Have a Wicked Good Time with Westfield Malls

Join Westfield Hawthorn for some Spooktacular fun, with free activities for children of all ages Saturday October 27.

Creepy Craft and Snack Time
10:30am – 11:00 am in Macy’s Court

Decorate your own Trick-or-Treat bag and fill it with some horribly delicious goodies.

Spooktacular Party
11:00 am - 1:00 pm in Macy’s Court
Scare up some fun at the Westfield Family Spooktacular Party with music, dancing, games, prizes, and a costume contest!

Costume Contest will have 3 age groups and 3 prizes for each group.
Age groups are: 0 – 3 years old, 4 – 7 years old and 8 – 12 years old

The Spooktacular Party is free to all WFamily Members, but tickets are required. Tickets can be picked up beginning Monday, October 8 at the Westfield Concierge Center (upper level near Carson Pirie Scott).

Follow Westfield Hawthorn on Facebook for information on all their future events.

RSVP for this event HERE!

On Saturday, October 27th & Sunday, October 28th from Noon - 4pm

WFamily at Westfield Old Orchard invites the community to celebrate the season at the annual free Harvest Festival.  Families will enjoy a weekend full of free entertainment and activities on the north end of the shopping center near The Children's Place and the Koi Pond.

There will be a variety of activities for the kids including

• Arts and crafts
• Costume Contest (Saturday, October 27th at 2pm only)
• Games
• Trick or treating
• Face painters
• Balloon sculptors

This is a free event and no reservations are required.

Follow Westfield Old Orchard on Facebook or check them out online for information on all their future events.


I am working directly with Westfield. I am being compensated as a member of the WFamily influencer program.

Family Fun at Westfield Malls

Before kids I was a shopper.  I shopped when I needed things, and more often, when I didn't.  I window shopped.  I people watched.  But mostly, I bought more clothes and purses then a small country needed.

Then these three came along.  When the older two were little we often went to the mall to just get out. I walked and they just loved having something new to look at.

Then they learned that you could BUY things at the mall.  But they are only interested in BUYING if its for them.  Tell them I need something and they whine and cry about going to the mall.  Unless we are talking about going to mall with something in it for them.

Recently we went to check out Westfield Old Orchard.  I'd never been to this mall before.  I wasn't even aware it was an open air mall. It was gorgeous!!!  The boys fell in love instantly.  There are multiple fountains, a koi pond and a fabulous kids play area.

In addition to this fun play area, the day we went they had a balloon artist.  What kid can resist a balloon flower or sword!  They also host family events.  Check their website for details on upcoming events.

Westfield Malls also have great selections of family friendly stores.  From your typical mall stores like The Children's Place and Gymboree to the more upscale stores such as Janie and Jake.  But for your day of family fun, we decided to check out the TOY stores.  Westfield Old Orchard is home of Galt Toys and Galt Baby which has an amazing collection of baby gear but also has tons of fabulous toys.  They carry a large selection of brands and price points.  The boys MIGHT have ended up with something from here.

Then we strolled along the beautiful walkway to Marbles.  I'd heard of Marbles before and was excited to check it out.

The instant you walk into Marbles you can tell its a different type of store.  Its a somewhat small space with minimal inventory.  But the staff is fabulous.  The games are extrodinary. And best of all you can actually try just about every game in the store before you buy it.  Play against a staff member or amongst yourselves.  This is a fabulous place to pick up a gift for people who have everything.  Well, probably not if you're shopping for our family...there's a reason I loved the games here...we already own a large selection of them.  We love games and I really love games that are fun AND educational. 

I really loved this manipulation toys/puzzle thing.  But every time Bryan touched it, we had to pick up all the tiny pieces off the floorr...so I decided to wait a bit on it.

And of course, all that playing and shopping works up an appetite.  Westfield Old Orchard had a great selection of places to eat from Sunday to Johnny Rockets.  But when we turned into the parking lot, both my oldest and I saw IT.  We knew instantly we couldn't leave without stopping for lunch...Cheesecake Factory.  It's a little pricier for a family meal but oh so worth it! 

We spent over four hours at the mall and barely stepped into any of the stores.  Westfield Old Orchard is really a fabulous way to spend a day with your family.  While at the kids play area, for the second time that day, I even ran into a friend who was out with her kids just to play and eat lunch as well.

I am working directly with Westfield. I am being compensated as a member of the WFamily influencer program.

The Best of Westfield Mall In the Palm Of Your Hand

In today's world shopping is often done online. The intern has made it easy to get something delivered to your door with a few clicks. But what about those times when you want to see, touch and feel something before you buy it? Can shopping at the mall be made so easy? Well Westfield malls are doing their best to do just that. With the new Westfield App v2.0 you have all the information you need to make the most of your shopping trip. I personally love the voice command 'concierge' feature. Think Siri meets the mall.
But I think my favorite is the turn by turn directions. Just like GPS in your car, its easy to plug in the store you're in and the one you want to get to and the app guides you the entire way. If you're like me and get easily distracted at the mall....oh HELLO Vera Bradley store....you'll never get off track with the directions feature.

When you're done shopping, or just need a break, you can use the app to make dinner reservations or grab movie tickets!

But before you finish up your shopping, be sure to check the offers tab for all the latest sales. Current offers include discounts from 10-25% off!!

If you've previously used the Westfield Mall app upgrades to the Westfield App 2.0 include:

• Expanded Search - Users are not only able to browse specific products with keyword searches and then sort by relevance, retailer and price, but they are also able to use keywords to search for special events, dining options, store locations and much more.
• Directions - The new map feature enables users to navigate the mall efficiently, guiding them turn-by-turn from where they are to where they want to go.
• Enhanced Offers - Shoppers in search of sales and special offers can browse the app’s curated list of the mall’s best deals
• Social Media Integration - The app is fully integrated with Facebook and Twitter
• Hands Free, Voice Command “Concierge” (beta) - A shopper can simply press the “Tap to Ask” button and tell the Concierge what they need help with, from “Where is the bathroom?” to “Where can I buy a gift card?” to “I’m hungry.”
• Open Table Reservations – Reservations can be made at participating full-service restaurants through the app’s Open Table plug-in 
• Movies - Users can browse the app for movie schedules, watch trailers and purchase tickets online via the app

 

Download Westfield Mobile App V2.0 for iPhone here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/westfield-malls/id397494939

Coming SOON for Android!

See Westfield Mobile App V2.0 in action:

 I am working directly with Westfield. I am being compensated as a member of the WFamily influencer program.

Back to School Shopping with Westfield Malls #WestfieldBTS

Could you use a little help with your back to school shopping? Then you need to head over to Westfield's Facebook page to enter to win a $500 shopping spree by simply sharing what's on the top of your back-to-school shopping list for a chance to win! 

And I can tell you first hand that you can find some great deals on things you need this back to school season.  I headed to my local Westfield Hawthorn in search of backpacks and new jeans for my boys.

I thought it wise to stop and take a peak at the store listings to get an idea of where I might head to find the items I was in search of.  With many of my favorite children's stores, like Gymboree and Children's Place, I knew I'd find just what I needed.

When I arrived at Gymboree I was thrilled to find jeans on sale buy one get one 50%!  And my excitement grew as I found several pairs in the hard to find slim sizes I needed so I grabbed FOUR pair.

They also had some super cute backpacks but they looked a little young for my 3rd and 4th grader.



Next I stopped into The Children's Place.  They also had jeans for a great price ($12) but none in the sizes I needed.

But they did have some backpacks that looked durable and age appropriate for the boys.  And they just happened to be on sale for $15 each.

Having had good luck finding the items I needed, and at good prices, I concidered what other items we still needed and went looking for some new shoes.  I don't know what it is about my kids but they go through shoes at a ridiculous speed.  So these shoes for under $20 at Payless where just what I needed.

I then took a little time just to stroll around and see what else the mall had to offer for back to school.  I think I'll have to head back with the boys so they can pick out so new shirts and hoodies.

Hollister had nice T-shirts on sale.  And buckle had great backpacks for tween and teens.

Great hoodies at Abercrombie.

And I couldn't help but be drawn in but GAP's Olympic display.

I love that Westfield malls are family friendly.  For this back to school shopping trip I was lucky enough to be able to leave the kids home but if your trip will include the kids, Westfield is ready for you.  Take a break from shopping while the kids play in the busytown play area, including a brand new lego building wall.  If the kids are getting hungry but its not quite dinner time you can grab a snack from the kid friendly vending machine which moms will be pleasantly surprised to find filled with healthier snack options.  And if your family is like mine with kids of the opposite gender, which can make potty breaks in public places a little nerve racking, you'll appreciate the family lounge. 

After all my walking around with my purchases I was glad to get back to my car.  I don't know if you can tell from the picture but my hand was a little great from carry around all my great finds from Westfield Hawthorn!  I can't wait to get back there next time to check out the new Westfield app and share it with you!

I am working directly with Westfield. I am being compensated as a member of the WFamily influencer program.