Greenwich Market - Greenwich

Old and older junk - everything you need, from clothes to furniture, to nick knacks.

The Conran Shop - Marylebone

I love the Conran shop. Supposedly, it is stocked with nicely designed product at all price ranges. I have my doubts about the lower end of their price range -- there doesn't seem to be one, so I haven't ever bought anything here. I like to look, though.

The Conran Shop Marylebone
55 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 5HS
020 7723 2223

Intense & Funky - Wood Green

Despite its weird name and appalling window displays, this shop on Wood Green High Road has a very nice collection of Men's and Women's wear. The store's strength is the men's collection, ranging from high-end street labels to designers such as Vivienne Westwood, to old classics, such as Levi's big Es. Similar designers are sold for women, but the collection isn't as broad. However, there is a nice selection of shoes and bags.

136 High Road, Hornsey
London, N22 6EB
020 8881 8377

Gay's the Word - Russell Square

One of the few independent gay & lesbian bookshops left in London.

Gay's the Word
66 Marchmont Street
London
WC1N 1AB

The Stables - Camden Town

Still one of the best places to buy old tat. The Stables gets points for merchandise, historic provenance and atmosphere.

Stables Market
Camden Town
London

Laduree - Burlington Arcade

Everything works in this small, French Aladdin's cave of a sweet shop, the golden walls, the lovely macaroons, and the beautiful little boxes to take them away in.

71 - 72 Burlington Arcade,
Mayfair,
London,
W1J 0QX

(020) 7491 9155

Hatchards - Piccadilly

Official bookseller to the Queen. Now owned by HMV.

187 Piccadilly
London, W1J 9LE

020 7439 9921

Brent Cross Shopping Centre - Brent Cross

No, this is not an airport parking lot. It's the outside of Brent Cross Shopping Centre.

Butler & Wilson - South Kensington

I don't know much about this shop except that I like crown on the roof.

189 Fulham Road
London SW3 6JN
Telephone: 020 7352 3045

Nearest Tube: South Kensington

Shopping for Clothes - Sainsbury's - Harringay

Shopping list:

green beans
milk
stretchy jersey top

Shopping for clothes at the grocery store, no matter how convenient, still feels a bit weird. I suppose it's the same as buying clothes at Costco, but I wouldn't do that either. Where do you try anything on?

4 Williamson Road
Green Lanes
HARRINGAY
London
N4 1UJ
Tel: 020 8809 6065

The Corner KTS - Hackney

Need a bookcase of a new speaker case? Wood cut to all shapes.

415 Kingsland Rd
London, E8 4AU
020 72499200

Selfridges Food Hall - Oxford Street

American-style Cupcakes


Some of the best American-style cupcakes I've had in London.

Selfridges London
400 Oxford St
London
W1A 1AB

Hand and Lock - Westminster

Hand embroiderers to the Queen. This proves that almost anything can be bought in London, for a price.

86 Margaret Street
London W1W 8TE

0207 580 7488

Agent Provocateur - Soho

Where Victoria's secret and even Fredrick's of Hollywood only teases, Agent Provocateur takes it all the way. Lingerie here is prettier, sexier, and certainly better made.

6 Broadwick Street
Soho, London, W1F 8HW

020 7439 0229

Mobile Police Station - Oxford Street

There's a new piece of traffic parked on Oxford Street for the after Christmas sales, a police trailer. This mobile police station was set up to process shoplifters and deal with the problems caused by unruly crowds. I wish it was parked permanently on my street.

Paul Smith - Covent Garden

Another nice holiday window. Understated, but nice.

40-44 Floral Street
Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DG

020 7379 7133

Post Christmas Window at Ted Baker- Covent Garden

This is a nice variation on Ted Baker's Christmas window, for the after Christmas sales.

9-10 Floral Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 9HW

020 7836 7808

Disenchanted - Oxford Street

The slogan's just a little bit too long, the design's not quite up to the quality of the rest of the decorations on Oxford Street. Wait, it's an add for Enchanted. Shame on you Disney! Double shame on the Oxford Street Merchant's Association!!

Santa Baby - Oxford Street

Selfredges


Marks and Spencers

Instead of wasting time on elves and Christmas villages, some stores get straight to the point: New Years frocks for those who'd rather ornament themselves.

Christmas at Heals - Tottenham Court Road

You would think that Heals would have a better selection of Christmas ornaments. The after Christmas sales are pretty good, though.

The Heal's Building
196 Tottenham Court Road
London W1T 7LQ

020 7636 1666