FREEPORT BRAINTREE SHOPPING TRIP

 

Totally winning at life right now. I mean, I did just manage to spill half my lunch on my lap (tuna, ew) but it’s okay ’cause sitting right next to me is a brand new satchel bag. It’s emitting happy vibes.

Anyways, lets get to it. Question for you:

Is there any better cure to ‘end of summer‘ blues than shopping?

I mean sure, there’s pizza. But nothing beats two handfuls of shopping bags full to the brim with bargains, right?

On Sunday, I went on a shopping spree at Freeport Braintree in Essex with my one & only partner in crime, Mumma bear. She turned up in a fiercer outfit than me (midi dress paired with trainers and aviators, high five). I knew she meant business. We were set to tear the stores up like shopping musketeers.  (Yes, I did just describe my Mum & I as ‘musketeers’. True story)

In case you’re not familiar with Freeport, lemme explain. It’s an outside complex, set up like a little mini village filled to the brim with over 85 designer and high street shops offering discount prices. Basically, ALL THE DEALS, PEOPLE.

I’ll be straight with you – Freeport Braintree isn’t my usual haunt for a shopping haul. But I’ll 100% be returning for these reasons:

• It’s only a 40 minute car drive away and, wait for it, there’s free parking. Like we just rolled straight in, parked up and began our shopping experience with zero fuss.
• Despite the cut prices, I was still sceptical about whether any of the top Designer shops would actually be in my affordable price bracket but I was pleasantly surprised. Like ‘omg’ I can get myself a bit of French Connection without remortgaging my house. Hurrah. And top marks and 10 gold stars to Karen Millen & French Connection for having the best selection there – you da best.
• It was a tranquil shopping experience. Y’know sometimes going to shopping centres can be a bit stressful? Not here, nah ah. Mum & I both commented on how laid back the whole day was. From the ease of travel & parking, to the small details like shop assistants offering to take handful of clothes to the fitting rooms for us whilst we continued to shop. Felt like rockstars.
• There’s a Cadbury shop where they sell ‘Mishapes’ which is basically all the chocolate that wasn’t quite the right size and shape to make it into the proper bags. I’m just really pleased this chocolate still has another chance y’know?
• There’s a Starbucks and a Costa, so there’s that. Can’t start a shopping spree without a hit of caffeine.

 

Um so this is the bit you’re all really looking for isn’t it? Here’s what I picked up:

 

ADIDAS KICKS | SOLE TRADER

ALL THE HEART EMOJIS <3<3<3

How long have I pined for some pastel coloured trainers? And appaz, other people have been pining for trainers too ’cause Sole Trader was jam packed. I’m not surprised either as the range of trainers they had there were ace. Converse, Adidas, Nike, New Balance; allllll the pretty trainers.

These babies are gonna be glued to my feet all autumn. I tried a whole number of trainers on, including some super cute high top Converse with a Mermaid shine to them, but these had the winning combo for me; pastel colours, Adidas stripes & super comfortable.

Despite the millions of people asking for footwear in various sizes, the staff were ultra helpful. They didn’t even huff or sigh when I wanted to try yet another trainer in another size for the umpteeth time. So top marks.

Adidas Trainers – £53.00

 

 

MERMAID PHONE CASE | JOY

Because how freakin’ cute is this? Mermaids = perfection.

I’ve been due an upgrade on my iphone case for a wee while. My pineapple one was looking a bit ropey so I’m super pleased to give my phone it’s own little facelift.

Joy is a shop full of surprises; cute dresses, playful home wear and quirky pieces to rave about.

I nearly purchased a gingham dress from there too, because well, um gingham is ‘in’ right now, don’t ya know? But I resisted, as it was perhaps a tad too summery for the start of Autumn. Kinda regretting it now. Bet it woulda looked ace with tights & brogues. Dammit.

But yeah. Mermaid phone case. All the love.

Mermaid iphone 6 case – £5.00

 

 

 

‘NEW YORK NEW YORK’ SWEATER | GAP

To cement the fact that one day, I will get there. Starbucks in hand, the autumn leaves swirling around my feet, walking around Central Park with endless shopping to complete. New York, come at me.

But until then, Imma be wearing this uber soft Gap sweater. She’s a babe, isn’t she?

Gap reminds me of when I was a youngster and unless you had a baby pink or blue GAP hoody then who even were you? Lols.

And I’m thinking this looks pretty fetching with my new red neckerchief. So watch out for this look coming up on the blog sometime soon.

 

‘New York New York’ Sweater – £12.99

 

 

REED DIFFUSERS | THE GIFT SHOP

Could this purchase be any more adult?

Yeah, I’ve become one of those people obsessed with making rooms smell nice. ‘Max, light 128 candles will ya? The room pongs a bit’ 

But it can be quite pricey making your house smell of ‘freshly churned ice cream‘ and ‘Fresh Laundry‘ so I was well pleased to find myself these reed diffusers for such a good price.

I’ve chosen Fig & Pomegranate for the bathroom and Fresh Cotton for the bedroom. Laaaavly.

 

Reed Diffusers – £6.00 

 

TURQUOISE SATCHEL | FRENCH CONNECTION

We went a bit wild in French Connection. The prices were so darn good. I think we visited the till 3 times in total which is pretty mental.

But lets shift our attention to this little honey below; my new turquoise satchel. Originally £199, reduced to £35. If you asked me last week if I’ve ever thought about owning my own French Connection bag I would have choked on my mango smoothie and laughed. But here she is, my very own.

Sure, she’s got a few marks on her but the lovely staff in FCUK gave me another 10% off for that. I’m over the moon.

Gonna team her with my pastel trainers and aviator shades and basically feel like a sassy lady all day, every day.

 

Turquoise Satchel – £35.00

 

 SILK SCARF | PAUL COSTELLOE | ‘BEN’S BEANS’ TEE | BEN SHERMAN 

There’s no way I could have gone on this shopping trip and not picked up anything special for my guy. I mean, he was at home cleaning and doing the food shopping. What a babe. Certainly one lucky lady.

We’ve got two black tie events coming up and Max really wanted a silk scarf to wear. On that note, I would 100% say it’s worth checking out Freeport for occasion wear ’cause they’ve got  shops full to the brim with cocktail dresses and sequins and lace and high heels galore.

I picked out this silk scarf for Maxwell from Paul Costelloe and now he’s gonna look as suave as Leo in The Great Gatsby. Marvellous. Thanks to the lovely male shop assistant who had no qualms about trying on various scarves for us to ‘um’ and ‘argh’ over.

And because I’m such an ace GF I also visited Max’s all time fave place to shop; Ben Sherman. It was two tee’s for £25 which is shockingly good. So my Dad also got lucky and had himself a present in the shape of a Ben Sherman tee too.

 

Silk Scarf – £15.00

2 Ben Sherman Tees – £25

 

BANGING FOOD FROM WILDWOOD 

So I mentioned this in my Weekly Faves on Sunday but it deserves another mention as it really rounded off our day so nicely.

The food here is delicious. Fullstop.

We kicked back and sipped on Passionfruit Bellinis, every now and again commenting on how flippin’ well we’d done with the shopping and ‘hadn’t we been sensible with our purchases’. Lols.

We were starvin’ marvin’. We devoured some whitebait and scoffed our way through hoards of Italian food – seafood risotto and prawn spaghetti. It was great to have a full day shopping and then so easily be able to relax at a top notch restaurant before leaving.

Now if someone wants to deliver me that food again for my tea tonight I’d be well happy. Kay thanks ta.

 

 

All in all, it was awesomely good to spend some quality time with my Mum doing what we both love doing; shopping/dining. We both came away feeling all sparkly with rays of sunshine coming out of our faces. A good days shopping has that effect on us.

If you’re looking for a relaxed day out picking up designer items for less, be sure to check out Freeport – you never know what you might find.

Thank you to the lovely people at Freeport Braintree for inviting me down – it was a real treat.

 

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Freeport Braintree. But of course, all shopping views are entirely my own.