I have 'Cher' running through my head as I type this review. 'If I could turn back time'. Well if I…read morecould turn back time, I would find a way to never have gone into this shop. Because now I know that it is there. Now I know that MANY, MANY things therein I love. MANY, MANY things I would buy. MANY, MANY dollars it would cost. My first impression was that it was mostly the over-sized linen dressed that are so favoured by Mosman mums but on closer inspection some of the dresses are ridiculously cute. The clothing is all natural: linen, silk, cotton. Lots of greys, taupes, lime greens. It has been perfectly washed to give it a 'lived in look'. I have one khaki coloured linen dress in mind with tiny shell buttons down a racer back. I covet it and I can still see it clear in my minds eye but uh-oh, it's nearly $400! A bit much for a summer dress. Albeit a very nice one. This is a store for people who can afford to look wonderfully distressed. It's just a bit distressing that it might not be me.

This is a calm store to shop in. It may be on a relatively busy corner street on Military Road but…read morethe interior is soothing to the senses. The small milk bottles, soap dishes and ceramic bowls are beautiful - slim and beachy are two words that come to mind. The whole store has an air of beachside luxury in fact. But it's the clothes women come here for right? Linen, silk and suede are crafted into floaty, almost ethereal yet simple pieces. There's a hand crafted feel to this store but the craftsmanship is great and seems to have been styled with a whole lot of love.

Betty is eclectic, loud and unassuming. She is always the last one dancing at the club when…read moreeveryone else is ready to go home. When Betty walks into a room, all eyes are on her. And her clothes. If you want to be just like Betty, come to this shop and you can dress like her too. Always been intrigued by thrift stores but never known exactly where to start? Broadway Betty is the kinda place that has done most of the groundwork for you. A plethora of leather jackets, fuzzy cardigans, vintage shoes and a vast array of denim, whether you are looking for men's or women's clothing, there is nothing in here you can't find. Like all good thrift stores, expect to pay a little more than your local Vinnies or Salvos. And in amongst some of the more questionable fancy dress clothing, you can be sure that you will find some true gems in this store. Give Betty a visit. She is waiting to meet you.

Have you even been invited to an "ugly sweater" party and been unsure where to source said garment?…read moreBoy, do I have the place for you! Broadway Betty is a great vintage shop near Glebe Point Road that contains oh so much in the way of ridiculous retro wears. Sweaters rule here- think your Granddad circa Christmas 1987. There is also a delightfully large selection of vintage tracksuits in an array of colors. Do you have a shortage of sequin prom gowns in your wardrobe (tragedy!)? What about Levi cut-offs? What about boho patchwork or fringe handbags that suggest you should be twirling in a meadow somewhere? Ok, I think you get it. I don't know who Betty is, but she's got some kickin' taste. With Halloween looming near, this awesome vintage shop definitely deserves a little pop in. Who knows, you might stumble across the pair of overalls you always dreamed about.

Walking in here is like strolling through the pages of Frankie magazine…read more They've got a similar aesthetic - vintage touches, a bit intimate and breathy, eco-awareness done with a gentle, lace glove covered touch. They've even got a similar colour palette, all robin's egg blue and taupe. Colours which unfortunately make me look like a consumptive harridan hacking up blood discreetly into a hand-embroidered hanky while reclining precariously on a chaise longue. And not in a good way. I can't wear the clothes, but I can look, and the aesthetic in here is lovely to witness, the changerooms have vintage religious saint art on the walls, and you'll find the odd cross-stitched Obama throw pillow lying around. The clothes are lovely, if that needs to be said, of the wispy, uber-fem, romantic type. Not for weeding the driveway in, unless you move in more glamorous gardening circles than I. A quick appreciation for the lovely staffer the other day too, she was genuinely friendly unlike many of the designer fashion style guards who dismiss you with an eyelash-extended once-over. Much appreciated. We commiserated on the difficulty of coming home with any pay when you work in retail in a place you like. I've been there. 'At least it's all pretty', she said with a smile.

I often fantasize about living in the 1950s, in a world where a boy in a Thunderbird picks me up,…read moretakes me to the Hop and spins me silly all night long. Although modern day realities have shifted, at least I can still dress in the styling of this iconic era. Retro Spec'd is not your average vintage store. The majority of its dresses are made new in the prints and patterns of the 50s. From flowery halter swing dresses to pin-up-esque pencil dresses, the designs are classic without that "used to be someone's grandmother's" smell. This store is a winner for anyone who wants to look rockabilly, punk, or just different from your typical Sydneysider.

The cutest clothes and best service. Everything is locally designed. They carry the cutest retro…read moredresses with unique and appealing designs that look great with a petticoat under. They also have great accessories like a seashell purse I got there. The ladies working there are so friendly and sweet too!

In a strange twist of fate, I found out one of my friend's mums works here even though she's from…read morethe Eastern suburbs. It's easy to underestimate ol' Brenda Harrison, but the purpose it serves in the Castlecrag community cannot be understated.... You see, there are a lot of, how do you say, very old people in The Crag. And The Crag likes to imagine itself as a progressive place, but if you've got it's women schlepping about in Target and, idk, Sussan I guess, well, that's not loving up to the brand image now is it? Enter Brenda. I'm not a matronly older woman but this place has black, white, Kanye khaki and that's about it. Seriously, they get it going on. Simple tones, sharp cuts, classic styles. I feel like everyone that moves to The Crag should get a $500 gift voucher to Brenda. And some kind of makeover.

Boots, boots, more boots and plenty of other stuff in between…read more If you want to be a cowboy, cowgirl or cow baby, Route 66 is the shop for you. In business for over twenty years and being Australia's largest range of cowboy boots, Route 66 offers a seemingly endless collection of boots. They also sell a wide variety of 1950's inspired rockabilly, Americana clothing, hats, belts, sunglasses, handbags, lingerie and a selection of funky T-Shirts, my personal favourite being the "God Goo Muck" shirt. What excited me most in Route 66 was their range of kitschy, pop art junk, which I had to resist stocking up on, if you are in need of a Jimi Hendrix corpse in coffin (or the Ramones or Rolling Stones in a shared coffins), a paper mache skeleton a crucifix covered in guns and horseshoes knives and guns or other classic Christian kitsch. You can even find a Wacky Wobbler Rat Fink. I don't think I want to be a cowboy, well not this week anyway, but I did have fun at Route 66, it is a large and fun shop to wander around, the staff are friendly and they play a catchy mix of swinging country pop. Route 66 is definitely something different in Darlinghurst, even if it is not your style it is worth going for the experience.

Yeeeeeeeeeehaw this place is cool. I have a decently unhealthy obsession with vintage cowboy boots…read more I must have at least 12 pairs at home and back last year when I was packing to move to Australia (in two suitcases), I somehow prioritized taking 4 pairs. Sick, I know. I was window-shopping along Crown one evening a while back and spotted my new loves in the window of Route 66: tall, grey boots with white cut out detailing and small red hearts decorating the top. I like to think the love at first sight was mutual, but I might be lying to myself. The very next day, I marched my little self in there to claim what was rightfully mine. And then BAM, I was hit with the truth. My lusty loves who had made so many sweet promises to me through the shop window the night before, were playing cold, hard games with me now. There's a difference between playing hard to get, and actually BEING hard to get. And at $425 for the pair, this was no game. So, what could I do? Deflated and heart broken, I cast one last glance at my beautiful boots and bee-lined it out of there. If the interaction were a Western quick draw, I definitely hadn't been victorious.

My mum has an old shortbread tin full of mismatched buttons. I loved nothing more than sorting…read morethrough them on wet Sunday afternoons. Well, honestly, I probably loved crumpets and jam more but for the purpose of this narrative, buttons were a close second. Having received the disappointing news that I shouldn't expect a Haberdashery to sell buttons (http://goo.gl/JmMBm), I squared my jaw and headed to the interwebs. Good news Helen, you shall get buttons enough to fill a shortbread tin and more. Giddy I headed off to this charming little store in The Rocks and was immediately enchanted. I came away with some gorgeous little wooden tool childrens buttons, some sparkly diamantes buttons and an assortment of tiny buttons for which I had great plans. My advice go here with some designs in mind or you could get very carried away! Must remember to hide that credit card statement...

Ever since I was a little girl, I had a fascination with buttons. My mum collected them in a big…read moreglass jar and I used to pour them out on the rug and sort them by size and color. While some might argue this was the early onset of my OCD, it also spawned a love for arts and crafts that I carry with me today. Nestled off the main George Street thoroughfare along the Nurses Walk laneway in the Rocks, there exists a little shop that houses little buttons. And what a wonderful place it is. With a vast and varying array of color, size, shape, and material, if you're looking for a button they'll likely have it here. I particularly enjoy the cards containing anywhere from 4 to 7 buttons that are all different, but all part of a theme. I fell in love with a set of 5 ice creams and ice blocks that are differently colored and sparkly. I also saw a "holiday" set with a mini passport, mini bottle of sunscreen etc. Very kitschy and cute. If classic is your thing, tubes protruding from the walls contain buttons arranged in color groups. Give your tired clothes a facelift by replacing the buttons. At the end of the day, it's all about the little things in life.

Rockabilly favourite Dangerfield has opened a store in Bondi Junction Mall, oh happy day! There has…read morebeen a Dangerfield in Westfield forever, it may in fact still be there- but the shop in the mall is a fantasy land and besides gorgeous polkadot and floral dresses and an ample men's section, has the best home accessories section I've seen this brand put out to date. Rubix cube cushion seats put fluffy dice to shame! I'm hoping this shop keeps up with the Bondi Junction tradition of "permanent sales", as I found myself purchasing a gorgeous silk dress reduced from $88 to $60, and with another 20% off- bringing me new frockage for a grand total of $48. Oh here's a secret for the girls: Dangerfield has the most awesome knickers ever. Love!