Outlet Shopping with Layers and Sparkles

So yesterday, hubby and I went to The Outlets at Banbridge - about 20 minutes from Belfast. Not sure if your OH is like mine but basically, mine shops twice a year. Buys a few shirts and a few pairs of jeans, maybe a jumper and that's him. No shopping for another 6 months or so. It's like that book 'Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars' - I don't know a single woman who shops like that! 

(oh and if you're reading this and you're a woman and that's how you shop...you need to send me an email...I'm fascinated and need to know more)

Back to the outlet visit. We arrived too early. Nothing as bleak as an outlet village in the middle of the country with no shops open. But it was an opportunity to get blog photos done without people staring when you're shouting at hubby to 'GET THE FECKING HANDBAG IN THE SHOT'...I joke...of course I never shout at him. Ha!

Today, I was wearing LOTS of layers...here's the outside layer:

Parka - Warehouse (tho almost sold out - this one is also lovely!)
Scarf - SGS Shop
Canonbury Clutch - Boden
Suede Boots - Boden - similar here & here (bargain!)
Indigo Skinny Jeans - Gok for TU

And here's the under-layer! I was definitely shouting 'hurry up - I'm FREEZING!' at the hubster for these ones. But I wanted to show you this great knitted jacket that I randomly came across on the Boden site over Christmas. It got good reviews and was down to £29 from £99 so I thought I'd take a punt on it to see if it would be a nice transitional piece (fashion speak that helps you justify random purchases). For info, the colour is closer to the second photo below and I am wearing a size 12:

Boden Sparkle Knitted Jacket

I also picked up this Emma top that had more mixed reviews on the Boden site but I was looking for a plain navy top and I liked the detail under the bust - good for the norkily-challenged amongst us. It comes up TINY - this is a 12 and to be honest, I think I could have done with the 14. It's quite tight on the bit under the bust and it just skims over the mum tum. It comes in grey also and I'm considering buying it in the 14 ....for research purposes and because it would make a good transitional piece...haha! It's got 3/4 sleeves for info. Nice weight of cotton and it's only £10.50! Check it out on this link.

So that's the outfit done - now onto the outlet shopping! In my opinion, the best shop in the Banbridge Outlets is the LK Bennett store. I could have done major damage here. It's the first place I'd go to if I had a wedding and it's the first place I'm heading to when my 'can't get in' saving tin is full of new handbag money. Though I'd have had a job choosing between these beauties...the Annina in Tan (£145) and the Katie in Berry (£110). Both with an additional 15% off if you get the coupons at the welcome desk.

I also loved this nude patent leather wallet - it was £50

This great bag was on sale in the M&S outlet. It's from the Autograph range and is black and burgundy leather. My neighbour and my sister in law both have it from M&S last winter and I've always admired it. Burgundy is such a good handbag colour. 

But it was only reduced from £75 to £62.50, which is more than it cost in the sale last winter. There were quite a few in stock and the lady in the changing room said they may be reduced further. I'll keep an eye on it!

So what did I buy? Well, one item is a sale essential so I'm saving it for next week but I can show you these metallic pumps that I got in Gap for £7.99. Perfect for spring/summer and unusually for a lot of pointed pumps, they fit my wide foot without pinching. Obviously not leather but they have a good flexible sole on them.

And the best bit? Mr SGS bought both these and my sale essential piece for me. Love him. 

Obviously the shouting worked ;)

Ax