York Designer Outlet

Take three!!!

Our bargain hunting stops here, today, as we ready ourselves to pack and leave for Newcastle bright and early tomorrow.

All 4 of our luggages are bursting at their rims, expander zips loosened and some pre-loved items had to be donated to Oxfam to make space.

What did we buy exactly? Children's clothing. After the currency exchange rate, the amount we had paid for is still lower than what we would pay for back in Malaysia. Just doesn't make sense to me. Some of these clothing were produced in Malaysia and yet all we see are items made elsewhere being sold in Malaysia. How can we ever lower our carbon footprint if the textile and fashion industry won't change for the environment?

Kids grow so fast we stock up for their next one year. Every time we do this, it frees up my shopping time in Kuala Lumpur to focus on work/quality time with the kids.

But I digress.

Digressing further: Incidentally, the IGCSE results were announced today and my eldest nephew scored 10As, 1B. Some of the As were A plus! It will be hard to top this young chap. We foresee him going to Cambridge or Oxford, in sha Allah.

That all said, I bid you goodnight. I must finish up my packing and be off to catch some much needed sleep before the 2.5 hours drive up to Newcastle. 

York Designer Outlet

Take two! 

We all woke up bright and early today at 5.30 am as The Little Girl had a disturbing dream. Since our intended destination opens at 9am - 5pm on Saturdays, we drove to Fulford to arrive before 9.30 am for choice parking. We clocked in at 9.15am!

Lunch was fairly early at Wagamama by 10.45am before the crowd set in. Tea break was at Thornton's Cafe at 2.30pm.  We managed to drive back to York for Bombay Spice takeaway dinner by 6.30pm. 

There were mini drama episodes as Bean did 3 rounds of dirty nappies, and The Little Girl refused to leave the play area even after nearly two hours of obstacles courses, bouncy castle, ropes and slides...but all in all a good buying escapade with much bargains. 

Brownie point for the building owners/managers since our 2012 visit: refurbished parenting rooms (options for within male toilet, or within female toilet so dads can also bring kids to the toilet and leave the mums free to shop). 

Each parenting room now comes with drop down change table, roll of change liner sheet, seat, toddler toilet, adult toilet, sink and Dyson hand dryer, bun for dirty diaper and bin for sanitary waste, 3/4 length mirror and hook on door. Huge improvement from before!

Additional parking slots for parents with children scores another brownie point.

Bravo, York Designer Outlet!

York Designer Outlet

I got 15 minutes to myself and so I went out to buy what I needed. 

I learnt that Timberland produces comfortable leather wedges, other than the boat loafers and trail sneakers that the brand is famous for.

I learnt that Fossil lamb leather purses are so buttery soft and the tannery has introduced vivid summery colours that can take my breath away without bankrupt-ing my own bank account.

Honestly, I now cannot wait for another 15 minutes to myself at the shops for such great bargains!

Here is how I got my 15 minutes:

That responsible adult would be The Other Half, who watched The Little Girl while she played under a large canopy. 

There is also a play area for the younger ones within the same enclosed, single gated play area:

What have you bought for yourself lately simply for self-reward? Please do share your great loot!

Also, please share location of your favourite designer outlet and shopping experience!