If you're into homewares and colour, mud is definitely one to go and check out. Australian made…read moreceramics, they are rough and textured out the outside with super high gloss on the inside in a bunch of amazing colours. I love bright things around the house, so I came across mud when admiring some of their gorgeous mugs and plates. Unfortunately...a cup is going to set you back in the realm of $40-$50. Each. Ouch. I was too scared to look at the rest as this falls out of my price range. BUT if you have some cash to splash or are looking for a special present for someone, this high end range of crockery is gorgeous. I don't know how much the going rate is for nice crockery because I am clumsy and too scared to buy anything more expensive than IKEA for fear of destroying it. So while I may not purchase something here for myself, it is a lovely spot to look at and a great pick for a list of lovely mum gifts. The service is helpful, the displays are pretty and if you don't find something in the colour you want let them know so they can source it for you.

I am a sucker for ceramics and porcelain so when I came across the Mud store in Gertrude Street, I…read moreknew it would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. This is a brand that we can be proud of; Mud is made in Australia and has some beautiful colours including duck egg blue and soft coffee shades. This Mud store stocks Kobo candles as well (yay!). The setting is minimalist and sleek; the focus is all on the beautiful plates, bowels and cups as they sit on top of the surfaces. Like I mentioned before when I visited another ceramic store - take your bag off your shoulder and carry it low and steady, you really wouldn't want to knock anything off here. I thought the service was really good - the sales assistants were very friendly and happy to walk me through the products and give you some information about Mud.

Cute, quirky jewelry & off-beat treasure shop in the Desgraves arcade. Full of one-of-a-kind finds…read more- handmade jewelry, locally designed pieces, with a range of reasonable price points. Staff is approachable and knowledgeable about their goods.

You know those cool shops that stock all sorts of unique stuff that you would never find anywhere…read moreelse? Like dinosaur necklaces, a porcelain squirrel or authentic luchador masks? Well, this is the King, Queen and Lord of all those places you've ever been to. It's like being sucked into a bizarre world where you're first reaction isn't to question how you got there, but rather, pray to never be taking away. Birds, wooden deer heads and little knick-knack decorate the shop. Glass cabinets protect bizarre lamps, figurines and all types of silver necklaces and charms. It's almost like being in the living room of a hoarder who only collects one-of-a-kind treasures from around the world. Speaking of treasures, jewellery makes up a big part of Corky Saint Clair. Wood, porcelain and silver are the materials of choice and often feature cute, cool characters and clever, creative charms. I swear, every item here as a personality of it's own, which makes it all the more harder to walk away. A big warning, you are going fall in love with something here, no matter how hard you resist. So be prepared.

This store stocks beautiful home wares and practical pieces for your kitchen, dining room or picnic…read morerug. Wheel & Barrow in Doncaster Westfield is a more upmarket then Matchbox with its high quality range of home ware and appliances. You will be drawn into the store by the sparkling glassware on display, think martini glasses, vases and decorations. Yet inside you will find so much more. Bar ware, bake ware, books and cutlery. And that is just to start with. Anything you need to create and serve food with both indoor and outdoors is available here. Wheel & Barrow is out of my price range usually, however it represents good value and when I'm a 'real' grown up with a full time job I may be tempted to shop here. You will need a wheel barrow to cart your goodies home if you visit during sale time!

I love this store! It stocks the most beautiful home wares and gifts for the kitchen, dinning room…read moreand well pretty much your whole home. The quality and range of products at Wheel and Burrow is far better quality then some of the other home ware stores around. My favourite things here are: - the soy scented candles in the coconut shell. They smell divine and look gorgeous in any home. Try the coconut scented ones: they smell like the chocolate bounty bar, OR the grapefruit which is very refreshing - All the utensils. whatever you need they have it! - The amazing range of cook books available in store Be warned that some items can be pricey but it is so worth the money. Keep an eye out for Sales during the year to ensure that you snag yourself a few bargains. I have managed to buy wonderful gifts here for house warming's and engagements/ weddings Visit: http://www.wheelandbarrow.com.au/ to buy online

This place takes your breath away before you even walk inside; the large glittery vases, lights and…read moredecorative mosaic balls are like magnets drawing you inside. If you are looking to add some grandeur with home wares and furnishings to your abode, The Natural House is sure to have something to your taste. I just love the range of products they stock with naturally crafted woods, from bamboo bordered wall mirrors, Buddha statues and small tables. The Natural House is known for its exquisite range of large floor vases; you can choose from natural wood varieties or the magnificent painted glass selection; which look as if a thousand pieces of beautifully painted glass have been painstakingly glued perfectly back together; the effect is amazing and those vases shine from every angle. Save your pennies and go in there to purchase a few items, the owner is lovely and is happy to drop the price if you're grabbing a few things; just don't be shy to ask.

One of the best gift shops in the hills, Mangana is like shopping in an old eccentric's house…read more These guys combine gifts and homewares with industrial and period style decorations for those with the coin to afford it. Lamps, frames, clocks and mirrors line the walls, and with so much on display you'd best watch your back to avoid breaking anything. Downstairs you'll find smaller trinkets, jewellery and even a wall full of Ugg Boots and leather hats. I stop in every time I'm in the area, even just for a browse. It's hugely popular with the weekend tourists, and more often than not, packed full of people enjoying the range.

I recently visited Mt Dandenong and accidentally stumbled into this store (okay I was curious…read morethanks to the mounds of people pilling in and out of the front doors). It was like being sucked into a time machine, and transported back into a dusty old attic that was filled to the rim of incredible individual antique items. There were compasses, telescopes, magnifiers, lamps, paintings, posters, books, sculptures, notepads, jewelry and pretty much anything you can think of. Most things were hand crafted and bronze or wooden, this is definitely a very unique and one of a kind type of place. I think I spent an hour in this shop, its not that it was a huge room (it was relatively large though), it's just that every inch of the store has something different and special that just has to be picked up and ogled at. It took a lot of effort to not buy the whole store; I ended up leaving with Dali's melting clock, which gets a lot of notice and compliments in my house.

This is an amazing yarn store run by a super mother-daughter team. My girlfriend recently got into…read moreknitting and they've been so incredibly helpful as I attempt to keep her well-stocked from project to project. I love local shops like this!

Favourite yarn store! They have a great selection of yarn - I've noted a few for future projects as…read moreI have too many on the go at the moment. The staff are also very friendly and very knowledgeable about their products. So glad it's close to where I live but I would travel a bit to shop here. They do have an online store hit for these kind of purchases I like to see and feel the products before I buy.

Melody Nelson is a great little nook of surprises, full of things you didn't realise you wanted…read moreuntil you saw that it existed. Full of little knick-knacks, thing-a-ma-bobs and trinkets, it's an especially good place to visit if you're gift shopping (particularly as it bills itself as a gift shop). The goods are sourced locally and from Europe, and range from leather gloves, dresses, fancy hats, scarves and cushions through to brightly coloured and chunky potato peelers, rainbow water glasses and cute little tea sets. It's the sort of shop where you go around making little noises of approval as you browse. It's not cheap, but also not all that expensive and the things are nice. It's always worthwhile to drop in if you're in the area.

Once upon a time in a little village in Eaglemont lived a haven of gift ware…read more This unassuming village is mostly forgotten in favour of larger shopping precincts however Eaglemonts quiet atmosphere holds it's own appeal. Locals find accessible street parking and friendly traders a draw card. Sadly many shops have succumbed to the lure of shopping malls however those that remain hold their own. Eclectic Charm is one such space. The narrow entrance alludes to the treasures within. Up the staircase you will find a small room filled with treasures and trinkets ripe for gifting to your nearest and dearest (as no one else is deserved of these wonders.) Up another flight of stairs you will find bargains and bags and larger items. This family run business really does present you with a wide reaching, eclectic and wondrous collection of gift and home wares. My gift to you is Eclectic Charm, one of my gift shopping secrets.