Help with ultimate US shopping list.

[kittya]

going in a week. I dont want to spend days traipsing around and I dont want to buy stuff that I can get as cheap here.

Has anyone been recently?

So far I have Levis Curve jeans (they look about half price)and Uggs for my mum.

The Mac and benefit make up looks about the same price.

Any suggestions? Not high range designer stuff!!

I would have a look on Nordstrom to make a decision re Uggs:
here
as they seem to have a huge range to look at

Personally I would go for classic tall if I was getting someone's first pair although I do also like bailey button triplet which are new for this autumn for the same price. You could get your mum to choose a colour in advance.

I would avoid knitted ones - they always seem to be on sale. Having said that if you can find them in an outlet you might get a real bargain!

BTW have a fab trip!

Aussie shampoo and conditioner (slightly different formula to UK one but still good) - much cheaper - its in a purple bottle..
Also cheap medicines...
Cheap non branded kids clothes in walmart, target etc.
Ne suitcase to bring everything back..

Just back from the States and bought myself some Uggs (shudder) as I'm pg and later on I swell up so much I can't wear normal shoes. Was in the shop and googled UK prices and it was like for like dollar for pound, i.e. $150 vs. £150, so you will save quite a bit. I bought the shorter one-button style in the light grey. Ever so slightly more fashionable (dare I say) than some of the other colours.

Yes, to Old Navy for kids and men. My British DH buys all his casual clothes in the States: ON, some J Crew and Banana Republic. You should find all of these in San Fran, although ON tends to have more mall stores than high street stores. Look up locations online before you go and check for city centre stores (eg. Union Square).

Yes to Sephora. There's a good Sephora in SF on Union St in Marina/Cow Hollow. Nice shopping area with cafes and restaurants. Mixture of boutiques and high street.

SF is very easy to get around, but don't forget about the massive hills! They are not marked on maps for the most part, so you may think you have a 3 block easy stroll to your destination and then you see it's a 70 degree grade hill. Ask at hotel about the hills. Buses are safe and frequent and $2 a ride with a transfer ticket good for 2-hours.

Most shops will have a sale rack, so definitely check there for your favourite brands. Don't forget, sales tax is charged on top of ticket prices.

THink about getting a pack of melatonin which you can't get ovber the counter at home. Some people swear by it for jetlag.

what would you buy in Sephora that you cant get here? I know what Im like, I will end up spending all day in there but, I cant afford to!!

Duwop

Sheishido and Laura Mercier perfection complexion kit thingies look good.
Stila I'd sell my soul for these.
Would love to try out LORAC esp the face kit
Fresh perfumes are lovely too.

I buy as little as possible here. It's a rip off. Definitely melatonin, ibuprofen and acetamenophen. All vitamins.

All outdoor gear.

Cosmetics, DVDs, electronics.

I hardly buy any clothes or shoes here. 20% VAT? Fuck that.

I like sephora because it's much more pleasant than running the gauntlet of dept store cosmetics concessions, helpful staff and not overly pushy. They have more or less every major brand and the pricing is more transparent too and probably better value than most drugstores. Bare Minerals stuff is cheaper; Philosophy; Tweezerman and they have good brush kit ranges.

I just wish they'd start up in the UK

I like sephora because it's much more pleasant than running the gauntlet of dept store cosmetics concessions, helpful staff and not overly pushy. They have more or less every major brand and the pricing is more transparent too and probably better value than most drugstores. Bare Minerals stuff is cheaper; Philosophy; Tweezerman and they have good brush kit ranges.

I just wish they'd start up in the UK

They do on a PS2 with a DVD region converter.

we did have a Sephora but it closed.

The Stila lipglosses look fab!

Also, a lot of DVDs are worldwide now.

Sephora is wonderful!

you have to be careful though as Ive just looked on the Debenhams site and the stila individual eyeshadows are £5.50, the same one $18 in Sephora!!

There is a fashion outlet near Las Vegas, just get a taxi there and back.

Tbh, I found it grim and was even less inclined to buy than at the main shopping malls.

Everything screamed 'low rent' and the food hall was 'fries and meat' at seven different counters.

The clothes are stuff no one else wants to buy, although we did manage to get some American football shirts for the boys. Not particularly bargainous, though - although nothing was anywhere as far as I could see.

Here's the link.

SF is good for shopping - the large Macy's on Market street is good and trendy.

There is a good outlet mall up towards Napa here. We got good DKNY stuff for my DH there. It is lovely up in Napa/ Calistoga and going on a winery tour is great fun. Maybe you could combine if heading up that way.. Might be a outlet nearer to SF , probably one down towards San Jose way..

My DH lived in SF for 3 years and then we both lived on the East Coast (Boston - terrible for shopping Macy's is like and old wonan's shop...) and the one thing I would say is don't pay full price for anything. There is always a sale on.

I like Old Navy (cheap GAP) for basics - big one on Market Street in SF.

The US is good - it makes you feel very slim - I was a Medium there and am definatley a Large back home. So watch the sizes if you are buying for anyone back home.

Have a great holiday - wish it was me going!

Yes I remember the Sephora too.
I did think that it was a bit scruffy and packed out with teenagers all the time.
The ones in the US are much larger and are more like dept store beauty halls

Stila sets are $25 for eight mini glosses and $22 for one full size

MD skincare (now Dennis Gross) is also good though not sure if an awful lot cheaper.

Look at the weekly specials!!! $5 for a smashbox gel eyeliner - amazing.

Am very {envy]

Oh, thank you. To be honest, Im more interested in the San Francisco leg of the journey, I think the shopping will be much more up my street. We are staying on Union Square so any advice is greatly appreciated!! especially where to go for a nice drink, anywhere where there maybe some singles would be good!! We will do a wine tour thats one thing I have to do.

Does anyone know if the Sephora at SanFran airport is just as good? It will save me alot of time if it is.

Thanks.

I wouldn't rely on US airport shopping for anything. Unless things have moved on dramatically in last couple of years, it's pretty dire and generally desolate when you get through security. Not a patch on europe.

You'll find everything you are looking for retail wise in and around Union Square. This is a handy site www.unionsquareshop.com/.

Don't rule out Vegas though, I think people have been overly harsh, the Fashion Show mall was great and a break from the casino/hotel craziness. It's not worth leaving town for retail.

Would recommend a 1 day trip to Yosemite if you have time from SF and you've not been. We went on a great tour booked through expedia.

I wouldn't rely on US airport shopping for anything. Unless things have moved on dramatically in last couple of years, it's pretty dire and generally desolate when you get through security. Not a patch on europe.

You'll find everything you are looking for retail wise in and around Union Square. This is a handy site www.unionsquareshop.com/.

Don't rule out Vegas though, I think people have been overly harsh, the Fashion Show mall was great and a break from the casino/hotel craziness. It's not worth leaving town for retail.

Would recommend a 1 day trip to Yosemite if you have time from SF and you've not been. We went on a great tour booked through expedia.

Sorry about double posting, phone is playing up.

Sorry about double posting, phone is playing up.