There are some surprisingly nice clothes available from this little North Laine shop…read more One of many independent, fairly cheap boutique type places in the area, this is I think one of the better ones. They tend to stock more unusual clothes, with skull-patterned dresses, brightly coloured jumpers and unusual t-shirts. I bought one of my favourite t-shirts here, which depicts two giraffes kissing. Aaah. They also seem to have a constant sale rail, which does often include a lot of duff items, but occassional gems can be found here - I bought a couple of lovely £5 dresses here over the summer.

When I walked into Sassy's, I assumed I'd do a once around and walk out. The front of the shop is…read morevery goth-centric, with black ballerina dresses and skull-themed accessories. But it's a bit of a mix and match shop really, and I was surprised to find a long, grey sweater that I liked enough to try on. Unfortunately, it was one of those styles that looks much nicer hanging on the rack. So, I'd consider this a clothing shop with a twist, if that category were an option.

This is a cool and cheap DVD shop at the back end of the North Laine…read more Whilst they will have a fair range of generic movies that all 2nd hand stores seem to stock, there is also a decent World cinema and retro selection of cult films. Well this is Brighton after all. I picked up a copy of spirited away, run Lola run and tideland for £15. A total bargain!!! It's the kind of shop that is worth investing time leafing through the shelves of cases as there can definitely be a gem hidden away. The shop is a bit small, but you will still have space to spend some time searching most days. Well worth a look and prices are about he same as renting a movie anyhow, so you may as well try here first and get to keep it.

Aaaaaaah the joy of cinema. Isn't it great that in this age of technical wonderment we can watch…read moreour favourite Hollywood stars in the comfort of our own homes? I love this idea and have an impressive DVD collection as a result. It might be something to do with being a control freak that attracts me. The ability to pause, rewind, or slow down the action in films, but I cannot get enough of the home-cinema experience. Now over to the review... Timeslip is not the technical name for when Dr Who falls over whilst teleporting (or whatever it is he does in that bleedin' Tardis), but rather a DVD store in the North Laines. The selection here is pretty vast and pretty colourful. You can get your standard Hollywood features, but also foreign-language and some niche gems. I would recommend anyone to have a look, because there are some great finds here: all at reasonable prices. DVDs might be on their way out, but they still offer good picture and sound quality and are often cheaper than going to the cinema if you're on a budget. Also, you get to keep them; watch them over again and have the nice packaging decorate your shelf. Beat that!

The windows of Fabric Land never cease to amaze me…read more Everytime I walk past, I usually gasp in horror. Seriously. Who-ever designs the displays obviously thinks the best way to attract potential customers is with eye-catching outfits. The problem is, the ensembles they put on the models always look like they were made for blind goths, disco bunnies and transsexuals. We're talking the most trashy, mis-matching, ill fitting, unisex, halloween outfits I've seen in years. If you can get past the window, Fabric Land has everything you need to make your own more tasteful clothes. Spread over two floors, they have rolls and rolls of cotton, satin, chiffon, calico, denim, cord, velvet, velour, felt, gingham, hessian, lace, leather, patchwork, suede and towelling. They also have zips, buttons, boning, hooping and for those that love the window displays, PVC and fake-fur!

Fabric land is the best fabric shop in brighton. The others are ok, but the ones in the north laine…read morereally are for people who don't know how much fabric ACTUALLY costs, and like to wander around pretty looking shops. Fabric Land is for people who actually want to buy fabric. Fabric land has exceptionally good pricing, a massive range of fabrics, and helpful and fast, qualified staff. Go there first then, if you can't find what your are looking for, go to the others. But ALWAYS go there first. You'll find that the prices are very competitive and, particularly if you are making things to sell, this can drastically affect your margins. The only thing it could do with is a better website, as it's definitely a bit 1998!

Al-Amin has a good selection of imported foods, considering its size. Fresh fruits and vegetables…read moreare displayed both inside the shop and out onto the sidewalk, all looking healthy and delicious. On the shelves are several pre-packaged sauces for those who don't have time to whip things up from scratch; as well as ingredients for baking and cooking. Beans, rice, nuts, pastas, flours...many choices for each item. The back of the shop held a meat counter, and possibly a kitchen behind it. I heard someone ordering, "More chilli!" and it smelled like yummy, spicy soup.

Al Amin Exotic Foods is a grocery wholesaler with a good range of Middle Eastern ingredients…read more Being a wholesaler, it's pretty cheap, and stocks more commonly seen things such as the full range of Patak's spice pastes and sauces alongside fresh imported vegetables and halal products. The halal section looks good, including frozen burgers and fast food as well as a fresh meat counter. There's also a toiletries section where you can buy kohl and hair oil, and various products from different countries that might not be so widely available in the UK. They have exotic and intriguing looking sweeties, and a good range of snacks. It was a bit of a strange atmosphere when I went in and I didn't feel entirely at ease browsing, but then it's a very small shop and there's pretty much nowhere for the counter attendant to look except straight at you. He seemed like an approachable man though, who would enter into a discussion about what ingredients you might need for something specific. By and large I think this place would be a good visit if you had a curry night planned, or generally just fancy expanding your culinary horizons.

If you want to cook Oriental food, but cook it properly then this should be your port of call,…read moreopposed to Sainsbury's or Tesco. Firstly, you will get way more produce for your money and also was more items that you would ever see on a supermarket shelf. As a chef, this place has allowed me to cook far more dishes than I would have been able to without the stock they sell. From expected noodles and soy sauce to palm sugar, if it's in a recipe they will likely sell it. There is also a nice range of cooking items like woks and crockery all at decent prices. What I also like is having a hunt through the freezer compartments for dumplings, Chinese buns and dim sum. You can even get random Chinese sweets like white rabbit candy (very tasty). The owner is a really sweet lady, who will happily have a little chat and offer the odd cooking tip. You will also find a lot of adverts on the shop front for Oriental cooking lessons, which would be a good way to get more out the shop. A very nice supermarket that offers something a little out of the ordinary.

I've got a real soft spot for places like this - speciallity foods but without the high prices…read moreand pretension. This is somewhere for real cooks, who want to make Oriental food properly, with authentic ingredients. They have all the basics - sweet chilli, soy, noodles rice - that you can get anywhere, but at much better prices and with a better range than any supermarket. They also stock lots of things that you won't find everywhere - unusual herbs and spices, and an array of tins and packages with unfamiliar and exciting looking names. Well, those bits I can read, anyway.

Stepping through the door of Fortune Supermarket might not guarantee you a winning lottery ticket…read morebut it does give you access to a whole world of Chinese goodies! Halfway up one of Brighton's most densely populated streets of restaurants, it's a one-stop shop for everything you might need for a Chinese feast. There's a fridge stacked with fresh pak choi, oyster mushrooms, babycorn and other fresh veggies, a freezer packed with spring rolls, dumplings, fish and meat and shelves of sauces, oils, rice, noodles and candies. I'd give it an extra star if it occupied a smaller space. As it is, there's too much empty space - which could be used to stock more treats. If some of it's occupied next time I visit, I'll give it a fourth star.

Fortune Supermarket was as close to being back in Korea as I've experienced in an Asian import…read morestore: the set up, the cramped aisles, the smell of spices and, of course, the stock. They had bags of kimchi! Only in bulk, and a bit pricey, but yay. Also: dried cuttle fish (and other meats), mango-flavoured desserts, cakes made from gooey rice paste, seaweed, tonnes of curries, soup mixes and tofus. Fruits and vegetables were available fresh and in cans; and beans in cans or dried and in bags. The shop also sells kitchenware and crockery: bamboo steamers, rice spoons and mats for rolling sushi (or kimbap.) It was the most authentic shop I've been in here, a vast selection of all the Asian specialties.

I walk into Two-Way Book Exchange and am greeted by the musty smell of cheap books. Mmmm. The…read morefirst section I notice is the entire wall filled with romance novels...These are really cheap - between 50p - 75p (Although, I do notice the Christmas-themed romances have been placed near the front and are closer to £2.) Non-fiction and classics are around £3 each, and range from Dickens' David Copperfield to Grisham novels to out-of-date textbooks. There's a large collection of used magazines near the back, along with a box filled with the ever-popular used car manuals. Children's books are also well-stocked, and these are back to the 50p - 75p price range. I don't find any gems today (not a romance fan) but I'll try back again...and may bring in some books to exchange.

The largest collection of Mills and Boon- possibly in the entire U.K....need I say more! Some…read moresecond-hand book shops stock whatever comes in as long as they are in good condition, Two Way books does things a little differently- they specialise in seventies paperbacks, science fiction, book series of all kinds including mildly erotic novels. It's excellent! This place finally gives due attention to the trashy novel, no one properly acknowledges the role and pleasure given by these paperbacks, and now you finally have a place to source them, buy them in bulk (they are only about 50p!) and read without guilt.

Just been in here to get estimate. Very nice lady. Haven't had the engraving done yet but have…read moreevery confidence it will be excellent. They are very experienced. By the way their telephone number is 01903 212657.

From the owner: Trophies, Awards and Medals for Sports & Leisure Events Engraving for Annual Cups, Shields &…read moreSalvers, Glass Engraving. South-East's leading Trophy supplier & only Master-Engraver

Try the cafe from breakfast to Sunday lunch , ask for Mark the cafe manager always willing to help…read moreall the girls are patient, nothing is too much trouble , oh ask louis to cook your breakfast I'm doing weightwatchers and he has been very helpful. The main wyevale garden centre offers so much it's hard to list . Always an array of colours a bountiful haven for any budding gardener , or just to look at .

Property is so expensive in Brighton that what would be considered a bin yard up North is…read moreconsidered a spacious front or back garden here! Being lucky enough to have both a spacious front and back garden, I am always on the look out for gorgeous new plants. I usually buy my lavendar and herbs from Flower City round the corner and go to Wyevale Garden Centre for everything else. It's expensive but the stock is always varied and extremely good quality. They have plant pots, soil, gardening furniture and seeds inside and a massive selection of seasonal and perennial flowers, plants and fruit trees inside. I've bought everything from rosemary, thyme and chilli plants to dahlias and rose bushes and everything has grown beautifully. In fact, if I could afford it I'd go back tomorrow and order fig and olive trees for next spring.