Sportsgirl used to be one of my go-to stores whenever I needed new accessories or clothes. I loved…read moreeverything they had to offer in store even though I could never afford it. To this day I still love the store but it still feels rather pricey. When they have their sales I love to take advantage and stock up on cheap jewellery and last seasons clothing items (did I just admit that I wear 'last seasons' clothing?). The jewellery, handbags and hair accessories are probably my favourite thing about Sportsgirl. The jewellery is funky and is usually reasonably priced. They have a pretty stellar collection of unique rings and other very colourful jewellery and accessories. I still love their clothes, especially since they tend to specialise in boho-chic these days which I adore, but it's unfortunately overpriced. As I previously mentioned, the sales are the best time to shop at Sportsgirl.

It's not every day that you walk into a place where a powder puff store keeper comes up to you and…read moreoffers you a cool beverage. She handed me a drink and said "just have a browse around, and come have a chat with us in the front window". Lisa and her two friends were posed like mannequins wiling away the afternoon in the shop's front window. I was in love. Lisa took charge of the space 10 months ago now, and it looks like business is going swimmingly. She says she's going to celebrate Atomic Martini's first birthday with a prom (keep your ears to the ground). Her clothing racks are plump with high quality vintage and retro beauties. She has some great stuff for the gents as well. A nice added touch is the price tags that site the specifics of each item: era, style, and condition. Her prices are hefty (expect to pay anywhere from $100- $500+) and aimed at, as she states "people with good taste who have some money to spend". Lisa is an enchantress. On the day I met her, she was wearing a 1950's boat necked yellow dress, with matching yellow head scarf and with olive green heels. If you give her an idea of what you're looking for, she'll run off and find garments for you that might interest you. I happened to be looking for 'baking dresses'- dresses I can wear while baking. She ran off and returned with a beautiful 1970's cotton, navy blue, embroidered mu-mu. "Cotton, light, breezy, won't get in the way of your baking- I spend all summer in these, I do. I really do." I was impressed by such a practical suggestion to my abstract question. Come here to enjoy browsing through the clothes, accessories and Lisa's genuinely easy, laid back hospitality. What a way to spend an idyll Saturday afternoon- in a retro store in the 'burbs with a couple of new found, and very well dressed friends. Delight.

You wont find better Vintage in Brisbane anywhere! Lisa is…read morethere to guide you into whatever era you like, with knowledge of what styles will suit, and fit you. A great range at reasonable prices with special sales every now and then (so make sure to follow Atomic Martini on facebook) conveniently located right near the antique centre at Clayfield so you can go drool at antiques you can never afford, then pop into Atomic Martini to not only drool, but buy some amazing vintage clothing

The samples here are often size 10. What I like about samples is that they're usually original and…read moreinteresting designs. The Veronica Maine 10s are a true size 12. It's not an enormous store, but I've come home with some gorgeous pieces that intrigue me to wear.

Quiet little book shop. Interesting selection of quality second hand books and other novelties…read more Chairs out front to sit in and water for pets. Friendly staff who knows and loves books. They buy back books too.

Full of quirk and charm, Mombasa is one of my favourite…read morestores to pop into at chermside. The clothes here range from cute 50's silhouettes and prints (Think polka-dot, bows, pleats and peter pan collars.) and are pretty reasonably priced all things considered. (Between $40-60 ain't too shabby.) ...The ace in their deck however, has to be their range of unique, odd and very cute home wares and accessories. ( I admit that this may be one of the sole reasons for me coming here.) And while the newly expanded store size makes the shop seem a bit more bare than before, I'm sure it's not long before they manage to cook up some more amazing wares to wedge on the shelves. The sales ladies I've encountered here have been exceptionally lovely (and were more than tolerant of my aimless pursuing.) And it's location in the chermside megaplex makes for a more than convenient shopping pitstop.

House is one of my favourite stores to casually walk around in and browse at all the home…read moreappliances I know I can't afford. This store is a very good size, not too big and not too small. There's plenty of room to walk around in but I'm still cautious of having my bag with me in case I knock something over and we all know that would be a disaster! The store is well set up and very well stocked at all times. The staff are friendly and are always at the ready to assist you. If I was looking to buy new home appliances I would definitely come to House at West Lakes. Lovely service, lovely products. You can't go wrong.

I think its great that there is a fashion outlet with nice clothes for the curvier woman, however,…read moreits pretty criminal what they are charging. If you are of the more petite variety there are so many options where you can get cheaper fashion knock offs, larger girls don't have this luxury and I can see that City Chic is making a killing out of it. One of my best girlfriends shops here and when I saw the pricing I had a fit, it was like $120 for this dress that you would normally be able to get for $50. The staff are really friendly, sometimes I think that they're not being sincere but if you need sizing and all that they're very helpful. It's a nice, clean store with a range of really nice clothing items, just be prepared to pay extra.

City Chic is a fashionable clothing store which sells clothes from sizes 14 to 24. They have a wide…read morevariety of clothing ranging from casual wear, fancy dresses, jeans, night wear, you name it they got it. The prices are also very reasonable. This store is fairly and has probably only been at West Lakes for a few years. The store is really clean and has super friendly staff members who are always happy to help you with whatever you need. When you walk into the store the colour scheme makes you feel like you're in a night club, without the terribly loud music.

As far as Brookside goes, it's been my family's local (and very small) shopping centre all my life…read more It's because Brookside has always provided the fundamentals: places to get groceries, newsagents, a Coffee Club, Myer and Target, a chemist, and a few other ever-changing stores dotted throughout it. I've essentially always seen Brookside as a basic shopping centre and, even though it has a special place in my heart, a shopping centre without any speciality shops to be profoundly proud of. But now, a little bit older and hopefully a little bit wiser, I stumbled across House + Garden by pure chance as I was waiting for a friend. I'm happy to report that House + Garden has a really great/love/affordable range of homewares, knick-knacks, furniture, furnishings, and kitchen gadgets. I'm not obnoxious enough to think that I've seen all types of cabinet styles, but obnoxious enough to say that I've seen a lot, especially after trolling through Antique stores. But I was delighted when I saw a white cabinet set that has five charming hidden doors. House + Garden also boasts a fantastic range of arty pictures, some of which are inspiring, and some of which have famous people like Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe splattered across them. The kitchen section is equally charming, and set up just like it would be inside a home. I can easily say I would find something here and if I had the funds, would also spill my savings. I'm a fan, and I'm really impressed that Brookside hosts such a lovely and quaint little homeware shop.