I want to say a big thank you to Beth and Raheem at Booker Leeds for spending 40 minutes with me…read moresorting out my membership. Both were polite, patient and very helpful. Thank you both.

It's times like these that I rely on the mother for looking at some options that I'd never even…read moreconsider. The last place I ever thought I'd be heading in my free time would be a wholesaler, but off I popped. Pleasantly, I was surprised at home much stuff I was actually interested in. I take it back, all hail Country Baskets. They boast over 30,000 continually changing lines, ranging from artificial flowers and greenery, to florists sundries, floral supplies, giftware and glassware. It's not shoes or diamonds but believe me it gave me plenty of ideas at sprucing my rather jaded bedroom up. Now if you are into your flowers and arranging a little more than I am, then you'll really love it. There is a fantastic choice of stock and I'd wager you'll be able to find most things you may've been hunting down to add the finishing touches to your arrangements. Add to that the bi-monthly workshops, tutorials and talks that are free of charge and it's a top destination for those with creative juices. You'll need a trade card but they're relatively easy to get and the kids have to stay at home thanks to the no under 16 policy. And whatever you do, leave the male at home. This is something he doesn't need to see and you'll be watching Match of the Day as pay back for weeks.

Country Baskets are a strange juxtaposition of large bland warehouse with concrete flooring, à la…read morestereotypical cash and carry, with such unusual and beautiful stock that it looks more like an Aladdin's cave of craft materials, home ware, part garden centre, part bridal shop. Truth is, if you have any event, or indeed a home, that you need to pretty up, this is the place to do it. The wholesale price tag is a welcome change to the usual Next or M&S offerings, and the range of products will have your friends asking "Ooooh, where did you get that from?" (It is at your discretion whether to disclose such top secret info!)

Blue Rinse is generally acknowledged as the first port of call for the city's trend-toting indie…read morehip-slingers. It's been this way for several years now but at one time, there was nothing to separate the several vintage abodes dotted around the city centre. Blue Rinse now stands head - and probably shoulders too - above it's competitors, not only because the quality of the goods is better (think original Lyle and Scott jumpers, retro Adidas originals gear and a mightily impressive selection of accessories) but because it's arranged and organised like a stylish boutique. Compared to a quest for treasure elsewhere, a treasure chest of desirable garments is presented to you. Open every day of the week, 10.30-6 (Mon-Fri), 10.30-7 (Sat) and 11-5 (Sunday), there's no excuse not go and have a peruse of every single floor. If you're not chasing a bargain basement belt (or any other item of clothing, I only chose belt for alliteration purposes) and are feeling just that little bit flush - payday? - then the Designer's Boutique on the top floor is well worth a look, showcasing some of the finest limited edition clobber local fashionistas have produced. And it does help when the girls that work there are so good looking, too. If they say I look good in something, consider it bought... They're not for me, but girls... the blokes behind the counter look a lot like an early Kings of Leon? Take your fancy?

I don't know if you'll have noticed this, but I have. Leeds is like some kind of Mecca for vintage,…read moreso how I've managed all this time without penning a few thoughts for the big boys at Blue Rinse, I don't know. But I have, so here are some mind-words. Blue Rinse is certainly one of the more long-standing places in which to purchase some great old goodies. They're like the vintage of vintage, having been about so long. And, as opposed to rather a lot of the shops, this place caters in equal measure to the boys and the girls. It's over a few floors, so there's a ton of clothing to rummage through, ranging from funky shirts, jackets, thick woolen jumpers, bright colours and more. It's almost overwhelming when you step inside as there is such a lot to browse through! But patience, friend. Good vintage comes to those who dig. The chaps in there are usually a friendly-ish lot, fash-ed up to the max in the latest vintage look, so if you're at a loss there's always the option to ask for advice. A bonus feature of the changing rooms is the poster collection: pretty much anything of worth going on in the city is plastered up, from gigs to club nights, so it's nice to get a bit of inspiration as you dress for a night out! As mentioned by others, prices are certainly that wee bit higher, but for myself I'd rather spend more and have a staple piece than buy something that will disintegrate in a few months. (I'm looking at you Primark et al.!) Either way, this is definitely another stop off to garnering the coolest threads in town, so pop in if you're after something genuinely old and genuinely cool. Pop in often though, there's a whole load that's one of a kind...

I've been coveting a pair of trousers from here for a while now. They were in the window, deftly…read morearranged on the ultra slender mannequin, calling out to me in shades of tan and cuts of finery. Every time I passed I'd see them and so finally, the other day, I went in to investigate. And I think I've found a brand that knows my style - I love the clothing in this place. It's smart, but with a hint of vintage, the fabrics are high quality and the colour schemes are adorable. I.e. there is naught a hint of shocking pink in sight. On this fine sunny Bank Holiday I sought out my coveted pair only to discover I'd left it too late - they had about three pairs left none in my size! Dang. And, to make matters worse, they retail at a massive £45... That's a bit of a number for a pair of trousers. Sadly, as I browsed the other items this became a recurring theme. All the gorgeous tops I longed for were just that little bit too much. Perhaps I'm a skin-flint, but then again, I understand that you are at least paying for a high quality item should you make the spend. Tough decisions. Nonetheless I asked a sales assistant if they had any more in stock, wanting to at least see if they looked as glorious upon my person as they did in store, and she was extremely helpful. Whilst they had none she checked all the other stores in Leeds and found that the shopping plaza had my size. Of course, I trundled over there, and found that they were perfect. But, no. I did not buy - I decided to be sensible and save up my pennies. After all, they are only a pair of trousers, right? To summarise; the clothes herein are gorgeous, expensive, but well tailored and superbly stylish.

This is a much bigger Warehouse store than the other one in Leeds, and is therefore a lot more…read morespacious and easier to shop in. There is a wide selection of clothes, bags and accessories, and everything is easy to find. The store assistants are usually happy to help, and will advise on clothing ideas. Most things are quite expensive, but they are very good quality clothes, and will last longer than cheaper alternatives.

Okay, this place is just not for me. The idea is that these guys source unique, designer, high end,…read morestand out dresses -- items that I guess appear to either be in the style of, or maybe worn by, celebrities. I can say they're stand out, for sure. My opinion would be that they're so stand out, that rather than looking expensive and high end, some of the cuts actually look a little (I hate to say this) tacky. Considering nothing in here appeared to cost less than £100, I felt as though the same -- or similar -- look could be achieved in a few shops that would be much cheaper. That said, this would only be for some of the selection. A lot of the dresses were very showy, very voluptuous, and perhaps just not to my taste. (I would feel a little on show in a all in one lace trouser suit.) There are plenty of well-matched accessories to go with the dresses, so you'll certainly pull off the whole look! And the staff were working away helping folks find the right thing, so customer service is no issue here. I could tell, from closer look, that the clothes were all really well made and of good quality too. If you give some of the dresses a feel, you can tell you'd be paying for something that would last, rather than buying something to look amazing that falls apart after a few wears. All in all, I'd say definitely give them a look -- especially if you know you want to pay for something a little different, a little unique, and a little dressy. It just happens to be not to my taste!

My $200 dress never arrived and House of CB refuses to issue me a refund or send a replacement. Do…read morenot order from here!!!!

Love this place .. good place to go at the weekend some shops have great prices... service varies…read moredepending on which store but most of them are good .. such a wide selection of stuff that you can buy ... also .. not too many old people

We don't have such large shopping centres in Switzerland. It's cleaner than any town centre I've…read moreever seen in England with a wide variety of stores. My favourites: A Thornton's, a gigantic Sainsbury's (with every kind of Gü pudding and a huge assortment of chips), several cupcake and cookie stands and a stand selling every conceivable mobile phone case and cover, even one for my Xperia Z! There are also two very large gift / card shops that will probably sell the most obscure card you just couldn't find anywhere else. Try not to go in a mixed gender group, since there's not much for the men to do other than sit around in the café in the middle of the ground floor while the women wander around aimlessly for several hours. Lots and lots of parking, clean facilities.