A while ago I was contacted regarding the shopping outlet at Braintree and whether or not I would like to go there for a shopping experience to write a review. Ummm.....let me think.... YES, YES I WOULD PLEASE.

Because I am pregnant and growing a bump over the winter months I was set the challenge of dressing up my tum for the forthcoming cold months.

It was a bitterly cold day when I visited Freeport too which only put me in the mood to shop for cosy winter wear even more. If you haven't visited before, you will be surprised by how much there actually is there. It is quite a lovely day out as there are restaurants, a bowling alley and a cinema as well as great shops so if after carrying heavy bags around all day you fancy some fun you can dump the new purchases in the car and partake in some good times! and some yummy food....

I have been to Freeport before but I haven't shopped there for a very long time so it was nice to revisit it and shop in a different environment to where I usually go especially as I was now shopping for my pregnant body too. It is set outside so I needed to wrap up warm on the chilly Sunday I went and there is quite a variety of shops to choose from. Anything from Sports shops to home ware to fashion shops to gift shops. There are also some great chocolate shops in the form of Thorntons and Cadbury world! Just the smell of those two shops melted me....I could of eaten the displays there and then.

First thing I had in mind for a purchase were some plain and simple long sleeve tops. Boring A know but I feel these are an essential in any wardrobe. When it is bitterly cold outside sometimes you need as many layers as possible so a long sleeved top under a jumper is better than a short sleeved top under a jumper. They are also great for going with jazzy trousers or skirts or under dungaree dresses or dungarees themselves. I knew I had to have a couple of pairs to get me through the winter months.

I decided to head to Pilot and found exactly what I wanted, they were loose and stretchy so will grow with me over the next few months. At £7.99 each I couldn't go wrong either. I bought one in black and one in white and have to admit, I have LIVED in them since buying them. Under jumpers or just on their own on milder days these were an extremely good purchase choice for me indeed!

Here, I have styled the black long sleeved top with my favourite tube skirt and heels finished off with a denim gilet which I actually nearly got rid of a month ago because of not wearing. This is my favourite way of wearing the tops currently. (The white version of this top can be seen styled HERE.)

 Top: Pilot Gilet: Pilot (old) Tube Skirt: Topshop Boots: Linzi

After a delicious warm coffee at Costa (and after my friend had indulged in a yummy hot dog from the food stand which is there) I had a nice browse in Next. I never ever really go in this shop so it was nice to look at what they had to offer. I liked their clothes - a lot more than I expected to actually and found some great items to buy! I was pleasantly surprised by the price too as I always thought it was expensive. There were some BRILLIANT Christmas jumpers in there too.

My first buy was this fabulous leopard print jumper £14, which her I have styled with jeggings and my sparkly pumps which I also bought from Next for £15. Pumps are quite sparse in my wardrobe and much needed later on in pregnancy when feet start to ache and get swollen!

I also bought this fabulous black jumper with silver stars (£23) - perfect for this time of year! Here I have styled it again with my jeggings and my comfy ankle boots.

 Hat: New Look, Jumper: Next, Jeggings: Topshop Maternity, Boots: Linzi

Last but not least, I decided to treat bump at the Mamas and Papas outlet which is there. We don't know the sex and aren't going to find out which limits what you can buy in advance (there were so many cute clothes, I must admit I can't wait until they're her to dress them up!) so I bought a few unisex sleep suits / baby grows as they will be needed straight away once the baby is here!

I would also be lying if I said I didn't also treat bump to some chocolate from the Cadbury shop......

All in all, I had a lovely day at Freeport - there are some great shops to find bargains in. I spotted a few lovely pieces in the Ted Baker shop, there is also a Karen Millen shop *bows* and a Hollister which has great summer / beach wear. There are also luggage and accessory shops should you be looking for a new suitcase for your next holiday or underwear shops such as Wonderbra should be looking for some new underwear for the winter season.

It has a shop for everything!

What do you think of my purchases? Have you ever been shopping at Freeport?