There’s a street market here that dates back to 1778, and currently sells mainly fruit and vegetables at down-to-earth prices. Other stalls sell gourmet cakes and bread, cheese, fresh fish and household goods, with opening hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. You might even want to try your hand at haggling with the stallholders if you aren’t shy.

Fashionistas can visit the Bang Bang Clothing Exchange at number 9 to trawl through the hand picked selection of vintage, designer and high street pieces. It’s well worth putting up with the trendier-than-thou shop assistants for the chance of picking up a special garment or two.

Berwick Street’s also famous for its record exchanges and shops. Collectors can while away many a happy hour browsing through vinyl, CDs and memorabilia at places like Sister Ray http://www.sisterray.co.uk/ at number 34-35 and Vinyl Junkies http://www.vinyl-junkies.com at number 94.

Craft fans and anyone who can handle a sewing machine will find plenty to inspire them in the many small fabric and accessories emporiums that run alongside the market. Shop around to find the best prices, and pop into The Berwick Street Cloth Shop at number 14, Borovick Fabrics at number 16, or Cloth House at number 47.

The street’s lined with cafes and shops too. Grab a serious caffeine fix in the tiny Flat White coffee bar at number 17, or try the much loved veggie Beatroot Cafe at number 92 for a healthy hot snack or salad.

Berwick Street, W1, London. The nearest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus.

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on lastminute.com.

On the whole this site gives you the benefit of what’s known as ‘the wisdom of crowds’, so if you’re after anything factual then more often or not it’s pretty accurate. However, the greatest strength is as follows:  most of the site users turn out to be impressively sage and savvy when it comes to the areas of life that need more complex answers, and I found that the opinions expressed in the Friendship, Relationships, Parenting, Family, Seniors and Work chapters were easily the best part of the book. These people aren’t afraid to lay it on the line!

The website grants its users anonymity, meaning that many of the questions posed in the book have been asked by people who would otherwise be too afraid or embarrassed to ask. That’s probably why the answers in the sections mentioned above are so useful – these are questions many of us would otherwise keep to ourselves for fear of upsetting our nearest and dearest, or making ourselves vulnerable and looking foolish.

In a couple of the chapters, especially beauty and health, while the majority of the entries were good, I did notice that some ‘conventional wisdom’ had crept in. There were a few places where the reader would have been better advised to see their GP or a dermatologist if they wanted the only proven/effective remedy. Also, some of the home remedies would have wreaked havoc on anyone with sensitive skin – and a lot of us have sensitive skin. Fortunately these only make up a very small part of the book.

The cover art is pretty, retro-styled and deliberately feminine, so girly-girls would probably appreciate this the most as a gift. The paper’s better quality than you’d expect to find in many books of this genre, and the tiny silky bookmark is a nice touch. I was slightly surprised to see a prominent quote from The Daily Mail on the front cover though – this may put some potential buyers off as it is not a universally loved publication. That would be unfortunate as the book is not something I would describe as politically charged.

It’s especially nice to see that every contributor has been namechecked, with page numbers, at the back of the book. I would have really liked the book to contain a subject index as well, as this would save time when going back to the book to look for specific useful quotes – perhaps the publishers could add that to the next edition.

To sum up: A pretty, girly book full of useful tips and ideas. Most of these could save you a fair bit of time, money or heartache.

COMPETITION: Win a copy of Top Tips For Life! This is especially for my lovely friends on Facebook. If you’d like to become one, simply send Penny Golightly a friend request on www.facebook.com today or tomorrow, and the prize draw competition will be announced in the morning on Wednesday 10th of March.

I was interested to see what the £10 spa deals from lastminute.com were like, as my previous spa-hopping experience has shown me that the price you pay often has no relation to the standard of service you receive. So I bought vouchers for myself and a friend next time the offer came up, and we booked in to use a spa in Sutton.

The deal included use of the spa facilities and a choice of short treatments, including a mini facial, a back massage, a manicure or a mini pedicure. My top tip for a day like this would be to book your treatments for the late afternoon when you call the spa – the last thing you want to do is soak off the massage oil, nail polish or expensive moisturiser and eye cream by getting into the pool or jacuzzi afterwards, or sweat it off in the gym or steam room.

The spa and gym turned out to be part of a large hotel chain, and when we arrived the place looked fairly generic and anonymous. Having said that, the spa itself was excellent once we’d found it: clean and fresh with friendly and polite staff. The gym was on the small side but had everything you could want if you were hoping to burn off a few extra calories with some aerobic activity, so we got stuck in to the exercise for a couple of hours. The indoor pool was attractive and we enjoyed a swim, a soak in the hot tub and some poolside lounging around. So far so good, but the real revelation was meeting the therapists after lunch – both of them turned out to be well trained and skilled people who used quality beauty products including Dermalogica and Essie.

My friend opted for the back-of-body massage and said it was one of the best they’ve had in years, high praise indeed. The pair of us floated off home feeling fabulous, and agreed that we’d both go again at the drop of a fluffy towel.

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

Here’s how it’s getting on:

First, here’s the pea shoots about 13 days after I cut the first set off (delicious, by the way). I had to throw out a couple of peas that’d gone bad, but nearly all the remaining peas have sent up a new shoot.  Some sprout from the cut stems, others grow out of the pea itself. They should be ready to cut again before the weekend, and I hope they taste as good as the last lot. Read somewhere that you can get up to three crops out of one set of peas…

Next up, the cress. No need to mess about with cotton wool, just pop a folded-over bit of kitchen paper in a novelty eggcup, sprinkle with water and seeds and away you go. The double egg cup means you can have one lot ready and another lot sprouting at the same time.

And you can’t have cress without a bit of mustard… The seed collection I bought last month had mustard greens seeds in it – I’m sprouting a few here that seem to be enjoying the party. Will thin a few out to eat with the cress in a salad, and maybe keep some of the others to grow to full size outdoors in a pot. They make gorgeous curry.

My parsley has gone mad. It’s what I’d call ‘leggy’, which is fine for a ballet dancer but not a good thing for a plant, and it probably needs some more light and nutrients. The orange bobbles are granules of slow release plant food I found in the shed. At some point very soon I will have to write about how it went from being The Shed Of Doom to The Shed That Keeps On Giving, but not today.

The chilli seeds sprouted, and I kept the biggest, toughest looking one to grow on. It’s just thinking about stretching out its first pair of true leaves. Thinking about it, not quite doing it.

The spicy baby salad leaves are still doing the square root of eff all, so I’ll give them a dose of plant food tomorrow and hope for the best. Meanwhile, the mint and the purple basil are finally making an effort. That effort is so tiny you might miss it, but credit where credit’s due and all that…

That’s it from the windowsill this week. Next week there might be some new varieties growing away on there – I’ve found a couple of packets of bargain seeds on eBay and it’s time to break out the spare propagator. 

What have you been growing?

Clothes swapping is becoming increasingly popular as a way to get some new-to-you items without the usual outlay of buying extra things. It can be very cost effective indeed if the entry fees are reasonably low and you find lots of stock that you’d like to take home with you. Dropping off clothes and accessories you no longer use frees up space in your home, clears clutter, and hopefully keeps garments out of landfill sites, so it’s potentially neater and greener too. Another plus point is that these occasions can be used as charity fundraisers, with entry fees going to good causes or unclaimed items being given to charity shops afterwards.

Rule 1: Know what you’re getting into
Find out as much as you can about the event in advance. How much does it cost to attend, how much or how little can you swap, what sort of stock are they likely to have, and so on. You should also find out about HOW the swapping is arranged: at some events you have one item with you and exchange it directly with a fellow swapper as a mutual agreement; at others an attendant rates the goods you bring and gives you a credit note to go ‘shopping’ with; and there are also events where you bring an exact number of items and select an exact number in return.

Rule 2: Ask a friend
Ideally, speak to someone who has been to one of these particular events before, or attend the event with them. They’ll be able to tell you what it’s really like and what’s good and bad about it, so you know what to look out for. They’re often very sociable gatherings, so if you go with a friend you can sometimes relax beforehand or afterwards with nibbles, sponsored drinks, samples or even live music.

Rule 3: Don’t go over the top
If you don’t know much about the event, take the minimum amount/value to swap. Test the water carefully and don’t take everything you own – you might not like anything you see when you get there and while there may be green credentials or the chance to help with charity fundraising, you won’t want to come out of it empty handed or feeling ripped off.

Rule 4: Nothing you’ll miss
Many organisers say you should bring items that you haven’t worn in a while and that you’re unlikely to use again. I’d just add this: don’t take anything you still have even a slight fondness for. If you’re still attached to an item and don’t want to keep it stored away, consider altering it, dyeing it, or selling it instead.

Rule 5: Clean and tidy
There is a trust system in operation so treat others as well as you’d wish to be treated yourself. Get your clothes into good condition before you set off – make sure they’re nice and clean, and that they don’t smell of cigarette smoke or kitchen grease. Remember to bring hangers if you’ve been asked to provide them too.

Rule 6: Get in first
Arrive early and hand things over in plenty of time. This makes it easier for the organisers, and it also gives you the chance to chat to staff or volunteers to find out more about the layout of the room, or whether they have any particular stock you should be making a beeline for. Have a nosey around if the rules allow. If it’s a free-for-all event where everyone’s let in at the same time and you have to grab things quickly, make sure you’re at the front of the queue.

Rule 7: Play nice
Be polite and friendly to the staff and to the other customers. The staff are far more likely to help you find what you want, for starters! Pushing, shoving and tugs-of-war are very much frowned upon, and make it harder for everyone to get around the event properly. Besides, there might be friends, friends-of-friends and other acquaintances there so, seriously, don’t act like a bitch.

Rule 8: Play fair
At many of these clothes swapping events, it’s quite likely that you and another person might grab or want the same garment at the same time. Settle these disputes fairly – many organisers will do this for you by flipping a coin or pulling names out of a hat. Be gracious and abide by their decision. If you want to take home more than you’ve brought in with you then check the rules, as you may be able to pay the extra for them at some swapping and swishing parties.

Have you been to a swapping or swishing event yet? Do you have any tips for first-timers?

Things are improving in the UK as growers extend growing seasons with polytunnels, coldframes and greenhouses, and try out new varieties of plants. Keep an eye out for any of the fresh homegrown foods you can get hold of, including:

Fruit: early/forced rhubarb, apples and pears from store.

Vegetables: asian greens, cabbage (green), chicory, endive, kale, leeks, nettle tops, parsley, parsnips, purple sprouting broccoli, sea kale, sorrel, spring greens, spring onions, swedes, wild garlic, winter varieties of lettuce.

Fish and shellfish: bass, brown crab, clams, cockles, pollack, young mackerel, mussels, rock oysters, sardines, scallops, sea trout, wild salmon.

Meat, poultry and game: not the top season for any meats in particular.

Cheeses: Cotherstone, Stilton. Comté, Roquefort.

I think I’ll be cooking up some bashed neeps (swedes) and wilted curly kale to serve with burgers or sausages, some noodle soup with Asian greens and shellfish, and some sprouting broccoli baked with eggs and garlic.

What are you going to cook? Do you have any favourite recipes?

In quick summary, it’s the grow-your-own-food book I really hoped that somebody would write because it’s exactly what I wanted to buy. It has the advantage of being written by a foodie and professional cook, so it starts with delicious fruit and veg you’d want to eat rather than just basic stuff you can grow.

It’s a very impressive book, and is so beautifully laid out and illustrated that I’d have to describe it as ‘allotment porn’. First and foremost, you don’t actually need to have an allotment to get the most out of New Urban Farmer – it’s fine if you have a small garden, a raised bed, or containers such as pots or window boxes. Best of all, if you’re new to food gardening or coming back to it after a break, it gives you a comprehensive overview of what’s possible in a smallish space and tell you the basics of what you need to do to get started and keep going. The most important points of pest and disease control are covered, as are green issues.

The chapters run month by month, and there’s a handy table in each chapter to tell you what to plant indoors, what to plant outdoors, what you can plant in containers, and what to pick for eating. Next to each what-to-pick there’s also a page reference for growing tips or recipes. The recipes really make the book, and are all innovative and either vegetarian or vegan. Every chapter gives you a list of the most important jobs to do around the garden that month too.

The writing style is conversational and largely practical, and the author communicates her enthusiasm very effectively. At the end of the book there’s a helpful list of recommended suppliers (I’ve used many of them in the past and have to agree), and another list of further reading. If I was being picky, I’d say that one minor fault in the book is a lack of mention of specific plant varieties, so you get generic ‘beetroot’ without mention of, say, the ‘Boltardy’ variety that new gardeners might find easy to grow. However, that is a minor gripe and there’s a limit to how much information you can put into a book of this nature without making it overlong.

To conclude, New Urban Farmer is an extremely attractive book aimed at new or returning food gardeners. It’s inspiring and engaging, and would make a lovely gift or you could just buy a copy as a treat for yourself.

New Urban Farmer by Celia Brooks Brown, published by Quadrille on 5th March 2010, with an RRP of £14.99

The clothing will include heavily-reduced excess stock from current and past seasons, and a few one-off sample designs. You can expect discounts of up to 90% off the recommended retail prices, with pieces starting from as little as £5. The labels confirmed so far include Moschino, DKNY, Cavalli, Belstaff, Dolce and Gabbana, Bolangaro Trevor and Yohji Yamamoto, so there’s something for everyone there, from couture to quirky designs and streetwear.

If you’ve never been to a sample sale before, get down there early before someone else grabs the best bargains, don’t bring along bulky coats or big bags if you can help it, and take some cash if you want to avoid credit card charges. Oh, and the changing rooms are makeshift and communal, so make sure there are no holes in those boxer shorts, gents!

This menswear sale is being held at Shop 14, F Block, The Old Truman Brewery, 15 Hanbury Street, London, E1 6QR, and the nearest tube and rail stations are Aldgate East, Shoreditch, and Liverpool Street. Admission costs £1. Open to the public: Friday 5th March, 12 noon – 8pm; Saturday 6th March, 12 noon – 7pm; and Sunday 7th March, 12.00 – 6pm. 

The Secret sample Sale will also be holding a combined sale of womenswear and menswear in the second week of April, so check back with their website next month to find out more about the times, labels and location.

For more information, visit www.secretsamplesale.co.uk or telephone: 020 7247 3959.

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

When I want to eat beautiful food in sophisticated surroundings, but the finances don’t quite stretch to a fancy lunch or dinner, I head for a deluxe tearoom. The Wolseley cafe-restaurant on Piccadilly is a particular favourite of mine and is ideal for meeting friends, treating relatives, spotting celebrities or impressing a date.

The building was originally designed as a luxury car showroom in the 1920s, and has been beautifully converted into a European-style grand cafe with most of the original Art Deco features still intact, including the marble floors, huge windows and high ceilings. It’s light years away from your local greasy spoon, and serves breakfasts, lunches, and evening meals as well as gorgeous afternoon teas.

The place is very popular, so it’s advisable to book ahead unless you don’t mind waiting for a while in the busy bar by the door. The staff are efficient and friendly rather than stuffy, and they will seat you as soon as they can.

The menu covers bistro fare, Eastern European comfort foods, seafood, and, best of all, high teas and Viennoiserie. Given the quality and ambience it’s reasonably priced. On my last visit the waiter allowed me to split one afternoon tea between two people, which meant that we had a plate of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, a choice of teas, and a small selection of pastries to share. It was more than enough for both of us, and our taste of the good life came in at below £10 per person. Worth every penny.

Tea at the Wolseley is held daily 3.30pm – 6.30pm, apart from Saturdays (3.30pm – 5.30pm).

The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB. Telephone: 020 7499 6996

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

So, without further ado, here’s what’s best (and mostly local) in February. I’ll be picking up my wicker shopping basket and wandering out to purchase some of the following…

Fruit: apples from store, early forced rhubarb.

Vegetables: Asian greens, cabbage (white and green), celeriac, chicory, endive, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, leeks, parsnips, salsify and scorzonera, spring onions, the last sprouts and sprout tops, swedes, turnips.

Fish and shellfish: brown crab, clams, cockles, cod, dab, hake, halibut, lemon sole and other flat fish (plaice, sole), mackerel, mussels, rock oyster, scallops, wild salmon.

Meat, poultry and game:  hare.

Cheeses: Blue Cheshire, Cotherstone, Farmhouse Cheddar, Stilton, Blue Wensleydale. Bleu des Causses, Brie de Meaux, Tomme Arlesienne.

This week’s menu at Bistro Golightly will probably include chilli crab cakes with stir-fried greens, a leek and blue cheese bake, and some kind of casserole with kale on the side.

What are you going to cook?