When we pulled onto the freeway in Indio, California, you could almost hear a collective exhale from inside the car.  It had been a long trip.  While the premise sounded idyllic — deserts!  Palm trees!  Swimming pools & music festivals! — the reality had turned out to be a joyless romp through an artificially lush playground for senior citizens.  Harsh, I know, but unfortunately, true.

On our way to Coachella, we had passed signs on the I-10 promising some of the best designer shopping on the West Coast.  I had pawed at the window desperately, but my intrepid editor, ever responsible & on-task, had kept her foot firmly on the throttle.  (Things to do, places to go, enormous lines of traffic to sit in!)  This time, heading in the opposite direction, it wasn’t such a hard sell.  We practically left half our tread at the off-ramp, we were so excited.

After all, what could make the transition from the Californian desert to Los Angeles easier than some much-needed retail therapy at http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=6 With a slew of stores ranging from Barneys to Bottega Veneta, Dior to Dolce & Gabbana, & Ralph Lauren to Rock & Republic, we knew it was going to be a good time.

Highlights:
A fantastic hot pink dress I tried on at Dolce & Gabbana, which was unfortunately several sizes too big, but fabulous.
Seth, our photographer, who kept leaping out of clothing racks trying to get “spontaneous” shots.
Spinning on my heel to glare at a small, screaming child & say, “Shhhh!”.  It worked.
Trying on an insane furry hat at Prada which make me look like Thing 1 or Thing 2 from Dr Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat.
Sitting down at the end of it all with a cold, carbonated beverage.

I think our shopping experiment was a wicked success.  My gallant editor scored a teal sundress from BCBG, but generally exercised great restraint.  I also hit the jackpot at BCBG, where I fell in love with an oversized navy blue sweater dress with fantastic sleeves, marked down to $30 from $300.  (I have worn it almost every day since, & it has been perfect for this transitional weather we’re having.)

I picked up a cute set of matching knickers & bra at — perhaps somewhat surprisingly — Charlotte Russe.  Their, let’s say “uplifting” qualities, are quite impressive considering the meagre $14.99 I paid.

Finally, the pièce de résistance, & my proudest purchase: a pair of Chloé 2145 sunglasses nabbed at Saks Fifth Avenue.  Marked down to less than $100 from $280, they’re quite wonderful.  Couple their bold square shape with the thick frames & dark lenses & you have a pair of sunglasses which really make a statement.  When I wear them, I feel like a supervillain — & that suits me just fine.

Words by Gala Darling, photos by Seth Johnson