A fun day at Bicester Village

So when I woke up this morning, I decided to go to Bicester Village. It was either Bicester or Cambridge, and as much as I love Cambridge, I thought that under the rain, being inside shops would be the safer option!

As it turned out, other than a few mini showers, it was a rain-free and very sunny day!

My primary aim of course was not actually to go shopping, it was to go driving - as odd as this sounds. Yes, for a work-related reason, i had a hire-car which I needed to get some driving practice on (only passed my test a few months ago and haven't driven since!)

So I thought I would share my dos and don'ts on how to have a fabulous day driving!

1. Before getting there: Look the part - wear some feel good clothes... in my case my new raspberry dress and my new black wedges!

2. On your way there: Get lost! Definitely the highlight of my day - excellent for driving practice... miss your motorway exit and end up rather closer to London than expected (or that you had wanted!)

(2. So I'll give a kind alternative to the first number '2' - buy a map... or a sat nav!)

3. That's also another wonderful excuse to drive in Oxfordshire and enjoy its beautiful countryside!


4. Bring yummy apricots to keep you going on the way there... do  not bring cookies - they will melt!

5. As you get there: park well... totally uncalled for - that person was just mean to me (and had left me no room to manoeuvre) - I just laughed!

6. When you are there: enjoy...

Get some yumminess from Carluccio's 

Buy yourself a few treats to make up for all the driving (lovely skirt and rather high heels!)

Enjoy the shop displays (Cath Kidston)

Think about the last time you were here and that key moment in your life, how everything is different now

Get into the spirit and into the Bicester "lifestyle" (Brooks Brothers)

Do a bit (a lot!) of people watching

Dream about one day owning one of your favourite designer's dress (Valentino)

And finish your day with an Amaretto ice cream!

Get home with just enough time to write this post and get an (well deserved!) early night's sleep :)