An Easter Holiday Shopping Trip

A couple of days ago,  having promised my daughter that I would take her shopping, to spend some money she was given for Easter that was burning a hole in her pocket, we headed off to the local shopping centre.  I probably should be encouraging her to save her money, but as her birthday and Christmas both tend to come together, she really enjoys it when she gets a voucher to spend at any other time of year.

Anyway, off we went.   I noticed on entering the car park that the 2 hours free parking no longer applied and a charge of £2.50 for up to 2 hours was now in place.  I wasn't best pleased, but as we were staying longer than that I guess I couldn't really complain, but it will make me think twice about going so often in future, and I may use alternative or cheaper places to park nearby if I'm just making a quick visit.  I know this may sound very miserly, but I think that if they want you to come and shop there, they should make it as easy as possible.

As soon as we got to the shopping centre we went for lunch, as it was past midday and there is nothing worse than trailing around the shops when you are hungry and grumpy.  Once we'd eaten we set off in earnest, first stop Primark.  I can't resist a look in here whenever I pass.  On occasion you can get some amazing bargains if you are selective.  We spent quite a while in there actually, probably nearly 2 hours.  It was pretty busy and hard to get around past hundreds of people, not to mention the trying on of clothes and standing in a long queue for the till.  We started in the children's department and then moved on to the women's department.  We picked out a few things for my daughter - a pair of pink shorts, beach kaftan (a tad optimistic at the moment I know), a purple hoodie, a jewelled sweatshirt and some new socks. All for approximately £27. 

In the women's department  I saw a lovely pair of brocade printed trousers and a sheer navy spotted blouse.  After trying them on I decided I would indulge myself.  £26 for the two.

We also found a pair of red pumps each at £6 per pair.  Matching, as we both liked them.  We'll just have to remember not to wear them together, but who cares if we do.  I thought they'd be nice for dogwalking in the summer.   Finally, I also got a nice pair of sunglasses for £2 which I'd seen in the fashion pages of a magazine and had liked on sight.  Here's a picture of some of my purchases. 

I must admit that when I got to the till I was quite surprised at how much I'd spent, but we did get quite a lot of nice things that we will enjoy wearing so I'm not going to stress too much.

Having spent so much time and money in Primark I wasn't keen to spend much more, but I did purchase a Nivea Tinted Moisturiser for  £3.66  with factor 8 SPF, which someone had recommended in a comment on a blog post I'd written.  (Thank you Peas and Carrots).  It was so reasonably priced I had to give it a try.   Whilst looking, I was amazed at how much make up has changed since I last really had a good look at the products on offer.  I've used the same products for years and not really explored new options, but there seemed to be a whole new genre of beauty balms and mousses that I had never come across before.  Fascinating.   My daughter spent some of her money on some makeup which she is mad about at the moment.

We also had a look in Accessorize which my daughter loves and she bought herself a couple of small bits of jewellery.  I must say that they do wrap things nicely in there.

Next, I tried on a few pairs of shoes and found a lovely pair of high heeled trainers, which at £65 I needed to think about.  I might go back for them at some point, but I did find some cheaper alternatives that I liked in another store, although not quite as much.  That's the trouble with shopping.  You often end up coming back with more on your wish list than when you started.

Our last stop was good old WH Smith, where my daughter bought herself a book, some MicroMoshis and a magazine and I, inspired by the Great British Sewing Bee bought a Burda pattern magazine which had enough patterns in it to make yourself a whole new wardrobe, for the very reasonable price of £5.50.  I'm hoping to make some of them.  This particular magazine was Burda Easy which is different to the ones I've seen previously and the patterns look far less complicated.  It had patterns I liked for a blouse, vest, skirt, trousers, shorts, dress and various other items so hopefully will prove very cost effective so long as I use them. 

In case anyone is interested, they had a great half price offer in there, for the book from the series of the Great British Sewing Bee, making it £10 I think.  It looked like it had quite a lot of nice ideas in it too, but as I'd already bought a pattern magazine I didn't indulge further.  It is probably on offer in other stores around the country too.  Whilst there I saw one guy at the till buying two copies, which is what drew my attention to it.

After a quick stop at Asda on the way home to make sure we had some food in for dinner tonight, we headed home weary and all shopped out.  One promise kept and one very happy daughter, who just loves a good shopping trip, and ended up coming home with far more than she ever thought she would.