The Sales Have Started!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, bricks really do strange things to a woman.....I'm moving house in the new year (fingers all crossed it goes through) and what with Christmas and too many birthdays in December and January to mention, we are watching our pennies.  I popped to Bicester Village as I had a spare 2.5 child free hours and thought as I was so close, after the school run and some work I may as well for party dress purposes.  Never one to disappoint and true to form, I homed in on some amazing bargains - none of the party dress variety - update on that in the next post.  It appears the sales have come early as there really were some great deals to be had.   These little leather bags from Coccinelle were starting at £49 when they were well over £100 originally.  

I loved the snake effect style more than the suede!

Next up this Anya Hindmarch bag really tested me.  It was £594 down to £145 and a great size - bigger than the Coccinelle above.  I fell for this one and went back later on just to see it again.  I nearly parted with my cash and probably my birthday spends but was swiftly reminded by my husband that my sister, Mum and I are heading to London over night after Christmas - wouldn't it be wise to save my pennies for that.  Well, um, no because now I blatantly won't find anything. So dear family, if you are reading this, there was a new one ready and waiting for me back right of the shop......chop chop!

I've been after a new cosmetic case for my handbag for over a year now.  I have an old Gucci one which has seen better days.  It just holds random things like plasters, nurofen, lozenges, hair grips, ointment - general Mummy emergency bits, nothing glam.   I do however like to house them in something special.  I saw a gold Anya Hindmarch one in the sales last Christmas but Santa must have missed the boat on that one as it didn't arrive in my stocking.  This Fendi was over £100 down to £45. I must admit, leather accessories in handbags don't seem to look good after a short amount of time. My Miu Miu purse looks tatty yet my canvas Gucci cosmetic case (has some leather trims like the below) has lasted years and years before it looked worn.  I'm therefore swaying to the below. This is blatantly a post for my husband and families benefit.  As my birthday is only 10 days after Christmas I am helping them out really. 

Oh and this lovely leather bracelet from Mulberry - £50!  Yes, honestly, all leather with a bow and the Mulberry tree on it, I really didn't think this was a bad price at all.  They had other colours in but I loved the red.

Ugg had also joined in on the sale act.  I liked these fringed boots initially but they came up small and wasn't so keen once they were on.  They were £50.

These gorgeous kids skirts from The White Company were £28 down to £11.20 however when I went back later they had gone up to £16?!?  They had some beautiful children's clothing in, so well made and reasonable prices.

I did manage to grab some lovey Christmas presents but absolutely nothing for myself.  I have a happy husband and better bank balance for it but I'm already feeling like I've missed the boat ever so slightly.  Now, what would you go back for if you had a spare 3 hours Friday and a mate just so happening to be popping there that I could meet up with?!?!?!  I wore the below ensemble to window shop that day!

Coat; Mulberry
Jeans; Topshop
Boots; Ash
Bag; Prada

Jumper; & Other Stories 

Another peruse around Bicester Village

I think this must be my only ever shopping trip I actually put money back into my account (I returned some tops) and didn't spend a penny (even bagged a free lunch due to having to wait in Pret!).  I did enjoy a roam with my friend though, we had a great time catching up and browsing.  I found this amazing Miu Miu dress in Prada (they sell Miu Miu in there, as it's their sister company), it looked so 'Victoria Beckham' so I tried it on - purely for the hell of it!  At £350, it was slightly out of my budget but we had time and I wanted to experience it for myself, even if only in a changing room.  The quality was what you would expect, a thick luxurious fabric and the cut just as good.  The sleeves looked spectacular, however not really a dress that I could get a lot of wear out of with my lifestyle.  As always, it came up a bit too long on me, so I was pleased that as much as I loved it, it wasn't right for me in fit or for my bank balance.

There is no point in including any of the face shots taken - my eyes were closed for a change, I blame the photographer!

Victoria and her collar! 

Bicester Village was fully stocked up with lots of ideas for Christmas presents.  We had a candle over load as my friend loves them but she introduced me to The White Company's 'Tuberose' scent, so lovely with notes of Gardenia, my favourite.

Temperley had beautiful leather key rings and luggage labels starting at £12 and L'occitane (I now know it's correct pronunciation!) had loads of great offers on, especially when you bought more than one item/gift set.  All Saints was full of sequinned sparkle, ready for the party season.

Whilst quing for Prada (yes, we qued!) I spotted a lady wearing a gorgeous black coat.  It was three quarter length but it stood out as the top part was leather.  I thought it was by a designer, the cut was perfect on her and you could see the quality was good straight away.  That night I had an email through from Zara for their look book and low and behold, there it was!  I am making a beeline for a Zara store to try this on asap.  It is £119 so still a pricey coat but I honestly thought it was high end designer when I saw it on the lady.  She was wearing it casually with jeans and pumps and it looked so smart.  If I hadn't have just been let in ahead of her to the shop, I would have embarrassed my friend by asking her where it was from, I have no shame when I like something.  I say it's meant to be mine purely because I got an email the same night.........I hope it doesn't fit!

Zara Leather Biker Coat