Aspley Village Shopping Centre is a hidden treasure that I honestly don't want to tell anyone…read moreabout. Less than 3km away is Chermside Shopping Centre with its busy crowds and horrible parking situation, yet Aspley Village still remains a calm and serene shopping experience. It was always quiet, there is ample undercover parking and you don't have to battle with crowds. And this is bliss, when all I want to do is some grocery shopping. I am noticing the crowds are slowly starting to grow on weekends, but I think we've got a while before it becomes anything like Germside. The Coles supermarket is clean and new and well laid out, Patton's Big Guns has all your fruit & veg, deli and butcher needs met, there's a Malouf Chemist and a bottle shop. What else could you need? Well there's also a florist, a bakery, a fish and chip takeaway/seafood monger, a cafe, a couple of fashion stores and the complex is also home to a Medical Centre, Sunshine Kebabs and Outback Jack's Steakhouse.

If you like lace and I do, you'll love to browse through Dolls and Doilies. This little unassuming…read moreshop at the slightly quieter end of Bay Terrace is tucked between another couple of specialty shops and will catch the eye of any crafty passerby, the window filled as it is with exquisite lace products and doilie art (if that's what you call it). I wandered in there looking for a present for a neice and came away with a very cool goblin-ish doll at a price that wasn't a steal but which I was willing to pay for good old fashioned handcrafting. Dolls and Doilies are wholesalers and retailers of doilies and lace and if you're really keen, you can also sign up for a craft class. I tell myself if I did this, I could make my presents instead of paying lots of money to other people for them... sure, one day I'll give it a whirl, as soon as I get that bit of free time...

The Wondall Fruit Barn's always had good prices, but it's so much better now that it's had a refurb…read moreand new air-conditioning, as the fruit's fresher and in better condition, so it's looking good for summer. There are still lots of displays outside under colourful gazebo shades, too, and it's great to have a stroll through and see what's on special. The best reason to use the small fruit shops over the supermarkets this time of year is because, apart from better prices usually, you have a much better chance of getting ripe and ready to eat peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, mangoes - yum!

As for shopping centres this place is a bit of a local scene. Don't travel out of your way for…read morespecialty shopping. You'll probably find what you need, but if you're out and about for a day of shopping, skip Capalaba and head to Carindale! It's about 15 minutes drive away. There's a few cool franchises around if you're hungry, the cinema is close by. It's a good local shopping village if you're nearby. Oh and if you do shop regularly get a "My capalaba rewards card"- see concierge and earn points to spend around the shopping centre.

In the eastern suburbs the biggest 'regional' centres, as they are deemed, are Carindale and Garden…read moreCity. After that, the shopping centres in the surrounding suburbs are a step down in terms of size and variety. I like Capalaba Central if I'm not up for a great, big, day of shopping. It's got quite a nice mix of retailers and it's quick and easy to get around.

This is my favourite op shop in Wynnum. In case you didn't know, Wynnum has a great op shop trail,…read morewith at least 8 shops in a four block radius. They vary in range and price of goods but I find the Aid for the Blind shop in Florence Street a really good all-rounder, with great prices. Some op shops have made themselves boutique-y and specialise in offering clothes you might find at a regular retailer (yawn) but not this one. I've dropped in here and never been disappointed when looking for a fancy dress or something vintage and unusual. There's a bit of dross to get through, which is part of the fun I guess, but it's well worth a visit.

This store definitely has an op-shop feel to it however it is surprisingly large inside and they…read morehave a lot of clothing. There are a range of different styles and the stock is always different. Well worth a look if you are browsing in the area.

McCarthy Jewellers is a fantastic place to day dream about all the wonderful jewellery. I have…read morequite a few pieces in mind that I plan on purchasing at some unknown date. The service is friendly and helpful if you need it. The range is really good and the prices vary from affordable to high end, depending on what you are after.

As third generation jewellers, McCarthy's is an excellent place to go for custom designed pieces…read more Of course you pay for it, but the craftsmanship and service is really good. Being a bit of a rockhead, I've had a couple of rings designed around stones that we've bought at the gem shows and overseas. One in particular is a work of art. That's fairly high end stuff, but I've also bought reasonably priced jewellery and watches here as gifts and had my own repaired more than once. It's a great, friendly family run business.

I go in every fortnight and the young man that serves me each time is so very polite and with a…read morelovely smile and even have a laugh with him. Great little store

I'm not sure this store is exactly what I would call 'convenient'; unless you've been hit by…read morecravings for some junk food or that's all your diet consists of, they won't be able to help you too much. It's a tiny little place so I suppose they've had to make some decisions as to what sells best, and they have decided to fill their shelves with mainly chips and chocolate, with a few toiletries shunned to one side on a shelf of their own. Yes, it's convenient for certain things, but not if you're in need of some last minute ingredients for dinner or don't fancy the idea of heart disease. When I called to check the opening times, the guy on the other end of the line informed me when they open quite decisively. As to when they close he didn't sound too sure - their closing time depends on trade, so be warned that what is listed is not set in stone by any means.

Lovely, big, clean pharmacy near the 24 hour Woolies near the airport…read more It's in a handy location due to the GP across the way, but the best thing is, just so quiet. I'm sure they must get busy at some point, but it's never too crazy out there, so no waiting to be served and the staff were all lovely. If you happen to be at the airport/Woolworths/DFO and in need of a chemist, pop on in.