Stepping into City Framing is dangerous for people like me who love buying little gifts 'just…read morebecause'. So many things (other than framing) to get sidetracked buying! The shop atmosphere is friendly, non threatening (no one in your face) and cultured. Over the last year I finally got organised with my collection of much loved photos, prints and posters - taking them out of boxes and down to City Framing for careful attention. The owners take time to speak with you about framing options, different looks, care requirements and costs. I've always been very pleased with their work on over 15 pieces I've placed in their care, and think their attention to detail and quality is well worth the cost.

Picture framing can be quite expensive, but if you are like me and have some treasured artwork,…read morephotos or awards/certificates that deserve framing, then I'd highly suggest City Framing. The prices are quite high, but the service and quality of frames are of a premium standard. They have a large range of frames and they also have a range of eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives, which is great if you are environmentally conscious. The customer service is great in this store. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They are good with advice on the frames that would suit different items and have 23 years experience to back them up. City Framing is well worth the visit for framing your prized possessions. Customer service is wonderful and the quality of materials and work is premium.

Calexico just reminds me of a slightly more highbrow version of Country Road. The two share very…read moresimilar furnishings and clothing, with stretch cotton and flowy white cotton pieces in particular making repeat appearances. It's a charming enough little space and it had some cute clothing, but it didn't really do much to catch my attention or make me want to buy anything they were selling. One thing I will point out though is a really fantastic range of cigarette jeans. If you're a fan of skinny jeans like me then Calexico will do nothing but impress you in that department. They have plain greys and colours for your straightedge types and some really jazzy greens and bright options for those of you who fancy some bold pieces. So overall, clothing was nice but not overly impressive; cigarette jeans however, are their specialty, and I'll be back when I need a great pair.

I overheard some women recently in a James Street cafe raving about the latest stock to appear in…read moreCalexico Boutique. Without throwing any stereotypes around, their conversation also contained agenda items such as yachting, their partners real estate ventures and that they have dined at Ortiga so much lately that they are getting bored of it. Yep, those kinds of women. Having never been inside (as nothing in the window had never caught my eye) I decided to have a look, merely out of curiosity. The clothing is beautiful, there is no doubting that. However I just cannot justify spending $700 on a pair of gold sequined pants that look like they belong in a Madonna museum. Having lived overseas and had the likes of Zara at my fingertips which is of a similar ilk, Calexico just seems to be overpriced and unattainable for the average human being. In saying this, when money isn't a deciding factor, there are definitely clothes from Calexico that I would wear. I wasn't approached by the staff, which is often a relief in retail situations, but I feel that if I'd been wearing a Calexico garment I would have been attended to immediately. Calexico isn't my style. It's high brow, a little pretentious and a whole lot expensive. In saying this, if collecting clothing is your thing, and you (or your husband) have a heavy wallet, then Calexico could float your boat.

Being a fan of art and illustration, I find framing stores really appealing. Usually they are too…read moreexpensive to warrant the money for the 5 minute scribble I come up with as an illustration but I like them anyway. The Framing Corner has a great range of frames. The sample board across the back of the store showcases a range of materials, cuts and colours for frames so you can mix and match with what you need. I also like the prints they have on display of different posters and artwork. It is a nice place to browse and to keep in mind for your next potential masterpiece.

Now I haven't exactly frequented many framing shops, but maybe that's just because most of them…read moredon't place themselves as strategically as this place - in a busy shopping centre with an open store for everyone walking past to be able to get a good look inside and see exactly what they do. While I may not be an expert, these guys sure are. Every inch of the shop is covered with framed pictures showcasing the work they do, while half of one wall has a closely packed display of all the different types of frames on offer here. When I visited there were two people working, which might seem like an extravagance for this type of shop, but I guess that indicates just how busy they are.

While I have never actually had anything framed here I love this place simply because of the…read moreselection of art for sale. Most framing shops will have art or decorations on offer but Picture Framing @ Kenmore Plaza has such a unique and diverse selection. If only I had a few hundred dollars to spare I would certainly invest it in some art. There was a wonderful rendition of the Indooroopilly bridge, funky stylised graffiti-style ladies' faces, serene impressionistic landscapes and much much more. I happily spent my time browsing and the staff were happy to let me do so even though I could not afford anything on offer. I love a place that supports artists and local artists and Picture Framing @ Kenmore Plaza is one of these places.

This masterfully renovated warehouse on Church Street in Fortitude Valley has a striking street…read morepresence with an epic red door that looks as if it should take you to Narnia, or somewhere else equally fantastical. If you are imaginative or creative enough this gallery and exhibition space can be whatever you want it to be. Having been to several very well executed exhibitions here since its establishment I can say that although I personally do not have the need to showcase any work If i ever did there would be nowhere else I would consider. With full kitchen facilities and catering options available and professional hosting, White Canvas is a wonderful space that can be utilised for anything from private functions, to fashion shows and of course art showings. Being so popular this space is almost constantly booked with fantastic displays of art as diverse as they come, so if you are interested in utilising this venue as your white canvas for whatever it is you may wish to showcase I suggest you organise it in advance. Otherwise I suggest you pop on in, like I have to admire the work of some of Australia's most up and coming artists.

Manson Framers is a family run business which hasn't got much fancy window dressing on the outside,…read morebut is jam-packed with great art supplies inside. It's a two part business and framing is an important part of what they do, but sorry, I haven't had anything framed so can't comment. I have bought gorgeous paints, pastels and crayons, though and they have a great range of paper. They are friendly, and arty.

A tiny little nook of a shop but full of myriad surprises, (m)art is associated with the acclaimed…read moreArtisan Gallery in the Fortitude Valley. As you survey the intriguing range of jewellery, ceramics and other one-off pieces, you get the feeling that you've walked into a modern art museum (though on a small scale), the difference being that you can buy the artworks and take them home with you. The prices aren't cheap, as you'd expect for works of such quality. I've noticed some lovely bespoke ceramic cups and bowls going for $66 each, which I would happily buy for a wedding present or for my home. However, a series of commonplace objects encased in rectangular prism made of resin (the only I can remember was a dead bee) going for $220 each seemed a bit rich to me. Perhaps there's some special reason unbeknownst to a layperson such as myself for their seemingly exorbitant procetags.

(m)art design store has got to be one of my favourite shops in South Bank! This design space, come…read morejewellar, come book store, come gift shop is a mixture of different artist's work and boasts some gorgeous things. The design of the store itself is fantastic, and is one of the first things to catch the eye of people passing by. All of the shelves and display tops are made with upturned takeaway coffee cups. It adds a completely new dimension to your average shopping experience and really gives it the feel of an art gallery. Sure, the prices in (m)art aren't exactly cheap, but be careful to keep in mind that the work on display is primarily by local artists (and let's face it, us creative types are hard-pressed earning a crust). For this reason, I would say that the prices are fair. Next time you're in South Bank, make sure you head in to (m)art for a browse. It's the perfect place to buy a gift for someone who has everything, or even for a wedding present. Plus, it's always great to support local and emerging artists.

Handmade High Street throws together some really great local crafters and creators of all things…read morepretty and fun. The first things that caught my eye was a crocheted rose-shaped brooch with quite a few other similar ones to keep it company. I found delight in the handmade jewellery and recycled accessories including hairpins made out of old buttons and old teacups being transformed into candle holders, which is something I would never have thought to do. They also had one of the very lovely dresses that is so identifiable as one of Rachel Burke's I Make My Day projects, which is surrounded by a mountain of handmade things to choose from like tin earrings and very flamboyant floral hairbands that are just gorgeous. I was most impressed with earrings that were fashioned out of origami designs. Some of the things in here are so original and it's so nice to see support for local crafters. One of the back shelves advertises renting a space in the store so other artists can sell their wares. As I was walking out I laughed out loud at the cute new spin on bottle top jewellery when I saw bottle tops printed with vintage pictures and resold as necklaces. I think that's a really cute and unique idea. Another item Handmade High Street currently sells is a product by Reclaimed Records, who make old records into new products like notepads and use only recycled paper. A recycled record notepad will set you back $45 but hey, you are paying for an old record. I like what this place has going on. They've got some really great pieces and I see a lot of potential for the artists who showcase their wares here.

Kath Chownston, one of three brains behind Handmade High Street, said that she wanted to provide a…read morespace for artists and craftspeople to easily sell their wares. Markets are often exhausting, subject to the elements, and aren't a very reliable way to get the money coming in if you're selling your goods in this fashion. The internet is a great way to get your stuff out there, but still, she went one further and opened a store- for the good of everyone! For her, for the people who rent space in her store, for the person who happens to pop in for a look and take away something local and unique. For the interested artist or craftsperson- the way the rent system works at Handmade High Street works is that there are small 'cubes' (shelving space) that are $20 per month. If you do larger scale work, clothing for example, and you have a rack that you'd like to have in store, it might cost you around $200 per month. The rental price is subject to how big and how much of the work there is, and whereabouts you want it placed in the store. There's some great stuff there too. The beads by Patti Pennisi made me want for the ocean, the glass work of Cairo Made That was gorgeous, and I couldn't help but want to take home some scented soy wax melts by Lisa Macnab. There's not the tired repeat of like works in there either; there's great diversity. Go in and support a new local business that supports it's locals. Handmade High Street. Remember that name.