Foodies, Domestic Goddesses or those who just simply like kitchen ware you will find yourself in a…read morenirvana of sorts at Taste on James Street. As you walk in you are greeted by an abundance of kitchen gadgets, pots, pans, saucers and even a extra large Le Creuset Tea Pot. Wander upstairs and there are more kitchen delights to be found. As I wandered around the lofty upstairs I imagined how beautiful this would be for an event or long table dinner. Taste is fantastic if you are the serious home cook who wants the right tools OR you are an ok cook who feels like you can achieve more with names like Kitchenaid surrounding you. Either way, pop in and I dare you not to leave with something in your hot little hands.

Last Christmas I wanted to make gingerbread cookies, but I had a very specific vision (yes, a…read morevision - very artistic!) and it involved large christmas tree shaped cookies. I strolled into numerous kitchen shops assuming that finding a large christmas tree cookie cutter would be like finding a tree in the woods, but it turned out to be a bit more like Where's Wally? NO ONE had them! Small christmas tree cookie cutters were everywhere, but my VISION involved christmas trees were big enough to decorate with lollies and give as gifts. I recruited the help of numerous friends and family, asking them to keep an eye out for me. On Christmas Eve, when I'd all but given up and was rolling out my gingerbread dough ready to cut it into disappointingly small tree shapes, my Dad walked in with a large Christmas tree cookie cutter. 'WHERE? WHERE did you get this?', I asked him and ever since hearing his response ('Taste') I've had a new favourite kitchen shop. Upon my many subsequent visits I've always found what I needed and had a grand old time browsing their awesome range of things you never knew you needed but did!

The Crate is a kitchen lovers dream. It is funky and modern plus they have really fun and practical…read morekitchenware. I would love to go nuts and buy so much from this place. Recently I settled on buying a cool piggy bank. You have probably seen them, they are cute and come in fun patterns or with accessories like honey bee antennas or silver crowns. Mine has pokka dots. The Crate have solid kitchen basics like white baking dishes, cook books, utensils or fun twists on regular items like fluro coloured potato peelers. I love the decorations though, like those white, woodern words you see from time to time. I have one that says 'Create'.

Ali was very courteous and provided excellent customer service. I will definitely return to this…read morelocation!

Every time I walk into this shop I feel inspired to become the greatest cook and the most…read moreextraordinary baker in my family. How could I not be inspired? They have the coolest gadgets when it comes to cooking equipment. I love the designs they stock, the colours and the variety. You can walk in with no intention of buying, but end up leaving with a whole bunch of fun kitchen appliances. For example recently, I wasn't looking for anything in particular but I ended up walking out with a pair of tongs with bright red ends that have a bend on them, so when you lay it on the bench, the tongs won't touch the surface. Genius! The customer service here is very good. They helped with all the queries I had, even showed me products on the top shelves which required a use of a ladder. They were informative and knowledgable in regards to the items they sell. This is my favourite kitchen/homewares store in Mt Ommaney Centre.

This shop is full of items I like to call "Granny Chic". There is a lot of pastel colours and…read morefloral and paisley patterns. Lots of soft pinks and baby blues, but I really like the stuff they sell. They sell reusable/ceramic coffee and tea cups, teapots, plates and dishes, cupcake liners in amazing patterns and colours, tins, homewares and knick knacks. They also have a range of outdoor cushions - really cute patterned cushions that are covered with a durable plastic-like cover so they can survive in rain or shine. There is also a range of kimonos and dressing gowns that are absolutely beautiful. They aren't the cheapest, but are really beautiful and would make for a great gift.

Kudos to shops like this one who sum it all up in their name. this little place has it down, with…read morecolourful pillows being the first thing that greets you as you walk in the store. I found this pretty charming because, what place has a huge stash of pillows in such a small place and can still make it look cute and uncluttered? Well, this one, actually. And there's the whole, beachy-antique type vibe that swallows you up in this place. It's lovely. It's range of jewellery reminds me a lot of Thousand Island Dressing, and that's one the of best compliments. Some of their accessories are so cute that you wonder how people think to make things out of such random items and ideas. For instance, Just Plain Gorgeous has scrabble letters from which you can either make earrings or bracelets. The best however, is its selection of the same choices in typewriter letters. Now that's just nostalgic and reminds you of another time. They've given such a simple idea a really sweet and vintage twist. This is a great place to go if you want to put together something a bit more personal from a really unique basic idea.

Sold me a dress from the prior year that was passed off as the current year's dress. Did not answer…read moreemail regarding return.

This is one of the most beautiful stores ever! It's a tiny place, but each item has obviously been…read morecarefully chosen for its charm, beauty or heavenly aroma then skilfully arranged to look as tempting as possible. As the title suggests, the items stocked are rather random; pretty pyjamas, handmade soaps, jewellery, fake flowers. The seemingly odd assortment comes together beautifully to create a serene shopping experience. I slowly made my way through the store having a browse thinking, yes, I do need a bar of special Christmas-scented soap; maybe I do need a pretty, rustic bucket for when I get into flower arranging; while the adorable elderly lady purchasing her Christmas presents and telling stories about her grandchildren just made the experience all the more charming. This is the perfect place for buying gifts or treating yourself.

My only regret in dealing with this business is that I couldn't get more lessons to drag my…read moresub-standard sewing skills up. My partner bought me a lovely new electonic sewing machine here recently and I eagerly went along to the three lessons that came with it. I learned a lot but would gladly have signed up for more if they'd been available. My sewing machine is an amazing gadget and like so many others there is pretty curring edge. The shop's a far cry from the old fashioned haberdashery shop but has lots of enticing sewing accoutrement too. It's nice to see an independent store doing so well in downtown Wynnum.

If you're looking to splash some cash and refurnish your kitchen, you'll love Wheel and Barrow…read more Walking through this store is as exciting to me as walking through Officeworks - that is, very exciting indeed. The possibility offered by rows and stacks of sparkling kitchen utensils, pots, pans, mixing bowls of all descriptions, trays, baking dishes, and cake decorating supplies would be enough to awaken the Masterchef in anyone. Unfortunately, for a student like me the kitchenwares at this store are out of reach of my budget. It's not cheap to get a flashily stocked kitchen, so I prefer to do a walk through, dream, try to exit without breaking anything, and come back again another time.

10 years in retail is no mean feat and this year Green Tangerine, the delightful homewares and gift…read morestore on Latrobe Terrace celebrates their 10th birthday. If you're local to Paddington or have spent any length of time in Brisbane, Green Tangerine has most likely come across your radar as a place to buy gifts for a multitude of occasions, perhaps a top for yourself purchased on a whim after having coffee or a weekend breakfast at one of the nearby cafes, or for a a sticky beak and inspiration. The store is always elegantly presented with enough of a collection to appeal to a wide audience. Most recently there's been an increase in Australian pieces including the ceramics of Angus & Celeste. Even if you're only in the market for a quirky card to send to a friend in far away places, Green Tangerine will come up trumps.

As my circle of friends have become increasingly fond of matrimony, Green Tangerine has fast become…read moremy go to place for wedding/engagement gifts. It's got an impressive range of homewares including some cool ceramics, framed art wall hangings and other curios which make a great gift for someone setting up a new home. It's also full of purely aesthetic pieces for the person who has everything. The service is great too. It's always good to get a friendly greeting followed by a respectful wait before the offer of help. Prices are wide-ranging but you can usually find something suitable for under $100, and often the pieces will look like they could cost a lot more.