Next Blogger Event

Beastie and I were recently invited to attend the Next Blogger Event at their Head Office in Leicester, to view next seasons range of clothes. We drove up there like lots of other Mummy bloggers with their kids in tow for a day filled with clothes, food and fun. I expected it to be a great day but it certainly exceeded my expectations and Next thoroughly spoilt us.

We were all given £30 by Next to buy a new outfit for our little ones to wear for the day. I buy a lot of clothes from Next for Beastie so I was more than happy to add to his collection. These are the items I bought for him to go with his existing pair of jeans from Next.

When we arrived we met up with Katie and Helen with their little ones in tow. We were directed where to go and were shown into the ‘mock’ shop containing the collections that will be available next Spring/Summer 2012. They had provided a play area for the children with a mat, table, walkers, ride ons and other toys all to amuse our little ones. We could also help ourselves to refreshments and these lovely pastries and cakes! I had wolfed my breakfast down at 6am so I was more than happy to fill my face with a custard danish pastry.

We were free to walk around the shop and peruse the clothes hung on the racks, chat to fellow bloggers and the lovely people from Next. They also had a professional photographer on hand with a corner set up for capturing our children on camera. Beastie usually loves the camera and will happily stand and say ‘cheese’ on demand but sadly not on this occasion. He was feeling under the weather so I can understand why he wouldn’t co operate for the photographer. Some of my fellow bloggers had some lovely pictures taken and it was a nice added bonus to the day. There was lots of lovely clothes on show, from a pretty girly pink ranges, nautical themed clothes and the new unisex range which is a fantastic idea. We all had our eyes on the bright colours items available, particularly some raincoats with tractors and dinosaurs on. I shall definitely be keeping my eye out for those.

We then moved onto a restaurant a few minutes drive away to be treated to a three course lunch. The food was lovely and the portions very generous! Beastie usually picks at food when we eat out and he didn’t bother much with his chicken nuggets, chips and peas but had a lovely time sitting next to his new buddy Jack.

The kids were fed first so that when they were finished they could be entertained by the entertainers Next had had provided for the children, Jo Jingles. Beastie was straight up there dancing around with all the kids and it was so lovely to see.

When we left we were given a goody bag with a couple of items for ourselves which included a gift voucher. This was a really lovely touch and a surprise for us. I have since treated myself to a lovely new dressing gown which I am expecting to be delivered today…So thank you so much Next for a memorable day where nothing was too much trouble. The girls who organised the day did a fantastic job.