Despite living just around the corner from this place I'd never popped in there until yesterday... and it is absolutely beautiful - from the pink and white décor to the beaded jewellery, gorgeous leather bags and floaty, frilly tops and dresses.
The toiletries and cosmetics they sell, made by Nougat London (http://www.nougatbodytohome.co.uk/categories.php?id=6) , come in in wonderfully unusual smells like Fig and Pink Cedar and are so stylishly packaged they'd make amazing gifts. They've also got lovely little manicure sets and compact mirrors, handmade chocolates that look far too pretty to eat and a homeware room at the back selling some brilliant kitchenware including these indexed chopping boards by Joseph Joseph: http://www.josephjoseph.com/plastic-chopping-boards/index which I find very exciting (as far as chopping boards go).
I also really like their range of original (and practical) perspex jewellery and cosmetic holders. Their various ranges of crockery are very cute too, my favourite being the spoof Keep Calm and Eat a Cupcake pink mugs. Genius. I love shops like this, and now I know there's a fantastic one less than a minute from my front door... well, God help my bank balance.
Living at Fiveways is, of course, rather off the beaten track for those who live in the City Centre, but is a brilliant asset to the local row of 'village' shops up at Fiveways and well worth the bus ride up Ditchling Road. The woman I spoke to in there was so incredibly lovely and friendly, reminding me of what I love most about the community spirit up here. read more