A member of my Moms Run This Town so graciously informed us last month that a lululemon outlet was opening at an outlet in the Phoenix valley.
Now I’m not a die hard lulu girl; I only own one shorts from there. In fact, I’m not particular to any brand. If it fits the way I like and the fabric seems legit, then I’m good.
But I love shopping and getting a deal, so when the news came out a lot of us got excited about what we might find.
The catch? It’s a 30 minute drive.
You see, Phoenix is huge. And there’s a whole bunch of other huge cities surrounding it. It’s basically divided in halves. You live in the West Valley or the East Valley. The outlet is on the westside and guess where I live? Yup, the east side.
We thought it would be fun to take a MRTT field trip out there but unfortunately, when the day came, everyone got caught up with life and couldn’t make. So yesterday I decided to go solo–I mean, my curiosity had been piqued; I had to go see what the hype was all about.
Traffic was flowing and I made it there pretty quickly considering the hike.
I was on a mission and didn’t go to any other stores (I actually live close to an outlet mall on the east side) and went straight to lulu. Except I didn’t know where it was at lol! I finally asked a girl carrying a lulu bag and sure enough, I had walked pretty much the whole mall and had to go back lol! Luckily, I didn’t mind since I needed to meet my 10k steps goal anyway 🙂
Then, I saw it.
Thankfully, I missed the grand opening craziness
I was a little underwhelmed as it was a small store. At first, I thought it was bigger than what it was because there was a huuuuge mirror at the back wall reflecting the shop so I totally thought there was more store in the back. I ALMOST WALKED INTO THE MIRROR. I’m not even kidding. Luckily, I saw my reflection and was like, “Wait a minute? I know her!”
The store was organized by size so they had a 4 section, a 6 section, etc. Most of the stuff was winter gear–long sleeves, jackets, capri pants–and because of the 112 degree heat outside, I couldn’t even fathom purchasing any of those things. Tanks and shorts selections were slim….
… and then I saw it.
My bag.
It was the only one hanging and it looked so lonely. I decided right then and there to give it a home.
Summer Lovin’ Tote=Gorg.
It’s such a great bag. It’s got a yoga mat/towel holder, a plastic zip case inside for wet gear, an extra inside pocket, an outside water bottle holder, and an outside pocket for your phone/keys. The bag itself is deep and roomy enough for running shoes and clothes. Oh, and it comes with a shoe bag!
I love it.
Towel/mat holder
Left: Inside clear plastic zip case; Right: Inside pocket
Left: Shoe bag; Right: Water bottle holder and phone/keys pocket
So even though the store was on the small side with limited selections in my opinion– there were only two bag styles and mine was the last one of one of the styles; there were head band accessories but not as many options, and really there were no better deals than what the clearance sections in regular stores have. Yet, despite all of that I still considered the lulu excursion a success — I mean c’mon, didya look at my bag 😀
I hope everyone is having a Terrific Tuesday!! ❤ , helly
–Do you have a favorite gym bag?
–How far will you drive to go shopping? lol!!
–Are you a lululemon lover?
I’ve always wanted to get something from lulu, but their prices and I aren’t friends. LOL!! Cute bag!
I feel ya! That’s why I only one shorts from there lol! This time, I couldn’t travel that far and *not* purchase something 😀 I figure the bag I could use day-to-day whereas a tank top I can’t
I’m a Lululemon observer, I feel like. As in, I’m not an active participant in the lulu-ness. I have a few favorite tops from there (that I adore) and a few of there fashiony pieces, but I can’t think of the last time I paid full price for something from there! I would likely have fun in the outlet, though!
Totally feel ya! I’m not a full price gal 😉
LOVE lululemon. I run exclusively in their speed shorts… beyond comfortable and fit me just right. I love their pockets on all their clothes. Now if it could be more in my budget : )
I do love the shorts I have but can’t justify the price for a collection lol! I’ll have to check out the speed shorts–maybe they’ll help me run faster 😉
Yay for an awesome new bag..it was worth the 30 min drive! I had to laugh when you talked about the time to the store, we will drive 30 minutes with no thought to go to our fav. grocery store on the weekends. Maybe I’m a bit crazy though, I do spend 3+ hours a day in a car commuting, so 30 mins feels like 10 to me! HA! I am glad your first trip there was successful!!
3 hours? Girl, you crazy.
Love the bag! I don’t have anything nice like that but have a few that I rotate through. I’ve yet to own any lulu (!!!!), just haven’t found the time to go to the store – it’s an hour away where my parents live but like your outlet, takes a while to get to because of traffic.
The drive definitely made me think twice so totally feel ya!
I went for the grand opening. It was slammed – 2 hour wait to get in- so I left. Good thing it was only a 15 minutes drive for me! 🙂
Yeah, 2 hours? Unh uh.
Lucky you live close by! (Although I’m partial to the east valley 😉 ) Hopefully we can meet somewhere in the middle for a race someday 🙂
Yes I am partial to the east valley as well. However my husband goes to Midwestern for dental school in Glendale! #LifeStruggles
Great find! I spent a month researching what bag I wanted haha! That mirror part really made me laugh! I’m glad you recognized yourself before you walked into her 😀
Oh me too! LOL! It was a close call 😀
OMG what a fabulous bag! And LOL the mirror! If it makes you feel better, I’ve done the same thing, but instead of almost walking into a mirror, I said, “Oh, pardon me.” to my own reflection…so unbelievably awkward LOL
Omg, I LOVE IT!!! ❤ 😀
30 minutes isn’t that bad. I’ve traveled an hour before to go shopping, there really isn’t that many great places to go shopping around me. so gotta go to the city sometimes. (when somebody else is driving. lol
Very cute bag.
In the grand scheme of things, it isn’t. I guess b/c I have such a long work commute every day that’s longer than 30, anytime I can avoid a freeway I will lol!
30 minutes – GO EVERYDAY! We have one 2 1/2 hours away. I drove there once on a whim. I was cracking up about how you almost walked into the mirror. That bag is awesome – not only am I a huge lulu lover, but my favorite bag is also from there!! Twins!!
I just went to a Lulu outlet yesterday. We are on vacation visiting my parents and I believe it’s one of the only ones on the East Coast!! I was definitely underwhelmed, and I’m a HUGE Lulu fan. They had great stuff but all of the sizes were either 2 or 12!! Nothing in the middle. LOVE that bag!
I love Lulu, I really do. Mostly their shorts and skirts. I’ve yet to be in love with their tops. Great bag! I laughed because your outlet is bigger than our “boutique”. Seriously- it’s the lower level of a old Victorian house. I still spend money there though. 🙂
Love the new bag! I had a similar lulu outlet experience in Orlando a few years ago but managed to grab a cute headband for winter running that I still use constantly! If you get one good thing it’s worth the trip!
definitely not a fan of Lululemon but do love a good outlet store! I hate shopping general but will drive an hour or so to the outlets if I know there are specific things I’m on the lookout for! Cuuuute bag! 🙂 you just reminded me I need a new yoga mat!
What a great find–LOVE that bag!!
VERY cute bag! Typically I just use a cheap Reebok duffle bag I got at Target.