Brighton-Belle

I returned to Brighton today for the first time in ten years. I can't believe I don't go more often! It's a great place for shopping, sunbathing and socialising and you can tell from walking around The Lanes that it is a vibrant place full of eclectic people. I wish I had taken my camera and I could have conducted a bit research for trend-setters.

Parking, admittedly, was a total nightmare and unless you succumb to stumping up £4 an hour(!!) then you'll have a tough job negotiating the maze of streets for a more reasonable alternative. Having offloaded quite a way out of town, I enjoyed quite a brisk walk to the centre which was made more enjoyable by the blazing sun. Having pulled out of the closet my straw hat and perfectly matching straw bag, I felt extremely summery and, for a moment, forgot I was only half an hour from home and not in fact a plane journey away!

Whilst the shopping centre hosts the same familiar brands, it seems the case that many of the stores, where possible, stock a wider variety of lines. Having spent almost an hour in one shop and another half an hour deciding which androgynous-styled shoes I fancied from Aldo, it was lovely to walk through the winding streets bordered with alfresco-dining and quirky shops.

I had heard the rumours about a particularly special chocolate shop and had to restrain myself from entering 'Choccywoccydoodah' which had the most lavish window display that was certainly enticing! See their websiite: http://www.choccywoccydoodah.com/#intro

Another shop which made my mouth water was Fizziwigg's which was situated in the heart of The Lanes (27 Meeting House Lane) and is far more up my street as a candy girl. The mention of cola-bottles and flying saucers plus the animated visual merchandising reminded me of Chessington World of Adventure's Professor Bubbleworks ride.

I definitely want to go back with my friends; it's the perfect place to chill-out and with the sunny weather we've been lucky to have recently, it really does feel like you have escaped away on holiday (although the pebbly beach and sore bum does remind you of the reality!)