Shopping

Bookshops | Fashion boutiques | Department stores | Erotica and Lingerie Gifts | Health & beauty | High street | Interiors | Jewellery | Menswear | Shoes Specialist | Sports & Technology | Vintage fashion | Shopping Awards 2008

Playlounge
A toy shop for (geeky) grown-ups – the gallery-like space is great for a browse and the staff are knowledgeable on a wide range of toys, even the latest obscure Japanese animation.
Best buy One-metre-high ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ character £212.
19 Beak St, W1 (020 7287 7073/www.playlounge.co.uk) Piccadilly Circus tube.

Southbank Centre Shop
It’s worth pitching up to any Southbank performance half an hour early so that you can browse through this captivating design shop adjacent to the Royal Festival Hall, selling cards, books, jewellery and household wares.
Best buy Royal Festival Hall net and ball carpet design mug £8.95.
Festival Terrace, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (020 7921 0771) Waterloo tube.

Couverture Gifts
Look no further if you’re in search of a unique gift for a child or mum. Covetable one-offs are what Couverture does so well, whether you’re drawn to bold hand-woven cushions emblazoned with fruit (£89) or French musical jewellery-boxes (£15). A hand-picked selection of vintage collectibles, from furniture to jewellery to toys, will also charm.
Best buy Swedish goose-down duvet socks £49.
188 Kensington Park Rd, W11 (020 7229 2178/www.couverture. co.uk) Notting Hill Gate tube.

Bookshops | Fashion boutiques | Department stores | Erotica and Lingerie Gifts | Health & beauty | High street | Interiors | Jewellery | Menswear | Shoes Specialist | Sports & Technology | Vintage fashion | Shopping Awards 2008
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