Previously known as India Fox (a name I adored), Tree of Life is a store I love visiting, even if…read moreit's just to window shop. Simply put; they have everything you need in order to look ethnic, besides a tanning booth. Kaftans, flowing skirts, loose blouses, loose, baggy pants, colourful bracelets, patchwork totes (aka jholas), shawls, wraps, scarves... if it's found in South East Asia, it'll probably be here, at a (relatively) affordable price. They also stock some of the most beautiful silver jewellery I have ever seen. Sadly though, this jewellery is a bit on the expensive side. Around $30 for a pair of earrings, for example. Still. A girl can dream. *wistful sigh, nose pressed against the shop window*

You can usually rely on finding something nice here if you're willing to hunt for it. And whilst…read morethere's nothing too original about Just Feathers, simply stocking the same dresses and tops as every other inexpensive dress store in Sydney, amongst the same-same you can find something pretty - and often for cheaper than at the competitor's. There is a LOT in here and everything is going pretty cheap. Just don't ask the staff here for help - once asked the sales assistant if she had anything in the store that would go with the skirt we were trying on, she gave us a spiel about how it doesn't matter about what does with what this season (it lasted for 5 minutes) then at the end, when we asked if she could recommend anything she responded with "hmm, no, sorry".

If you got it flaunt it, that is what this shop is all about. The dresses in here are sassy as…read more They are all above the knee and most thigh high hem lines. Practically any item you look at is $50. I think if you look after these items they may last awhile. But the fabrics are not expensive, the cuts are quite interesting and there is something to suit almost any mood. It is a girlie store, so if you are into an underground sub-culture you may not appreciate this stock. However, winter, summer, autumn or spring, there is always a mini dress to be adorned with amongst other lavish attire to flirt the nights away with here. I think the sales staff and customers would really benefit from seeing the staff wear the clothes on their shift at least.

Usually when I walk into Sass and Bide I automatically feel that I don't belong and feel a sense of…read morejudgement from everyone, including the mannequin. The other day when I visited the Paddington boutique however, I was pleasantly surprised by how lovely the sales assistants were. They were genuinely friendly, happy and all around chatty. Sass and Bide have always been at the forefront of Australian design with their unique colour palette, prints and cuts. I'm currently loving their new collection 'The Winning Day' which uses beautiful silk materials, fun colours and flowy cuts all in time for summer. What I'm not loving is the price tag. $390 for a skirt? I don't think so. So until I win the lottery and deem it appropriate to spend this kind of money on one item of clothing, I will appreciate the beauty from afar.

The store offers: great vibes, caring service, clothing, kitchen wares, cosmetics, toys, and more…read more Support local businesses! I will be a repeat customer for sure. The staff is welcoming and nice. This is a great store to find gifts for someone who has everything! They have a fantastic fragrance and cosmetics dept with many exclusives.

Assin is most definitely not a sin... A guilty pleasure perhaps! This high-end boutique features a…read moreplethora of designer wares from Dior Homme, Lanvin, Rick Owens and Ana Demeulemeester to name just a few. This boutique, located on Oxford Street is immaculately designed - It's like an art gallery for clothes! The curated selection is one of the best in Sydney. The service is generally okay. On a few occasions staff have seemed slightly apathetic, which can be somewhat of an annoyance. Overall though, this boutique is beautiful. It's the perfect shop if you're searching for something truly special. The selection is beautiful and so is the store.

Now this is a shop I could take home just about every item home including the mini tutus for baby…read more The clothes are all stunning - floaty, whimsical pieces of luxury. I like the unique mix of materials used (like using ropes for belts) to create original designs. You're looking at anywhere between $200 and $600 for a dress and $90-$250 for a dress but the quality, originality and god dam gorgeousness of the prints make forking out the mula worth it. What I adored about this store was the interior design. Look up and see plastered hands on the ceiling, the inside keys of a piano on the wall (the body acts as a cover for the cash register), quirky bird houses and paper puzzle deer heads and a giant flower peace sign make this a dear little store to wonder around and browse through.

Perfect for Newtown, Tree of Life is stocked with hippy dippy fashion, homeware and accessories -…read morein a good way! I LOVE that stuff! Everything in the store is colourful, sequiny or bright; the clothes are similar to what you'd find at a market, but are of a good quality and a reasonable price. If you're looking for a summer dress with a difference, a pretty pillow for a housewarming gift or a heap of incense, this is your best bet. However, this is no flea market legitimised through incorporation - the stock is clearly carefully selected, and very rarely ventures into kitsch and tacky territory. It's boho chic, not hobo chic! It's also suitably westernised for our fashion tastes - although India and Asia are clearly the inspiration for the range, it's not so overwhelming that it can only be worn in Newtown.

Tree of life is more a shop for women, selling women's clothing and Jewellery, however they do also…read moresell home wares. But if you are not a woman but are looking to buy a present for a woman then Tree of Life is a worthwhile venture. They have a wide range of jewellery and the pricing is reasonable considering the quality. The products on sale many are Indian style jewellery and are generally quite exotic, yet tasteful and the great thing is the business employs fair trade practices in the acquirement of their stock, so it's nice to know there are some ethics behind the purchase you are making. So anyway I found a great gift of a woven beaded necklace & I grabbed myself some woven wristbands at the counter.

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.

'Savoir Faire' is an accessories for ladies who have come into their own. The bold, self-confident…read moretype who is not against adding a jaunty feather to liven up a Fedora. The sort of lady who has hats that are not just for occasions but for occasions like the day has a Y in it. Don't get me wrong, this is not just an accessories shop for the hardcore hat wearer, it's for fairweather types too though the target audience would still be stylish, mature and bold rather than Philip Treacy style quirks. This is the place to head for your Cup Day fascinator or when looking for something fun and flirty for a wedding. They once had a splendid light grey felt fedora with 'diamante' jewels along the back seam and a feather. If only words could do justice to the picture because it was so very awesome. It might look like a middle aged ladies shop from the outside but put your judgements aside and let it all go to your head.

Transform your ugly duckling outfit into a true peacock: add feathers, sparkly costume jewellery, a…read moreflamboyant hat or a gravity-defying fascinator, an exotic belt and a glossy bag with diamente clip. No doubt sales peak for the racing season, when headwear becomes de rigeur once again, or when the weather changes and suddenly a scarf is the prefect not-too-hot but not-too-cold solution. This is the shop for preening. It's great fun - but be prepared for the price tag.