LOOKING to jush up your home, buy an alternative wedding gift or get a new look for autumn?

You need go no further than Kirkby Lonsdale.

Art, Clothes and Furniture

Almost next door to The Nook is Country Cousins, which started life as a ladies wear shop on the opposite side of the street.

After eight years and a need for more space, they moved over to open the double-fronted store, now selling everything from clothes and shoes to art, furniture and gifts for the home.

Their ladies wear section includes Jackpot, which is heavy on reds and warm oranges for autumn with green still there in bold stripes, and knitted patterns that take you back to the hand-made look of that cardigan your granny made for you when you were five.

Although we've heard a lot about purple being in, it seems to be waiting for winter with some lilac still hanging around right now.

Apart from the fashion, Country Cousins has a must-see section selling pieces for the home.

Candles are everywhere, sometimes so convincingly made to look like something else, you can't find the wick.

It's one of those shops where you have to stand still to take everything in.

French furniture, rattan and wrought iron set the stage for the wonderful artwork, sculptures, photo frames and throws.

It can take quite a while to meander up the stairs to the next floor with yet more interesting lamps, bowls, rugs and such.

Hippy and Head Gear

Jonny-Q, a hip new designer from London, has a fabulous range, mixing denims with flower power, fur with leather.

A really hippy-chick look, with quality and imagination rolled in.

His designs are great for mix-and-match as anything goes, whether it's layering jumpers over long dresses, fur over a 60s look T-shirt or a smart tailored jacket with his wacky patched-up jeans.

Headgear is all the rage with the summer's bandanna giving way to the warmer, woolly hat.

Kept low onto the forehead (without a fringe) the hat can bring all the attention to the eyes, which is good.

Hair can then be worn onto the face at the sides, as most models are doing, or tucked behind the ears for the schoolgirl look.

Leather is everywhere, most collections including a pair of leather trousers or jacket.

But the must-have for winter is the leather skirt.

Most are now panelled with a slit for movement to avoid the leather being constantly stretched.

Ideal as a winter skirt as leather rides well against woolly tights.

Good news for those who invested in the padded gilet or waistcoat last winter as they're still around - a great way to keep warm with arm movement for driving the car.

Jewelry and Gifts

Many brides tell me they want something different in a wedding ring - it seems the plain gold ring has had its day.

The Nook Gallery, Main Street, run by Julia and Sonia, has the most unusual rings seen of late, beautifully designed in silver, gold, rose gold and anodised silver.

Delicately twisted or rough and misshapen, each piece is a little work of art, individual and bound to last a lifetime with its own identity.

Prices start at around £100 and my favourites are by London designer Yaron Morhaim, a mix of golds and silver to work with any other jewellery worn.

The wraparound jewellery designed by Hoorieh Coish (as seen in Bride & Groom magazine) is stunning as are the 'off the cuff' silver and perspex disc bracelets.

Clocks and occasional furniture in sculpted glass and aluminium are used in the shop to show off the jewellery but are also for sale as unusual wedding gifts.

And gadgets in chrome, from calculators to updated versions of the boy scout knife that does it all, are there as great gifts for the groom.

A beautiful treasure trove rather than a shop, and not a piece of china in sight!

Walking back down Main Street you pass Wooden Heart, run by the energetic Alex, selling a great range of Chilli Pepper and Josef Schindler clothing, along with up-to-date jewellery and yet more fabulous candles.

For answers to any fashion, hair or cosmetic problems, write to Lucinda at: Looking Good, The Westmorland Gazette, 22 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4NE.

Lucinda will attempt to reply to all letters and include a brief summary in next month's Looking Good.