Whoever created Reverse Garbage is a genius and should be given a medal for helping to solve the…read moreworld's waste problems. Don't get me started on my overconsumption rant! Reverse Garbage is a not-for-profit that accepts donations of industrial scraps or pays a small fee for them, organises them in a way that is consumer-friendly and sells them, saving "rubbish" from going into landfill. As a sewer, I love their fabric scraps. Most of it's off-cuts of pretty odd shapes but there are some small rolls of fabric too. Selling truly random things like bottle caps, brochures, long tubes of mesh-like fabric--things that would otherwise be considered junk--this is a great place for creative souls, kindergarten teachers in search of craft material and anyone who wants to look first for second-hand materials before buying something new and contributing to the cycle of consumption! Uh-oh, I feel that rant coming on again...

Full of bits of wood, mannequins, plastic, rope, fabric and thousands of other bits and bobs that…read morewere going to be thrown out by various industrial places. In this way, they are stopping waste and allowing things to have a second chance at life. They are always getting new things in and the best way to hear about their latest bargain is to keep an eye on their facebook page. They are a not-for-profit organisation that goes to schools to do workshops and have a small shop that sells upcycled handmade goodies from local craftspeople. If you love craft and DIY (or you're renovating your house), this is the place for you. Everything is priced reasonably. I have used some of their things for my own crafting projects. Perhaps the only problem is their location; they can be a bit hard to get to. I catch the bus and jump off at the P.A. Hospital. From there it's about a 15 minute walk.

Free eggs, food and a free bookstall at the front. Great for the community as there is a high…read moreamount of walking traffic here.

If you've got whingey kids who are totally over being dragged around the shops this festive season,…read morethen short of taping their mouths up (and I don't advise child cruelty), this is a nice way to shut them up for a few minutes. Even better, it's free! Yep, it's the Myer Centre Christmas windows. It might not be as good as last year's effort (a homage to the children's storybook fave Olivia. How can you not love a window display featuring a puking pig?), but it's still seriously cute. This year it's a little less about vom, and more about Santa. There's large Santas, teeny elves, presents on conveyor belts, reindeers, lots of sparkle, and a "Santa Claus is coming to Town" soundtrack. And, er, snow. (Why do people insist on pushing the whole White Christmas thing on us when we all know that on the big day we'll be losing our body weight in sweat, our tinsel will wilt, and even the flies are too hot to move?) That small gripe aside, while it's not spectacular, it's definitely sweet to the max, and worth a peep.

The metal bars across the entire front of this store make for a fairly formidable, intimidating…read morepicture and make the place look like it's permanently closed. After working up the courage to cross the threshold, I discovered a large jewellery store with nothing to interest me too much (a LOT of gold). The people here are nice enough and their children playing on the floor certainly make an interesting contrast to the barred windows, but their products just really aren't my style. Now let's talk more about these bars. I will give them one point for attempting to make them friendly by having some of said bars formed into the shape of love hearts, and I realise they are simply trying to protect themselves against would be burglars (something they are obviously petrified of), but still, it is not the most welcoming site for customers. Enter if you dare.

This medium sized delight of a shop is where you will find something special for your child. They…read moreare a little on the expensive side, but you will get a good quality age appropriate item. They sell a really good range of the 'That's Not My ... ' books (mums will know this one) and they also have the Thomas the Tank train table set with all the over 200 acessories that go with it. Another really cool area of the shop sells all things Bobble Art. I bought my son's daycare school bag there with cars all over it. Bobble Art make cute drink bottles, school bags and school accessories for the little kids and they're all pretty good and waterproof too. Love this brand. You can also buy kitchen sets, sand and water tables, hop scotch platforms that play music when you hit a point on the mat and my personal favourite, magnet boards for your kids to take in the car or on the plane to keep themselves amused! We bought one and it was a lifesaver on the airplane. Kept my son busy and keeping him busy is good enough for me. They have a whole bunch of knick knacky toys as well as dolls and little prams and whatnot so definetely check this place out if you ever see it.

By far one of my most favourite thrifting events on the calendar…read moreSuitcase rummage is THE place to sell your old wares (or to pick up new ones!) This market is heaving with cheap vintage, bric-a-brac, CD's, DVD's, comics, zines and all manner of art and craft. (I can guarantee you will need to set aside a full day to adequately peruse all that is on display.) If you are thinking of joining as a stallholder be aware that there are some stringent rules in place. For one you can't just mosey on off when you get a bit bored the organisers prowl around and insist you stay put til the 5pm close. NO stands, booths or clothes rails are allowed, everything has to be sold out of a suitcase (preferably vintage, to keep up with the aesthetics.) I've had stalls here a couple of times and can vouch for the friendly, low-hassle vibe about the place. The best aspect about these markets is the range of crafting goods that are available. Ideal for home or to give as unique gifts and all at bargain prices. A definite must-do in brisbane!

It says a lot about a person who can take the drab concrete Reddacliff Place and turn it into a…read morebuzzing bazaar of vintage knick-knacks, home made arts and crafts, second hand clothing and other various trinketry. Yet, on the first Sunday of every month, Suitcase Rummage does just that. From 11am til 5 a steady stream of loyal fans, curious wanderers and first time inspectors wander the markets where not a table is in sight. From the vintage to the modern day - everyone sells from a suitcase. There's a certain buzz at Suitcase Rummage, an atmosphere that I've not experienced anywhere else. With a coffee in hand, friends in tow it is the perfect way to spend a Sunday mid-morning. Prices are ridiculously reasonable (real op-shop prices. For example, $2 for second hand clothing, $5 for jeans at one stall) and there's even tea cup candles hand made by another seller. There's live music and I think if there were a few things like a coffee cart, and a few food stalls it'd be even better. A word to the wise, don't just pass by the stalls thinking you've seen all they have. This is a market where to find the best buys you'll have to get down and dig through the lot to find the good stuff!

Despite being a relatively small newsagent, this place stocks all essential items to get students…read morethrough uni - stationary, energy drinks and magazines. There is an interesting abundance of magazines which are tailored to suit the clientele (political, environmental, surfing, cooking, fashion, motorsports and gaming). You can pick up your daily paper, including international titles such as the UK's Guardian Weekly. As for keeping up the sugar levels, well they have you covered. You can stock up on American candy (think Reese's Buttercups and Hershey's Kisses) as well as the not-so-easy-to-find Cherry Coke and Grape Fanta. With a Suncorp ATM attached to the front of the building, facilities to top up your Go-Card, birthday cards and lottery tickets, this is your one-stop-shop for university's essentials. Please note that Campus News opening hours are different during university holidays: 0700-1730 Mon-Fri and 0900-1200 Sat

Organised a move through Laura and Phil at Classic Relocations and they were so organised and…read moreprofessional from start to finish. Everything was transparent and the packers you could tell were highly trained and professional. Highly recommend if you want all your items to be moved securely and in the same condition that it left in.