Shopping for shopping?

So our trip to Vegas is booked! Yay!

Now comes the hard part: planning my outfits. Finding a good deal on flights and hotel is nothing compared to deciding what the heck I'm going to wear! It has to be a great mix of style, simplicity, trendiness and comfort. And we're going to be in the middle of the desert in the dry heat of summer...so it's gonna be hella hot. I'm actually a little bit scared of how hot it's going to be. I've never gone to Vegas in the actual summer time. It's always been in the fall or December. Thinking back though...some of those days were actually kinda warm already. So if it was hot then, I can only imagine how sweltering it's going to be at the end of June! Tssss...caliente.

So let's see...I'm thinking 2 outfits a day (maybe 3, depending on what the plans are in the evening). I need extremely comfy shoes or sandals for the day (I can't make the same mistake I've made in previous years where I'm wearing fashionable, yet blister-inducing shoes. I'm not kidding - one year my foot was actually bleeding). So far I only have...maybe one or two pairs of capris and three tops...Yikes! That ain't gonna do. So what to do?? Well obviously I will need to buy some new clothes to wear on the trip. Unfortunately, the clothes I would like to buy are in the states. Crap. I like to have good shopping outfits for Vegas, so I need to go shopping before I go shopping. If you know what I mean.

I need a good shopping spree at Forever 21 or H&M (Yes, I know I'm not 21, but where else can you get the latest trends for dirt?!) These stores understand that just because you want to be au courant in the fashion world, you might not want to spend haute couture prices. (I say, save your hard-earned money for iconic, timeless pieces, such as a designer handbag, a great pair of jeans or a nice coat). Plus it's Vegas. I can't just wear my work clothes there! I need to look glitzy (but be comfy at the same time)! How can I possibly complete my Vegas wardrobe? Hm...

Thinking...(imagine the "Theme from Jeopardy" here)

I know! We still have a long weekend between now and then so...we perhaps could take a quick little side trip to Minneapolis! Yes!! Albertville, Mall of America, here I come! Just a few key pieces + some cool accessories to add to my wardrobe and I'll be set! What a great idea! I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.

So, I just asked my husband if we could take a quick side trip to Minneapolis. He said, "Ah HELLZ no."

Boooooo : (