Did you ever walk away from a shop with a good feeling because you were treated well and got a…read morelittle bit of a bargain - well I have from Ink World. I am making Order of Service booklets at the minute and it is using up a lot of ink and so I've been in and out of this place several times over the last few months. The man who works here is really friendly and helpful - he advised me to bring in my old cartridges and that it would be cheaper to refill than buy new. He also gave me a discount the first day I went in and so obviously I keep calling back. They stock all inks for all computers as well as other stationary items. The waiting time for a refill is about ten minutes so that is quick and they cost much less than if you buy new - the only draw back is that my computer doesn't recognise when the refilled cartridges are empty or running low which a brand new cartridge would. I'm really glad I found this convenient and friendly little shop.

Used a few times now , friendly helpful service even on phone enquiries . Keen prices too . small…read morelocal shops rock

This Paperchase is an outlet within House Of Fraser. It's small but they seem to squeeze in a lot…read moreof products in to a small space. This store sells gifts, stationery and cards. It's kind of a girly Store with loads of photo books and bits and bobs you don't actually need. We went in to try and find a gift box and there was a whole world of possibilities. I couldn't believe there were so many options. The lady working behind the counter was really helpful and she even made a few recommendations. I'd recommend having a look if you're in Victoria Square.

So, I might has a slight obsession with stationery. So this place is right up my street, full of…read morebright shiny things. Which attracts a magpie like myself. The do a lot of quirky pieces as well a large range of cards and wrapping paper, art supplies and handmade paper. The handmade papers look great when used it a frame. A review and a tip in one. Who's that for multitasking.

Aww, I quite like the idea of paper wishes. They're almost reminiscent of fortune cookies, or…read morewishing upon stars, or indeed blowing the candles out on your birthday...in paper form maybe? Well, these paper wishes are of the greetings card variety...a wish on card instead of paper, but I was never really one to be pernickety. Lots and lots of 'em too. Superb variety, although I wasn't actually interested in this aspect of the shop. Nope, I was after the gift bags. There was a decent enough choice, and I cam across a really pretty one with the handles incorporated (rather than the dangly cord ones), and it was only £1.49, which I felt was an absolute bargain. Had I been in one of the more renowned card shops, I would have been paying at least twice that, so I was pretty chuffed. The staff were very pleasant and welcoming, although as the only customer in the shop at that stage, it could well have been mighty embarrassing had that not been the case. So, with no complaints from me at all, and a pretty little name to boot, I have to say, this was a fave.

This is a shop that promises much more from the outside than it delivers. Maybe it's the name, but…read moreI imagined a Mecca for the craft-lover, pens and papers and sparkly glitter and string and glue and all those things that I love so much. But it's just a card shop. Don't get me wrong - it's a good card shop in the sense that if you need a "Happy You're 80 and Haven't Broken a Hip Yet" card for your Great Aunt Muriel, then this is a place to come, it's just like Clinton Cards or Birthdays, except it's privately owned. They offer helium ballons and small gift items like teddy bears and keepsakes, but that's about it. They could do with getting some more unusual cards in as some of them are quite old fashioned for my taste. Totally okay as cards shops go, but I wouldn't go out of my way again.

Not only can you get all your regalia for a birthday party here (cards, balloons, streamers,…read morebanners) but there's also a Thornton's here, which is a retailer in some cavity killing confectionery, mostly chocolate. This is a real bonus if you're out shopping for yourself and forgot (or couldn't be bothered) to get someone something for their birthday. A card, a box of Thornton's chocolates, and a cup saying "party girl" and you're all set.

It's happened to all of us- you realise it is Auntie Joan's birthday, or a mate has a baby or the…read morekids announce there is an unexpected party to go to and the thought of trailing into town fills you with dread. Well fear no more, problems always solved here. They have a great selection of cards and gifts for all occasions and little nic naks like picture frames and mugs, bags and books to cover most emergency gift situations. You can park outside and it won't break the bank, bingo! They also have additional space upstairs with seasonal stuff and party requirements, as you probably think you have birthday candles somewhere, but you don't. ;-)

Just For You has been on the Belmont Road for absolute donkeys (since 1985 apparently), and is…read morestill going strong. It's wide variety of cards, gifts and stationery make it an invaluable outlet for birthdays / Christmas / other occasions. I have fond memories of coming in when I was a kid, and my mum searching through the masses of cards 'til she found the perfect one. Now I've started doing the same thing (yikes), and find Just For You a wonderfully tranquil setting for doing so. The staff are friendly and laid-back, and you can really take your time gazing at the vast array of beautiful gifts. Among my favourites are the cute mini novel clocks which come in the form of pianos, golf bags, animals and the like, as well as the Bridgewater Candles which smell simply delicious. The best bit, however, is the hidden section upstairs, containing Fiorelli handbags, Disney figurines, gorgeous furniture, tapestries and luxurious scarves. At Christmas time, this area is buzzing with Christmas gifts, ornaments and decorations...it really is like Santa's grotto, exuding such a lovely cosy atmosphere. In fact, the whole shop really is very comfortable and intimate all year round, making for a truly lovely shopping experience. Just For You of course...

Forget Me Not is a smallish stationary shop down Pottinger's Lane in Belfast city centre. I called…read morein recently to buy a 'Made By The Bride' stamp for my wedding invitations. I had been to another stationary shop and they had none left and I have to say my first impressions of Forget Me Not weren't great. I was a little lost browsing around for ideas and cards when I spotted an area where homemade cards were being displayed. I asked the owner if she had any tips for my wedding cards and she was quite hostile. I was only a little lost bride trying to make conversation and trying to get some ideas. I had just bought a stamper from another stationary shop and I asked her to recommend the best way to use it and was told I should go back to where I bought it and ask them! I later found out that she designs and makes wedding stationary and I guess she didn't want to give anything away for free. Anyway, I had to order in the stamp as she had none left and I had to pay full price up front. I don't want to rate the entire business on that one experience, as I'm sure it was just a flippant remark on her part. I just hope that maybe other brides who want to save a few pounds and are a bit stuck (as they, like me, will probably have never done that kind of thing before) experience a warmer reception.

A lovely shop tucked away, but still in the heart of the city centre, Plenty to spend your money on…read morewith my fav Tim Holtz products and some g45 paper worth checking out I found the staff very helpful

This isn't just any Post Office. Oh no, this is the Comber Post Office. Complete with stationery /…read morecard / sweet / toy shop (i.e. Scribbles), it's totally reminiscent of old school Post Offices, where you had the massive card selection, with a few notebooks / envelopes etc. This one even has a retro wooden writing desk. Love it. The Post Office section is right at the very back of the shop, hidden from view. There are tons of cards in front if this, and they take up the majority of the shop, with the stationery section at the right hand side, and the sweet section at the front. However, it was the toys that interested me the most. I guess I shouldn't really refer to them in that way - these are collector's items, and cost a little bit more than the present you bought your five year old nephew for Christmas. We're talking model cars and other modes of transport (spotted a 1960s Bat Mobile model), as well as an array of fluffy Teddy bears and other stuffed toys. In a Post Office. Love it times two. Despite not being a collector of either of the above, I definitely feel it's a fitting time to allude to Enrique, and say "Baby, I like it"...

Cards for occasions is a notion that baffles me...Ok I get that it is nice to say some thing nice…read moreto someone in the written word and for it to be on a piece of card that they can keep it and always have it. But their are cards that just take the mickey a little bit, especially as some are so expensive. Some of the more established card retailers are so expensive and we as the human race where probably led to believe if we wanted to send someone a card that there was no other option... enter card land...this shop has done for cards what pound land has done buying for portable bbq's. Birthday card for under a pound, yes please!!! now I can either decide to spend the money that I would have spent on a card somewhere else, either on the person that I am buying a card for or on myself...mmm...hard decision!!!

I don't know if I've mentioned it but I am doing this big balloon event? Last week at short notice…read moreI needed some helium, so I went to Cardland as they always have inflated helium balloons on display. Unfortunately they didn't have any helium at all to sell but the two members of staff agreed to help me fill up 50 helium balloons from the canister they had out the back. They showed amazing levels of customers service and couldn't have been more helpful. To be honest this is a store that I have never been to before, despite passing it loads of times. It's a tiny shop but they manage to cram in a lot of cards and gifts for any occasion. As mentioned, the staff are what makes Cardland stand out - they really went the extra mile to help me out! 5 Stars for them and 4 stars for the overall store!

Apparently newsagents are a dying breed. Particularly in this part of the world, and even more…read moreparticularly on the Belmont Road. Where there used to be three solid newsagents on the same street, now only one remains - Dawson's. RIP Campbell's and that other one whose name I cannot remember... The lone ranger, Dawson's is a great, friendly wee newsagents, with a good variety of papers and magazines, a decent array of confectionery, an ample number of cards, a few stationery bits and bobs, and a fridge full of iced goodies. Oh, and always, always a smiley face. I've been served by the most polite, affable assistants (though they are many and varied), who are always so incredibly pleasant. Perhaps its in the job description, but I don't care...it's wonderful to see a lovely beaming person behind the counter. Happy days. Literally.

Being in a student house means you only buy a certain number of things before you eventually have…read moreto move out or throw it in the skip because someone was drunk and fell on top of it. In saying that, Au Naturale is a particular favourite of mine when it comes to buying things for the home because it has everything from cups and mugs to art canvases and pillows. I bought myself a cool art canvas of a NYC street at night-time and placed it in my room making me seem not only like I knew what I was doing, but also like I had depth. Groovy. My girlfriend bought herself a huge mirror (as every girl should have) and after two years it still looks great in her room. Au Naturale also has a bunch of offers on usually and I got a fleece blanket from them for only a few quid which made all the difference when it came to trying to get out of bed first thing in the morning. Needless to say, I struggled and it was entirely the blanket's fault. Certainly one of my favourite shops in Belfast and well worth a look.