This week we speak to fabulous fashion journalist, Mimi Spencer about Brighton, her all time favourite destination and the perfect getaway for a staycation weekend…

Favourite destination: Brighton

Best place to eat: Riddle and Finn’s Champagne and oyster bar in the Lanes; Due South on the beach on a hot day; Blenio’s in Hove – the best neighbourhood restaurant I know… or go for hot mackerel sandwiches in the Fishing Quarter.

Best place to drink: On the beach, late night at the bar of My Hotel, or at the Lion and Lobster, my friend Gaby’s local boozer.

Best place to sleep: At home in Hove with the dog at my feet, or in the teepee pitched in the garden.

Best time of year to visit: Spring and summertime, but not Bank Holidays. You’ll never get in, and you’ll never get out.

Things to avoid: Traffic on the A23 coming into town. Take the Hove turning instead, and come in on Dyke Road, like the locals do. And steer clear of the town’s epicentre on Friday and Saturday nights – it’s hen central, stag city, shits-ville.

Kite flying over Brighton

Off the beaten track finds: Carats on Shoreham sea-front for a Sunday fry-up…. Kite-flying on the Downs when the beach is busy… Beach volleyball on the sea-front… rock-pooling up the road in Rottingdean… horse riding at Pyecombe… kayaking from Hove Lagoon in search of sea bass.

Horse riding at Pyecombe

Best outfit or fashion item for destination: something kooky with a DIY, retro, easy-does-it vibe. I go big on hats, shades and wicked shoes.

Hat by Barbour and sunglasses by Linda Farrow Luxe

Beauty tip: SPF whatever the weather. And leave your comb at home.

4 hr water resistant SPF by Invisible Zinc

Holiday packing tip: Pack flatties. You’ll probably be dancing, so best plan ahead.

Flats by ASH

What I bought: Isabel Marant from Tribeca in North Laine. Vintage prints and hand-made jewellery above Snoopers Paradise in Kensington Gardens. Fantastic homewares from Igigi General Store in Hove (my all-time favourite shop – they even have delicious cakes and coffee upstairs if you fancy a rest, and a fashion shop two doors down). Hot pig in a bun from the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning… Art from the many galleries, kitsch from the flea markets, organic veg from Infinity, Fifties utensils from Utility hardware store on North Road.

Bodhi, Brighton’s skateboarding dog

What I listened to/read/learnt: the sounds of the street – you never know what you’ll see/hear/experience here. The skateboarding dog down on the seafront is my current favourite…