Celebrate Military Appreciation Month in Style in Jacksonville - St. Johns Town Center Military Appreciation Month
Jacksonville Military Personnel & Families - Shop Local at St. Johns Town Center in May for Military Appreciation Month
Disclaimer - This military appreciation month post is written in partnership with the St. Johns Town Center in 2018. I received compensation in exchange for this article, however, all ideas, content, and photos are my own unless otherwise noted.
It’s almost summer which means your month has been packed full of birthday, graduation, and holiday celebrations. With Memorial Day festivities kicking off tomorrow, I realized I had yet to remind you of the fabulous celebration happening this month at the St. Johns Town Center during Military Appreciation Month.
Any day and month that allows our community to come together and reflect on what Military personnel, veterans, and their families give to our nation is most definitely an excuse to celebrate. So Military Appreciation Month and Military Spouse Appreciation Day (or days plural because we all know one day is never enough celebration for this lady!) merriment is and has been in full swing in my household for the month.
How I Celebrate Military Appreciation Month
Honestly, do you really have to ask yourself that question? If you know me or read the blog you are well aware that I celebrate everything the same way.
WITH SHOPPING. A GLASS OR 3 OF WINE. AND DELICIOUS FOOD.
In order to celebrate with all three simultaneously I visit my favorite destination in Jacksonville - The St. Johns Town Center. Where you can partake in all of the above activities, pretty much all of the time.
Full disclosure...we all know I LOVE my St. Johns Town Center team! No one has ever had to force me to shop. In fact, I was going out of my way to shop there long before I even lived in Jacksonville. (Seriously...ask my Dad. He can attest to the fact that my Mom and I used to sneak up to the Town Center on the weekend to do some "light" shopping even when he told us not to! Sorry, we're not sorry Dad!) So combine my favorite people, my favorite foods and drinks, and my favorite activities IN ADDITION to Military Appreciation celebrations and savings this month and I am one happy, overly festive fashion blogger.
Military Appreciation Month Festivities
I was honored to work with the St. Johns Town Center on this post because if they were to try to tell you all the amazing things they are doing to support, honor, and celebrate our local military members you'd never have time to shop. So I'm tooting the horn for them below by highlighting my favorite ways they are showing love to my family this month and also how they are showing love, appreciation, and admiration for all military personnel, families and veterans in North Florida.
Reserved Parking for Military Veterans
(By the way, keep reading for ALL the info on the parking program...don't get angry over the parking photos. I took them for illustration and drama for the post. I know I am NOT a Veteran.)
First and foremost, let’s start in order here. What’s the first thing you do when you visit the St. Johns Town Center? If you guessed, park your car you’d be right. (I bet you were thinking I’d say RUN TO DILLARD’S to grab ALL THE CLOTHES…which is typically how I start my shopping trips there, but this post includes more logical information than my typical shenanigans so stay focused for once.)
Why talk about parking? Sure, it’s not a sexy topic, but we’ve all been shopping during peak times like weekends and holidays and you may have spent more than a split second deciding where to park your vehicle. With this incredible offering, military personnel, veterans, or family of either of those groups with a valid military ID can take advantage of prime parking spots. The St. Johns Town Center has reserved, preferred parking spots located near Nordstrom and Cantina Laredo but they are first come, first serve. (Look for these signs you see pictured above!) So park early and shop often!
If you are new to Jacksonville and the North Florida area, which is often the case for military families because moving is what we do best, click here to see a map of the property so you'll know exactly where to drive and park if you want to snag a coveted reserved parking space on your next shopping adventure. (I could give you my version of directions...but I promise you...you don't want that.)
Now onto the SHOPPING!
The Simon Military Savings Guide
Stephanie Mack of the Borrowed Babes Fashion Blog shopping at the St. Johns Town Center Simon Mall Property in Jacksonville, Florida during Military Appreciation Month. Stephanie is a Navy wife and fashion blogger who loves shopping at the Town Center for all her local shopping needs. Take advantage of amazing savings and deals if you are active duty, retired, or a family member of any military branch all year round. To obtain your Military Savings Pass visit the Mall Management office and bring your military ID. The Mall Management office is located in the middle of the town center next to Maggiano’s, behind Z Gallerie.
Photography by: Kelly Martucci
Bring Your Military ID and Save
If you didn’t already grab one to start saving this month, make sure to visit the mall management office at St. Johns Town Center and pick up a Military Savings Guide. This pamphlet is your pass to additional savings at your favorite shops, restaurants, and retailers all year long; not just during Military Appreciation month. From Aerie to Art of Shaving, Kendra Scott to Kilwins, M Shack to Maggiano’s and even Tiffany’s, some of your most frequented stops are offering military personnel, veterans, and their families additional savings (some restrictions apply so read the fine print, babes).
Bring your military ID and stop by the management office to claim your pass. If I didn't mention your preferred retailer, that doesn’t mean they aren’t involved. Click here to visit the St. Johns Town Center page that features additional information on all the stores offering military specials and discounts.
Tech Savvy Shoppers Rejoice - There’s an App for That
Whew...I get it. I just hit you with a LOT of info and you are most definitely thinking you need GO TO THE MALL NOW! (Slow down though...they are open often, but not 24/7 so if you're reading this at 3 am because my Mom told you to read it, then thanks Mom, but you have to wait until they open again tomorrow.) Speaking of which, click here for store hours so you know what time to set your shopping alarm.
Alarm set? Good...I'm about to share some secrets with you on a few tech savvy ways to remember all of the features and offerings you can take advantage of, not only during Military Appreciation Month but year round.
If you're wondering how I stay in the loop on all things happening at my favorite Simon malls, I use the Simon app. Because let's be honest, although the St. Johns Town Center is clearly numero uno in my heart and also my wallet, as a military family, we've had to adopt other plazas as our second shopping spots for times when our home base isn't Jacksonville. The app is free to download on any iOS or Android mobile device and will be your hand held shopping guide if you're new or just need a refresher. (If you ever have data trouble, well there are several stores in the Town Center that can assist, but you're also welcome to call me...I'm a St. Johns Town Center connoisseur and I love to shop so I'll be there like your real life Simon app but with more jokes and definitely more fitting room opinions.)
By using the app I've signed up for their newsletters, texted to join the mobile shopping program, and am able to follow them on all their social channels as well. I'm linking you to all of those helpful tech tools below...because the month may be winding down but they are open all year.
Download the Simon App
Follow the St. Johns Town Center on Instagram - @stjohnstowncenter
Become a Mall Insider
Visit the Website
Style #FoundatSimon
It wouldn't be a fashion blog without spilling the details on the two head to toe looks I scored at the St. Johns Town Center utilizing my military savings pass. To shop these or similar looks for yourself, you'll need to head to the mall and visit each store listed below.
J. Crew - Ruffle Sleeve White Top and Navy Polka Dot Shorts
Nordstrom - Black Ryker Dress by Parker, Pink Kate Spade Keds, and Grey Eartha Backpack/Handbag from ZAC by Zac Posen
Dillard's - Sunnies
Target - All Jewelry including necklace, bracelet, earrings, ring (All Sugarfix by BaubleBar for Target)
Payless - Pink Heels
Sephora - Self Tanner ;-)
Polish the Nail Bar - Manicure and Pedicure
St. Johns Town Center Mall Management Office - Black Croc Print Tote (Gifted at Influencer Dinner in October of 2017)
Have You Taken Advantage of the Military Appreciation Deals?
Let me know in the comments below if you've already been shopping with your pass and if you haven't, stop reading this now and get your buns over to the St. Johns Town Center today.
All photography by the amazing Kelly Martucci
Click here now for all the latest sweet deals for Military Appreciation Month at St Johns Town Center!
To read other posts about my favorite local shopping plaza, The St. Johns Town Center, click here.
