I heart Mulberry

I can't believe I didn't blog about this sooner... back in November/December time I went along for the 'experience' that is the Mulberry Sample Sale. As a pretty devoted Mulberry fan, this is the sort of experience that's on a par with the excitement you see on those kids faces in the 'We're going to Disney World' adverts, but for girls with a bit of a shallow, fashion obsessed side (that would be me).

The line ahead of me...

The line behind me.... yep, snaking around the corner...

So along I went, first thing in the morning (yes, I took the morning off work so I could go) thinking I'd get these just before the opening time of 10, wander in, pick up what I wanted, pay (suffer from a dose of buyers remorse) and head back to the office.

But in reality, I arrived half an hour before opening to be greeted by a line that was already snaking around the block and continued to grow behind me... word of advice, if you go to the sample sale, and want to brave the first day - get there early.

Mulberry East-West Bayswater in 'Olive'

I made it inside after not too long a wait, and was greeted by the sort of chaotic shopping scene that I expect to see in a rom com or something. It was madness. So I surveyed the room, and established that the general approach was to grab anything you see that you remotely like and lug it around with you until you decide what to purchase. This caused a bit of an adrenaline rush whenever you saw someone put something down that you liked the look of - the sort of scene you expect to see go into slow motion with women dramatically reaching out shouting 'Nooooo!'

Anyway, my overactive imagination aside - it was pretty mad. I'm glad I took the morning off work, as the line to pay was long and took around 40mins to work my way through.

Describing the morning aside, what did I buy - I went in there with a budget in my head, and came home with two bags that I love very much. One was the sensible bag - the East-West Bayswater in 'Olive' (above) a nice neutral shade that looks smart and classic.

The other bag is not quite as sensible, but that's why I love it. This is the Sparkle Tweed Tillie with Rose Gold hardware. This is the bag that caused such a frenzy in the sample sale at one point that a woman was carted out by security.

Yes, really.

As much as I love Mulberry, I would not get hysterical or physical with other shoppers over a handbag.

Mulberry Tillie in 'Sparkle Tweed' with Rose Gold hard wear 

Tillie in Sparkle Tweed

I was actually lucky enough that one of the lovely sales assistants (bless their patience with slightly crazed women going mad for reduced priced handbags for three days straight) was kind enough to sneak this and another sparkle tweed (the Tillie Hobo) my way.

Moral of the story - have manners and be patient.

Mulberry Tillie in Sparkle Tweed

Once I had the bags in my hand the other women were like vultures - asking if I was keeping them both (I wasn't, I can't live off fresh air) and asking if they could have them when I decided - then loitering around me until I decided.

I decided on the Tillie satchel rather than the hobo as it was a little less expensive and I like the long strap.

I do love both of these bags - I have a Mulberry problem!

What did I think of the sample sale overall? Madness. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat (I'm already saving for next year to soften the blow).

Bought by me. My credit card is still smouldering from the damage.