Pardon My French is a cute, independent store in Kemptown Village. Their elegant signage made me…read moresuspect it was going to be too frou frou for my taste but once inside, I was pleasantly surprised by how warm and laidback the staff were and how eclectic their stock is. As shown in the window, they have a varied selection of homeware from fun tea towels and mellamine plates, bowls and cups to more stylish doormats, bath towels, quilts, bedspreads and linens. In keeping with the boudoir theme, they also sell silk and cotton pyjamas, perfume, jewellery and moroccan slippers. If Audrey Hepburn lived in Brighton, I'm sure she would have shopped here!

This fab girlie shop is a little treasure trove of goodies. Situated in Kemptown Village, Pardon my…read moreFrench fits right in with the other independent gift stores and restaurants. The shop mainly sells kitch home wares like cushions, bed covers & comedy doormats. The French theme runs through out the store with French sweets, toiletries and gift ideas. Its a fab place to go for girlie birthday present. Pardon my French is head a shoulders above some similar over priced stores in the North Laines. Its always worth a wonder round it your perusing what the village has to offer.

My son thinks this shop is magic. I agree it has got that 'just sprinkled with fairy dust' feel…read more Every time I try and walk past I always find myself not able to without purchasing one of her beautiful little bouquets or arrangements. There are nice florists about. But none, I think, as nice as this. She as a knack for making things extra pretty and totally different to any other flower arrangements I've seen. They feel personal, don't ask me how! Just go see for yourself. My favourite little idea and one I can never resist buying, is a gorgeous little jam jar full of the prettiest little flowers for £4.95 roughly. Perfect for little appreciation gifts (I always get my ma one - and myself I can't lie!). I love the fact my boy is so taken with this shop too, he really believes pixies live here. And he likes the 'magic roses'. They also cater for all occasions weddings, funerals - all the usual! If anyone ever pops the question to me (no chance!) I shall be definitely getting my flowers from here.

My boyfriend bought me the most amazing Valentine flowers from this shop, not your usual…read morechrysanthemums and carnations! They have lasted ages. The shop itself has a naturalistic feel and there are sparkly tealights everywhere. They also sell interesting plants, will be getting Mum's Mothers Day flowers there definately. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable too. Highly recommended. Will drag boyfriend down to talk wedding flowers too.......

It might sound like a new yoga studio or psychologist practice but Evolution is actually a cheap…read moregift and homeware chain. There's a bigger branch in the North Lanes that sell a wider range of the same things this one does - namely, cushions, picture frames, mirrors, lampshades, stationary and jewellery. Some look home-made and fairtrade, others plasticy and tacky with acid house faces and nasty patterns. The name seems particularly ironic to me. I mean, evolution suggests progress, nature, humanity and the environment. When I look around this store however, all I can see are products destined to become landfill!

Why is Evolution getting so much slack? Now if this were the main store in the North Laines I could…read moreagree. Their prices do not adequately reflect anyone that I knows appreciation for candles. BUT, this is the discounted store, the smaller store where the majority of the stock that doesn't sell at the main store gets booted to. I agree with India's review that most of the stuff in there is not going to change your world in any substantial way, a lot of it is seasonal and who really wants to buy a Santa's hat in February or a 'Will you be my Valentine' Mug in April? I have, however, purchased mirrors, photo frames, cushions and a variety of the smaller and more practical household items they have for sale at a pinch of what they would have cost in the full price store. It is definitely worth a penny pinching peek!

Partytime is a very busy, slightly chaotic but somehow incredibly useful shop…read more Head here for any kind of party goods - cards, balloons, candles - anything for either a child or adult party can be found here. In particular, they have goods for particular seasonal celebrations - I finally found some halloween zombie make up here after searching many other shops without sucess - I'll come here 1st next time. A very good place for birthday cards in particular, with many under £1.

This place does what it says on the tin and then some...it really is party central! It's full of…read morethe most amazing amount of celebration tat you could ever imagine! I'm talking banners, balloons, party bags, wrapping paper, party poppers, confetti...you get the idea. They take partying pretty seriously in this joint- whatever you ask for, guaranteed they'll dig around and find it for you. Halloween? Christmas? Hanukkah? New Year? Whatever the festivity, you can get some plastic tack to help you celebrate. Enthusiasm sure is the name of the game. And it is always so packed! Who knew that the residents of London Rd were secretly busy decorating their homes with streamers and glittery birthday banners all the week long? Aside from the fact that Partytime is gaudy and a bit strange, it is also fairly useful and very cheap. I have twice recently found myself in need of coloured tissue paper, and guess who has a great selection at a price you can't argue with?

Abode is the perfect place to find homeware gifts for a loved one…read more Or for a loved one to find gifts for you! Situated about halfway down Kensington Gardens, it's charming boutique store that has lovely side tables, console tables, room dividers, fringe panels, floor lamps, table lamps, pigeon lights, marimekko fabrics, wall stickers, mirrors and luxury bedding. If you already have everything you need in the lounge and bedroom department, they also sell gorgeous kitchen and bath accessories from china, glasses, tea-pots and coasters to candles, soaps and towels. Don't know if they still have any in stock, but last time I went in I fell in love with the wicker bulls head and the Ibride ostrich console table.

Abode is a lovely little lifestyle boutique, which sells all sorts of fancy things for your home…read more Scented candles, velvet cushion covers, vases and more are laid out in uncluttered, attractive displays around the shop. They also sell small items of furniture, including some really classy wooden side tables and stools. Christmas is by far the best time to visit the store, as they have all sorts of beautiful decorations for your tree. They have a gorgeous selection, including gold Christmas trees and stars as well as some really beautiful glass decorations in the shape of parrots and other pretty birds. I bought a few last year in turquoise, white and gold and they really transformed my tree! In fact, they're so lovely that I've hung them up in my bedroom all year. Abode is a shop full of things you'd rarely buy yourself...quirky light fittings, gilded bird cages and some really delicate chinaware. It is almost impossible to walk around without starting a mental wish-list, making it the perfect place to start your Christmas list, whilst picking up a few gifts yourself! You can even create your wedding list at Abode! NB. Everything feels a bit delicate, so it's not a great place to bring the kids!

The North Street branch of Purple Heart is much bigger than the original branch on Gardner Street…read more This hasn't stopped the owner from filling the shop floor to ceiling with all kinds of kitsch and colourful goodies. Literally every surface, table, shelf and display unit is packed with child-friendly treats. Alongside tie-dyed babygrows, shoes, kids clothes, books and toys, there are fun items like water pistols, bouncing balls, fairy wings, fancy dress costumes, picture books, soft toys, heart-shaped soaps, yo yos and Russian dolls. To help parents with the unenviable task of planning birthday parties, there's also minature games, playing cards, balloons, banners, party bags and practical items like cake stands, candles and paper plates. The only thing Purple Heart can't supply you with is boundless amounts of energy, enthusiasm and patience!

I'm sure when parents are planning parties for their children, Purple Heart is the first stop they…read moremake. It just has everything you could possibly need, and for reasonable prices. Practical things include cake tines and cupcake stands, icing and sprinkles, paper plates and cups, balloons in every possible colour, confetti, banners, and a party bag service. The huge display of items for party bags was great fun to look through: sweets, tiny 'connect four' games, parachuting figurines and plastic jewellery. Children must love shopping here too - It's also a well stocked toy store: books, stuffed animals, costumes and an impressive collection of classic gag gifts. Plastic dog poo, snake in a can and the squirting flower were a few. This location is less busy (and I think a bit bigger) than the one in the North Laines, so I'd recommend this one if you're looking for party supplies.

sixtyseven is a sweet little store who's remote location doesn't help with its somewhat random…read morestock. I can imagine my Mum will grow to love places like this, where you can pop to before or after visiting a tea room, and admire the handsomely put together and displayed gifts. Its one of those places that feels like its selling nothing, where everything in here is expensive versions of normal objects (like the coaster) but with a ribbon on it. While everything looks perfectly lovely, I'm just not one to buy a gift that serves no purpose other than to get put away from fear of being damaged... There are some interesting bits and pieces that may bolster a stocking, and some exquisite cards for those who love to show off or impress through stationary. But its all a bit expensive for what it is...

This is one of those shops that looks lovely from the outside, and is very nice as you walk in,…read morebutI couldn't find anything that I wanted to buy. For a start, their stock is actually fairly limited: a small range of fairly similar greetings cards, a range of art deco postcards, a small range of scented candles, a small range of very upmarket stationery, a small range of posh bath gels - you get the picture. I'm not quite sure who buys writing pads with soft, shiny gold covers? The nearest thing to a theme is that there is a selection of small, attractive, old-fashioned children's toys, with a number of the cards etc also aimed at children. (I was actually looking for a card for my teenage nephew, and there was nothing remotely suitable). It's all very tastefully done, with a feminine edge, and I was greeted very nicely as I entered. I guess it would be perfect for finding a present for that hard-to-please female friend that already has everything she needs.

Walking into Blackout is a cross between walking into 50s and the set of South Pacific. Awash with…read morecolour, kitsch and just a smidgen of sentimentality, you can't help but grin at the sheer audacity of this place to stand out from the crowd. Frankly there isn't a lot you really NEED in this store but there's an awful lot of stuff that you can't help wanting. From polka-dot luggage to bamboo or garland curtains, from Bollywood posters to recycled shopping baskets, you certainly can't walk in here and claim boredom. The people who run this shop obviously travel a lot and have a great eye for the unusual.

Blackout is an amazing little shop located just off the main drag in the North Laines. In contrast…read moreto the shop's name, it is in fact a rainbow paradise of wonderful, unusual gift ideas. It reminds me of a more inspiring and ram-shackled version of Kath Kidtson- there's bunting, floral plates, printed bags- but everything is done with an original twist. The shop is packed with the most vibrant stuff..wrapping paper, cards, bangles, ornaments, jewellery, soaps, candle holders and more. You have to take a moment to let your eyes adjust but then you could spend literally hours rifling through the kitsch kitchen ware and pretty necklaces and hair ornaments. At Christmas, they have a great selection of colourful birds, perfect for jazzing up the Christmas tree. If you head to the back of the shop, you'll find pretty, reasonably-priced scarves and some really lovely handmade cushion covers. If you're in need of a present, but are lacking inspiration, Black Out will probably provide the answer. I usually find there's just too much to choose from!

When I think about the happiest days of my life, there is the day I got married, the day my…read moredaughter was born, getting the keys to our first home, and finding out Space NK was opening in Brighton. From when I was old enough to hold a lipbrush I was travelling up to London to Space NK in Covent Garden when it was just a lone shop that noone had heard of to spend money I didn't have on make up I couldn't afford. Not alot's changed, I still can't afford it but I still get just as excited looking at all the fabulous celebrity products, they stock Laura Mercier, Eve Lom, Philosophy, Chantcaille and so much more, make up, skincare and scents. I had my make up done for my wedding in there and if I say so myself I looked bloody gorgeous, all down to them.

I am a huge fan of space nk and have popped into this store several timesl. Have found the service…read morea bit slow though but thats usually the norm in these types of shops! Great selection of beauty products though, great gift ideas, although what with the credit crunch I doubt so many people will be filing through their doors as the products are quite expensive, but i recommend the dyptique candles as they last ages and smell wonderful.

It took me awhile to find One in the House, as it's a bit further up Trafalgar than I usually need…read moreto venture. I did spot it, though, and became a fan of the small, quaint shop with a small quaint mix of items. Jewellery was mostly in silver, with dainty sets of earrings, necklaces and pendants. Other knick knacks included engraved silver key chains and candle holders. For home décor, the shop sold hanging artwork, clocks, pitchers, dishware and cosies for tea kettles. Small renovation items like knobs for cupboards and decorative tile came in several varieties. There were also a few racks of greeting cards near the back. In summary, a quaint (have I mentioned that?) shop with unique home, personal and gift items.

A charming shop a stone's throw from Brighton Station, One In The House reminds me of boutiques…read moreyou'd find in the South of France. Everything is laid out beautifully with products stylishly arranged on distressed wooden shelves, tables and old dressers. As the name suggests, One In The House mainly sells elegant home decor with a lovely line of ceramics, glassware, candlesticks, clocks, tiles and kitchenware scattered alongside cushions, wool blankets, art prints and jewellery. Everything looks antique or hand-crafted with the dominating colours being white, cream, stone, grey, silver, caramel, chocolate and wood. A great place to pick up a unique gift for a friend... or yourself.