AliShopsBlog.com - The Twin Cities Shopping Blog

January at the Mall of America: No need to drive higher than the first level of the parking ramp, the corridors seem wider, elevators arrive mere seconds after called. So long, holiday tourists. Got my mall back. Unfortunately, the place has been cleared out of many winter deals, but it's not too late to bargain shop, and so much less of an ordeal without the crazy holiday crowd. My picks this week (although sizes are hit and miss at this point): Steve Madden for discounted boots casual or dressy, tall or short, tough or sexy. And if you can't find what you're looking for, across the hall is boot nirvana, DSW (I saw a few Uggs and Fryes for 40 percent off). Hanna Andersson where prices for sweet little kid clothes are finally down in the range of reasonable. Bloomingdale's second floor women's contemporary for discounted premium denim and assorted tops from lines like James Perse and Splendid. Martin + Osa for discounted basics...long sleeve tees, jeans, turtlenecks, sweaters and more. Meanwhile, don't expect many deals leftover at J. Crew or Club Monaco. It's over. Damn tourists. At least there's no line for the roller coaster.