When I came across a rather dismal looking shopping arcade with a sign suggesting stores were…read morehidden within, I didn't expect much. However the very first shop I came across surprised me pleasantly. It's only a tiny jewellery store, there's no way Brangelina and their brood could fit in here. But their jewellery appealed precisely to my taste; a lot of dainty silver and colourful glass beads. They do have a website but it does the store absolutely no justice. You really need to visit the shop to see what this place is all about. So next time you're in Paddington and happen to stumble across a mysterious arcade, venture down and pay this shop a visit.

If you like lace and I do, you'll love to browse through Dolls and Doilies. This little unassuming…read moreshop at the slightly quieter end of Bay Terrace is tucked between another couple of specialty shops and will catch the eye of any crafty passerby, the window filled as it is with exquisite lace products and doilie art (if that's what you call it). I wandered in there looking for a present for a neice and came away with a very cool goblin-ish doll at a price that wasn't a steal but which I was willing to pay for good old fashioned handcrafting. Dolls and Doilies are wholesalers and retailers of doilies and lace and if you're really keen, you can also sign up for a craft class. I tell myself if I did this, I could make my presents instead of paying lots of money to other people for them... sure, one day I'll give it a whirl, as soon as I get that bit of free time...

Has to be the best pawn shop in Brisbane! My experience with pawnbrokers in the past is that…read moreentering one is typically like stepping into the seedy side of the 1970s. Not this one - it's like the polar opposite! Light, clean and well organised and the products on display all look to be great quality and in good condition. The people that run it are lovely - so nice and so helpful. I got a ridiculously good deal on an iPad Pro + Keyboard + Apple pencil. So happy! Thanks guys - hope to buy from you again.

dodgy family run pawnbrokers who under value everything you put in front of them even if you have a…read morereceipt and the item a watch was never even taken out of the box 1,000 watch offered me 50.00 do yourself a favor steer clear of this mob

This is my favourite op shop in Wynnum. In case you didn't know, Wynnum has a great op shop trail,…read morewith at least 8 shops in a four block radius. They vary in range and price of goods but I find the Aid for the Blind shop in Florence Street a really good all-rounder, with great prices. Some op shops have made themselves boutique-y and specialise in offering clothes you might find at a regular retailer (yawn) but not this one. I've dropped in here and never been disappointed when looking for a fancy dress or something vintage and unusual. There's a bit of dross to get through, which is part of the fun I guess, but it's well worth a visit.

This store definitely has an op-shop feel to it however it is surprisingly large inside and they…read morehave a lot of clothing. There are a range of different styles and the stock is always different. Well worth a look if you are browsing in the area.

The Wondall Fruit Barn's always had good prices, but it's so much better now that it's had a refurb…read moreand new air-conditioning, as the fruit's fresher and in better condition, so it's looking good for summer. There are still lots of displays outside under colourful gazebo shades, too, and it's great to have a stroll through and see what's on special. The best reason to use the small fruit shops over the supermarkets this time of year is because, apart from better prices usually, you have a much better chance of getting ripe and ready to eat peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, mangoes - yum!

The staff at Showcase Jewellers are very nice. They helped me find a present for my mother last…read moremothers day. A beautiful pendant with matching bracelet. She adored it. I couldn't have made my mind up if it wasn't for the friendly and helpful service I received here at Showcase Jewellers. They sell some of my favourite jewellery brands including Pandora and Thomas Sabo. If you are like me and a fan of both these labels, you must check this Showcase Jewellers in Mt Ommaney as not all Showcase Jewellers sell/ stock the same jewellery.

Tha Plaza's the Plaza. It's OK for a sub-regional centre when you don't feel like venturing to…read moreCarindale, Mt Gravatt, the city or even to Capalaba. It has 55 stores including Coles, Woolies and K-Mart, and a big Dan Murphys, a Fitness First and a pub... What it doesn't have is a decent range of specialty stores; there is no variety in the men's or women's clothing offerings. Oh, and the food sucks too - there's one sushi shop that's OK and the others are soo boring.These are the things that drive me away.

Think, the Crazy Clarks of books. Think, the Dollars & Sense of books... what the…read more They have invented it. All Books 4 Less are basically just that, everything in the store is usually $10 or less. Most books go for $5 and you can grab a bit of a bargain too, like Nigella Lawson's cookbook, other recipe books and autobiographies and fictions... all for cheap. You usually would walk past this place thinking it's one of those fill in shops that don't last long. Well this one is an actual shop. For books, puzzles and other bookshop have or have nots, it's pretty cheap. My only complaint is that, it feels like it only sells not so great books (but it sells some pretty good ones too!). It probably wouldn't be the place you go to find a specific book because the range is pretty general. You can always find a cheap colour in book for your kids though, and that's where i'm at these days anyway.