Sew What

On the 21-22 of May, if you happen to be in the Midlands, head on down to Sew What to see the final collections of some of the most promising fashion design students in the world. Nottingham Trent University has long been building up its reputation as a mecca for great talent and this show will allow you to see them all in one place before they make their first forays into the big wide world. Tickets are £7 for a day show and £14 for the evening. Put on some silly shoes, go and pretend you're famous and rub shoulders with what could very well be the Next Big Thing.

Kathleen and Lily's

Shopping in any city is pretty much the same, right? You have your big Topshop, your small Topshop, a selection of other high street chains and a pound shop or two. You can buy one of a million look-a-like outfits that you know at least 40 other people are going to be wearing that night. Independent shops are few and far between and often stock little more than a few garishly printed t-shirts and rainbow jumpers. So coming across Kathleen and Lily's in Nottingham was like finding a swag bag of pirate treasure, only set out nicely in a shop and without the pressing legal issues. The amazing women who work there take old clothes and give them a new lease of life. My chic, high-waisted red shorts used to be a pair of 'orrible trousers, for example. They do alterations, they sell jewellery (check out the pony necklaces) and they do a fine line in vintage china, handbags and scarves. Whenever I'm in the Midlands I make sure to pop in and have a look. It's such a brilliant place, it makes regular shopping about as appealing as rolling in poo.