"Anytime you need a friend, I will be there..." once sang a youthful looking Mariah Carey and it is…read morethis song that probably accurately sums up how I feel about my local Kmart. Plus it is open til 9pm Monday to Friday (it once saved a friend who had Air BnB guests arriving at short notice and needed a new sheet set before they arrived). That's the beauty of Kmart - at least a 98% success rate of having what you need whenever you need it. Sure, it isn't anything glamourous or high-end but for basics it works for me (and my purse strings) just fine. Whether you need underwear, a tooth brush, arts and craft supplies, potting mix, affordable whilst still practical gym gear (hello $10 for gym pants!): Big K, Little Mart has you covered. My personal favourite way to fall into the vortex that is Kmart? Wander the kitchen aisles for bits and bobs that you probably didn't know you needed until you saw it was only $2 and couldn't resist taking it home with you.

I love a good rummage around a secondhand clothes store. You never know what gems you will find…read more Unfortunately, the few times I have been into the tiny Revamp Fashions I have never found any of these gems. The store is full of second hand clothes all in good condition and the service was OK, although not all too friendly or helpful. The worst thing about the shop was the prices. Asking $80 for a second hand pretty plain looking sportscraft dress is a bit much if you ask me. Every piece in the store seemed to suffer the same overpriced fate. There was not anything there that I would actually buy for the price they were asking. Still, I will probably keep going in just in case that hidden gem unearths itself. After all there is no harm in browsing.

You must come and have a look if you love labels, fashion history and second hand. They specialize…read morein buying labels and have them neatly assembled in this awfully cute and tiny store. The owner herself reminds me of Meryl Streep. Here I have found Leona Edmiston, Moschino, Calvin Klein, Jag, Diane von Furstenberg, Alannah Hill, Chloe... They have shoes, bags and clothes. And when you are done, go opposite to the upmarket Lifeline shop. Being your big wallet. We're not talking $10 frocks here.

Outstanding customer service from the lady working here. Unlike a lot of other discount stores,…read morethings were kept in a very orderly way, even though they were short on space. There were a tonne of options for travellers.

Another gem for craft enthusiasts, and anyone happy to poke around. A great number of good stock at…read morediscounted prices. The staff are helpful, and pleasant. I have been coming here for a long time. Their home decor and thoughtful gift lines are wonderful, if you are content to take your time. Storage, stationary and seasonal lines do change occasionally, basically their is good. Good place to explore, and discover more, of what you suddenly, think you must have? Enter at your own risk, and enjoy!

I go to this newsagency often as I'm in the area a lot. Here, I like to get magazines, scratchies…read moreand candy. As far as I could tell this is a family run newsagency because on school holidays, I see their kids hanging around the shop. They're such nice people who work here. They don't tell me off for browsing magazines, even though I take longer than a browse should take. Don't worry, I do end up buying it- out of guilt. But I'm happy to support their newsagency. They've got a healthy range of magazines towards the back of the shop and lots of candy and drinks at the front. With the fashion and gossip magazines, I can tell you all the current magazines are always on display. I have not yet caught them selling last issues, unless you specifically ask for one. The shop is always tidy and they've got a really strong aircon pumping through the shop. It makes for a nice pit stop if you're in the area just to cool down. Really nice shop, filled by a great family who run it.

I come here a fair bit as I live nearby and it's very handy - a full newsagent, with the added…read moreconvenience of an Australia Post outlet, which allows you to carry out your banking and post needs in one spot, and out of business hours. You can also purchase Go Cards here but you can't' top them up. They stock your usual newsagent and post shop wares, with some snacks, cold drinks and milk, and the prices are average for this kind of business. Very friendly customer service.

Kmart Tyre & Auto strategically set up shop right next door to the shopping centre. This is one the…read moremain reasons why I like this Kmart Tyre & Auto in Mt Ommaney. Although I had to bring the car in quite early, 7am, I had some coffee and waited until the shops opened at 9am. I was able to run all my errands in Mt Ommaney Centre as my car was being serviced. This was the best part. Customer service is good and feels personal. They were friendly and clearly explained everything to me. This is one of the most convenient places I've ever had my car serviced at and I absolutely loved it.

I've taken my car here three times now and I couldn't be happier with these guys. I like the way…read morethat the quote is clearly explained before you book it, the way they call you and let you know if they've found anything extra and the way they treat everyone with professional courtesy. I bought tyres from here and they send you a reminder email for a free check and rotation. The Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre is quite a friendly little place to shop as well.

When I need some small implement for the kitchen like a spatula or vegetable peeler, I always look…read morein Homes Mart before going into Coles as it's bound to be far cheaper. Of course, if I'm looking for something that I want to be good quality, I avoid both and go to a proper kitchen shop. But Homes Mart does the trick when it's just something small you need. It's also a good place to look for fancy dress and craft items like crepe paper, pipe cleaners, glitter, sequins etc. It's a discount store, not a place to shop for good quality long-lasting things, but it's handy to have in this shopping centre with Coles. It's always kept pretty tidy and staff are eager to help you find what you're looking for.

I know this place may look a bit dubious to some, but coming…read morehere so often has given it an endearing quality in my eyes. This place is like the miscellaneous drawer in your kitchen, if you need it it will most likely be lurking in here. Growing up with a great love of discount stores and $2 shops means I also find it very hard to part with my cash if I know I can get a good bargain elsewhere. So! whenever party times are looming or I need a Halloween mask in February, I boycott the evil clutches of Coles and come to Homesmart. These guys seriously have it all novelty cigarette lighters, streamers, pipe cleaners, rain ponchos laundry baskets, gift boxes, spatulas, greeting cards and a buttload more. Next time you are in need of a vegetable peeler or an inflatable party hammer, I recommend giving these guys a go.

This store is among the many in the op-shop drag of Annerley,…read moreand while it isn't the best I've come across it still packs a hefty vintage punch. What I relish most about entering an op shop like the Asthma Foundation is the little thrill of not knowing what exactly I will find. There are the usual thrift store finds; dubious stained polo shirts, crinkly business attire and old jewelry, but if you persevere you may find the odd clothing gem or two. And while this store hasn't yielded me as many bountiful bargains as its ipswich road brother and sisters, I still very much enjoy lusting over the piles of fur stoles and jackets and the groaning retro rack on hand. Well worth a gander when out and about in Annerley.

This op-shop may be in an up and coming suburb, but for now it's a diamond in the rough that packs…read morea punch. Here you'll find primarily fashion vintage and thrift finds and minimal housewares. It is small but don't let that deter you - there are still plenty of treasures to be discovered.

Bags. Wallets…read more Jewellery. Gift Boxes. The quintessential Colette collection all in the one place. What a great idea and it's about bloody time someone opened a shop like this. It looks chic, it looks bohemian, it looks trendy and it looks very fashionable. There are styles here normal people could pull off without looking out of place. And the prices are surprisingly affordable. You'd pay these prices easily anywhere else but here, voila! You have a great collection, a shop full of cool ranges of bags, wallets, gift boxes and jewellery. From beady glass necklaces, to boho style celebrity look-alike bags. You can't go wrong and you'll definetely be with the latest trends without being out of pocket. What I really love about this store is that it's a big one, the shop is uncluttered, well-organised and it just feels good. I bought myself a pleather faux celebrity beige coloured boho bag with the matching wallet and some cool snazzy red beady bracelets that all went well with my bag. Worth checking out if you need accessories that will last longer than a night out.

Colette is a great place to update your accessories wardrobe without breaking the bank. They have a…read moreconstantly changing range of seasonal bags of all shapes and sizes, purses, jewellery and hair accessories as well as a range of more classic pieces. Some of it can tend to look a bit cheap, because it is, but if you only need the pieces to last a season or two then it's perfect. There is a sale rack up the back of the store which sometimes has absolute bargains. Colette have now brought out a limited range of leather products, which are priced higher than most of their other products, but still affordable (bags are under $100) The shop is usually pretty crowded on a weekday at lunchtime, so you might have to push your way through a bit and queue at the registers, but if you feel like treating yourself to a new pair of earrings or something else sparkly for the same price as a couple of takeaway coffees, then it's worth it.