A family run business which opened in 2007, this is a posh hat shop based on Islington Row…read more I used to live in the flats above this shop and was always a bit curious about it but never dared to go in - some people can wear hats and sadly I'm not one of them. However I was recently invited to a wedding and now that fascinators are 'de rigour' thought this was perhaps my chance to have a mooch. The fact they had a 20% off sign in the window was all the extra encouragement I needed. I have to say they have some really lovely stuff - I was particularly taken with a black and white polka dot number but sadly - even with the discount this was way out of my price range. Staff seemed nice and the stock seemed well made. Intrigued I also had a quick look on their website when I got home - more lovely things awaited including some rather fab gents hats (trilby's mostly) and a 'made to order' range.

If you're looking for hair pieces, these guys have the largest range of colours I have come across…read moreso you're likely to find a match to your shade. It's virtually impossible to buy hair removal wax tubs from the High Street stores but I found it here for just £5! And they have a choice between lavender, aloe vera and pink wax. I also found that St Ives face scrub (which is the guru of my skincare regime!) is a lot cheaper here than elsewhere. They have a random selection of cheap cosmetics that tend to be in retro shades - Pat Butcher from Eastenders comes to mind! Although some of their eye-shadows and nail varnishes are interesting because bright colours are trending. Oddly enough, towards the back of the shop there is a post office so you can get your postal needs as well as grooming products under one roof!

Used to wear caps a lot in past. I still do ocassionally but not as much. New Era is the perfect…read moreand only store you need if you want caps. They have everything and every design/style. I want buy everything when I go in I get caps with simple design or logo. I hate the ones with so much designs and writing all over the cap. For me simple is good and I love muted colours. I wear to match what I wear not to draw attention to my head. :) Not cheap but quality is the best

New Era is a really attractive store. It kinda looks like a really posh trainer shop but without…read morethe trainers! The staff look super cool but without being intimidating or pushy and the hats are high quality and well displayed with great colour ways and designs. I haven't purchased a cap here yet but I definitely would. My boyfriend wears them and this would probably be my first port of call if he wanted a new one as there is so much choice and the quality is clearly second to none. Prices are around the £30 mark, about the same as a decent t-shirt but you'll get more wear out of it and they come in different sizes too.

I really like this store and have popped in a few times. It is the perfect places to pick up…read moreaccessories for fancy dress costumes, or merely for accessories alone. I have purchased a few scarves and bags for various fancy dress outfits that I have worn to parties. The staff are quite friendly inside and have been helpful when I have been looking for something in particular. The store is in a bit of a jumble and I have found it hard to locate items on some occasions, however I always eventually find what I need. They also keep quite a lot of stock in boxes outside the front of the store, so I have often spent time rooting around trying to find stuff. I do not like this aspect of the store; I would prefer it all to be easy to find and well organised. It is a great store, but it is a bit disorganised.

Shops like this make your local high street the place to check out on a saturday morning. The floor…read moreto ceiling jam packed-ness of fun always amazes me. If you are in need of some cheap tat as a present, for a project or require something for a fancy dress outfit then you will no doubt find it here. Who needs expensive fancy dress shops or paying for shipping off a website when you can buy inflatable props from here? Love it, a great little shop full of things to mooch in and to spend money on stuff you either didn't know you needed or had forgotten you needed as you never spot it in the supermarket.

Reasonably priced mens & women's quality vintage clothing…read more Top Banana and many of the shops on York Road share the ethos of the old-fashioned shop keeper. The staff like to have a natter with the customers, offer them a hot drink if they're having a good mooch and often give discounts if you buy more than one item. There aren't many places to buy quality vintage clothing for men so Top Banana has an edge over most other shops. The focus is mainly American vintage from the 60s-70s and the majority of the stock reflects this, but they have everything from 40s to 90s - you just need to have a good rummage! Fans of converse and vans if you haven't heard of Top Banana where have you been?! They have LOADS and prices range from £15-£25. Prices are very reasonable but don't expect bargain basement prices like £1 etc.. this is quality merchandise which would set you back a pretty penny down south! Grab it while you can before someone else does! While you're here pop next door to Cherry Reds for some yummy food or two doors down to Polar Bear Records,

Vintage gold converse, weathered denim shirts and an abundance of classic pieces from yesteryear -…read moreTop Banana offers something that few clothing stores do these days - and that's authenticity. They have some really nice stuff, some of it I imagine would make you look like Tony Soprano, a 70s mobster or Dirk Diggler. Their range is enormous for a small shop - from vintage varsity, leather and demin jackets to knitwear, polos and an array of slick shirts. All of the items I have bought from Top Banana have a timeless quality about them that only get better with age. With Top Banana you're guaranteed to get some fine clothing for a fair price that even a young Jean-Paul Belmondo would give a nod of approval to.You will leave a (fashion) law unto yourself, swaggering like a don, whistling 'ain't no stopping us now' and ready to share your new-found slickness with the world. At least I did.

WHOAAAA MAMA!!! This Primark location in Birmingham was the BIGGEST one I went to while visiting…read morethe UK! If I recall correctly, it has 5 levels, and there's even a Disney Cafe, Polaroid Selfie Studio, and I think I saw a nail studio for the ladies. With all that being said, it represents the country's 2nd largest city very well (next to #1 London)! This area of Birmingham is super busy, with a lot of hustling and bustling, just like you'd see in NYC (which is on my bucket list, btw). The prices at Primark are super generous compared to US prices. It's compared to Old Navy, but to me, I think it's more reminiscent of H&M. I found some good loot at all of the locations I went to, but this one will always stand out to me. It's insanely busy on weekends, especially during the holidays, but the staff works hard to keep the lines moving. I do wish customers wouldn't be so rude and make an effort to put back whatever they pick up. I saw a lot of dropped items on the ground, lots of clothing and accessories and even picked up a few to put back. The workers do their best to fold the clothes and make them look presentable, but I feel bad that people rummage through and just toss them wherever (at least make an attempt, sheesh!). You may not want to come during busy season, which is weekends during the holidays. It's a hot mess and you might lose your party along the way if you separate, but if you like the deals here and don't mind fighting crowds, come shop til you drop! I hope to return again one day! =)

I had forgotten to bring a collared shirt for a venue that required it and stopped in here on a…read moreFriday night to grab one. What a nuthouse! Kudos to the staff who deal with kids who use the place as a hangout and the mountains of clothes from the fitting room that have to be folded and returned out to the floor.

Ordered three sleeping bags from Jacksons of Old Arley online yesterday afternoon and they arrived…read morethis morning before 9.30. Great price, free delivery and first-class service. Most impressed! Thank you!

Impressive caravan, campervan and camping store…read more In the area for a wedding, we were going camping afterwards and we still needed a groundsheet. I googled it and found Jacksons Of Old Arley. My partner was getting a bit worried as we weaved our way through some West Midlands countryside. "Are you sure its this way?" he asks. "Um, yes" I answer sheepishly. We turn a corner and there it is. "Phew" I think to myself. The place is massive. Outside there is a caravan and campervan dealership, I assume is the same people run this business too. Inside the Jacksons warehouse it seems to house everything you could possibly need for the caravan, campervan or camping holiday. Ground sheet sourced, I then find the clothing section and find myself some good bargains. There was sale discounts on lots of great items. They kindly let me use their facilities too, which was welcome :-o Recommended.

Raymondo Jewellery, run by Raymond and Wendy are part of the monthly crafts fair in the Great…read moreWestern arcade. They have a gorgeous array of handmade jewellery to entice you part with your money but with prices from just £3, it's hard to resist. Every colour is represented so you are sure to find something to go with every outfit. If you're into something more practical, they also offer stunning beaded square faced watches and new designs are coming along all the time. For a more classic look there are pearl bracelets and chokers and all manner of bracelets and ear-rings. Fantastic for a little cheer- up present for you or others and it won't break the bank.

This shop appeared over the Christmas period but is still around today. It is kind of a mix between…read moreClaire's Accessories and Primark - lots of cheap and cheerful accessories: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, fashion belts, gloves, hats and scarves - but all at £1 each. It looks like it's more of an outlet store, you just grab a basket and dive in, so there's not much in the way of customer service, but staff are polite enough and really there's not the need for it as you're only there for the bargains!

What a fantastic little shop in the Great Western Arcade! I am afraid to say I've walked past this…read moreplace more than once and not popped in. In all fairness, I normally head through Great Western to get somewhere or of an evening (when things are closed), so I do have a whole bunch of valid excuses. This place is a vintage charity shops which supports two homeless charities (SIFA Fireside and Trident Reach the People). So not only are you recycling by buying here and reducing waste, you're also stylin' for a good cause. It's a win win for everyone! I popped in here to look for a dress for a weekend away. I was greeted by the lovely staff and soon we were all in a conversation about Vintage shopping and the bargains to be had at kilo sales. I asked them if I was ok to snap some pictures (because I couldn't resist) only to be assured I could snap away to my hearts content. There was a fantastic mix of crockery, hats, clothing and lots of odds and ends (vintage woollen tea cosies anyone?) about the shop at really great prices. As you can see from my pictures, I spotted a gorgeous typewriter, vintage bears and silver spoons. Why don't you take 5 minutes and pop in? I'm sure you could find a great item at a fantastic price and all in aid of a great cause!