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WEEKEND TIP

-SHOP TILL YOU DROP-

It was Friday. Not even twelve hours back from New York, another shopping destination was on the agenda. Roermond. Don't laugh now. The contrast may seem large, but I brought back more trophies from the south than from the Big Apple. How did that happen?

In Designer Outlet Roermond you will find the most high-end outlet in the Netherlands and far beyond. To make you a little greedy and hungry, I will mention the big designer labels. Gucci, Prada (I've got you, I've got you), Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Dolce & Gabbana.

For the more casual but oh so cool work, there is Denham the Jeanmaker, Filippa K. To keep your man sweet and well-behaved, there is a Black and Decker store (my advice; let him buy a lot first, that increases your shopping budget) and for any kids, there is even a complete kid’s store such as Polo Ralph Lauren Kids and there is A. a carousel and B. a McDonald's. As a shopping-needy mother, I can tell you; the ideal day out.

“As a shopping-needy mother, I can tell you; the ideal day out”

This Friday, I went out alone. Big latte next to me (because of jetlag), route planner set to Roermond and eyes on the world. I decided to make it an outing and let the Brabant landscape come to me in all its beauty. Before I knew it, I took the exit. Parked the car in the immense parking lot (costs; 3 euros for a whole day, the municipality of Amsterdam could learn something from that) and immediately had the most delicious cup of coffee at Segafredo.

Then it started. I had to go to Prada. Sunglasses costing 115 euros had to come home with me. Turned out I was getting ten percent off. “Thief of your wallet if you don’t do it, Maytje.” I heard the ever-wise advice of Peggy in my ear. Done. Then I saw the most beautiful Easter yellow jacket with the full, wavy Prada sleeve. €450,-. For a jacket. From Prada. I repeated Peggy's mantra and hats, the jacket was mine to have.

The syrup hunt continued along Mulberry (a black Alexa for just €540), Ralph Lauren (scented candles for a tenner and the cutest jogging pants for my love for €20). Everywhere I was received with the warmest welcome. Had I really landed in paradise?

When I happily tweeted in the evening that I had fallen in love with Roermond, I received a response from journalist Wim Spijkers. Also known as the man of Elle editor-in-chief Hilmar Mulder. He turned out to be from Roermond. Hilmar found the man of her life, I found a Prada jacket. Not a bad score, it seems to me. Roermond, I will be back. And soon too.