Have you ever wanted a remote control robot, or mustache-shaped cookie cutters, or scrabble tile…read morerefrigerator magnets and not been sure where to source such fabulous items. OOOOOOH man, do I have the store for you! Opus is a haven for everything fun and whimsical for your home or office. They have a spectacular toy section with something to make anyone grin from shoulder to shoulder. From stationary, to crockery, I dare you to stop in here and NOT find something for yourself or a friend. How do you feel about a mouse pad that looks like a mini rug? How about a reusable lunchbox in the shape of a giraffe's face? If there was such thing as death by cuteness, this store would be wise to line the back with hospital beds and IVs. Nurse, stand by... she's just spotted the teacups.

Oh, I love this store. It's so much fun. It's like a toy store for adults... (actually rereading…read morethat it sounds wrong).... well think more along the lines of fun awesome prezzies you want to give your friends for their birthdays - because your gift reflects positively on you. Opus is situated on the top half of Oxford street and contains a wonderful array of books, cards, homewares and novelty items. It's all quite classy so even if you're getting a "Captain Ketchup" ($12.95) squirt your tomato sauce gun, its designed so beautifully your house will look better for it. Prices vary as they have a mix of chic and cher. Whatever your budget you're guaranteed to find something you like in this shop. There is a HUGE range - many colours with many different options. I always stop by this store to find something special for my friends. The stores been around since 1968 and I sincerely believe all those years of finessing purchasing has paid off. Friends, if you want to buy me a birthday present - I can recommend anything here....as for everyone else - I promise you, discovering this store is my gift to you....

Wonderful store, fabulous things and great service. It is like entering the home of a dear friend…read more All of its customers are cherished by the owners who make every visit very special. Also think of Mrs Red for your next visit. Susan

Looking through the window at the little asian inspired designer items on display, I was intrigued…read moreby this store on the corner of Crown Street. One of the items that caught my eye inside were the cool asian print belts. Walking inside with my family I noticed an elderly couple inside who were being served by either one of the owners or sales assistants. The couple were looking at purchasing one of their delicate glass plates, with a leaf like pattern etched into the glass. Another of their nice pieces. The sales assistant was very knowledge about the plate, the company, where the plate was from and how it was made. After browsing the store for what seemed like another fifteen or twenty minutes though, no one had served us, not just me, but my whole family. In fact, it seemed more like we were ignored-I don't think we suited the normal pretentious, up-market clientelle the store owners and sales people were used to. Oh well, their loss. This store had some great items, though the service really let this place down.

Chances are, if you've worked your way down Oxford street at least once, you've noticed this…read morespirited little shop. With its classic white shopfront and catchy little name, High Tea With Mrs Woo breathes a bit of personality into that particular stretch of the Paddington shopping district. There's little not to love about the styling and theming in Mrs Woo, except for maybe the prices. Florals and lace abound, as well as some special home decor and gift items. I particularly enjoyed the stationary sets with rubber stamps fit to create an invite the queen herself wouldn't be able to turn down. I've seen the merchandise elsewhere, but it does fit nicely with everything else in the shop. I have to say I was a little disappointed, however, that the store wasn't more unique. Its outward appearance made me some strict promises that it couldn't quite keep. But not to say it wasn't lovely. It was quite nice, indeed. Whoever Mrs Woo is, I might very much enjoy the opportunity to have tea with her some afternoon; especially in the backyard garden of her darling little shop.

High Tea with Mrs Foo is a clothing store that is unrivalled for offering classic, romantic,…read morenostalgia-inspired clothes with a modern twist. The clothes are described by the owners as "charming, thoughtful, and everlasting" which is an extremely apt description that you'll be able to verify once you step into their store. Aside from their unique clothing, they also offer accessories, homewares, and ceramics that are in line with the store's philosophy. While other clothing stores are stacked to the nines full of clothes, this store has elegance in its design and setup. Shopping here is a novelty that you'll rarely experience in stores nowadays and you'll leave happier because of the excellent products they offer.

Cons No greeting on entry…read more Staff walking through don't offer help. More concerned about their conversation than customers. Pros Clothing super cute. Great range of colours and patterns. Very mid-20th century focused. Size 16 can suit larger 16. It's definitely a reactive staff experience which does tend to be a theme in Australian retail stores. Probably doesn't help that it's a national holiday weekend either.

WOW! what an astonishing experience, I found myself wandering aimlessly around Newtown the other…read moreday and stumbled across this whimsical looking boutique. My eye was caught initially by the fantastical window display being painted by an afro wielding staff member. Every aspect of the shop was both quirky and feminine... From the carefully thought out visual merchandising to the smooth Jazz soundtrack. I spent some time in here trying on things and perusing the racks with the attentive help of two beautiful and charismatic sales assistants. Both I will add, impeccably dressed from head to toe. The designs are unique with a nod to bygone eras. The designer has obviously thought about the modern woman with styles and cuts suitable for a myriad of body types. The boutique also has an extensive collection of shoes and accessories to finish of the look. I left with a bundle of frocks in hand, a smile on my face and a rekindled love for Newtown and all it's quirkiness.

Hey Standard Store, aren't you fancy?…read more This new flagship shop on Crown Street directly next door to The Trinity has definitely got "cool" in its bag. A friend of mine enthusiastically recommended it to me and said I must, must check it out. So check it out I did. I found some very interesting, "out of the norm" garments in here. I was told afterwards that most of the shop's styling is European, which makes a lot of sense. Lots of quirky pieces fill the racks, most with interesting embellishments or asymmetrical necklines. I was drawn to a patchwork and lace cardigan, but had to catch my breath after realizing it was near the $300 mark. Not that it isn't worth it, I just didn't quite see it coming. If you're after shoes, jewelry or accessories, Standard Store has a few options here, but not a ton. They are definitely taking a minimalist approach to stocking the shop, but there's probably a sales tactic here that I'm just not aware of. That or the rest of their European shipment is being held up in Australian customs.

This boutique seems to carry the Standard in hipster fashion, as all the clothes in this store fit…read morethat style of dress. The Standard Store just opened in September of this year in a little heritage building in Surry Hills. It's the flagship of the Flying Standard Distribution agency, which sells various European brands. When I walked in, there was just one employee who was helping the only other customer in the store. She didn't even glance my way to welcome me or ask me if I needed assistance, which is surely not polite service. The store itself is cute, minimally decorated, and reminded me of a miniature version of Urban Outfitters (though much more organized). Their inventory of clothes is quite small, but they do carry basics like shirt, jeans, and shoes. I saw less than ten different brands in the men's section, though there appeared to be a bigger selection for women's apparel on the opposite side of the room. Sifting through the clothing racks, I saw $150 striped shirts and $300 cardigans. I like how they carry uncommon labels, but that doesn't detract from the unjustifiably high prices. Despite liking several things I saw, I can't picture myself rushing back here for any reason.

This is one of those clothing stores that ambitiously aims to be every woman's gateway to the…read moreworld. They have clothes from designers you only see on the Style Channel on TV or in fashion magazines (Phillip Lim, Isabel Marant, and designers you've never heard of) - dresses, shorts, pants, tank tops, jeans. Take note, though, that the clothes don't come for cheap (i.e. this is not an outlet store). A red see-through light sweater that I once thought was kind of pretty cost $645. If that doesn't faze you they also have shoes (standing idly next to wooden arms and gnomes) and bags and various plates on the wall (not sure if they're for sale but I'm going to take a wild guess and say no). It's a big space but honestly, there's not that much there and a lot of it looks tooooo something or other. But would definitely recommend you look.

As per my review of sister store Belinda, due to current economic conditions, I would be shopping…read moreonline for designer pieces, but this is still a great store. I love coming here to look at styles coming up and try on that top that I saw in Vogue. Despite it having a more casual style than Belinda, the prices are still high and the people who actually shop here have a lot of disposable cash. Now before you think that this shop is out of your league, they do have sales days and besides, its always nice to buy something out of this world for a special occasion. The Corner Shop also stock a lot of Australian designers such as Lover, Karla Spetic, which are up there with the internationals in terms of design and quality. Go Aussies! Again, this is a store that I would frequent more regularly if I had the dough. Great store.

You might not know this awesome little handmade / design store exists unless you've taken a stroll…read moredown Cleveland Street at some point recently. I completely adore what they're doing here. In a city that runs the risk of being a little redundant (I'm talking shops alone), Follow really mixes it up and offers the browser so many new and exciting things to oogle at. Among my favorite of the handicrafts on offer is the hand stitched, plush animals. Made of felt and vintage fabric and held together with large rustic stitches, these lovable little creatures would make a perfect gift for children and adults alike. And while we're talking about vintage fabrics, check out the earrings and necklaces made out of covered buttons in the cutest of old-time prints. Another item here in Follow that would make a wonderful gift for anyone in your life with a green thumb, is a set of 4 mini chalkboards that stick into your garden with spears. They are shaped like flowers or veggies and are just delightfully cute. Follow is definitely worth taking a stroll down the "path less taken" in Surry Hills.

Follow store is one of those cute design stores. Everything has a handcrafted approach and the…read moreitems seem to be made with care and love. They have gorgeous art prints, contemporary jewellery that is interesting enough that you could have made it yourself. There's some cute clothes that has a kind of pinafore take on it. Textiled cushions and quaint homewares, if that is your thing. It's a great store to peruse especially if you are into design. There are some great gift ideas too. For those who do not live in Sydney, Follow has an online shop in which they can sell and ship worldwide.

I know I'm going to sound like a girl when I say this, but...I love pretty little, shiny things!…read moreThat's why I can never stroll past Abode without a cheeky browse at whatever they have in there. It's hard to define what this store is about, it has home-wares but it also has plenty of awesome novelty gifts. I'll admit I am guilty of walking in there, buying a present for a friend and then falling so in love with it that I keep it. I'm a horrible person, I know, but you try it! You'll go bonkers for all the gorgeous, funny and random things in there. Whether you feel like adding something quirky to your home, buying a card for a loved one or getting a present for someone, you'll find it in Abode. Just make sure to give yourself at least half an hour in there, I guarantee you'll keep getting side tracked.

Abode is the home of pretty things! This is the sort of shop you could browse in for hours trying…read moreto decide on the right card or gift for someone. The wooden floors, non in-your-face staff and quirky Things make this a really welcoming place to hang out in. Much like a place called Abode should be really. I don't see the point of greetings cards that aren't tailored to the person being greeted, and Adobe has a great selection of fun/arty/beautiful cards on top of the wide array of unique gifts for another person (or yourself of course). If you're looking for the likes of a unicorn lamp to a Dali-esque "melting clock" or just have no idea what to get your funky friend for their birthday, Adobe is a damn good place to start.