I go to this newsagency often as I'm in the area a lot. Here, I like to get magazines, scratchies…read moreand candy. As far as I could tell this is a family run newsagency because on school holidays, I see their kids hanging around the shop. They're such nice people who work here. They don't tell me off for browsing magazines, even though I take longer than a browse should take. Don't worry, I do end up buying it- out of guilt. But I'm happy to support their newsagency. They've got a healthy range of magazines towards the back of the shop and lots of candy and drinks at the front. With the fashion and gossip magazines, I can tell you all the current magazines are always on display. I have not yet caught them selling last issues, unless you specifically ask for one. The shop is always tidy and they've got a really strong aircon pumping through the shop. It makes for a nice pit stop if you're in the area just to cool down. Really nice shop, filled by a great family who run it.

I come here a fair bit as I live nearby and it's very handy - a full newsagent, with the added…read moreconvenience of an Australia Post outlet, which allows you to carry out your banking and post needs in one spot, and out of business hours. You can also purchase Go Cards here but you can't' top them up. They stock your usual newsagent and post shop wares, with some snacks, cold drinks and milk, and the prices are average for this kind of business. Very friendly customer service.

Handmade High Street throws together some really great local crafters and creators of all things…read morepretty and fun. The first things that caught my eye was a crocheted rose-shaped brooch with quite a few other similar ones to keep it company. I found delight in the handmade jewellery and recycled accessories including hairpins made out of old buttons and old teacups being transformed into candle holders, which is something I would never have thought to do. They also had one of the very lovely dresses that is so identifiable as one of Rachel Burke's I Make My Day projects, which is surrounded by a mountain of handmade things to choose from like tin earrings and very flamboyant floral hairbands that are just gorgeous. I was most impressed with earrings that were fashioned out of origami designs. Some of the things in here are so original and it's so nice to see support for local crafters. One of the back shelves advertises renting a space in the store so other artists can sell their wares. As I was walking out I laughed out loud at the cute new spin on bottle top jewellery when I saw bottle tops printed with vintage pictures and resold as necklaces. I think that's a really cute and unique idea. Another item Handmade High Street currently sells is a product by Reclaimed Records, who make old records into new products like notepads and use only recycled paper. A recycled record notepad will set you back $45 but hey, you are paying for an old record. I like what this place has going on. They've got some really great pieces and I see a lot of potential for the artists who showcase their wares here.

Kath Chownston, one of three brains behind Handmade High Street, said that she wanted to provide a…read morespace for artists and craftspeople to easily sell their wares. Markets are often exhausting, subject to the elements, and aren't a very reliable way to get the money coming in if you're selling your goods in this fashion. The internet is a great way to get your stuff out there, but still, she went one further and opened a store- for the good of everyone! For her, for the people who rent space in her store, for the person who happens to pop in for a look and take away something local and unique. For the interested artist or craftsperson- the way the rent system works at Handmade High Street works is that there are small 'cubes' (shelving space) that are $20 per month. If you do larger scale work, clothing for example, and you have a rack that you'd like to have in store, it might cost you around $200 per month. The rental price is subject to how big and how much of the work there is, and whereabouts you want it placed in the store. There's some great stuff there too. The beads by Patti Pennisi made me want for the ocean, the glass work of Cairo Made That was gorgeous, and I couldn't help but want to take home some scented soy wax melts by Lisa Macnab. There's not the tired repeat of like works in there either; there's great diversity. Go in and support a new local business that supports it's locals. Handmade High Street. Remember that name.

Most people will need the services of a copier at some point in their life. In my past lives as…read moreuniversity student, as a zine maker, as a young professional, and as an unemployed bum trying to print off my resume, I have had to utilise copying services a zillion times before. Cost Less Copies in Annerley can help you out with most paper related requirements. If you need business cards made, they can do it for you. Band posters? Sure. A hundred copies of "LOST DOG" made up? Yes, anything to help. Binding that thesis? Need some plastic sleeves for important documents? No worries. They do it all. The prices are quite competitive. If you're a uni student, I would recommend coming here. Even though you'd think the uni would cut you a good deal with binding and copies and whatnot, they don't (especially if you go to UQ). If you live or are around the Annerley area you'd do well to stop by. The staff are prompt and have a quick turn around.

Until recently I never know the Pine Rivers Art Gallery existed. It is located on Gympie Road in…read moreStrathpine across the road from the local library and although it is nowhere near as fancy as GOMA it is worth a visit. Inside, you will find a myriad of artistic creations from talented local artists. The Gallery hosts regular art workshops which are very inexpensive - in fact, most are free. They also run themed art classes for kids during the school holidays - we will be heading down tomorrow to check out the Crazy Animal Connections Workshop. The exhibits are changed regularly and there is always new artwork to discover at different times throughout the year. The current theme is Forever Young which runs until January 21 and includes exhibits about freedom, festivals, love, summer, youth culture, fashion, sunshine and nature. If you are looking for some free fun head down to the Pine Rivers Art Gallery for some imaginative entertainment - you might discover a hidden talent!

OK I haven't been into the studio for a long time, but have bought some of Trevor's silver…read moreAustralian themed gift ware for friends overseas. I have been a fan of the paintings for years and aspire to attend one of the art classes in either acrylics, oils or watercolour at the Wynnum studio. There are also other artists at the studio who offer classes in drawing and pastels, drawing for kids and mosaics... one day.

I can't say I buy a lot of adult books from here (unless the Brisbane Writers Festival is on when…read morethe Library Shop spills out into the Breezeway selling all the books of the festival) but I do really enjoy the range of children's books on offer. I came here to do my Christmas shopping for my niece and nephew last year and found so many lovely, original kids books that I wanted to buy. I also like their range of wrapping paper, which could be cut up nicely to make cards, however, it's very expensive! I took a piece up to the counter with another purchase recently and had to tell the cashier I didn't want it when the price came up on the scanner. I can't remember exactly how much it was, but it was enough to stop me from buying it and the cashier agreed that it was very expensive. If you want to splash out on wrapping and cards here, do so with monetary caution. I'll be sticking to buying books here.

Oh how I love this bookstore. It's beautifully laid out, the range is extremely carefully curated…read more(which you'd expect considering it's the State Library) and the range of add on products are just enchanting. You can grab a takeaway coffee from the adjoining cafe and wander through the stacks to your hearts content. I usually find something I just can't do without, and as my husband is a writer it's a great place to pick up a new Moleskin for him. This place definitely doesn't rest on any State Library laurels, it's a thriving business and destination in its own right and well worth visiting.

I think this shop is great, I only wish I had more money to spend in there! It's a bit on the…read morepricey side, but I think it provides a great alternative, particularly for women, to the fashion produced by chains like Sportsgirl and Myer. Scotch and Soda is a little bit boho, a little bit tomboy and a little bit country, meaning delicate florals and plaids in lovely light cotton. I also like their range of chinos for women and their bags made of tan leather and canvas. I didn't know until recently that Scotch and Soda actually have an upstairs component of their Brisbane store selling mostly menswear and some womenswear, a good deal of which is on sale. Access the upstairs part via the escalators in the Brisbane Arcade.

Growing up I'd give anything to emulate that Slick and…read moreclassic cool of our european cousins. Sadly not being born in Amsterdam I've missed out on having cool stores like Scotch and Soda in my vicinity. Being an adult (and with the necessary cash monies) I decided to pop into this store and appease the 14 year old in me. This adelaide st store is well laid out and is brimming with classic woman's and men's fashion. (Think striped shirts, blazers, button-downs and gingham dresses.) Although my style isn't as distinctly preppy, I can still appreciate the quality and timelessness of their designs. (Checkered shirts and leather jackets are forever cool.) And while the prices are a bit too steep for my liking, The friendly sales staff were super cool about my listless perusing and made shopping a bit more enjoyable. Be sure to pop by to suss out their latest collection, (or more easily check out their website.)

I walked into The Trading Circle with trepidation. It's immediately evident from the store signage…read morethat this shop, established by a non-profit company to support women in poverty, has the potential to be quite expensive. I can't think of a better reason than charity for supporting Paddington's higher prices when it comes to non-essential shopping, but I was surprised to note that merchandise here was far from overpriced. Not only were the prices reasonable, the merchandise spans a large range of trinkets, gifts, toys, clothing and jewellery - the perfect place to pick up a gift or a treat for yourself. I bought a beautiful blue beaded bracelet for $4.50 - the packaging contained a picture of the child who made this particular bracelet, her name and other personal information. Such jewellery is made by children suffering from AIDS or are exposed to conditions of poverty where AIDS flourishes. All of the hand-made goods here are ridiculously gorgeous and well-crafted. One section of the store reminded me of a hippy store, with colourful knapsack-style bags, purses and pillow cases lining the aisles. (However, the quality was clearly much, much better than your standard hippy store.) Another section, featuring hand-made soft toys such as clowns, clocks and other critters reminded me of a toy shop. Yet another part had me drawn in for a good ten minutes - the jewellery selection. Here are some absolutely gorgeous earrings, totally unique and respectable in price (around $25 a pair and sturdily made). The store also sells cards, home ware and coffee, tea and chocolates. The staff are friendly but not pushy - the perfect combination. There is also a free gift-wrapping service as an Xmas bonus. This is one of the best places to shop in Paddington. I have to admit I was very surprised by how much there was to see here, how unique the merchandise was and how perfectly the Good Shepherd Sisters have pulled together this store. I'll be coming back again soon for some last-minute Xmas shopping, for sure. And it certainly won't be the last time I'll be coming here.

The Trading Circle is a fantastic initiative set up by the Good Shepherd Sisters. Their mandate is…read morehelping women trade out of poverty and they do this by focussing on helping women in poverty stricken areas set up micro enterprises, usually with a community focus. So what does this mean for you? In this one spot you can find a wealth of unique, quirky items that not only feel good to own, but feel good to buy. This store is particularly good for anyone buying for kids (think beautifully crafted toys and clothes), however it's also a great shop for homewares and gifts. The items you buy at this store are not only beautifully crafted, they are also helping women across the world AND have the added benefit of novelty. Your gift will not be the same as anyone else's and you can feel a wee bit smug that your money went to a good cause instead of feeding big corporations. They also have a great range of Christmas decorations, and during December are open from 10am - 2pm on Sundays to help with the demand.