I hate, loathe and detest costume parties. I never know what to wear and I can't stand the…read morepressure! And what about all those people who rock up without even bothering? Costume parties seem like more trouble than they're worth. But what if I just threw some money at the problem? I should just accept I'm never going to be the MacGyver type who can whip up a suit of armour out of some matchsticks and a pair of pliers. And I think I've well and truly outgrown the sheet = ghost getup. No, next fancy dress do, I'm just going to go to All Costumes Great and Small and let them sort me out. For one thing I'll never be stuck for choice. These guys have everything from Abba to Zorro, as well as a great range of accessories that you buy to snazz up a home made contraption. Plus you can order online and save any potential embarrassment at your secret desire to dress up as Legolas or Sailor Moon. It's really enough to make a girl reconsider her costume party phobia.

All Things Great and Small is the perfect shop for those who require a last minute addition to…read moretheir Halloween outfit or dress-up outfit. They have plenty of affordable accessories and are well stocked. There is ample parking at the back of the shop, making the store easily accessible. The train station is only a short walk away. The staff are really friendly and are happy to suggest items to go with an outfit and point out popular items. They have a good range of outfits and costume jewellery, however, The Wardrobe at Chatswood is simply amazing. The business also has an online store on their website named "Costume Direct" which is a major plus for those who live too far away or don't have the time to pick up an outfit. Most items will arrive the next day which is another added bonus! All goods are reasonably priced and you can check out their products on their website with a list of costumes and accessories available. I bought a flight attendant badge to go with my outfit- I'm glad I did because it completed the look!

Pete the pom is a Hornsby institution. He's been in the same location (a tiny shop, right at the…read moreback of an arcade off the Florence St Mall for 28 years. Prior to that he was in another location in Hornsby. All up he has been repairing the shoes of Hornsby for the past 35 years. Apparently he arrived from the UK and went to look at a shop in Chatswood but fell asleep on the train, ended up in Hornsby and never left. At least that's the story he tells. He tells a lot of stories. Part of the Pete The Pom experience is the patter. A constant stream of stories and general chatter in fluent cockney (35 years here has done nothing to dull the cockney accent). Gents are called Squire. Ladies are referred to as Darlin or Luv. The other part of the experience is the tiny little shop, packed to the roof with kicknacks and memorabilia. And yes, he does have a story about each and every piece. Even the shoe repair machinery has a story - it came over from England with him and dates back to his Father and Grandfather's time (he's from a long line of cobblers). A visit to Pete the Pom is an experience. Oh yeah... and he also repairs shoes. Really, really well. If it can be fixed, he will fix it. If it can't be fixed, he will probably manage to fix it anyway. And cheaply too. Usually the dodgy shoe repair kiosks in Westfield will charge more for a worse job.

Pete is a scream! Love his work ethic, customer service and efficiency. His offsider is great too!read more