This garden centre is truly a little gem. While it is tiny, and as such can't rival the scale and…read morevariety of larger out of town centres, it packs in a great deal. I sadly don't have a garden, but I love dropping in just to browse. They have a small outside section with a good variety of plants which vary with the season. It's almost like visiting an actual garden. Inside is also immaculately presented, with a small but good range of seeds, pretty pots, garden ornaments, etc. The staff are friendly too. I really wish I could go in for more than a few seeds for a window box According to their website they've been awarded Garden Centre of the year 2007 by the Horticultural Trade, in recognition of their innovative use of a small space. Can't be bad if other Garden Centres recognise how good they are! Their website is http://n1gc.co.uk/

I wouldn't really call myself the green fingered type. In fact, it would be fair to say that my…read moremost successful gardening moment to date was aged 9, growing cress from a yoghurt pot with the rest of Primary 5. Recently however, I've had a revelation and I am now growing not one, but six (!) different herbs. Although off-put occassionally by rouge squirrels having a nosey, last weekend I successfully grew them to the height that repotting was required. Not up for treking out to one of the mega gardening centres, I was very pleased to discover that only 10 minutes walk away was the beautiful North One! This little garden centre is small but perfectly formed. As well as stock a range of pot plants and herbs, they have every type of seed, soil, pot and cane imaginable. Prices are however, a bit more steep than you would get in one of the chains. I was a bit taken a back to discover that a cute purple bench, just big enough for two but no more was selling for £250. Needless to say I left that one to someone that might be feeling a bit more flash than myself! Now I've put my gardening kitty to use I can safety assure you that Mr Mint, Lord Thyme, Miss Chives, Sir Sage, Prof Parsely and Queen Rosemary are looking better than ever! Four terracotta pots, soil, plant food, and a few other bits and pieces came to around £35. Ok, it's a bit more than I wanted to pay but the whole day was lovely. No long commute. No chain garden centre. Just a lovely walk around Islington followed by a day of getting my hands dirty. Perfect!

How have I not reviewed this place yet? When in need of some furniture of random crap for the…read morehouse, this was my go-to place. Now I'm moving back into the area, once again it's a haven of everything old, cheap and totally not antique. I while ago I bought a really old heavy oak table here. It was covered in graffiti but with a little bit of sanding and a lick of paint, it's now a piece in my room that people comment on. It makes me even happier that you can haggle for prices, if you can understand the very strong Irish accents going on that is. I did struggle but eventually, we cut a deal and for £35 I could have the table delivered. They have books, vinyl, vhs, laps, wardrobes, chairs, dining sets. Every weekend it's something different so get there early if you want to have the best pick of stuff. Bring cash, no your spending limit and don't pay more than a tenner for delivery.

This is my local DIY shop, and I get all the bits and bobs for the house from here. Its really well…read morestocked with a range of good quality products that are reasonably priced. The people are always friendly and happy for a chat. Its would probably be cheaper to go to a larger store like Homebase to get larger or bulk supplies, but this store is great for emergency things, like power drill screws and green light bulbs.

Kac is a family-run homeware/DIY shop on Stoke Newington Church Street. They stock just about…read moreeverything you would ever need for the home- electrical appliances, plug sockets, paint, brushes, ladders and light bulbs. Everything seems very reasonably priced and the father and son that work there are SO nice that I ended up staying in the for an hour, chatting and buying things I really didn't need.

Initially went in here thinking it was a furniture recovery and up-cycling place, but it wasn't,…read morebut kinda still felt like it. It is a lovely little shop that has been put together with a tasteful mish-mash of furniture and shop fittings from many different eras. Quite a wide range of products on offer here from cosmetics and men's shaving kits to hand made cushion covers and personalised stationery sets. This place is well worth popping into, even if it is just to look at the great decor of the shop itself :)

Classic *SIDN store for me. Very pretty, mostly too expensive for my salary…read more Accessories, stationary goods, art, housewares, skincare products. Sigh. At least a look around is in order when I'm in the neighborhood. *Shit I Don't Need. The kind of place where I want everything but don't really need anything and wouldn't spend that much money on myself but maybe on a present for a friend.

I absolutely love this hardware and DIY shop.It has everything you need for all your DIY needs and…read morealso stocks a range of home furnishings too. It has recently had a refurbishment meaning it has a second level now for kitchens and bathrooms. Pricing is also good and the stmosphere is much better than at B&Q's making ti easier to shop.

I absolutely love this DIY shop. the staff are amazing it used to be a bit drab but the new guy…read moreseems to have made Bill, Linda a lot happier. Even the old Manager Steve doesnt seem grumpy anymore. Its not the largest of the stores but it holds everything I need and i do like to get involved in DIY and my Garden... The plants are much better kept than B&Q and the other locals. I went to Walthamstow thats much bigger but still preferd leytonstone... much nicer people

Words cannot describe the joy that awaits you on the inside of the 98 pence store. They laugh in…read morethe overpriced face of Poundland and brazenly undercut competitors, the 99p shop just across the street, it doesn't pretend to be cheap, it is cheap, really cheap. Today I just bought some glue (98p) but tomorrow, it could be anything; light bulbs, sewing kits, underwear, colouring pencils, cooking pots, you name it, they've got it (for 98p). There's not really much else to say. The shop is clean, well laid out and the biggest bargain centre in Dalston, which is saying a lot. Rumour has it that somewhere in London there is a 97p store, but even if it does exist, in all honesty, I think that anything under 98p is probably just going to be poor quality.

Finally! A designer in the East end producing wonderful and collectable work at an affordable…read moreprice. I can't say enough good things about this store. From coasters to place mats to stunning cushions and mugs, she's single-handedly turned the ordinary home commodities into works of art. If you're looking to dress your table up for the perfect dinner party, or for some designer wrapping paper and cards cheaper than Paperchase, look no further. Check out the website too, beautifully designed and I guarantee will have you running down there as soon as you can.

Got a lovely salad for takeaway here- just wish it was a bit bigger and had more ingredients as I…read morewas still hungry after eating it for lunch today! I got the salad box with salt and pepper tofu Sunday afternoon and had it for lunch today, Monday. Anyway I liked tofu was perfectly baked and not too rubbery with the salt and pepper complementing the slightly hot sriracha mayo. Together with the greens and spring onions it was a light and lovely flavour combo.

This cafe, which has been open only a few weeks, is a lovely addition to the area. The menu is…read moreAsian inspired with noddles and lemongrass and ginger chicken and lots of other tasty looking delights. I stopped by for coffee and it was fabulous, made even better by the fact they accept card for a payment is low as £2. I also love how any of the plants you see in the shop, you are able to buy. I really can't recommend this place enough.. I felt instantly calm and soothed as soon as I stepped in. It's simply the perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday.

You're visiting the world when you visit this market! Communities from all over the world have…read morestalls and shops in the market, from Colombia to Iran; Ghana to Jamaica. I lived in Colombia for 6 months a few years ago and this is not just the closest I've been since I'd say I'm pretty much there when I have a set meal - almuerzo at the back of the market. It has a great family atmosphere and some interesting stalls. It is under immediate threat of demolition at the moment. To be replaced by chain stores and luxury flats. But a major campaign is underway. Check out this site for more information: wardscornercommunity.org.uk

The market is just amazing it has over 50 stalls but you could walk right past it. It is such one…read moreof those hidden London gems that you have to be in the know to find. The first time I went past Sven Sisters underground station I walk ed right past it. If fact I only found it walking in to a cafe only to find it had a door at the back into this hidden Latino world. There was music playing sunny tunes, with children dancing around, old people just chatting away in Spanish. The place seems more on eone gaint social club than a load of shops. Had a huge meal with fresh juice, followed by a Colombain strong coffee. Than just enjoyed the vibe. Often pop in when passing. Top tip go on saturday for a hair cut, a meal, stock up on books, dvds, music for learning the language. Or just pop into for a coffee or frozen juice on a stick. And if all this eating and drinking gets too much there is always the suit and corset maker to hide the sins.