Yes, I'm a little bit odd and like owning stuff nobody else has, and usually this means either…read moremaking it myself, having it made by somebody else, or finding really old stuff that doesn't get made anymore. As far as the latter goes, it seems this is a catching on trend, and is known as 'vintage'. Everyone wants something vintage. Which makes me want it less. However, 69A manages to keep me grounded. It's just off-the-cuff enough to stay out of mainstream, and has a feeling that you've clambered into the boot of a Lada at a car boot sale (those not as old fashioned as me may want to google Lada cars...) It is packed with goodies from all eras, and has enough variety to keep you sifting through for a whole afternoon, should the feeling take you. Hopefully not about to be hijacked by the kids who view it as a fad, 69A has been around long enough to hold its own in the vintage stakes and outlast the craze. And then I can go back to liking vintage again.

I always come here for a browse, just because I'm never really sure what I'm going to find!…read more Dust-covered hardback poetry and prose share shelving happily with Dance and Acid House records and 18th century chinese dynasty clocks share cabinet space with tatty looking curios. It is all seemingly a jumbled explosion of antiques with an Art Deco style figure, worth £450 rubbing shoulders with a disused chimney pot. However, clearly although there are second hand clothes, earrings, ties galore, records and brooches, knick-knacks and badges there are also some pretty good buys if you fancy yourself as a bit of a collector (or at least have seen enough episodes of Antiques Roadshow to think you can spot a bargain). Mainly you need to look up to see these, the expensive stuff tends to be locked away or like the vases which line the walls, a little out of reach. In the glass cases at the front I noticed 69A has a great selection of pottery from Poole's to a really cool 1960s Wedgewood blown glass art vase. The wierdest thing that sticks out in my mind which I've seen in one of the back cabinets is an unused pair of 1965 pajamas Age 2-3 still in its cellophane. Odd. So come here if you want an interesting and strange trip back in time!

Decades after she opened S.E.X. with Malcolm McClaren, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood is still…read morecreating truly jaw-dropping clothes. Housed in the Cavern Walks development on Matthew Street, her Liverpool boutique features a fantastic mix of women and menswear, footwear, jewellery and accessories. The store is well laid out, the changing rooms are well lit and the staff are pure eye-candy. Right now, they currently have a summer sale on too, meaning the usually extravagent clothes are that little bit more affordable. I particularly liked the slinky pink Fortune and Etoile corset dresses but it's the black and white bondage blouse with bows that I can't stop thinking about. Clearly, Westwood is still in touch with the spirit and ethos of punk.

Once a working police station with a Detective Office and row of cells, Bridewell Studios is now…read moreowned and run by a collective of local painters, sculptors, jewellery designers, textile printers, fashion designers, musicians and artists. A distinctive, red brick building opposite Royal Liverpool University Hospital, the Bridewell is freezing in the winter and clearly in obvious states of disrepair in places. It still retains a bohemian charm however, and is one of the few places in the city that artists can afford to rent. Previous tenants have included artist Amish Kapoor, writer Adrien Henri and singer David Gray and the collective occasionally hold open days, workshops and exhibitions. Keep an eye out for flyers...

A group of artists formed Art Space Merseyside in 1981 as a non profit company. Its been home to…read morehundreds of artists some of whom have become very successful. There are currently 36 artisits and 7 artistic directors. A few years ago they got funding to open a gallery and exhibition space. English Heritage has since awarded the Bridewell Studios Grade II listed status which will severely restrict what they do with the building in the future. There will be more workshops announced with artists working with local community groups. Art forms include "ceramics, painting, stone/wood sculpture, jewellery, stained glass, textiles, printmaking, pottery, metal and multimedia".

This is a lovely charity shop, that not only has some great items, even some new ones too but the…read morestaff are very friendly and helpful. If you donate goods they often want you to sign up to giftaid which enables them to claim the tax on the goods and as they say, every little helps!

This is in the India Building, hidden away but a good find once you have found it. I found some…read morelovely gift bags that I think would even beat the gorgeous ones that my siblings gives me when it comes around to my birthday and christmas. You can tell that the people who own this shop have really bothered with it and have bought in good quality stuff. Hoooray!

I am a bit of a connoisseur of fancy dress, but tend to steer away from fancy dress shops,…read morepreferring to make my costumes myself. Obviously, not everyone can be bothered to do the same, and dressing up is one of those British traditions that seems particularly prevalent in Liverpool - on any given weekend you can find girls in tutus and guys in capes. Most of the time it's either university- or stag/hen do-related, although some girls honestly think going out in a tutu or corset is fashionable... Smiffy's is ideal for last minute dressing up needs, or, in my case, if doing a stage show and you realise the costume department is somewhat lacking. However, I find it quite pricey for the mass-produced stuff it offers. Ok, the prices vary, and maybe I'm fussy because I'm more of a DIY person, but still. Especially specialist stuff, like Snazaroo makeup, but then I guess you pay special prices for special stuff. I don't mean to be negative, because this really is a good shop and they have a huge variety of products. A definite life saver if in dire need of fancy dress.

When you walk down Bold Street, it is often hard not to notice the red shop that is Smiffy's. It…read morecertainly does stand out and thats what it needs to do for all those planning a fun night out. In the display window, there is usually the 'pick of their bunch' costumes that tend to be humerous and eccentric which is what most fancy dresses are supposed to be like! Inside the store, they have further seductive and contoversial costumes, other odd items and joke products. Smiffy's is a popular place with students as one would expect and I can remember a big queue on Halloween day last year. This would be the primary source to lend that ideal costume but be prepared to pay an often pricey cost.

An awesome place to shop and dine in the Liverpool area. Located near the Royal Albert Dock, this…read moreshopping center boasts a number of eateries and stores for you to get those steps in as you enJOY your day. The holiday decorations that are out right now are beautiful at night! I've been here at least 3x now but still haven't seen everything! Great deals are to be found pretty much anywhere you go out here. I'm a sucker for deals, so I have to pace myself, lol. The people are nice and so are the employees in the stores. Lots of photo opps for the IG fanatic. Check out Liverpool One and see what it has in store for YOU!

I was ecstatic when I discovered this outdoor shopping center in Liverpool, UK. Tbh, there is not…read moremuch to do in Liverpool unless you enjoy watching football or are a resident here. This shopping mall is HUGE and has many floors that are accessible via stairs or escalator. Seems like a great place to come for your every day needs and even for special occasion wants. They have luxury brand stores & more casual clothing stores. Lots of different coffee shops here, as well, lovely for a pick me up while doing some shopping! By the Starbucks, there are stairs with each step covered with turf that made for a pleasant area to sit and rest before getting up to shop again or just walk around.

This store has improved a lot since my last visit to Superdrug @ Liverpool One in 2016, the awful…read moresmell has gone which is the first thing I noticed and was relieved when I entered the store, I presume they must have had a ventage/ fan problem which has been fixed. The store seemed nice inside, the product range was OK but I did find the selection of certain items, mainly male items such as the Bulldog Skincare range to be non-existent, the same could be said for gift-sets, which seemed non-existent again, both of which Boots nearby had an ample selection of. The store does have a Pharmacy which is useful, it is one of the few pharmacies within Liverpool One. 3* - Average store, selection could be much better and there is better nearby, but one of the better choices in the main part of Liverpool One.

A great shop for all your health products, skin care and make-up. Many gift ideas with Christmas…read morecoming including soaps and fragrances, bath gel and aftershave, all packaged attractively. Lots of special offers (three for the price of two) and some things actually half price at the time of writing. Also good for snacks and soft drinks. The members of staff I encountered were very helpful.