Outstanding customer service from the lady working here. Unlike a lot of other discount stores,…read morethings were kept in a very orderly way, even though they were short on space. There were a tonne of options for travellers.

Another gem for craft enthusiasts, and anyone happy to poke around. A great number of good stock at…read morediscounted prices. The staff are helpful, and pleasant. I have been coming here for a long time. Their home decor and thoughtful gift lines are wonderful, if you are content to take your time. Storage, stationary and seasonal lines do change occasionally, basically their is good. Good place to explore, and discover more, of what you suddenly, think you must have? Enter at your own risk, and enjoy!

This Paddington op-shop is, as its name suggests, full of second-hand designer clothes as well as…read morebric-a-brac, old vinyl records, books, and a huge collection of vintage clothes from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Upstairs is full of shoes, bags, jewellery, hats and men's, women's and kid's clothing from big and small designers. Downstairs is a veritable treasure trove of high-waisted 50's skirts, pleated dresses like the ones grandma wears, evening gowns from all decades, leather coats from James Dean's glory years and my favourite, a rack of enormous faux fur coats from a time when people were a little bit classier. The clothes in here might not be as funky as what you will find in a dedicated vintage store but the prices are much easier on the eyes and if you dig deep you can often find something a bit special.

Ah Endo's, the place where clothes go to be reincarnated. Endo's is kind of like a bit fancier, bit…read morefunkier Vinnie's where the clothes have been sorted to ensure that only things with the potential to be reborn are allowed through the doors. This is great for op-shoppers in a hurry who would rather skip trawling through pilled Kmart dresses that aren't quite vintage and more early 2000s. The convenience and funky factors do mean that the prices are a little higher than in your average secondhand charity store, but usually you'll find something in Endo's that makes that worth it. Especially since you can find it in half the time thanks to their excellent stock selection. Whether you're a novice op-shopper or just a lazy one like me, Endo's has done half the work for you and all you need to do is pick what you want and pay for it! And then when someone compliments you on your new dress or jacket and asks you where you got it, you can feel very suave and hip when you reply with a wave of your hand 'oh, this old thing? It's vintage'.

Marcia's on Montague is the sort of place that will make budding cooks absolutely salivate. The…read morefirst time I walked into the orange building on West End's Montague Road I was slightly overwhelmed by the huge amount of beautiful dinnerware and giftware on display. I wasn't after anything specific and the first showrooms mix of baby gifts, handbags, dinner sets and cutlery left me a bit adrift. My state of confusion was only heightened when I noticed there were two more showrooms to go. Without the price mark-ups that you find in most department stores, you are sure to leave with a lot of value for your money (and probably a few extra purchases that you just couldn't resist). So with a range and value that is to be admired Marcia's really is a great place to find a house warming, wedding present or that little something your own kitchen is missing.

Walk through the first room at Marcia's which tends to be more giftware than kitchenware and make…read morehaste to the "back room" where all your kitchen gadgetry desires may be fulfilled. If you're not a cook, you'll leave Marcia's with grand desires to be (possibly with various pieces of kitchen paraphernalia under your arm that will help you become a better baker / cook / tea brewer). At the very least, Marcia's offers competitive pricing that isn't as good as online but isn't as expensive as other retailers. I popped in here recently to get silver scoops for an upcoming event, other hospitality wholesalers had quoted $11.95 per scoop. I picked them up at Marcia's for $2.95. BAM!

One of my most favourite stores in Brisbane, the Oxfam shop is a wonderful, ethical stop on your…read morenext shopping trip. The store is run by volunteers and all of the profits from sales within the store supports Oxfam's charity endeavours both locally and globally. In store you'll find a huge range of beautiful handcrafted items from across the globe, fair trade coffee and treats, a range of books including children's titles and cookbooks, beautiful home wares, toys, various apparel items, gift cards that support numerous causes (the 'Oxfam Unwrapped' range and tax deductible), jewellery, and Cd's. You will always find something unique and original here. The prices in store range from fairly cheap to moderately expensive, but it's well worth it.

I love, love the stuff Oxfam Shop carries, and I appreciate the fact that they do fair trade and…read moresome of the items are handmade. I was fortunate to be the recipient of a gift certificate to Oxfam, and after going in a couple times (and leaving empty handed), I finally picked out a "secret" jewerlly box (the secret is in how to unlock/lock it). It's a beautifully carved wooden box, with velvet lining the inside. The staff here has always been pleasant and I didn't feel any sort of urgency in this small shop.

You know how sometimes there's shops you want to visit but you don't dare walk in because you feel…read morelike it is too cool for you? Sunday Social was one of these shops until today. With friends visiting from San Francisco we were exploring Winn Lane and I finally ventured into this small nook known as Sunday Social. Upon walking in I realised it was the exact opposite, there's something for everyone here. Full to the brim with carefully selected vintage clothes and accessories I began searching through the racks with endless pieces catching my attention. I couldn't resist walking out of the store with two tops for $90, which, if you think about your mainstream stores could easily equate to one top that a handful of others will also be wearing. For the same price I've gotten two tops, that I'll be hard pressed to find others wearing. Best of all as an introvert, the sales assistant let us just browse without hovering over our shoulders at every second. Sunday Social feels like discovering a secret world of clothes with great stories. I'm so glad I walked in and know I'll be back to revisit their racks for one of the kinds from this vintage wonderland.

Yay, more vintage! Sunday Social is a really cute little place nestled in the tiny Winn Lane market…read morearea. I had never even heard of the Winn Lane markets until my friend suggested we stop by on one of your shopping trips in the Valley. The lane is lined with drawings on the walls and market stalls, all filled with lovely jewellery pieces and vintage wares. It reminded me a lot of the lanes and alleys you find in Melbourne so I was more than enthused to see what was down there. It's so nice and secluded that you feel a little like Alice going down the rabbit hole. Anyway, enough about the lane itself. Sunday Social is perched at its end like a tidy little cottage. It's a tiny, gorgeous little shop with vintage clothes and pieces, including a very sweet range of shoes. Indie kids would have a field day in Sunday Social, but I also think it has a little something for everyone. Their pieces are just so gorgeous with bags hanging in its middle with accessories dotting the central table. Guys are confined to a rail and a few shoes but girls have their pick. They have clothes from cute peter pan collared dresses through to funky light, fluttery tops. There's also a really random but totally awesome Indian headdress behind the counter the wall too, just for a little bit of flair. I hear this gorgeous little place went from being a market stall along Winn Lane to a now staple store with four walls. It's no wonder, because they have such gorgeous novelty vintage pieces that you'd be crazy to pass by. Sunday Social has no phone number as yet but you can email them! sundaysocialstore@gmail.com

Walking into St. Barts is like walking into a beachside villa in the south of France. It's more of…read morea lifestyle store than an interior design shop, with racks of women's clothing as well as gifts and home wares. The shop itself is gorgeous, with young and beautiful staff to match. There's a mixture of things to browse from armchairs, to jeweled sandals, to fabrics, to ornaments and statement pieces for the home. Given that it's located on ritzy James Street, I assumed that the prices would be higher, but they're actually quite reasonable. I would very happily add many a St Barts piece to my home and will be back soon to see what else they have to offer. The shop is brand new and has yet to build a hype surrounding its existence. From what I saw in store, it will only be a matter of time before St Barts has a steady following.

Ooo! This place is new. I get very excited when a new shop opens in one of the shopping precincts I…read morefrequent. A new shop always seems so promising and adds a nice freshness to shopping areas that you already know inside out. I actually just came across St Barts on the weekend when I was on my way to Harveys and couldn't resist a peek. St Barts sells clothes, accessories, and homewares and their style seems quite eclectic. They had some lovely cushions and cute accessories, and I got the impression that they're still in the process of fully stocking their shop so I'll look forward to poking my nose back in there in a few weeks to see what it's like when they get fully into the swing of things. The prices are a little bit lower than I would have expected based on St Barts's location and exterior so that was a nice surprise. I exchanged a quick hello with the sales assistant and then she left me to browse which I always appreciate, especially in areas like James street where a lot of the stores seem to employ hoverers. It is interesting to see a few fresh storefronts on James street and this is one of them. St Barts is only young yet, and I'm excited to see what it'll grow into!

This adorable homage to all things retro is definitely on my Paddo "to do" list every time I'm in…read morethe 'hood. The only downside? I wanted more. I was a little disappointed that it's only got quite a small selection of genuinely vintage clothes amongst their vintage "inspired" pieces. I loved the decore though. It's like walking into a batty old lady's living room - Barbara Cartland on an acid trip, maybe? From the pink floors and the animal print rug, the sweet ceramic rabbits holding a welcome sign by the door, the vintage typewriter atop an old suitcase, to the disco balls hanging from the ceiling and handmade socks strung up on a line in the back corner of the room - it's a little bubble of cuteness.

I am rarely so enthusiastic about a shop, but I absolutely love love love this one. The creepy…read moremanikins posed out the front of the store guide shoppers down a narrow path lined with racks of clothing, a mere taste of what is inside, towards the front door. The inside of the store is adorable, it's small but the simple, girly decoration complements the place perfectly. The clothes they sell are a mix of one-off preloved pieces and items made under the store label using vintage material and designs. Everything is super cute and the prices are very reasonable. It pains me to have to say this because I so want to give this place five stars (I'm going to anyway), but some of the second hand items did have stains or random rips in places. So now I have done what is right, I feel free to beg you to look past that and go to this place. Or don't, more for me!

It had been quite a while between visits to Jamieson's and it showed. They've extended the showroom…read moreand now have an extra space to show not only their mad styling skills but their range of beautiful linen bed covers, furniture and prints. The effort put in to style and carefully select the products sold in Jamieson's is evident. It's a place to invest in a lifestyle - from the clothes you wear, the bag you carry and the linen you lay your head on each night. Every piece compliments it's shelf mate and their collections would suit anyone from the Bohemian Chic lover in your life to the Hampton's fan wanting a pop of colour in their cushion collection. Similarly, whether you're looking to spend a little or a lot - there's pieces to match most budgets. That said, this isn't a $20 for a throw rug kind of store. Purchases made here are less of the impulse kind and more of the deliberate and considered for a while kind. Still - it's worth the stroll through for inspiration and to find something worth saving your pennies for!

I love all of the pieces in this adorable little shop however, after just experiencing the owner I…read moream not so pleased any longer (the other staff are fantastic though). I went to return a necklace that I was not happy with and she gave me attitude and said 'I am not happy to give you a refund for the necklace because I don't see anything wrong with it so I will give you a store credit'. Don't get me wrong, that is absolutely fine, I would have preferred a refund but it's ok, BUT I definitely did not need the attitude. I approached her with a smile and a friendly 'hi I just want to return this necklace the clasp keeps opening'. Conveniently when the owner tried opening it herself she really struggled, but the bottom line is, hey your customer isn't happy, so lets keep the peace and keep her coming back by just giving her a friendly transaction of a store credit. I feel as though because I was a lot younger than her she just walked all over me. There was just no need for it. I am so disappointed, I understand her frustration because she obviously thought I was making it up that the clasp was faulty but there is not need to make a fuss. So, from a younger person who has spent years in retail and customer service, to an older more mature woman. Be kind to your customers, because bad feedback travels a lot further than positive :-)