This shop has all the looks of a bomb having gone off inside it, a jewelry bomb. Every nook and…read morecranny is draped in something sparkly and beautiful making it impossible for anyone with any magpie tendencies to pass by the shop without a quick look-in. Although this is not the only place that Tresors exhibits, they usually have a stall at the Antiques Fair, it is soon to close so it's important to remember this shop is still around. The shop assistant told me that the shop had always stocked the "more fun" things anyway. Their pieces are a variety of costume, antique and estate collection jewelry which hasn't been tampered with, so you'll find the prices and styles range wildly. Most pieces are one-offs. I could barely tear myself away, though I've definitely made note of this one for any friends' up and coming Birthdays (or presents to myself). Without a doubt there'll be something for everyone in there, and (for the blokes) the shop assistants are just gorgeous!

After years of longingly looking into the front window, today I made my first purchase from…read moreTresors, and I'm so sorry I waited this long to step inside. But antique/ old wares stores can be somewhat intimidating, with "invite only" style security, or posh/ rude staff. I've often found myself "looking shyly", too self conscious to ask questions, and hurridly scurrying out the door. My experience today at Tresors was anything but. On taking a gulp and stepping inside, I was greeted warmly by staff, who let me look unattended for as long as I needed until I approached them for assistance. The aim today was to find the perfect 30th gift for a dear friend, something beautiful, and one of a kind. To be honest, I'd say I found that "special something" 100 times over, such was the volume and collection of antique, vintage, estate, costume jewellery and ornaments packed into this modest store. I must've spent over an hour rifiling through what felt like grandma's treasure box, scouring their many drawers of beads and semi precious stone necklaces in every possible colour of the rainbow, aurora borealis, lapis lazuli, german art deco beads, citrine and 60's vintage mod beads. Each beautiful piece had a story, and nothing was too much trouble for the staff at Tresors who respectfully and patiently answered all my questions and made thoughtful suggestions, I even learned a thing or two and had a laugh in the process =) I finally decided on a beautiful string of pastel agate beads, (pictured). THE place to come for necklaces, beads, rings, brooches, bangles, bracelets and trinkets, not simply an excellent vintage store, but a collection lovingly curated by Jenny and her lovely and knowledgeable staff who know each piece personally. I simply can't recommend this store enough, do pay them a visit!

When I say, I had a severe reaction to ear-piercing, we're talking cauliflower ears that a prop…read moreforward would be proud of. As a result, any attempts to prettify my lobes are somewhat limited - particularly given the high-streets rampant bias towards pierced lobes. There is however hope in the form 'The Bead Master'! The friendly chick behind the counter was just the right amount of involved (for me) when guiding me around the store though it soon became apparent we had very different ideas on what constituted 'NICE'. I declined her offer of a basket (in an attempt to limit my spending) but soon found myself slinking back to her counter when my collection of jars grew too large for my arms. 'I could do my purse some serious damage in this shop', I remarked to myself, my mind running wild with ideas. As the assistant counted out my purchases, we reached an artistic compromise, where she could admire my understated elegance and I could appreciate her inclination towards Peruvian wooden beads. This shop is a veritable treasure trove of shiny little beads, for artists of all abilities and tastes.

Anyone with just a tinge of OCD will love this shop - there is something so complete, so organised,…read moreabout the rows and rows of colour co-ordinated pots of beads that line the walls. Just like a candy store, was my reaction - but without the calories, the girl in the shop quipped back (I suspect she'd heard it before ..) My history with beading is not great - it involves a lot of buying beads and beading equipment but not much actual compilation of bead jewellery. Fortunately for me, the shop also sells some divine examples of their completed pieces, or will put together something for you in the colours and styles you choose. Though I guess I should really get my act together and sign up for a class. Pity they don't have teach children - understandably given the size of the shop and the high potential for spreading large quantities of expensive beads in all directions . But if they did, I could have sent one of my children to create on my behalf - it's about time they got useful!

This is a pretty awesome gift store; on one end, everything is fluffy and fun including cuddly…read morebears and the like, and even a pirate costume. On the other end is a variety of trinkets and cool little objects or devices. Inbetween are scented soaps and candles. Theres something new to see in every part of shop, including a variety of rubicks cube styled mugs, thermometers and similar. I guess we all have a rubicks cube friend. I do. Also, everywhere you look, in addition to nifty little gift ideas, are little signs with various warnings. "Do not touch", "pay for all breakages", "bags checked on exit" "theieves will be prosecuted" "STOP, do not open cabinet" and such. When I say everywhere you look, I mean each product is labelled with a "dont touch" sign, pretty much. These made me a little uneasy at first, but then I was saddened by the fact that the middle aged man who seems to run show had to put to so many up to make his point. I suppose if people had paid for their breakages, there wouldnt be a need for so many signs. As I left I offered to show the contents of my backpack, to which the shopkeep responded: "that's ok, I watched you walking around." Oh good. That saves time. *Frown*. Anyways, I'd return if I needed to buy a gift, so I'd recommend the place. But please don't break any thing. There's a sign.

Driving around in a 2nd hand car is great and all, but sometimes you want a new set of wheels with…read morethat just-bought smell, the one you hold up to your beak and take a big whiff until it fades in about week two and you can never get it back. Shoes are the same. Sometimes, you just want a new set of kicks, dammit, and you make up all sorts of excuses to treat your bad self to some Nikes or Adidas or nope I just can't go past some classic Air Max, they're one hell of a sneaker and I don't think anything will ever top them. Oh, New Balance do some good work (just ask sneaker freaker Dan Hong) but for me, it will always be Air Max or bust. So I done gone did it. I splashed out and bought myself a shiny new pair with red highlights because that makes me, er, walk faster. You don't actually run in Air Max. They're a lifestyle shoe, not a running shoe. You'd be crazy to run in them. This store is an In the Run store meaning it's more focused on jogging and fitness apparel and has less range than the flagship Pitt St Mall store.

Yep there are all sorts of ethical questions posed about big brands and whether they are exploiting…read moreus or anyone else in the production and sale of their sportswear, but Nike gear is top notch and this is a great place to buy it - good range, often good discounts, but most importantly a collection of staff who all seem to know and use the product. Adult sizes only, though many older kids are well into the shoe sizes. I'm not a dedicated running shoe brand user, but the lightweight FreeRun range are on feet all over town - or perhaps just noticeably so because of the lurid colour range. Dri-Fit running tops and shorts in all styles - and again a great excuse to splash out on colour that you just couldn't get away with in regular daywear.

Shoe lovers, shoe lovers everywhere. Come join me for this…read morespecial fair It's a shoe addicts dream It's a boyfriend's bore As once you enter You'll just want more More, more! So many of us love shoes. Carrie Bradshaw opened up the 'permits for all' on the right to have endless numbers of shoes in a girl's wardrobe. Zomp is the kind of shoe shop where I want to try on at LEAST ten shoes minimum. There's cutesy baby doll, there's cowboy boots, there's wedge, stiletto, strappy and sneaker, there's funky street, star prints and leopard prints, floral and kitsch. You name it, there's a style in there for you. But it's not just the variety I love it's that most of the shoes feel like they've got character... just that little bit of edge that other shoe shops might only have with only one or two shoes. I bought a $200+ pair of Hudson boots from here recently. They are gorgeous and they were on sale which of course was a bonus. Within 1 month unfortunately the sole started to unpeel. I was wearing them incessantly but it was a bit of drag to have to go back to the shop for a fix. The Zomp girls were more than happy to organize a shoe repair on them however I did have to pay extra if I wanted a thicker sole put on them - which I did of course. It was a shame to loose the cute penny farthing imprint on the sole. But now I can stomp these Zomp boots for a very merry long time. The Zomp Footwear for kids next door is a shoe shop filled with gorgeous teeny tot shoes. It's worth a mention for parents as it's a great excuse when the kids need new shoes to pop next door for your own sweet toe treat. One Saturday I was walking past and there were kids selling cup cakes outside. Nice touch.

I think I have a chromosome missing. I just don't seem to get that excited about shoes. I'm not so…read morefunctional as to wear only Hush Puppies but I do prefer my shoes to not leave my feet in bleeding tatters. Having said this I did purchase a pair of 4 inch stilettos from Zomp recently - mostly to see if I could actually walk and not look like a man in drag but also because I'm having an early midlife crisis. Zomp has shoes for all. If you get around on Zebra print brogues, pink ballet pumps, nude wedges or Gladiator sandals - all are found here and more. Staff are available without being intrusive and there are good discounts thanks to the GFC. A one-stop clodhopper shop.

It started with so much promise. The iPhone 4S online preorder seemed like such a win, but it…read morealmost ended in tears. I won't share the sordid tale, save to say it ended up with us walking into the Telstra Store on Pitt St to pick up an iPhone in person. The staff were quick to help and initially friendly, but then as the transaction progressed we seemed to lose there interest. Rather than talk us through the steps, there was more discussion amongst themselves about lunch breaks and if so-and-so's girlfriend was coming to pick him up. Not professional in the slightest.

Stupid me lost my trusty Telstra pre-paid SIM card. In fact, I had a little plastic baggy full of…read moreSIM cards from the world-over that I was actually quite proud of, but I must have left it on a plane or something b/c I can't find it anymore. Sad face. After crying for a few hours in fetal position, I manned up and went to the Telstra store around the corner from my hotel on Pitt St. The second I walked in, I was asked if I needed any help. After explaining my situation, they were happy to replace my SIM card right away AND give me back my old number AND make sure I still had all the credit from my old card. WOW. Stupid me again didn't know my old phone number... I had to call people and ask them for MY phone number... awkward. Anyways, Nilesh, the Telstra staff member who helped me was VERY patient and helpful throughout this whole embarrassing process. One of my colleagues WhatsApp'd me my number and Nilesh proceeded to get me setup and explain everything to me in detail on how to recharge my card with more data, etc. Someone give Nilesh a prize, he was a rockstar.

If your passion is Paris with a capital P, you will love Vivalino. They sell homewares with a…read moredistinctly French twist: small metal framed Eiffel towers, hat boxes, chairs and throw rugs, lots of thin black stripes on white fabric and more, much more. Candles, bed linen, table linen and wicker baskets, all sitting in immaculate displays. This small but perfectly formed shop can be difficult to find if you don't know where it is. Straight across the road from The Essntial Ingredient, it is on a slight ramp on Darling Street. It's the sort of place where you can spend ages just looking around even though the shop is quite small. Everything in the store is tasteful and sophisticated - I feel I shouldn't be allowed in, but hey, that's their problem.

70% off means I can afford this brand's super expensive wares. I bought a few accessories and…read morewill return to purchase the gorgeous 99 aud heels once I purchase winter boots and being an end to my ban on purchasing other shoes in the interim. Knocked off a star because there's a fair bit stamped with their logo. Riddle me this: why would I shell out good money on a high quality product made in order to advertise for your company? I figure label whores would take that money to Marc by Marc Jacobs. Or is it COACH for Aussies?

Love my new handbag and clutch. Came here at the right time (an impulse purchase) as all goods were…read more70% off the marked retail price. As one customer entered, another customer left. Brought a handbag normally priced just under $600, I only paid around $165 for it. Really happy with it. A beautiful tote. Way smaller than my other handbag, which I will sell. My purple clutch is great when going out nightclubbing.