Fossil Bargain Buys

Anybody who knows me well, or has been reading my blog for some time will know that I'm crazy about prints and patterns. Polka dots, bird prints, florals, animal motifs... The quirkier the better.

I unintentionally seem to incorporate some type of print or motif in to almost every outfit, but my love of patterns isn't restricted to just my wardrobe. I also express my love of prints through home ware and every day accessories, too.

One of my favourite brands for prints, besides Cath Kidston, is Fossil. They sell the most beautiful patterned bags, purses, make up cases, and gadget cases, amongst other things, and they just so happen to have an outlet store in my Sister's town.

We popped in for a browse a few weeks ago, and naturally I fell in love with everything, but in particular the lovely swan print. I desperately wanted the swan print vanity case, but couldn't afford to part with £40 at the time, even though it was a steal. Instead, I came home with something else...

This beautiful swan print carry-all tech case!

I just couldn't resist this gorgeous print.

I had this in one hand, and a make up case in the same print in the other, and spent ages letting my conscience decide whether I could allow myself one little purchase. Eventually I just thought 'sod it', and got this little case. I think I paid £9.99 for it, but they retail for £25.00 before they get replaced with new season stock and shipped off to outlet stores.

It's designed to hold a mobile phone, and a few cards. I think the idea is that it enables you to carry about the essentials without having to carry around a big handbag. Genius idea! I'm actually using it to keep my iPod in, and it's also big enough to fit my camera, so it's a handy little case. 

Isn't the print cute? I've always loved swans, but I think this is the first swan print piece I've ever owned.

The inside has a warm orange print, which is the same as on the back of the case, and it has slots to hold three cards.

I love this case, and think it's going to be with me for quite some time. Obviously, this was from a previous season, but Fossil currently have a carry all case in a rose print available here.

The other little thing I treated myself to was this little View Master charm!

I wonder how many of you remember the actual toy? They were popular in the eighties and early nineties, but I think they were a part of childhoods in some shape or form as far back as the thirties or forties. Some of you must remember them?

I remember having one when I was little, and at the time it was one of the most amazing toys alongside pogs, Sylvanian Families, and the Disco Hopper. So, when my sister showed it to me in store, I just had to buy myself one.

It came in it's own little oval tin, and clipped happily on to my Abilu Creations charm necklace, which I wore in a recent OOTD. I can't remember what it cost originally (their charms range from £10-£25 full price), possibly £18 or £19, but with a few discounts, it came to just £4.99! Definitely a bargain!

If you haven't shopped with Fossil before, next time you pass a store, go in and have a look. I know many of you love prints and patterns, and I think those of you who do would love their designs.

Cath Kidston Haul

When I went to the outlet village, Bicester Village, a few days ago, I couldn't resist popping in to Cath Kidston for a quick browse. I didn't go in with the intention of buying anything, but there were a couple of things that I couldn't leave without...

These little brooches were on my Autumn wish list, but I couldn't really justify the delivery charge for such small, frivolous things, so I never made a purchase.

When I saw them in the outlet shop in those impulse-buy containers around the till, I grabbed a set at lightning speed. They were originally £8 for the set, but on sale for £4. Very purse friendly and not bad for three brooches.

I've coveted this set since Autumn mostly down to the gorgeous little fox pin; I've loved foxes since I was a little girl. The set also comes with a cute red squirrel and an acorn brooch. There's something so English about all three of these designs... but I guess that's the point as Cath Kidston is so quintessentially English.

Another bargain which leaped in to my hands in the blink of an eye were these crest buttons. These buttons are very similar to the buttons on my cropped military jacket, except they're silver instead of gold and a little bit smaller. My jacket is missing a button or two, and when I saw these online in their A/W collection I couldn't believe my eyes. I thought they'd be perfect for giving my favourite jacket a new lease of life when I can bear to part with the gold ones.

Again, these were on sale online, but I couldn't justify the purchase against the delivery charge. They were originally £6.00 for a set of six, and on sale for £1.50. I bought two packs. You can find them online here.

The armour buttons have traditional crests on them and bare the words 'The West Riding'.

Another purchase I couldn't stop myself from making, was this floral cover for my iPod. I've had my iPod touch for a year and a half and had never bought a case for it. I just never seemed to find any for the iPod touch.

Last week I was in another outlet village and saw a Cath Kidston case for the iPod, but was disappointed when I saw it was designed for a different model. So when I saw this one, I had to get it. It was originally £25.00 and on sale for £15.00. The price was still quite steep, but a good reduction, and from experience, I know CK cases last. I've had one on my Blackberry for two years with just minimal scratching to it. I love the floral design- it even matches my blog design... just in a different colour! Now that's what I call coordinating!

Not a Cath Kidston purchase, not even anything to do with fashion, style, or beauty, but I thought I'd share them anyway for the book lovers amongst you. I bought these two Dean Koontz novels in Sainsbury's. They were £1.99 each or £3.00 for two, so naturally I bought two. Supermarkets are definitely the place to find bargain priced books!

Oh, and I picked up Pearl Harbor for £3 while I was there, too. Bargain! I've always loved that film.

For anyone who doesn't already know, Bicester Village is famed for being one of the best outlet villages in the UK, and can be found several miles north of Oxford, and about an hour away from London. They have a brilliant selection of designer shops; Jimmy Choo, Prada, Lulu Guinness, Ralph Lauren for instance, and a few more affordable brands like Cath Kidston, Guess, and L'Occitane. I rarely have the money to shop in most of the shops, but it has a great atmosphere for window shopping in the sunshine and I recommend it for anybody who loves their labels!

I hope you've enjoyed my little haul post.

Have you shopped at Bicester Village lately?

Have you shopped there at all?

Where do you head to for a bit of bargain outlet shopping?