Wednesday 12 February 2014

Valentine's Day just got Thrifty

For those of you that know me well, I rarely need an excuse to hit the shops. For all seasonal occasions from Christmas to Easter, shopping allows me the perfect excuse to "buy one for you...and a little something for me". Valentine's Day however, remains the oddest of annual occasions for me as I become slightly cynical at the sheer audacity of restaurants in particular, that see it appropriate to hike the price and reduce your menu options. Despite being a lover of all things heart-print, no I do NOT need my soufle baked into a miniature loveheart, nor do I need to splash the cash on expensive gifts to show a loved one that I..well, love them.

So in comes a saving grace in the form of a new designer outlet just a skip, hop and moment away from my parents' home. The Wembley Designer Outlet opened just a few months ago. Whilst you can't expect the designer brands of Bicester, what you can be sure of is highstreet brands at ridiculously knocked down prices. From H&M to Gap, LK Bennett to All Saints. Already, I have bagged myself a £12 pair of Gap jeans that have become like second skin and a summer dress from H&M (which I had my eye on full price) for just a fiver. So style really needn't come at a price.

Watch this space on perfecting your front row looks in time for LFW on a shoestring and in the meantime, for you true romantics out there...here are a few Valentine's Day gifts that won't break the bank.

ProCook Silicone Heart Shaped Cake Mould RRP £14, Outlet Price £7

The Body Shop Heart Lollipop Lip Butters, Outlet Price £15

Marks & Spencer Heart Print Chemise, RRP £9.50, Outlet Price: £5.50

Villeroy & Boch Octavie Champagne Flute, RRP £24.50, Outlet Price: £12.25