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.

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.

My girlfriend, in desperate need of some new shoes decided to head into Blunts, on the Bearwood…read morehigh street last weekend, but unfortunately found nothing to satisfy her 'acquired' taste.. Despite an extensive variety of shoes at her disposal, as well as an extremely helpful if not pushy member of staff, she found no joy. The shoes on offer are much more sensible than the ones she was after, with schools shoes featuring prominently throughout. In the area that is Bearwood, it isn't surprising, with a large number of families and young children living nearby. The prices seemed relatively cheap, but it seems that If you are looking for something a bit more stylish, then this may not be the place for you.

Blunts is a traditional shoe shop in the middle of Bearwood High Street. It's been there since…read moreforever and as well as selling 'sensible' shoes from the Clarks and Hush Puppy ranges they also stock comfortable looking flats, spangly sandals, wellies, kids shoes, slippers, flip-flops etc. Bargains can be found in the baskets outside but the best thing about it is the interior of the shop - where boxes and boxes of shoes are stacked with the names and sizes facing out - names like 'Drum Beat' and 'Carousel Ride' and my personal favourite 'Dublin Streets'. They have a nice selection of wallets and purses and the people who work here are really friendly and helpful. They also have an online presence with shoes available via their ebay store.

So I was on the hunt for a carry bag for my sewing machine. Not wanting to trek across towns to…read moreKings Heath or take my chances at the market, I thought I'd venture down to Soho Road where there was sure to be a haberdashery of some kind. Low and behold, after walking down this same bloody road for about an hour (I live on Constitution Hill which turns into Great Hampton Street which turns into Hockley Hill which turns into Soho Hill which turns into Soho Road...AAARGH!) I finally find Sew-Tek. This store is full to the brim with sewing machines, accessories, buttons, embellishments and anything else you could possibly want, relating to sewing and embroidery. The man serving was very helpful and I got a cheap and cheerful Brother carry bag to match my machine. Sew-Tek is definitely worth a visit if you are over this way and can't make it to the market.

My mum introduced me to this small but crammed full sewing shop. Mum has a range of machines -…read moremostly Janome and Pfaff - and does a massive amount of sewing - from quilting to dressmaking to simple hemming and repairs. Because of all of this, she needed to buy a few bits and bobs to stock up her supplies, and that's where Sewtek came in. We popped in just to buy some more spare bobbins, and mum wanted to find out if they did repairs or servicing. The shopkeeper was super helpful and took details down and let her know what service options they offered. The downside to where they're situated is that the Soho Road is awful for parking, unless you're used to it and ready to just plough on through and block the road whilst you wait for a street space. That was why I'd been dragged along - to be the designated driver and stop her from screaming at other drivers!

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.

Now this little tearoom only opened today. I was one of the privileged few to have stepped through…read morethe doors of this amazingly quirky and colourful venue. The theme is inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Not surprising really, considering the owner/proprietor also has a gift shop called Mad As A Hatter directly opposite! The tearoom, aptly named The Tea Party! (what else!?) is very child friendly, with high and low chairs, with pushchair & wheelchair access, two toilets (one of which is also the nappy changing room) a selection of reproduction, upcycled, ornate seats and chairs to choose from, it provided a cornucopia of dizzying delights to bombard the eye with an original look to an otherwise oft neglected part of Bearwood. As a stand out, it really provides a change from the generic high street cafes and as an independent cafe/tearoom. It's going to offer a "library" where patrons can simply read or work on their tablets/laptops or other electronic devices, a "gallery" for local artists and photographers to display and sell their work, craft workshops and rooms to hire to either demonstrate/teach "crafty" things or simply have a small party! The whole concept or venue really offers good value for money and can easily become the creative community hub of Bearwood. Watch this space! It's open 9.30am until 5pm.

If the Alice in Wonderland inspired Tea Party was in Los Angeles it would have a cult following and…read morelines around the block. As it is, in Bearwood, would you believe, it is a fine place to while away an hour with a friend over a pot of tea or coffee. A lot of imagination has gone into making this a fun and relaxing place to be - from the pretty tea pots leading to the entrance, to the delightfully mismatched furniture, hand painted cups and cuckoo clocks! When I was there, the coffee was really kinda lovely and Santa was in there too, taking a tea break!

Classy Rags is at the top end of Bearwood High Street as you go towards Harborne and the Hagley…read moreRoad and specialises in what my Nan might have described as 'posh frocks'. Billing itself as the place to go for Mother of the Bride outfits and Evening and Prom wear it has a collection of well made dresses and hats as well as handbags and shoes that have obviously been picked out with care. The shop itself is immaculate and stock changes on a regular basis. They also offer some pretty heavy discounts throughout the year. If I ever found myself on a cruise ship and was looking for something to wear to the 'captain's table' then this is probably where I would come.

Italian boutique with an interesting selection of clothes. Think of Nancy D'Olio (Sven Foran…read moreErikson's missus) she looks like she got her clothes from here. Yes, it's over the top and its not the sort of clothes you'd wear day to day, but if you're going to a wedding or a Christmas ball this is the ideal place to shop. Lots of floaty fabrics, sequins and fake fur. You can get an outfit and matching shoes for about £120.

RH Autoparts - run by Ron Hall and his family - have been a part of the Weoley Castle Square…read morecommunity for as long as I've lived in the area. Autoparts is an independent car parts shop with keen prices and a wide range of stock. They also have an eBay store with a ton of harder to find parts that you're able to access too. What sets it apart from any major chain store nearby is the friendly service from staff. If you're a petrol head who knows what he's doing - they can talk your language. But I'd you're a car dunce (as I am) then Shane, Kevin and the team don't think twice about offering you guidance and helping you fit standard parts such as windscreen wipers and hub caps. Great service! There is free parking outside the store and plenty of free Street parking around the Square too.

RH Autoparts is a small independent auto supplies store on the Weoley Castle Square. It's been…read morearound for a long time and that is no small feat considering the giant auto superstores that are around in nearby Selly Oak and Northfield. The staff all know their stuff and the small store is crammed with stock. If they don't have what you need they will do their best to get it for you as soon as possible. Definitely give them a try before you head to somewhere like Halfords, the prices are competitive and more importantly the staff are friendly and helpful, a rare thing in a car parts shop!

Love accessories? If you answer was yes then you will enjoy yourself here. It's obvious that the…read moreshop is aimed at young girls and ladies from their products to brand image. I'm not a girly girl but have to admit they do have some lovely items here and it seems as if they have a bit of something for everyone (females that is.) I saw some beautiful casual earrings and some nice accessories to wear on a night out. It was good to find an independent accessory shop where the range stretches from wedding style hats to toe rings. Some of the prices were a bit too expensive but others were great value for money. The bigger the accessory the more you pay, which seemed fair. I was pleased with the service as the Sales Assistant seemed to have a genuine interest in me and why I was shopping there. We had a good laugh, which broke the ice and I found out they'd been in business for several years; so they must be doing the right thing!

Glitz Accezzoriez in Solihull is an Aladdin's cave of all things girly, sparkly and decorative. It…read morehas an extensive range of ladies purses, handbags, scarves and jewellery including some designer lines such as Radley. This is a lovely shop with very welcoming and friendly staff.