Westfield

Click the heading for more photos of Westfield
The Westfield Shopping Centre that opened last year at Shepherd's Bush is stunning. The largest urban shopping mall in Europe, it covers 43 acres and has 265 shops and 40 places to eat plus two supermarkets, a gym, a spa, a library and a 14 screen cinema (opening in March) plus 4500 parking spaces.

It's beautifully designed and feels light and airy and is very easy to get about. It also has lots of comfortable seating and of course is covered with wi-fi. Favourite shops include Desiguel, Amanda Wakeley, Apple, Donna Ira, Joseph, Links and M&S. Owing to the recession, amazing discounts are available. Donna Ira's superb selection of jeans were 75% off and an Amada Wakeley jacket was reduced by a similar amount, while a pair of Joseph boots was only £85. For those with a bit of money to spend, it's a paradise, but it's also a great place to go for a day out.

When shopping, it's wise to remember two pieces of advice:
Whatever you buy should be 'of good quality, well fitted for its purpose', and John Ruskin's aphorisms -
'A thing is worth what it can do for you, not what you choose to pay for it'.
' There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.'