I completely agree with Eleanor's statement that the dresses are old fashioned. There is no doubt…read morethat many of these are aimed at more mature ladies and this is pretty apparent from a glance at the window display. However, there are also some rather fancy numbers which would be good for more formal do's. Though, like Eleanor I'm pretty small at 5ft 3", hence didn't even attempt to try on their long, flowing cocktail dresses. This is also the reason why I can't comment greatly on customer service. But, when I popped in for a nosey the staff seemed pleasant enough and after a quick greeting and enquiry as to what I had in mind, they happily left me along to have a browse. Potentially this was only because I clearly had no idea or occasion in mind, who knows? Anyway, this is a pleasant enough shop though up my street; I'm sure it's the kind of place that your mum or older aunt might enjoy a look in.

Cuckoo is a very fancy little boutique on Clarkston Road. I popped in here a few years ago when I…read morewas looking for a dress for my School Leavers Dance. This didn't go as well as I'd hoped. After trying on what felt like 100 dresses, I left disheartened as none of them suited me. I actually thought a few looked quite good but the busybody shop assistant assured me that none of them did after humming and hawing and a series of, "yes, that one's not for you..." I can't say it was a very positive shopping experience and definitely not good for my self-confidence. To be fair, I'm only 5ft so very small and I guess I didn't really do any of the dresses justice. I kind of just looked like a little girl who was trying on my mums clothes. I think the dresses here are generally designed for womanly hourglass figures so unless you're Marilyn Monroe, forget it. The dresses are very glamorous to look at but I found some of them were a bit old fashioned and be warned, if you're looking for an ego boost you definitely won't get it here!

Eyecandy is a great little boutique on Clarkston Road, they have outfits which are all very…read morereasonably priced and they also have accessories such as belts and fancy scarves to go with them. The window display is ever changing and everything always looks very sophisticated. The clothes always look great quality and even though the clothes aren't ridiculously expensive, they look like they should cost a lot of money. My aunt has bought a few items from here and I particularly like a couple of scarves she's purchased from Eyecandy. Whenever I have ventured in, I usually have a browse at their costume jewellery, I got my mum a lovely brooch from here a few years ago. They have a good selection and many unusual pieces too. Great little place and the staff are really friendly too I also adore the name!

This is a quaint little shop on Clarkston Road. It's dedicated to - you've guessed it - creations…read moreof fabric. Thus, meaning, of course, that they have an array of fabric and fabric decorations. This allows you to buy any quantity of fabric and make your own wonderful creations or simply have a browse through their pre-made stuff and instantly pick up something pretty. All the items are fairly decently priced and clearly displayed. Whilst, the staff are extremely welcoming and offer excellent personal customer service, Great little place for all art and craft lovers and DIY decorators alike.

As Laura has mentioned this little shop stocks a whole host of various different fabrics so you can…read moreput your own stamp on your home. I popped in here a few years ago with my friend who's a whiz at making things, she had some old tatty cushions that she wanted to spruce up and rather than throw them out she came here for some fabric. The shop owner was friendly and she got a really pretty pink and cream swirly design and it was a problem that she wasn't buying rolls and rolls of it, the shop owner was happy to cut as much as she needed. I'm not sure what the going rate for fabrics are, I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to that but the price seemed very reasonable for the amount she got and the cushions look great! They have loads of different designs to sift through and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, it has that really nice crafty/hobby shop feel too it which will now doubt give you some inspiration for your fabric-related project.

I always find this place a little strange - though very interesting and intriguing. It is an…read moreunusual combination of an organic food shop or groceries and a florist. This is something, which even I in my hunting out of new, emerging places (for this read: good reviews and interesting concepts; but in reality up themselves, expensive and out of business in six months) have not come across before. So for this factor alone, it's worth having a nosey and seeing what you make of it. They do have some yummy organic treats in here, some a little bit different and some which any foodie will have encountered at some point before. I say this, because of my experience of working in a deli/roll shop in Pollokshields for a year and witnessing the rise of organic product - especially in the pickled, dried and erm, similar forms. Meanwhile, they have a small but very nice selection of flowers on offer. Though, I would rather purchase a pot plant, so don't really rate these with too much enthusiasm. The staff in here have got to be one of the best things are this place. They are very friendly, pleasant and chatty. It's clear they know their stock very well and also have a good understanding and knowledge of their wider market area. The prices are not to bad for some products considering they are organic, but I still find them a little too much. Although, this is coming from a part-time (and temporarily) employed student.

Great products and very organised, however staff were not very helpful. Overall a nice placeread more

Shamefully, after years of dining in Antipasti and popping in here loads, I didn't actually connect…read morethe two together. I know, it's awful. However, the fact still remains that this is a lovely little shop. The fact it's inside a low and long cottage on Clarkston Road makes it even better! It stands out from the flats, newsagents and garages around it. Inside, the layout really uses the space well and without making it feel cluttered or claustrophobic. Instead, there's a nice, chilled out arty feel to it and the pieces are displayed in a very natural looking way. I suspect, this is part of the reason it does so well. You notice some lovely - but unnecessary - cutlery placed about. Next thing you know it's in your kitchen. Though, for some reason my kitchen still looks like my kitchen. It didn't magically transform into a sunny, country kitchen with bread baking in the oven. Maybe, if I get the matching salad forks...

As you might remember from one of my previous reviews, I have a bit of a thing for Tunnock's…read moreTeacake signs. Unfortunately, this newsagent doesn't have one that lights up or have a picture of a teacake on it. But, fear not, if does have some Tunnock's advertising on it's small plastic and rather retro (for this read old fashioned) canopy. This alone makes it worth about one star in my book. Meanwhile, the other stars are for: service, prices and character. You see, this is not a massive shop by any manner or means. Therefore, it does have something of a limited range of stock in store. This means that beyond your basic teabags, paper and pint of milk you won't find anything too exciting. However, it certainly does the job and sometimes it's nice to have a little morning walk for these bits and bobs. You know, fresh air and spring sunshine and all that. The prices for the above basic supplies though are decent and the staff are very pleasant. These small aspects of the shop really add to it and make it worth going slightly out of your way for. Last of all, and one of the most attractive elements, is the character rolled into this place. It looks a little run down but it still has a cheery vibe to it. And, cheery really is the word for it. Nothing else will do. If in doubt, check it out.

This is an excellent - and rather large - convenience store. It has quite a range of the basics -…read morewhich a surprising number of other newsagents don't - fruit and veg, dried pastas and rices, mags and newspapers and ice creams. It also stocks rows and rows of sinful stuff - wine by the gallon and ready chilled beers and ciders for when you really need a cold one with dinner. Likewise, the cigarette range is mightily impressive (possibly the closest to a tobacconist I've seen since good olde Herbet Love days). Meanwhile, there is also a post office counter which is available for pick ups 'till later than elsewhere. Though, if you are desperately In a rush to post something off at lunch time, give yourself plenty of time due to the screeds of pensioners who seem to congregate here. It has everything you might need in a hurry: an onion for a last minute basic home cooked dinner; some booze to buy on the way for the bus while heading out for a party or a newspaper to keep you occupied during the day. Barry's the the rescue.

This is a brilliant wee store, they sell mostly everything and it's a great selection, the coffee…read moremachine is also very good. The staff are so friendly it's a joy even to go in for the banter. I like it.

After a fortnight in the south of Italy instead of coming back all nice and tanned, I came with…read morepatches of red sunburn and white Scottish skin and nearing forty mosquito bites that were each (at least) the size of a 10p and risen up to the height/thickness of five 10ps. Needless to say, they were very uncomfortable and itching. This was the only Pharmacy that managed to successfully sell me a product last summer which really helped my welts of mosquito bites. Therefore, I might be going slightly mad here on the star rating, but I do genuinely like this place. Other reasons for the like-ability of this business have got to be relative to its size; as this is one of the largest local pharmacies. Thus, there is a good range of most remedies and basic toiletries that reflect various market prices and qualities. The stock is clearly displayed and well laid out which means that despite the decent range items can be located quickly. Meanwhile, the staff are extremely pleasant and knowledgeable about their stock as well as common bodily problems. As mentioned above, there is a decent range of prices and quality too. So if it is only a cheap and/or minor item you are looking for - or you are dubious if it will actually work - you can spend pennies instead of pounds (metaphorically anyway).

Hold your horses - don't make any judgements..yet. This is a great find, especially this far out…read morefrom the City Centre. It may look a little low budget from outside, especially with the plastic banner sign. But don't let this fool you - this is a brilliant shop. It really is. It has a really wide range of ladies clothes in most styles, sizes and colours. While, some of these are not quite my style it's got to be said - though when is this ever the case? Inside, it's bright and clean yet still manages to have a slight degree of that treasure hunt and find aspect to it which I just adore. Thus, you can rummage around for twenty minutes through slightly dodgier item before finding an amazing dress. Moreover, if you find a lovely little number in here there is an extremely low chance that you'll notice another girl wandering round with the same dress. So while it might not quite have the H & M status, you won't get the game of 'spot my cloths' as you walk through town/to uni. It is slightly out of the way, but definitely well worth a rummage. You'll definitely pick up something.

This is a really handy little newsagents just around the corner from me. Admittedly, I only really…read morego in here once a month in order to renew my trans-card for the bus, but still every time I've been in the staff have been very pleasant and chatty. Even when I was loading with the cold and coughing and spluttering all over the shop. The prices seem very reasonable and definitely no higher than they should be. In saying this, my usual order is: a one zone monthly trans-card; a can of diet irn bru and a fredo. So, I've not exactly went to town in here. However, on the odd occasion when I have gotten other bits and bobs all's seemed in order. Although, I did get a rather strange reaction when I get more usual order, checked the price of their cough bottles and then asked for one at the last minute. Not so bad - I know - but my cough was hiding at that point and I did look rather rough, hungover and apparently like a cough syrup abuser. Oh dear.

Wow, Holmlea Road and Clarkston Road are just full of handy little shops like this one, I'm just…read moresurprised they can all stay afloat with all the competition. I have to say that this one is probably one of the best as it is open 365 days a year! I lived in a flat on Clarkston Road a few years ago and although I don't smoke my old flatmate was like a chimney. It was the evening of New Years Day 2008 and she had run out. She was getting cranky and there appeared to be absolutely nowhere open, which is understandable on New Years Day. We took a stroll further along Clarkston Road and Cathcart Mini Market came up trumps. She was able to pop in for her cigarettes and the day way saved, hurrah! This shop is also quite a bit bigger than most other newsagents around the area so if you are looking for something and can't find it in any other newsagents then pop here as chances are they'll have it!