This is a paid post in collaboration with The Lexicon

My shopping habit has been somewhat hampered lately. An impatient 4 year old, and an inquisitive toddler have made the shops a difficult prospect for me. I always love a shopping trip - it’s called retail therapy for a reason, I always feel happier when I’ve visited the shops, even if I’ve not bought anything!

The Lexicon in Bracknell has been open for a year now, and it’s fast become one of my favourite places to shop. It’s not too big, so you don’t need to walk miles, it’s filled with so many of my favourite shops, and because it’s nice and new, the parking is brilliant, with nice big spaces. The Lexicon invited me to visit this week as part of their Fables and Fairy Trails campaign. Throughout March they have an interactive trail running through the centre, and numerous fairytale themed events. I put together my own fairy trail, taking in some of the restaurants and shops The Lexicon has to offer.

My husband and I dropped Max off at school, left Ben with my mum, and headed to The Lexicon for a child free shop. Any good shopping trip has to start with coffee in my book, particularly when you were up at 4am with a cold ridden toddler. We headed to Coffee Barker, which is one of my favourite coffee spots - loads of comfy seating, and great coffee. What’s not to like?

Whatever The Weather Fashion with Joules

Suitably caffeinated, we headed to my favourite Lexicon shop, Joules. Their Breton tops are my wardrobe staple, and my blog was originally named after my pair of floral print Joules wellies, so it will always have a special place in my heart. Their mustard yellow and navy colour trend is right up my street, and I could have spent a fortune in there. I like my everyday fashion to be comfortable, and good for all weathers, so Joules always ticks the right boxes for me.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall…

Next on my hit list was Fenwick department store, which is home to some of my favourite brands, like Jo Malone and Charlotte Tilbury. I’ve had my eye on a Charlottte Tilbury eyeshadow palette for a long time now, and I finally decided to treat myself to it. For so long I’ve not been able to wear eye makeup as I suffer with eczema on my eyelids, but I’ve now got this under control and am just starting to wear eyeshadow again. I love the look of this palette, which can be subtle enough for everyday, but layered more to give a more dramatic look.

We browsed some of the other shops on offer, including the huge Primark, Paperchase, and Flying Tiger. By that time we’d built up quite the hunger and I had a huge craving for noodles, so Wagamama it was!

Every time I go to Wagamama I think I’ll try something different, but without fail I order one of the same two dishes I always go for. It was Pad Thai for me this time - but you really can never go wrong with Pad Thai in my book!

The morning whizzed by, and it made me realise what a rarity it is for my husband and I to have time just the two of us (even if I did make him fulfil the Instagram husband duties taking photos of me!). We really must make more effort to carve out time for a date night soon - I feel a return trip to The Lexicon is in order!

Fables and Fairy Trails is running at The Lexicon until 31st March 2019.

Disclosure: This is a paid advertisement post with The Lexicon. All words and opinions are my own.