you snagged.
This is such a great post. I love both of your outfits and all of your picks! Summer travel is so fun.
xo,
Steph
@trendyinindy || trendyinindy.com
looks like you racked up!!!
You snagged some good stuff! Imm such a sucker for travel sized beauty.
Sounds like a fab place to visit! I am loving that pink shorts and one shoulder top outfit! So cute!
xoxo, Jenna
Bostonchicparty.com
Every outfit is so cute!! Love that this mall has all the stores I shop at too!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Gorgeous outfits!! Love Vera`s bags too!! Want to go shopping!
What a fun shopping trip! Looks like you found so many great pieces
This sounds like my kind of mall! Too bad I don’t live in the same state! You picked up some great travel essentials for the summer too!
This mall sounds perfect! And, that ultra rich collection (the shea butter and the shower cream) are my absolute FAVES!
Okay the second look in my fav!!! I love those shorts! You are killing it lovely!!
Ok, the pink shorts outfit is my FAV! Great post!
Sounds like the perfect mall for the region! It has everything you need. Definitely will stop and shop when I’m in the area! xo
Vera Bradley has the best styles lately! I love your essentials for traveling – so helpful with summer trips coming up!
Looks like there are so many great places to shop! I love those magenta shorts on you.
I want to go shop at this mall!!
I love all the stores and the great picks! Sounds like a go to place.
Love both of these looks! I’m not a huge fan of Vera purses, but they make the best little travel accessories that keep everything so organized! I always end up giving them as gifts!
– Katherine
Engineering In Style
Those are all great essentials!
Sabrina | http://www.gypsytan.co
Love the looks! Especially those fuchsia shorts! How perfect for summer!!! xo, Jaime
Loving all ur shopping looks! I love that your mall has so many shopping options!
xoxo
Sarah Lindner