Texts, tweets and Tinder might be all the rage but I firmly sit in the corner that believes sending…read morea beautiful card for an array of occasions beats the obligatory Facebook message or wall post. That's why I'm thankful that a store like Card & Caboodle, located on the lower floor of Queens Plaza, is still around. Much like hen's teeth, a shop dedicated to the art of correspondence via a carefully deliberated card is hard to find. Much like Suzannah B, I often find selecting a card far more exciting than the gift it may be presented with. Their range is some of the best in Brisbane and extend from classic humour, modern design and quirky.There's a card for almost all occasions and you'll also be able to stock up on wrap, ribbon or a fancy-pants gift bag.

Every year I tell my friends I'm going to write them a personal letter and post it. We all agree…read morewhat a great idea this would be and spend awhile reminiscing about the good ol' days before email. I've never yet written such a letter although Card and Caboodle has certainly tempted me with their range of stationary. Some of their writing sets are so pretty. Plus, anyone would be pleased to receive best wishes from their intricate pop-up card range. Their cute stamps, stickers, hanging ornaments and magnets would make perfect 'filler presents', the sort you would get for your workplace Secret Santa or that cousin you don't know very well but you suspect she's a girly girl. If you're looking for something more original than your stock standard newsagency range, then try Card and Caboodle for all matters stationary related.

This shop is like a cornucopia of strange little gifts, knick-knacks, cards, and bits'n'bobs…read more Exactly the kind of store you pop into in search of a birthday card for someone, and end up browsing amongst the eclectic gifts for at least half an hour. There was everything from teddy bears to photo frames; mugs and calendars to christening gifts; musical jewellery boxes to happy birthday banners. I can't lie and say everything was top notch, but I do recommend a potter if you've got time for a browse, or you have some time to kill while waiting for a bus. Like Mary Poppin's handbag, you never know what's going to come out of it...(or what you'll come out with!)

I'm starting to get to that age where a few of my friends have popped, or are having the question…read morepopped to them. Tying the knot, walking down the aisle, all that kind of stuff. Although I'm definitely not at that point in my life yet, I've taken some sort of unhealthy interest in wedding planning and have been keeping my eyes peeled for anywhere they might be able to utilise for their big days. I stumbled across The Wedding List Co. when walking through James Street last week and popped in to see what their deal was. I found out that they source and organise the registers for people's wedding gifts and their store on James Street is merely a show room to display some of the items that are available. There was everything from photo frames, to home appliances and beautiful Wedgewood china. The lady who was manning the store was lovely and told me that they can organise the register no matter what the location of the wedding. And with all of the other stuff that has to be organised for the most important day of your life, frankly it would be nice to put that responsibility in someone else's hands. If you have your big day coming up or have a friend who is in need of some organisational help in the gift registry department, give The Wedding List Co. a call. I wouldn't just drop in to the store because they're only open Thursdays and Saturdays unless by appointment.

Avoid at all costs! We signed up thinking that this could be…read morea good registry site, how wrong we were. The big reason we signed up is because they promised to match prices and get 25% off everything else after the guests had bought their gifts. Trying to match prices is a nightmare. You have to do all the work send them photos, highlighting the price and date of the promotion. Every other place that price matches asks for a link to the item and price, then they do the rest. So after our wedding, we closed the registry and went to add extra purchases, thinking we were going to receive the discount. Turns out, you have to buy items after your guests have bought theirs. Then, they give you a gift voucher (only valid at their website) worth a certain percentage of your extra purchases (e.g. spend $500, get $150 voucher) THEN they take 25% off that. What absolute crap! So you have to make 2 extra purchases to receive 25% off. So we spent $xxx thinking that we'd receive a voucher with the corresponding amount. We later learned that this voucher and discount does not apply to electrical goods and home appliances. We spent almost $1000 for nothing. Why was it advertised as 'receive 25% off and gifts not purchased'. There is no asterisk or any indication of any terms or conditions This should be taken down immediately. To make matters worse, delivery was just over 8 weeks. We were initially told 4-6 weeks (3-5 weeks longer then every other gift registry site we looked at. On the 7th week, we sent a stern email asking how long it would be and why. We were told it would take 8 weeks because 'that's just how it is'. No apology or anything. Wedding List Co was started by George & Karaline Loiterton because they had a 'negative experience' when they did their registry so they wanted to 'address the problem'. Well done you two, you now are part of the problem.

One of the lucky few places that stocks Hello Kitty and all of the above. If you're into your…read moremanga, your anime and your sanrio products, this shop is one of the few that I would consider to be your personal mecca. It's not the biggest store I've seen, but it's one of the only ones that exist (surprise surprise it's in Sunnybank!) and although small in size, is pack stacked and filled to the brim with all the things I find cute. Cuteness galore and I don't mean puppies. To the passer by, you may think, oh it's another weird ass trinket store with asian things in it and funny looking cats. But to really appreciate what is the 'Hello Kitty' phenomenon you need to google it or educate yourself first. Don't go in store and learn about it, it wouldn't work. If manga, anime and sanrio mean anything to you, you will walk in and fully appreciate the clutter, appreciate the hello kitty in the dinosaur suit. Appreciate the hello kitty earrings, and all the accessories related to the cat. She deserves respect. Get a tissue box cover with some kero kero keroppi or some little pichu dolls. It's crazy, and it makes sense. I love this place.

I wonder if the Sanrio crew are still as treasured in Japan (and elsewhere) as they once were. I'm…read morenot sure if Hello Kitty and her friends are quite as popular with the Australian youth of today, but when I was a teenager they underwent a huge surge in popularity, with every girl desperate for her own cute little pencil case starring these characters, or stationary to write useless notes to their friends. As far as I know, this is one of the few places in Brisbane left as a shrine to these adorable cartoon characters. It's a pretty big shop too, with any object you can imagine available with a Hello Kitty's of My Melody's mug stamped on it. Some of the items looked a little cheap to me, but maybe I've just outgrown it and can finally understand why the stuff is not universally popular.

Scenario: You've discovered the calming and relaxation benefits of adult colouring in. You wander…read morepast Books@Stones before they open and see an entire window display dedicated to this new "trend" and you make a mental note to stop back in before you leave. Of course, there's something hush hush about admitting you are an adult who colours in but after recently discovering how relaxing it can be, I'm hooked. Thankfully, this book shop has quite a good collection of these books. But that's not all. While the front portion of the store is dedicated to adult books, the back half of the store is a wonderland for the young readers. There's a great selection of kids books (excellent for the Savvy Aunty who is eager to build her niece a well rounded library) and space for them to sit and read. In fact, as I was browsing the shelves an author was about to do a book reading for kids. Prices are reasonable and honestly no more than some online sites. Plus you get to take it home with you - what's not to love? If you're local this is one worth bookmarking!

This cute little bookstore on Logan Rd at Stones Corner specializes in Australian books & authors…read more Grab a coffee next door at the Green Door Gallery & Cafe and then go in and browse through their extensive range of fiction, non-fiction & kids books.

Is this the last Morning Glory left in Brisbane? Oh dear, I…read morestill remember when I visited my first Morning Glory about fifteen years ago at Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast. Here at last was a place where I could get all my Asian pop culture paraphernalia - it was finally becoming main stream. Fifteen years later, this Morning Glory could be the final resting place for Hello Kitty, Keropi and many other celebrity plushies that have risen to stardom and died in ignominy. I like to think that there's still a viable market in Brisbane for Morning Glory. Surely, there are more little girls in want of a Hello Kitty apron. How about a giant Totoro plushie for your dashboard or a matching Blue Bear/ Pink Bear set to consolidate your relationship? While it's glory days are probably gone forever, I wager there's life in this shop yet. So get shopping! Hello Kitty says so.

When I was about fourteen, Hello Kitty and those other sickeningly cute Japanese animal characters…read morewere all the rage. Morning Glory was known as heaven for every girl in love with the characters and the insane amounts of stationary their button-nosed faces were plastered on. It's been a long time since I've seen a Morning Glory, I thought they'd faded into extinction, but here is proof at least one has survived. It's former, forgive me, glory has lessened somewhat and the store looks a little more tacky, a little less wonderland than it once did, but there's still a lot here. It's the perfect place to get a gift for any young girl, or to stick them for free babysitting while you do the groceries (I kid, of course).

I recently visited this shop and Mel the owner took care of my needs. I was most impressed with the…read moreservice given and quality of merchandise I purchased. Have no hesitation in recommending their services to anyone who requires quality shopping Tom - Bundaberg

Great products and customer service. They were very prompt on emails and with dispatched my order…read morein a timely matter. Would order again.

I get the heebie geebies when I go into Oxlades Art Centre. I can almost guarantee that if I leave…read moreempty handed (a rarity), I will at least leave Oxlades with the curiosity and inspiration to propel myself into some mysterious artistic tangent that I've stumbled upon while being there. Trawling their three small aisles full of art bounty, I am constantly surprised at what I find in there. You've got a truckload of different pens, pencils, charcoal, graphite, crayons, chalk and paints in there to choose from of course. These are art store staples. On the note of painting: painters will be interested to know that Oxlades sell a big range of canvas (just enquire at the desk rather than whipping out the pocket knife and going for it yourself). Back to browsing. It becomes more interesting when you move into sculpting territory. They've got bulk wax, plaster, resin, and all sorts of sculpting things that I don't know the name or nature of. There's also a wide range of supplies available to print makers and those into etching. Glorious art stuffs be mine! If you become inspired by some unidentifiable medium or material, ask the staff at the counter. They are extremely knowledgable and helpful. They also have a small book collection on different art practices if you want to just sit down with a book and teach yourself through wild experimentations. Go on: I dare you to go in there and get curious. Start playing!