Ahh, oui, oui mon petit pois!…read more Little Paris makes me want to spout Del Boy French purely to combat the pretentiousness of the store. It's a little twee shop in Crouch End, perfectly lovely and overpriced tat for the residents of the area. You know - candles, cushions, scarves, incense and, at the back, "antiques" or, as I prefer calling it, junk! No, I'm being harsh - there are some cool posters and when I was last in they had a brilliant old map of the world and an old-fashioned radio (not in working condition). The prices of the items, however, leave a lot to be desired, but perhaps those that choose to shop here have more money than sense. I'm pretty sure that's the case, anyway. Mange tout!

Little Paris has an interesting assortment of French (and non-French) antiques. I would say…read moresomething about the general theme, but I would just embarrass myself as I do not know the right terminology. Lots of interesting metal lockers, cubbies, school chairs, etc. Much of it is expensive, but we have found some very nice items here. We have also had very good interactions with the owner.

I have an inexplicable soft spot for this store. I find the stuff here to be not great quality, and…read moreless hip than your grandma's closet. Yet, there is something endearing about Chris and Nicki. This shop is completely behind the times, sells no labels, just clothing that looks sort of religious and cheap handbags. This store has also a small children's section. I am rooting for this shop because it is so blissfully unware of any sort of hipness. It is refreshing. I like the cheese factor. I don't know if this store will last longer than the current generation shopping in it (probably older folks). It makes me feel soft though, reminds me of Grandma in Brooklyn on 86th street.

When I'm not on hen do's or day release, I'm shopping .... Fact. !…read more Some people say that crouch end is just a poor mans billericay, but I have to disagree. Yea sure there's your odd group of fat girls wearing wrank jean shorts with nobbley knees and weighty legs, accompanied by a almost compulsory, hench black boyfriends. But on the whole it's a classy area. In the heart of crouch end you will find this beautiful vantage and second hand store. So all my friends keep asking me, just how do I get so many men (multiples at once at times) . They often say things like "Kerry. B how did you bang that hunk" or "Kez is your muff made of magic because you are well and truly batting above your weight there". Well the painted black is my secret weapon, if there is one thing men like more then a cheap date and a quick drunk it's a moderately over weight middle aged woman wearing vintage clothing. Yours in mind, body, and spirt. Kerri B

Little shop with lots of interesting things to take home: from dresses to old cameras, vintage…read morebuttons or sunglasses! If you like vintage shops, this one is a must in you shopping route.

The Designer Warehouse is one of my favourite London discoveries…read more Not far from my home, and just off Seven Sisters road is a monthly sale for designer clothes - having heard from it from a colleague, I didn't really know what to expect. It was great and would definitely recommend giving it a visit. When getting to the warehouse, you have to leave your bag and coat (including your phone) in a cloakroom, and may a small fee of £3 (or 2?) to be able to get in. The sale is over 2 floors, and organised by designers - some are really well known, some are smaller names I've never heard of. It's not a posh environment, it's just rows and rows of clothes on hangers - and you have to take the time to go through them to find the gems, and also your size. There aren't any changing rooms, but there is an area where you can go and try them on at the back of the venue - it's closed off to men, but you do have to accept getting changed in front of other women. I am myself a massive fan of Vivienne Westood, and this was also the opportunity for me to try on a few pieces of her clothes - and yes, I did cave in and buy a top (1/3 of the original price) and a scarf. Good to know: they separate their sales between womanswear and menswear - their schedule is updated on their website.

From the owner: Named "The Best Designer Discount" outlet in London by the Independent on Sunday, by Time Out as…read more"one of the Ten Best Reasons for living in London", and by Elle "a Top Twenty favourite shopping spot", the Designer Warehouse Sales have established themselves as one of the foremost destination venues for fashion lovers. With more award winning designer labels housed under one roof than at any other outlet in the country - including high style retailers Selfridges and Harvey Nichols - DWS provide fashion lovers with the best of designerwear at the lowest of possible prices. Held over three packed days, twelvetimes a year, these Sales offer customers catwalk one-offs, showroom samples and cancelled orders from the pick of the current seasons collections. Expect reductions of 60% or more on the rails of clothes packed into spacious studios in London, outside the Congestion Zone.

This is a charity shop right across the Archway station. It is open between 10 and 5pm…read more The shop carries a variety of goods: clothes take up the largest part, but there is also a good amount of tableware, books, and then a mixture of a little bit of everything - for example, every once in a while I see various electronic kitchen aids, or bigger cookware, etc. This is not one of those charity shops to go looking for a tucked away designer or vintage exclusive find. The clothes come mostly from regular high street brands. But accordingly, the prices are super cheap and most of the clothes displayed are still in good shape, so it can be a good place for updating your wardrobe without hurting your wallet. But what this place definitely rules at is the selection of tableware - mugs, wine glasses, cups, plates - if you are a broke student after a move or have broken some of your tableware at home, this is the place to find it for cheap. The staff is very nice and helpful, and cards are accepted. Also, if you have unwanted items (not just clothes - literally just about anything: I have seen a wet-suit, luggage, or a buggy being sold in this shop), donations are accepted all year round.

Gorgeous, little toy shop with heaps of little toys for babies, toddlers, and olde4 children, as…read morewell as a vast selection of doll house furniture, accessories, wallpapers, rugs, and dolls of all kinds. There's so much to see here! It's a magical atmosphere, but there's not a lot of space in this crammed shop, so don't come with a large group all at once. If you're looking for specialty doll house items, you're sure to find them here!

Kristin Baybars of Gospel Oak (near Highgate/Hampstead/Tufnell Park) is the best little store few…read morehave ever heard of. This is a store of miniatures made by 80 year Kristin. This store is literally a revelation. You will find everything you could imagine in miniature size. There is also a fine selection of places to stick your miniatures, kind of like diorama settings. Kristin's is a place where you will be amazed. Please check this place out..it deserves it.

Great shop, full of stylish and refined accessories. Very well curated selection: English Cologne,…read moreScandinavian bags, Italians scarfs, etc. Students get 10% off!

Leila is very Arsenic and Old Lace. Beautiful vintage inspired clothing, and accessories. There are…read moretwo parts to this store Leila London and Leila Home next door to each other. Leila London has great clothes, and jewellery, but also things like hat boxes (are these in fashion now?) candles, picture frames, and cosmetic cases all very dainty and girlie. Basically your boyfriend is not going to like being dragged in here, and will probably only suffer it for three minutes before he's bored out of his mind. Every Monday morning there is a 10% discount and if I wasn't working tomorrow I would be there. Leila Home is the same style and feel of Leila London except that it's stuff for your home, as well as children's clothing. Now that I am an aunt I notice these things. The have thins like French made dusters, to make cleaning a little more glamorous, or coasters, and jewellery boxes. This is a great place to come for gifts, because it is things you would want yourself.

While some people find buying second-hand clothes appalling, I'm a big fan of this genre! And this…read moreparticular store here has served me quite well in the past few months: every time I'm in Crouch End, I pop in here and believe me when I say that I've almost always found something fabulous for my wardrobe: amongst others, there was a Hugo Boss cashmere coat for mere £35; a dress shirts from Pink for only £9 and an Agnes B. sweater for only £3! My verdict: there are many, many charity stores in London, but this one in particular is well-stocked and very well-managed.

Amazing shop! Found so many great things and brands in there. Would recommend taking a lookread more