‘Back-to-school’ bargains

GULFWEEEKLY’S Camille Jones has a nose for a bargain and we’ve let her loose around the towns and villages of Bahrain, the malls and the tiny independent outlets, looking to save our family of readers a purse full of dinars and fils by the time she has finished.

YES, it’s that time again for our beloved offspring to head back-to-school ... did I hear a hurrah in the background?

As we tightly hug (and a little shove) them off for this highly-anticipated event, let’s make sure they are equipped with the latest and greatest bargains at ‘after holiday’ prices.
 
While in Enma Mall, I went to look for back-packs for my two boys, Aiden and Kieran.

Gripping a ‘back to school’ flyer I headed into Al Baraka. Right now they have back-packs at 30 per cent off with regular prices starting at BD8.500 on names such as Diesel and Jaguar.

There is also 50 per cent off their licensed children’s bags like Spiderman and Cinderella starting at only BD4.250.

No kidding, kid-friendly and a good price.

Al Baraka specialises in sporting goods, garments, footwear, accessories and exercise equipment. Its name is synonymous with sports in Bahrain and the sale ends on September 19, so shoppers have plenty of time. If you buy any of the store’s products you get a chance to play some indoor games and win prizes. Score! 

LuLu Hypermarket in Sanabis was my next destination for more ‘back to school’ basics.

I was happy to see boys and girls black school shoes in various sizes and styles reasonably priced at BD3.900.

They also have an impressive selection of white PE shoes in lace-up or Velcro from BD3.900 to BD4.300. At these prices you might as well pick up two sets for the inevitable lost property visits or for the time Timmy brings home a size 45 for his 38 foot!

Never mind, one of my boys was once guilty of bringing home different styles on each foot.
  
Available at Lulu until September 14 you will find these much-needed items on promotion:
Maped Stationery Kit - BD1.790
4 pc - UHU Glue Sticks 8gm – BD0.825
Paper Wizard 10pc Erasers – BD0.550
Pilot Ball Pen plus Mechanical pencil - BD 1.325
Various water bottles – starting at BD2.500
White, navy, black and grey socks (boys and girls) - 500fils
While in Seef Mall, my colleague Bambi and I were awe-struck after becoming aware that we were inside a giant nail-polish bottle oozing pink nail spillage.
 
No, we had not been captured by some freak giant but were inside a new store kiosk home to Models Own.

It is a UK-based company launched at Westfield, London, in 2012 selling nail polish, make-up and accessories.
 
Now some of us are very talented and can paint our own nails that look ‘salon ready’ while others (let’s just say one hand looks good and the other, umm not so much).

These polishes can make the job easier because they glide on smooth, hard-wearing and long-lasting in shades from ice neon to a fruit pastel collection. Mums and daughters can catch up on ‘first day of school details’ while touching up their nails. Why not?

My ‘best deal’ picks:  Nail Corrector Pen with two extra refills for BD4.500, three-pack of Nail Polish Minis BD7. Artstix Nail Polish Duo (2-in-1 nail polish plus glitter) for only BD5.500.

Check out the website for creative ideas. www.modelsownit.com.
 
Details of above:
Baraka – 30 per cent off on selected items - all locations
LuLu Hypermarket – Back to school event - ending September 14
Models Own – located in Seef Mall

Others privy to:
Geant – Back to school event – starting today
New Look, Lipsy and Koton, in all locations across the kingdom – up to 50 per cent off selected items - Shukran customers get extra 10 per cent off on sale items - Until Thursday
Sarah, Bossini and Centrepoint (Mothercare, Lifestyle, Shoe Mart, Splash) – End of summer season sale up to 50 per cent off – tomorrow to September 7
Shoe Express Crazy Offers – Kids footwear from BD3.500 and below, Ladies footwear from BD3.900 and below, Men’s footwear from BD7.500 and below - tomorrow to September 7
La Vie en Rose – Spend BD20 and get BD5 gift voucher – ending August 28 - Bahrain City Centre
The Athlete’s Foot – 20 to 50 per cent off – ending September 5 - Bahrain City Centre