I hired a jumping castle for my birthday party because I thought it would be something different…read more(I'm in my 30's). I have to tell you that there aren't a lot of jumping castles out there that are suitable for adults, but after lots of phone calls I came across Jump n Play's Superman castle. It has lots of slides and steps and other obstacles in it and it's pretty big, so we had a lot of fun that night (I'm sure our "refreshments" helped with that too). This castle is great for teenagers and adults, but I would suggest one of their less challenging castles for little kids. The castle was good fun, it came on time, it was clean and the price was good.

Every suburb needs a knick-knack/gift store that isn't naff. For Port Melbourne, Mister White is…read moreit. This designer homewares store offers the usual suspects of small furniture items, mantelpiece adornments, scarves, bags, cushions, giftcards, saltwater sandals, happy socks. If you've seen one, you've seen them all, but that doesn't mean that Mister White is not worth the trip in - it means there's a good chance if you know the type of gift or item you're after, you know that you'll find it here. Nice layout, quality products and good range across price ranges makes Mister White a cut above the competition on Bay St.

Mister White has a really lovely range of gifts and homewares and I used to shop here whenever I…read morehad to find a unique birthday present. I purchased a homeware product for myself though and when I got it home it just wasn't right for the space. I had spoken with the assistant when I was purchasing and she had said that I could bring it back if it wasn't right. I returned the product the next day, expecting that I could get a refund. I was told however that they won't refund any products - only a store credit. Whilst the woman I spoke to when I purchased it did not specifically say I could have a refund, it definitely wasn't made clear that it would only be a store credit. The assistant I spoke to when I was trying to return the product was also quite rude during our entire interaction. Given they are a homewares store and that some of their products really need to be placed in situ to see if they are really right, their store policy seems quite unfair. In any case, if that is the store policy they wish to enforce then they could make it a lot clearer before purchase. A small sign near the register doesn't really suffice. For this reason I won't personally be shopping there again as it's a deal breaker for me. It is a real shame though as they have the potential to be great.

Australia has not one amazing stationery chain, but two (the other being Kikki.K) From time to time…read moreI prefer one over the other, and after checking out both of them at Southland yesterday, Typo definitely has a better range at the moment. Typo is a bit more trendy and also a little bit novelty, but actually the stuff they currently have is amazing. From glitter covered notepads to pug Christmas ornaments and rose gold pineapples, it's all very on trend and coincidentally, all the stuff that I really love. I wasn't actually planning on buying anything but couldn't resist - I got a glitter notepad in rose gold + a silver glitter 2016 planner, doggie Christmas decorations and was upsold some charitable tissue packs when I was at the counter (they were only $1 and had pugs on them!). For what it is, it is a little pricey but I think it's worth it as I've never seen a range like they have at typo. I will definitely back for more stuff before our holiday is over.

I had to go and get some party supplies for an event at work so I decided to go and check this…read moreplace out, since I had walked past it numerous times but had never had a reason to go inside. Well, they certainly cater to the party goer, especially with the huge selection of (cheap and nasty) costumes that are available. They also claim to be a specialist in helium balloons, and they certainly have a huge range of balloons available. In fact they had these little draws each containing a different sort of balloon. Okay, they also have a few other discount items available, but their main focus is being a party supply store, and you can certainly get a decent amount of supplies here for whatever reason you have for throwing a party (not as if you actually need a reason, but you know what I mean).

I came here to hire a fairy floss machine for a birthday party and was very happy with the services…read moreand price that this place offered. This bright pink shop on Springvale Road is easy to find and there is parking on the street right in front- which makes it easy to transport the machine. I booked over the phone and when the day came I went in and the lady had my order and machine all ready to go. She showed me how to work the machine (very simple and easy), let me make a few sticks (and keep them if I wanted to). She gave me two big bags of sugar and 200 sticks. Beware that this is a commercial machine, meaning it's very large. Most regular sedans would be able to fit the machine in, but if you've got a little two seater you may need to find another vehicle. The machine came with two components. The base, which was very heavy (the workers at the store took it to my car for me), and the large metal basin. The woman was very kind and easy to talk with, she said cleaning was not required as she would prefer having a dirty one returned than run the risk of customers attempting to clean it themselves and getting water into the motor. The machine worked perfectly fine and the sugar mixture was perfect. If I ever need a fairy floss machine again I'll be coming here.

Astoria Paper is the best kept secret off Carlisle St…read more It's located in a brightly painted warehouse, and if not for the constant buzz of people in and out, you may not even be sure it's a store. This place is a magical wonderland for all things plastic, paper, kitchen and party. Let me explain by giving you a short list of some of the items I've bought here: - industrial strength caterers aluminium foil - polka dot cupcake wrappers - mini top hat for a dressup party - toothpicks with Aussie flags on them - paper lanters with tiny LED lights inside - plastic tongs - glitter glue - novelty oversized playing cards for a hens night and a BUNCH of other purchases - some necessary, some frivolous. They have napkins and plastic tablecloths in every shade you can imagine, disposable containers, hula skirts, pinatas, ribbon, balloons, kids toys, costumes, fancy dress items and man.... it just goes on. I really appreciate that in addition to an amazing range, Astoria's prices are incredibly reasonable. Certainly cheaper than a specialty party store. Dont forget to walk all the way to the back to the party goods room!

If you host regular parties then Astoria should be on your list of "go to" places. Need napkins in…read more20 colours? Helium? Crazy costumes? Cute toothpicks with pirate flags on the end? Yep, they have it all here and at super competitive prices. I recently bought a huge bag of Gangster hats and feathered headbands for a 1920's style party - at just a few dollars for each piece, it was a quick (and cheap) way to add some sparkle to an evening.

I don't love Typo. It's not because it's particularly bad, it's not. It's a cute little store, full…read moreof cute little things at fairly cute little prices. It's because it represents the successful commodification of a market which I love, and which I wish could remain in the amateur space. Three or four years ago, I picked up a 1970s pamphlet from the Australian communist party, talking about how Chinese communism was bad.It has a stamp in the front, saying it was distributed by Socialist publications, in Redfern. It has a six digit phone number. The cover is a black black rhombus and a small red circle on a green background. I love it, because it's a textual artefact from a unique moment in time. There was probably a print run of a few thousand at most. I doubt more than a couple of dozen still exist. And it's the simulacra of this which Typo sells, packaged and sold as commodities. Notebooks with covers which seem to call out to realms of fabricated experience. It's convenient, and inexpensive, and for most people there's no difference. And I respect that, I do. It's just a little bit of what I am is being faked up and sold.

A great place for stationary, quirky office equipment and decorative pieces - I love the tape…read moredespenser that looks like a cassette, the wall of letters and lots of other great ideas in the store. I recommend taking some time to look through everything! Of course, they offer regular folders, writing utensils, diaries too - everything is just a lot more than stylish than your average home or office fodder. Along with style comes a little bit of a price hike ( in comparison to average stationary you could grab at Big W or Target), but if you spend a lot of time in your office, why not try to make it a nicer space? They also offer items that are not specific to an office or stationary...like the awesome music canvas I picked up for only $40!

Great Halloween store, great service and range. I've also transferred some props from this store to…read moremy local one and I've never had issues. This is also the first Lombard store currently still operating in Australia

This is my one stop party shop. Lombard's sells everything you could possibly need to host a party…read more When you walk in, the store itself isn't that flash. Yes they have helium balloons everywhere, with piñatas and costumes and streamers; but it's a factory/warehouse in the end, you can tell without the glitz and colours of their decorations, it would be a pretty run down place. This doesn't really matter though as you're here to organize a party. There is an area dedicated to plates and cups, of all colours and materials; Paper, plastic, foam, coffee cups, newspaper printed and takeaway boxes. This area also sells disposable serving trays of all shapes and sizes, punch bowls, plastic serving spoons and large salad bowls. I like how everything here is colour coded, you walk to the colour you're after and everything is neatly pilled up. Lombard's also have a huge selection of balloons; they have a large variety of colours available in both matt and metallic. Which you are able to purchase singularly or in bulk packs. There is also matching coloured ribbons available. This place also have a great range of costumes for hire, as well as basic ones for purchase. Lombard's is literally your one stop shop. This has always been my party supply store, and always will be.