Paperchase is the sort of stationary shop I go into only to browse, but often end up buying…read moresomething, even if I don't need it. Sells cards, wrapping paper, notebooks, diaries, photo frames, scrapbooks, party items, bags, umbrellas, cases for glasses, gifts and some basic art/ craft supplies. A beautiful range of patterns, design, colours and textures. Plus lovely illustrations on cards and notebooks. Not the cheapest shop for such items, but the products are beautiful, which makes it hard to resist impulse purchases. Staff are nice and offer an option to sign-up for a "Treat Me" Loyalty Card at the till. This allows customers to build up credit towards receiving free treats and discounts.

If you're a stationary geek, you should definitely give this shop a visit! They have so many quirky…read morejournals and pens, and they are all of such high quality. Yes, the prices can seem a little steep but you really do get your money's worth. That staff are incredibly helpful and friendly. They wrapped up a gift I was buying and made me feel very welcome! Great spot!

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 is my go-to shop for wedding and anniversary presents…read more They carry a good range of Belleek china (vases, photo frames etc), so you can ususally find something to mark the occasion. It also carries all kinds of figurines, crystal pieces for the home and a bit of jewellery. The stock isn't really anything you wouldn't find somewhere else, but it's the only place in the Abbeycentre where you can get them, so it's a winner just for that. Beware though - it's reaaly small and really packed, so don't go in with a trolley, or a buggy (or probably a child for that matter) unless you want to be known as the bull that wrecked the china shop!

In here, you will find a cornucopia of all things sparkly and pointless, but very nice for a wee…read morebrowse. It sells the lovely Coeur de Lion and Pilgrim Jewellery - always a fan, and always tempted to buy. But along with these they seem to sell an unusual array of anything from Jamie Oliver china mugs, to decorative glass plates and cards and Swarovski crystal figurines. Don't get me wrong, I like this shop, and although I'm always afraid of knocking something over when I'm in here as its full up to the seams with items, it is a good place to shop for a gift for a Mother or sister or friend - not really a place for the blokes, well the straight ones, anyway!

Words fail me. Yes, I know that doesn't happen often, but my smack has been gobbed, and my gast has…read morebeen flabbered. All thanks to this splendid little shop. Little being the operative word...there really isn't much room for manoeuvre, and I kept having to ensure my sister didn't knock over everything, or guess who'd be paying? But the size adds to the rustic charm of this gorgeous gift store, which is situated right beside the Bay Tree cafe. And all good things, come in small packages, right? The ground floor is filled with country-esque gifts and knick knacks, such as cute measuring tapes, sewing sets, wooden signs, Hunter wellie boots, cute notebooks, funky soaps...even tiny little mice which seem to have no other purpose than looking sweet. I was happy enough with this ground floor alone, but when two other ladies were told that the upstairs was open too, I couldn't resist having a sneak peek. Oooooh, wow. It was like vintage / rustic furniture heaven. The most enchanting little tea set, a tiny rocking chair, beautiful towels, stunning crockery and tableware, and dozens of items of magnificent furniture...all in the most delightful setting. We took a quick look around in complete awe, and decided that the longer we spent there, the more likely that: a) Either of us would knock something over / walk into something. b) I would end up buying something. Both of equal likelihood, I add. Staff were wonderful, chatty and polite, bidding us farewell and thanking us for coming, and we left The Mews speechless at the wonderment we had just encountered. It certainly takes something...

I didn't know this shop existed until yesterday when I decided to hob nob around Holywood…read morepretending I was loaded and posh! I really loved my dander around this little shop - be warned its tiny so don't wear a backpack or you will knock everything over. I can describe this shop as pastel coloured - everything is kitsch and pastel and quaint and cute. I love looking at the bits and pieces in shops like this and on occasion I will purchase something but I like my home to be clutter free so I usually only buy mugs and stationery. I bought a lovely upside down mug for a friend for just under a tenner. The mug is the right way up but the writing is upside down - it's confusing and is bound to lead to spilled tea! The shop also sell old fashioned sweets, I bought a sweetie watch - remember those? Yummy! There is an upstairs section to this shop as well which sells home wares, towels and quaint furniture. I enjoyed looking around this shop and I will be back to get birthday and Christmas presents. The prices are reasonable and the staff were jolly.

Ardis is the type of store that provides me with an Ikea moment, where you walk in and would just…read morelove to point at one of their display rooms and ask them to just pack it up and ship it to your place. Everything in here is fantastic. Importantly, everything seems to be within the same sort of style (don't ask what style!) which means everything in the store seems to go with everything else. There are a number of these stores across N. Ireland, but as far as I can tell this is the only one in Belfast and one of the most recent additions to their expanding brand. The stuff is quite pricey and if you fancy it pricier still, they also run a design studio.

I really like The Works, you can pick up all sorts of interesting books here for a bargain price,…read morethey are arranged out by category like they would in a library, children's section, thriller, local history, cookery, reference books etc. They also stock a wide range of craft goods, such as easels, all types of paint and paintbrushes, scrapbooks, stickers, wool, needles, you name it! The Works is a good shop for giftware too, for example if you have secret Santa, there are loads of fun items, themes such as Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Hello Kitty, and more. This is actually one of the nicer The Works stores I've been in, it's not too crammed as some others are, and is easy to navigate without knocking things over!

This is a great wee shop inside connswater shopping centre. There are a vast selection of books…read morethere are every book you can imagine in this shop, I like the cookbooks as I like to bake at home , most of my cookbooks are from here and theres lots to choose from and the prices are decent too. The works also sell children's books and children's toys and sweeties at the till. Theres a small craft selection which has a good selection of boxes ec to keep your crafting supplies in. If your an artist theres a brilliant selection of canvas's and paints and brushes even charcoals and pastels. Theres a great selection here for anyone into painting. Also a selection of DVDs, calendars and diarys. Theres gift sets and gadgets in store. Shop is always crammed and well filled with stock!

You'll need half a day to go round this store & see everything you want to see. It's not very clear…read moreat all as to how you are supposed to make your purchase, unless you've been before & have picked up how it's done! I find the prices very high & the quality very poor! It's quite a stressful place to be & difficult to find and actually buy the item you wish to buy! Personally i wouldn't buy furniture here , as it looks really cheap but the prices are premium prices! The last & final time i visited, i bought several small items, such as cutlery & kitchen utensils (Should know better by now) & when i got home and checked same items on internet, found them at less than half the price! It's a tad confusing & rather poorly set out store , with very inadequate help to hand ! The swedish meatballs & mash in the restaurant are excellent though.

IKEA's great value for money and has a massive selection of household furniture and items. It is a…read morebit of a pain that it's all mainly flat pack stuff but they do offer both delivery and assembly services which are super. I enjoy an occasional wander around this giant store and really like the simple Swedish design of the furniture. IKEA overall has relatively good environmental credentials with all stores being energy efficient and products produced as sustainably as can be. I have some IKEA shelving I've had for years and plan to keep forever as it's strong and sturdy. The IKEA cafe is also economical and offers some good vegetarian options.

Need back to school supplies? Need a holiday book or the latest chart topper? You'll find it at…read moreyour local Easons. I do anyway, if I can't make it in to town to one of my favourite book stores then Eason will be my next best bet. And they don't just sell books either, (though they are great for that) they also sell greetings cards, teddies, organisers, awk I'm sure you all know what to expect from Easons...Well this branch is located in the busy Abbey Centre and is great for shoppers in the store (I also know it's the only place in the Abbey where you can cigarettes! Brownie points there! Also ditto for the lottery) so this makes it a popular spot for shoppers and employees alike. Easons also stock a good range of art supplies so it's handy hand this shop nearby if you're an artist.