As someone who lives in an apartment, it's not often you'll see me in a shop that devotes itself to…read moreoutdoor living. My Secret Garden in Teneriffe is the exception. The shop is treasure chest full of beautiful things for your garden, balcony, outdoor table as well as lovely art and gifts. I recently ducked in to buy a friend a wedding present and was highly successful in buying a unique gift that I was sure they could cherish for a long time. But it's possible to buy for yourself (even if you live in an apartment) with items such as pot plants which sit over a balcony railing, candles, deck chairs and hammocks. The owner Rick who mans the shop is friendly and always willing to chat. It's obvious that he is passionate about creating comfortable spaces and an urban oasis for us Brisbane dwellers. My Secret Garden is a treat of a shop whether you're shopping for yourself or not. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Teneriffe!

What better way to escape the heat of summer than to drop into what has to be the coolest…read more(temperature cool and awesome-cool) boutique outdoor living store in the inner-north. You feel like you've reached the inner-sanctum of serenity as you're greeted by the sounds of chilled out meditation music blended with the gentle gurgling of splashing water. Bliss? Yes. Dark wooden shelves are adorned with outdoor table decorations - from scented candles, to table cloths and an assortment of cups, saucers, cutlery and iced tea pitchers. The middle of the shop features outdoor furniture draped in bright cushions, towels and lamps. And of course, discounted, high-quality Christmas decorations and oversized deer (why not?). A perfect place to unwind and begin hoarding those decorations for your garden which you know you'll have to have once you step foot into this oasis of calm.

Who would have thought hampers were in fashion? I didn't until recently when I came across Wrapt…read morewith Style. They have the most amazing baskets, photos just don't do them justice. Jan, the owner is a little powerhouse of creative energy. She places emphasis on creating baskets to suit exactly what you need. I should point out though, that they are open by appointment only. We used Wrapt with style for our client Christmas baskets this year. We gave them a list with our budget per client plus a few ideas of what each person likes. Red wine or white? Sweet tooth or savory preference? The ordering process was so easy and before I knew it, I had half a dozen beautiful baskets at the door. 'Wrapt with style' really is an appropriate name. Everything is designed beautifully, with scattered chocolates, gourmet foods and fresh produce arranged in the basket and decorated with stylish ribbons. Fast, professional service, quality produce and creative design. This place gets an easy 5 stars.

Lifestyles At Corinda offer a range of wonderful homewares and an assortment of gifts perfect for…read moreall types of occasions. Linen, crockery, pillows, decoratives, toys, kitchenware and plenty more fill up the store corner to corner. Located conveniently next door to a popular cafe, it is a temptation for most passer-bys. There is always a lot of people browsing and shopping, most of them ladies who were brunching nearby. This is the market this store targets. Ladies who appreciate boutique shopping. Every time i visit for a browse for presents I always have a chat to the ladies who work there. They help me pick out the perfect presents for my family. Always a pleasurable boutique experience.

Need a fancy-pants gift or something to make your house look pretty?…read more From smelly candles, French soaps, strings of fabric bunting to larger items like paintings, statues and tables, That's Unique is just the place to visit! This store has multiple rooms to poke around in and you're sure to be tempted by many of the items.

A beautiful shop that I don't mind gushing about, Coming Up…read moreRoses is one of the most charming boutiques I've visited. What I initially thought was another florist shop, this store proffered up some really unique fashion and home ware treasures. Coming inside I was immediately charmed by both the friendly owner and the laboriously decorated and detailed interiors. This store is quite big, with three rooms bursting with products. A mecca of children's toys and baubles, CUR also offers a range of home wares from tea cloths, napkins, cake stands, cards, fun outdoor games and all sorts of crafty kits to a plethora of fat glossy art tomes, bake sets, japanese ceramics, candles, fabrics and much much more. (My favourite section is the jewellery, be sure to check out the chunky wooden offerings from ELK.) This place is PERFECT for gifts, and I guarantee anything here would please even the most discerning human. Coming up Roses is in a bit of an isolated location, but it is definitely worth a trek out.

Easily one of my favorite local gift shops. If you're seeking quirky and whimsical gifts for…read moreanyone in your life or to treat yourself, Coming Up Roses is a great spot to find it. It's also one of those places that have so many different options and a changing window display, so one would not get bored with this spot. Some of the things they carry: Jonathan Adler homewares and stationery goods, Mr Men & Little Miss mugs, various greeting cards, gardening gift items, spa treatment products, yummy candles and soaps, fun toys, baby and kiddie gifts, "treasure boxes", Frankie magazine, and much more! Gift wrapping is available here. Who knows, you may even have the owner do it for you (she's someone quite special!) Friendly service too!

The first thing I noticed when I opened the door to this heavenly store was the divine smell…read more Hundreds of intoxicating candle aromas blended together cannot fail to impress your nose. I think that my obsession with lovely smelling items is a little more intense than most people's, so I absolutely loved this store. Candle Wick House stock the biggest range of candles I've ever seen, from tiny tea lights to monster-sized candles that would live to see many blackouts. They sell a variety of brands, including the Yankee Candle range, the Australian Ocean Collection, candles by Jelly Belly, and many more. Each of these brands offers many possibilities; you can imagine just how many different fragrances there are. For example, there are the more traditional smells such as sandalwood and lavender vanilla, but there are also blueberry scone, Farmer's market and almond cookie. As well as this, there are many other beautiful smelling options such as reed diffusers. I loved the design and feel of this shop; it felt soothing and cosy while the interior design was beautiful. I didn't buy anything but as I write this I cannot remember why not.

Walking into this shop is like Charlie walking into the Chocolate factory, but with candles instead…read moreof chocolate. Sure, call in if you need candles and gifts, but I would recommend even just going for the experience. The colours, smells and gorgeous decorations all mix together into a wonderland for your senses. Daina is more than happy for you to pick up and touch and smell various candles and diffusers and obviously passionate about the customer experience in the store. I love the Jelly Bean diffusers and the vast range of scents. Being Christmas time, Christmas decorations surrounded the windows and I cannot describe how intricate and well crafted these things are. I always have a great time browsing here and walk out feeling like I've been to a beauty spa.

Whether you are looking for the last minute gift or just somewhere to browse through a kill some…read moretime while at the Brisbane Domestic Airport, then And Beyond is just the place to go. It is filled with those touristy trinkets and flight related gifts. What more could you want than a replica Virgin plane or pilot's cap, a Brisbane T-shirt, or perhaps just a koala teddy or two. I must admit I do like the pilot's hat and was a little bit sad it only came in kids sizes. They had a good selection of thongs (aka flip flops) available as well. The lady serving was a little bit surly but then again it was Christmas day when I was flying and no one really wants to be at work on Christmas Day at 6am in the morning, so I forgive her.

Every child has a special toy, and for most of us it's been our teddy bear. Imagine if you not…read morejust loved your bear your whole life, but you actually got to build it. This is the concept behind the rather cool Build A Bear Workshop. Your child gets to customise their own stuffed best friend and watch it being built. This doesn't seem to traumatise them (children are naturally rather ghoulish creatures) and being able to select every detail down to the colour bow around the next is a real win. It's a little more expensive than just buying a bear off the shelf, but as you also get a good hours worth of child distraction out of it I think it's worth it.

Sometimes even an adult likes to feel like a child again, and Build A Bear is the place to do it!…read more With friendly staff and a joyful atmosphere, choosing, stuffing and dressing up your very own cute little companion is certainly an experience to remember forever. Not only are you so involved with the process, but you of course get to take your new found friend home in his very own carrier made to look like a little house. Inside they will wait along with their own personalised birth certificate until you are ready to take them out to play. My own personal experience included a limited edition Toothless that flew into the store for the very last time. Lucky me! So come one and all, young and old and in between, Build A Bear is waiting and so is your new cuddly friend!!