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The much anticipated Westfield shopping centre has finally opened. After nearly a decade of planning and building I had high expectations of it, and to be fair they have been mainly met.

The design and architecture is striking and my first view of the inside was impressive. Inside there is pretty much everything you would need and all the main high street chains you would expect including Debenhams, Marks & Spencers, New Look, TopShop, H&M, Waitrose and more. You also have the high end shops like Gucci, Miu miu etc..

Plenty of eateries as well including Wagamamas, Yo Sushi, Pizza Express, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Fire & Stone and many more. The gym and cinema is yet to open which seems a little ridiculous to me since this has taken so long to plan.

My one major annoyance is navigating this behomoth of a shopping centre. While almost certainly deliberate, I found it really hard to find anything specific. The layout is designed to make you wander in and out of the maze of shops browsing stores you wouldn’t necessarily have intended to. If you’re on a mission to find something and want to get in and out quickly you’ll find it difficult.

Getting there is pretty easy. It’s serviced by both Shepherds Bush underground (central line) and overground (easily get to Clapham Junction). While I wouldn’t drive there myself, there is limited parking though I think it’s quite expensive.

Though this is just up the road from me, I’ve only visited it once. It totally lacks atmosphere and charm and usually has loud music pumping out but seems empty most of the time!

This might sound weird but the chairs in there are really uncomfy! However a saving grace is that it does seem to show most of the major football and rugby games and has a good number of big plasma TV screens. Drinks prices are pretty pricey. Won’t be rushing back!

EDIT: It seems no one else has been rushing back either, Bar Lumiere is no more, and the shop is up for rent!

Oliver Bonas is one of my favourite London discoveries. A unique gift shop it’s ever expanding with shops in Clapham, Battersea, Fulham, Shepherds Bush & many more including the new one in Westfield and this one in Balham.

The shop stocks a really nice variety of exclusive gifts, clothes, books, jewellery and home items. Prices range so you can get both a cheaper present for under £15-20 or if you want to splash out a bit more it includes things at the higher end. I do like the clothes range it stocks (mainly for women I think). I’ve bought some really pretty and unusual dresses and skirts plus you can sometimes pick up a bargain in the sale. The books are cool too, including quirky guides to London and other travel guides I haven’t seen anywhere else. The jewellery is really pretty too and I’m pleased when I’ve received gifts from there as well as enjoying choosing for friends. It also has a few beauty items by Korres which is a really indulgent yummy natural range but quote pricey.

The only annoying thing about the Balham store is that there are no fitting rooms to try clothes on. If you’re not bothered you can try them on, on the shop floor; otherwise the shop is happy to let you take them home to try and return them within the time limit for a full refund (provided tags are in place). If you’re like me this means you’re less likely to return impulsive buys but oh well, you’ll look pretty even if your wallet is a bit lighter!

This is one of those little shops that sells a random selection of gifts and knick knacks. Just off Balham High Rd it’s a great option if you’re disorganised like me and need to buy a last minute birthday present.

It stocks cards and a wide range of gifts like candles, bits of jewellery, diaries, notebooks, stationary, pictures etc.. It also has random bits like sunglasses and gadgety bits. It is a little bit on the expensive side but that’s the price you pay for convenience and not having to trek into town! Apparently it also does picture framing but I’ve not tried this out!

There is a string of Indian beauty salons along Tooting Broadway but this is by far the best. Most popular for eye brow threading, the savvy owner operates a ticket system for this service so you don’t have to book. Just go in grab a ticket and wait for your number to be called up. This ensures a high turnover of punters all the time! I’ve been having threading done for quite a while now as my Indian mum took me when I was younger. The beautcians use two pieces of thread twisted together to quickly pluck. The prices here are an absolute steal, £3 for eye brows compared to £15 London department stores have started charging. If you’re going for the first time make sure you’re clear about what shape you want so you don’t end up looking over plucked! The salon also offers hair cuts and waxing. Though I haven’t tried these customers always look happy from where I’ve been standing. Would definitely recommend it if you’re in the area.

On the surface this is a pretty rundown slightly grotty club but it still manages to retain its cool factor. One of the best things about it is the varied/cutting edge line up you can expect here. In the past year or two I’ve seen the mighty boosh here as well as a small classical music/break beat/electro night! Drinks are pretty pricey but no more expensive than you would expect in the centre of London. There are plenty of places around it to start the night or finish if you so wish. It’s quite a young studenty type of venue but you wouldn’t feel out of place if you’re the more mature visitor! The court yard is great in the summer and they occasionally have bbqs which is a nice touch.

This pub is just a short walk from where I work in Shepherds Bush and is great for a big pub lunch or afterwork drinks in the summer. Inside it really is a traditional old pub with low beamed ceilings and rich chintzy carpets. Outside there is a massive garden which is unusal for London and a major selling point of the pub. The food is consistently pretty good, not amazing but we keep going back (especially when it has its 2for1 offer on). You can get all the usuals like fish and chips, steaks, pie and mash, burgers and jacket potatoes. They also have a good specials list which normally includes quite a few vege options like goats cheese tart or something similar. I haven’t been in the late in the evening but I imagine the atmosphere is nice. I also like the fact that it looks tiny from the outside but stretched on forever when you get in there!

More of a gastro pub this is tucked away out of Brighton centre at the top of Kemp town. The inside is spacious and nciely decorated with plenty of seats and big squishy sofas. The outside bit is nice in the summer with the added benefit of heaters. Generally has a good atmosphere and the staff are friendly and pretty efficient. Food is available though I haven’t eaten there before. I like the fact it’s a bit out of the way as it means the people in there are usually regulars or have made a bit of an effort to get there. One of my favourite pubs in Brighton (though there are many!)

I absolutely love this place and miss it soo much since I’ve moved away from Brighton. A family run mediteranean deli it did the best ciabattas and mixed salads. My favourite ciabatta was goats cheese and roasted peppers and it was brimming over with filling and was fresh and tasty. The pick and mix salad boces were really good too. Quite pricey but for a fiver you could pack it full with your choice of 3 or 4 salads (great for picknicking on the beach!) The big slabs of chocolate brownie were pretty darn good too! Top marks from me, I would highly recommend it!

This is one of my favourite clubs in Brighton and I never fail to have a good night here! Most of the nights tend to be break beats, house with some good names if you’re into your music as well as some more mainstream acts. It used to be quite pricey to get in on a big night, up to £10 but get there early and it will be cheaper. It’s recently started a free on Saturday night policy which is amazing but means it gets busy quickly. The thing I really like about it is if you get a bit bored or tired you can go upstairs for a change of scene and a sit down. It also has quite a large outside area which is brill in the summer. There are two bars downstairs and one big one upstairs so it’s usually easy to get served. The key to this place though is the quality of nights and music it offers.