Located in the underground Wynyard retail precinct, we have an extensive selection of cards for all…read moreoccasions, with some unique and different designs you may not find in your supermarkets or standard newsagencies. To be more specific: Seasonal cards, quirky humourous cards, offensive cards, spiritual cards, adorable cards (think lots of babies, puppies, kittens), naughty cards, artistic cards, cards with embellishments such as a glitter greeting. I'm sure there are more but you get the idea. Even when there's no special occasion looming, I sometimes buy some of these cards simply because they are so damn cool. You'll also find stationery sets, party ware, gift bags and packaging.

Bookshops are my weakness in general. I should just put that out there…read more So when the newest owners took over the Wahroonga bookstore (there's been one in this location since 1917) and added all sorts of gorgeous gift items to grace the shelves alongside my beloved books, I redoubled my love. Novella (I adore the name!) is the perfect one-stop-shop for pretty much every occasion. If you can't find the right book to gift (yes, I still give books as gifts - is that old-fashioned yet?), then you'll be sure to find a cute piece of jewellery, some lovely crockery or even some particularly gorgeous leather-goods. And of course you can buy a cards to cap things off. So much for attempting to spend less time in bookstores!

Novella stocks a variety of quality books. The store has charm and ambiance unlike chain stores…read moresuch as Borders (now closed) and Dymocks. The customer service is more personable and the shopping experience more enjoyable. The staff are very knowledgeable about their products (books and gifts) and are very efficient. Evidently the stock has been carefully selected with a great amount of consideration. The store is conveniently located in among Wahroonga shops and is easily accessible in comparison to supercentres.

At Newtown's Modern Times bookshop, you can purchase an interesting range of books with particular…read morefocus on art, their have a selection of Art books you may not find in other book shops, the pop culture focus really appeals to me. Also on offer is an extensive collection of cult comics and graphic novels (I saw a Tank Girl art book there) they also have really odd toys for sale and they have wrapping paper, which has a fun pop culture style, they had Thunder Birds paper! Also they have a Doctor Who section with all kinds of books DVDs and a great collection of collectibles for sale. I must resist. If you are looking for children's books or a gift for kids, their children's section is truly excellent. The shop has an excellent set up as it is directly connected to Art on King (there is no diving wall) although they are two lots of businesses, so it is an artist's dream shop.

This Newtown store is actually two stores in one, the arts craft supply store, Art on King and the…read moreBookshop/stationary store. They don't have a large stock and mostly carry new and popular titles, but their comic book and graphic novel section is quite nice. They also offer 15% discount off new releases. Since the shop isn't too large it is easy to browse quickly through the titles. I bought The Decision Book by Mikael Krogerus on a whim since it was displayed ever so valiantly next to the cashier (I used the Swiss Cheese model and SWOT to make this decision). The stationary portion of the shop is well stocked with all sorts of creative tools and Art on King is one of the best art supply shops in Sydney.

I personally love Japanese culture, so I am really glad to have this store open up near us…read morerecently. Their art & craft supplies definitely come in handy for journalling/school work/work in general, and their stuff is much cheaper to get than the stationary/art supplies that can be found in Kmart. They have other things as well that aren't related to stationary/art. They also have imported Japanese food, homeware etc. You will definitely find something in this store that will cater to your needs/wants.

Can't - keep - away!! I'm so lured by Daiso and love immersing my self in the colors, products and…read moredifferent items for sale. Almost everything is $2.80. With so many aisles and categories from homeware and kitchenware to stationary, personal care and snacks, it's like a treasure hunt for the bargain hunter and a gold mine for the value lover. Worth a visit ... Hands down you'll buy something, will you ever use it? Probably not, but for $2.80 ... who cares!

This independently owned gift store is worth a look for buying gift for him or her. I was intrigued…read moreby the tasteful battery powered, flameless candles made from real wax (set of three for $70). They have quite a bit of jewellery, a lot of which were pieces I'd not seen before. So many boutique gift shops stock the same ranges - I guess because they sell. But it's nice to come across a store that takes the risk of stocking something unique - it makes me go back for original gifts. There are also eco shopping bags, hand made woven bags, scarves, beautiful kaftans, bright kitchen wares, vases, journals and retro cards. For him there are funky cuff links and a pretend pencil size match to select phone or IPad applications. Friendly staff.

Rapture Living is one of those stores you shouldn't visit if you're feeling weak-willed. The…read moregorgeous array of accessories, homewares and keepsakes are just too tempting for words. Just this week I ventured in - fortunately with a mind to buy a birthday gift - and within 30 seconds I had found the perfect present. Of course I then spent the next 10 minutes wandering around trying to justifying buying the rest of the store for myself! Luckily the lovely lady in the store offered to giftwrap my pressie, which provided enough of a distraction to keep me away from buying up all the jewellery!

For people who take their fun seriously…read more Go up to the third floor in the QVB (the Queen Victoria Building) to find an amazing store filled with toys, models, games and more. This family owned and operated business has been spreading fun since 1935. It is Australia's largest privately owned hobby retailer. Definitely check out the model train set on display in the window. Tunnels. A city. An amusement park. Ferris wheel. So cute. An iconic toy store that will make you smile.

Made complaint to ACCC after staff were disinterested in replacement or refund for a faulty…read moremultimode battery charger. Even after making a written complaint through the website. Got the run-a-round by "manager" who claims to have tested the item. Keeps leaving messages saying it's "ready for pickup". I said they can keep it. I have spent literally thousands of dollars over the last 30 years or so at the QVB store, it's previous incarnation at George & Market St and Rhodes shopping centre. I am glad they are doing so well that are not feeling the heat from the online market-place. It is not always about the money. It is about customer loyalty.

I like to get my creative on and I find Riot do have an excellent place to find pretty much any…read moreArts or Crafty thing that you might need... What can I tell you they have all the usual suspects - paints, cardboard, stamps, stickers, pencils, felt etc and the prices seem ok.... neither cheap but not ridiculously expensive... The only thing I don't like about the store is the layout - long rows of goods - that feel either inspiring or creative.... I don't know why, but that turns me off a bit... I appreciate good aesthetics and this store seriously misses the mark...

Great place, has everything you need! A lot cheaper than the other store in Westfield, staff are…read morefriendlier and they offer a good range of products

This shop is the sort of place I'd want to be in if a nuclear bomb hit. I'd grab hold of one of the…read moregorgeous little reassuring grannies and never let go. "Just take the knitting needles, dear. You can do it. Knit one. Pearl one. Never mind the banging dear, just concentrate." I came into this shop when my son was born. Heavily under the influence of hormones, I decided to knit him a scarf...because that's the first thing a kid who lives in Sydney needs right?! The ladies in the shop set me up with beginners needles, good quality wool and a book to get me started. They told me to pop in if I got stuck and I never doubted their sincerity. Alas pride needled me and when I did get stuck at around the 90% finished mark, I felt foolish that I couldn't work out what the book meant by 'finishing off'. How was I supposed to get the scarf off the needle without it unravelling? I pondered this for 3 years until my mum caved in and finished the job for me. My sons teddy has a gorgeous little scarf that is unique in the fact that it is twice the width at one than it is at the other...a winning look. Perhaps I should have taken one of their classes, as well as the book. This shop is as delightful as the ladies who work there. Take a wonder around and be transported to a gentler time.

How nice s it to get back to the 'old fashion' way, this place has amazing wool and fabrics for…read moreneedle craft . It is a shame it is not as popular any more, that s apart from our house, a knitting frenzy has started. There are some great new wools available that are very modern. Recommend especially if you have children.