As you’ve guessed by now, shopping is my life. And I had an extraordinary shopping experience recently at the Coconut Point Mall in Estero. With 1.4 million square feet of retail space, Coconut Point would be any shoppers idea of heaven, but it was heaven sent last week when I visited and got all of my Xmas shopping accomplished in one fell swoop. Now, that’s saying something.

Holiday season or not, though, Coconut Point is a shopper’s paradise. You can easily spend an entire day there. I did.

Coconut Point is actually two shopping venues in one: at the front of the complex is where you’ll find your large chain retail stores. Upscale and luxury stores can be found in an adjacent Main Street shopping area that has the feel of a small town shopping district complete with shop fronts, sidewalks and seating areas.

The large retail stores include Old Navy, Ross, Bed Bath and Beyond, TJ Maxx, Pier 1, World Market, Men’s Warehouse, Kirkland’s, West Elm, DSW Shoes and Dillard’s, with a Super Target coming soon. Between them all, I knocked out a lot of my holiday shopping before heading towards the Main Street shopping area.

I think the reason Coconut Point seemed to suit me so well was because many of the stores located there are my favorites: Sephora, Cache, Victoria’s Secret, Guess, Lucky Brand Jeans, Nine West, Bebe, Chico’s and White House/Black Market to name but a few. There’s even a Disney Store and a Build a Bear Workshop.

In addition to many other things, I got my son a gift certificate at Journeys; stocking stuffers at Barnes & Noble; gifts for the girls at Sephora and sunglasses at Dillard’s. Speaking of Dillard’s, I saw my favorite Ralph Lauren saleswoman, Barbara Sweeney, while I was there. She helped me to order a killer RL jacket they didn’t have in stock. I then went downstairs to men’s fragrance and met Moises, who has to be one of the most obliging and patient salespeople I’ve ever encountered. Afterwards, I had my nails done at Avalon, The Lifestyle Nail Salon.

Six and a half hours later, I was still at the Mall and met my friend for dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. You’ve got to love a mall that gives you the option of dining out in style during your shopping expedition. After a marathon session like the one I’d just completed, I was ready for the comfortably elegant ambiance of Ruth’s Chris. With its dark woods, Tuscan styled walls, marble details and low-level lighting, it was a welcome retreat for this fatigued shopper.

Being that it was Wednesday, wine was the featured happy hour drink featured in the bar, where jazz musician Bob Zottola played the trumpet accompanied by a guitarist. Ruth’s Chris has built a reputation on fine steaks and professional service and this location was no exception. My cowboy steak was cooked to perfection, as was my friend’s filet mignon – both of which were served to us on plates heated to five hundred degrees. Our server, Shelly, was knowledgeable about the wine list and made the perfect recommendations. With sides of garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, the meal was complete – there was certainly no room left for dessert.

Other dining options at Coconut Point include Blue Water Bistro, Johnny Rocket’s, Ted’s Montana Grill (excellent Bison burgers), California Pizza Kitchen and many others.

Make sure you check out the Coconut Point Website: http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1202