Quirky, colourful, homey and a little exotic: Booty is one of my favourite shops to wander around…read morein. It is like a splash of colour and texture. there is just so much to look at and admire. They have gorgeous hampers that make fantastic gifts. I bought one for my aunt, she absolutely loved it! The jewellery range is really stunning. Lots of vibrant signature pieces with beads, jewels and textures, with an exotic style. I think possibly some African and some Indonesian styles. They have some beautiful home-ware decorations like glass dishes, glittering lamps and other bits and bobs. There is the odd thing that looks a bit tacky, like a bright purple lamp with jewels that I just can't see going with anything I have. But it doesn't really matter because it all adds to the experience of the store. There is so much to look at, you are bound to find a perfect gift for someone or just yourself.

I love this place, it has so much stuff you just don't know where to start looking first…read more I wish I had lots of money, I would buy just about one of everything. It sells just about any thing from clothing, bags, candles Incense Oil, wind chimes, jewellery, scarf's, photo frames & the list goes on. Great place to by just about any woman a gift, specially mum's with Mother's Day not too far away now. I would recommend this shop to anyone.

I love books. I am the type of person who likes to buy a book and admire it on my bookshelf after I…read moreread it, even if I don't read it again for a few years. If I had a bigger house, I would love to have a whole room decorated much like the TLC Book store. They have lovely wooden shelves and doorway and the books are displayed with pride. The range of books is surprisingly good for such a small space with a range of non-fiction topics and fiction for adults, kids and teens. It is a nice store to pop your head into if you are in the area.

Boutique book store. This means small, friendly and, yes, intimate. I'm not always a fan of small…read moreshops where I might need to talk when I don't feel like it, but TLC Books is the kind of place where you don't have to leave your comfort zone for a second. The staff are happy to let you browse, and there are so many great books, adults, kids, fiction and non-fiction, to take in, it's easy to see they were lovingly selected. And what do you know? When the time came to talk my fellow Tim Winton enthusiast and I had a great chat.

New kid on the block Glory Box might be New Farm's youngest clothing store, but it has all the…read moremakings of an old faithful. I entered mainly to escape the midday heat, but I stayed for the sequins, the taffeta, and the gorgeous pre-loved shoes. Vintage fanatics will have a field day rifling through the well stocked hangers and with service this friendly, why not? The website isn't live just yet, but I was promised by shop owner Amy that it was coming soon. Take advantage of this brand new store's youthful energy and duck in after your next New Farm brunch date.

Karene A is right, those looking for a second hand store experience that earns them hipster cred or…read morekitsch points should look elsewhere for their fix. That's not to say that you won't find items that fit that bill at the Red Hill Salvos Store but it's unlikely. Red Hill Salvos has been a spot I've spent many a hour searching for homewares, books and on the odd occasion kooky costumes for a 70s highschool teacher inspired photo shoot. This is the spot you come to if you're looking for something unique for your home- something that tells a story and stands out from the run of the mill flat pack furniture. On many occasions I've found (much to my delight) fantastic crystal pieces including small milk jugs perfect for the kitchen table, vases and other knick knacks for my home. If you're in the market for larger furniture items that tell a story and have a bucket load of character then be sure to wander into their back shed area where you'll find enough desks, dining tables, chairs and wardrobes to fit any decor or need. While I've done my fair share of 'shopping' here it has also been a fine spot to give items I no longer need a new home. Books, clothes and other kitchen items that I no longer need are donated to a good cause and handing them directly to their warehouse teams means I'm safe in the knowledge my donations are not being ruined by weather waiting for a donation bin to be emptied.

Rummaging through the piles of second-hand goods here, one is sure to pick up a bargain antique…read moretreasure. While it's not the place to pick up quality retro clothing, you will find plenty of old picture frames, antique furniture (banged up antique furniture but it's all about character, right?), vinyl records, old-school suitcases and shelves and shelves full of cute little statues and retro kitchenware that all looks like it should be in Grandma's kitchen. Their pricing system is a little haphazard; the price markers seem to know the value of some of the antique items but overlook others. Sometimes I can pick up an old suitcase or port for $20 whereas on other visits the same sort and quality item will be upwards of $50. There are definitely bargains to be had if you visit regularly though. As well as lots of really old stuff (I'm full of such technical terms), they also have plenty of newer second hand furniture, linen, toys, sports equipment and a section with discounted supermarket items such as toilet paper, shampoo, detergent etc.

I've done my fair share of antique and vintage stalking, but Eilisha's Shoppe has never cropped up…read moreon my radar. I only happened to fall across it parking along James Street one day, and I'm very glad I did. Yes, all the other antique centres I've fallen across/stalked down have been wondrous and oh so gorgeous and otherworldly, but Eilisha's place is a little different. The antiques here seem more accessible and within your grasp somehow, while still carrying with them that intrigue and curiosity that comes with looking at wares meant for another time. Eilisha's has the traditional tea sets and intricately fashioned jewellery you associate with antique centres, but she also has some things I haven't seen such as postcards that I know my mother would absolutely die for, which makes it seem like the history here isn't so far beyond my reach. Eilisha's has furniture and bric-a-brac, jewellery and mirrors, toys and gifts; it's a really lovely little place that is both suited to and incongruent with affluent James Street simultaneously. But this is a place you simply must visit if you love your vintage and antiques. She's been there for 36 years with no indication of quitting it yet. You can call and email her on 0423 830 515 and lizann@optusnet.com.au respectively.

Strolling into Eilisha's Shoppe is like walking into a room where my Grandmother has laid out the…read moreentire contents of her pantry. It is a minefield of old china tea cups and dining sets. It certainly has a charming feel to it, but tuck all flailing limbs and shopping bags away because there is potential for serious breakage action in this cramped space. Considering it's deemed to be an antique store, there's not a great deal of furniture inside Eilisha's Shoppe. There are some unrestored pieces out the back but what's on display is predominately jewellery, dining wares and random bits and pieces like old war medals (creepy porcelain dolls included). It's the bric-a-brac and the higgelty-piggelty feel to the shop that makes it a quaint and cute place to wander through. Shopping for vintage or antique pieces is always a fun expedition. Eilisha's is certainly not the most amazing of second-hand stores in Brisbane, but if there's some sort of adorable vintage piece you are looking for, it's well worth a browse.

Book worms will fall in love with this humble secondhand bookshop on Ipswich Road. Most of their…read morebooks come under three categories: classic literature (find poetry here), Australian literature and general fiction. As you walk to the back of the shop, you'll come across a lounge room environment. Four sets of red couches, all facing each other, with a coffee table, complete with chess board in the middle. Delight! The books are priced according to colour coding. On the first page of each book, you'll find either a red ($5), blue ($8), green ($12), yellow ($16), black ($20) or pink dot ($24). Don't ask me who came up with the prices, but the system they use seems to be fair and easy for everyone to use. It is a volunteer run bookshop, stocked by donations. Their method of book keeping is as quaint as the place itself. When I strolled up to the counter, after having lounged with my new discovered book, I watched the man russell around for a pencil and scrap of paper to write down details of the book he'd just sold. Annerley Community Bookshop is as comfortable as your own lounge room. It serves as a lovely refuge from the smoke and hassle that is Ipswich Road.

This is one of my all time favourite bookstores in Brisbane…read more Don't be fooled by the rather innocuous looking building, this little store has offered up some real treasures over my numerous visits. This store is ideal for those wanting to brush up on the classics, the shelves here are heaving with many great literary titles. I bought one of my first Isabel Allende books here and could not have been more chuffed with the price ($8!) or the friendly service I received. Keep an eye on the coffee table and art books as there is usually a gem hidden somewhere amongst the rubble. (It's where I managed to score a huge 300 page photography tome.) With cosy couches and stacks and stacks of prime reading material to review. (Someone please buy up the vintage National Geographics before I do.) Annerley community book shop is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon.

If you've just been visiting and shopping at Adorne's shopping centre stores then you've been…read moremissing out. The label's West End warehouse is a treasure trove of colour co-ordinated home wares. With on-trend copper as you walk through the doors to tones of navy or coral there's everything you could want to add accents of colour to your home. Prices vary but on the items that took my fancy -- all reasonable. So, chop chop. Grab your go card and jump on the 199 bus to Montague Rd.

Cute boutique in the west end. Perfect for gifts, or if you want to treat yourself to something…read morespecial. Reasonable prices. High-quality candle selection. The women's clothes were a little bohemian for my taste, but pleasant nonetheless.

I adore this lovely shop and the guy (?owner) who has served me when I have shopped here. Don't go…read morethinking this is a shop just for hippy skirts, sandals and incense. I was drawn to this shop by a cute dress in the window and wasn't disappointed by the range of tops and dresses inside. I have bought three items of clothing from here and all are wearing well and not falling apart, I just needed to adjust the straps of one dress and cut a few loose threads of a shirt. I would say the quality of the garments are reasonable and the prices are OK. If you like shopping in "Tree of Life", you'll love this place. Just a tip, the address says "Greenslopes" but it is in the main Stones Corner shopping strip.

Channelling the foothills of Mount Everest, this Kathmandu-inspired shop has everything bright,…read morecolourful and flowing that you'll ever need. Be greeted by the prayer flags hanging overhead and the overwhelming waft of incense as you cast your eyes around the handcrafted treasures, accessories and clothing throughout the shop. From patchwork fisherman's pants to multicoloured sarongs, large vases to colourful satchels; there's a smattering of culture mingled with chilled out hippy in everything in here. And if you're running low on incense - there's a bountiful supply here.