I called in here basically because I wanted to have a nosy at the stock. I have no gala events or…read morepremiers coming up so I didn't need to hire a dress or a bag or a hat but it was nice to look at what was on offer in case I ever do. The outfits are very revealing and very glitzy - the kind of thing young girls wear to their formals now-a-days - there really wasn't much that I would choose to wear myself as a lot are very low cut at the front. The lady who works there is very nice and she told me that they will be getting new stock in in a few weeks and that I could try anything I wanted. The hire prices range from about £35 to £55 depending on whether you choose a ball gown or a formal dress. I fell sorry for the owners as I don't think this shop will do well purely because of its location - it is at the back of the arcade mall which is a very old office block part of Newtownards and I don't think it would get much passing trade. Dress hire is a good idea but it might do better in a busier, younger town or in Belfast itself.

Vogue is a ladies clothes shop for 'older dolls'. I'm at that stage in my life so I really like it…read more Don't get me wrong, I'm not a centenarian (yet), but I doubt Vogue would appeal to teens and twentysomethings. It sells all the usual dresses, tops, trousers and jackets you would expect and also a small selection of accessories and scarves. Sometimes I spot a lot of items in Vogue I want to buy but at others I don't see anything appealing. Most shops are like this though and it just depends on the latest stock and seasonal trends. Vogue will not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's certainly mine. Nice shop which stocks lovely clothes. Average in terms of cost. Definitely worth a browse.

Word of Advice; Do not under any circumstances try and go into Fresh Garbage at around 4.30pm on a…read moreFriday afternoon during term time. The reason I say this is it will be packed full of geeky emo's looking for their next quirky crazy purchase. I could not even walk into the shop to do a decent review, so I left and am now spreading what I have learnt toy the good people of Yelp.

i love fresh garbage a lot but the queue to get in is long and you have to wait 20-30 mins it's…read morebefore even getting into the shop itself, whenever you get in you can't even move because there is so little space, if you spend a lot of time in the shop you feel guilty of holding up the line outside. it's also really hard to let people past you because of the small space, you have to stand in a spot for a long time in order to let people pay and your just wasting time there. not to mention the overpriced clothing!! most are cringey as-well, most of the skirts there are around £60 and yes, are nice but wayy too pricey. good shop for alternative people but also not because there isn't a large variety. you cant even try clothes on aswell which is stupid staff are nice and will help :) i think that fresh garbage could do with an upgrade in a shop as in space because it's super hard to move around, and you cannot even look at clothes because you feel like you holding up a line or room for people to get past. bigger shop is definitely needed!! overall it's a good shop but very small. i'd say come during week days when you have the chance because it isn't as crowded.

Do you remember those Halifax songs with good old Harvey? He sang the following to Tom Jones' 'Sex…read moreBomb'... "Extra, extra, I know you want more, I'll give you something extra when you walk through my door". Every time I think of this wee shop, I have an uncontrollable urge to burst into song, namely Harvey's 'Extra' song. Oh, it's not good... The question is, and one which I have often asked - does Extras really offer extra? Well, this is really yes and no answer. Extras mainly sells those extra accessories women are in dire need of - umbrellas, bags, purses and the like, as well as cheap makeup, false lashes and nail varnish. My purpose in going into Extras was to purchase one of those large, see-through umbrellas for my sister (they're a must have ladies, seriously), but I wanted the smaller version rather than the full size. Unfortunately, none were available, and the shop assistant informed me, "Just those there love, sure that's them opened out there [points to window]". Huh, fair enough. No umbrella for me then. Extras did not entirely fulfil it's self-referential name, but it does have a few additional accessories. Worth a look.

Jacksons 38 is one of five (yes, you heard right) departments, if you like, all owned by Jacksons…read moreof Saintfield. Not a clue who this guy is, but he essentially owns half of the Main Street... As well as the main hardware / cookware store a few doors up, there is also a 'Lifestyle' stores few doors on up from that, which consists of a health food shop, a coffee shop and a home interiors shop. Phew! However, my trip was only to this sweet little boutique. Mainly consisting of ladies, gents and kids shoes, it is also a jewellery shop, an accessories shop (wallets, belts, scarves etc.), and a ladies clothes shop. Blinkin' heck. It's one of those shops that's a myriad of little rooms and sections that see to go on forever. There really is a beautiful selection, and the range of kid's school shoes rivals an actual shoe shop's range. The lady sales assistant was very pleasant and welcoming - cheery smiles galore. She was helpfully aiding a customer who was trying on shoes, but didn't neglect the others who were busy looking too. I must commend this Jackson fella on such a beautiful little shop. Highly recommended.

Conservatory Coffee, health food, boutiqueness…read moreHaiku perfection Visited here on a priest's recommendation to sip coffee with Michael W. Smith in the background and hoping to catch a nice Irish evangelical's eye... But even without those expectations being met (there's always next time), I think I've found my new favorite coffee shop in County Down. As you walk into Jackson's there is the boutique on the right, health food on the left, and straight to the back, nectar of the gods: COFFEE. Even further back, comfy couches and tables fill a beautiful, bright, glass conservatory facing out into the courtyard. Me and a friend sat until close (4:30 p.m.) sipping our coffee and admiring others fancy beverages and jealousy inducing desserts. While I have yet to witness it, I was told that the scones are as big as your head and full of fruity surprises. I couldn't ask for a better setting or cup of coffee to sip, sit, people watch, and/or work.

I can't decide whether I like this shop or not, it is a weird one…read more Yes, they have a massive selection of bags, some of which are nice, but they tend to be either pretty conservative or tacky. If you are looking for something different to the high street chain stores you may find something in here, but some of the bags are a lot more expensive than they appear. Perhaps I am just too young for their target demographic which I'll take as a compliment, so it might be just the right spot to find something for your mum. ;-)

So many bags, so little that you would want to choose. Well that's how I felt about GD1 accessories…read morewhich I visited in search of a black leather bag. It's a nice, bright, clean, immaculate and well tended shop mainly specialising in women's bags in blacks, blues and reds that were expensive and not for me anyway. There were also various overnight and knapsack type bags with bold designs which were quite attractive especially maybe for younger people along with some jewellery. I spent a while deliberating over some cotton scarves which were knocked down to £5 in the sale that could have been useful but didn't buy anything that time.

Its quite difficult for a guy to review this place because it seems almost exclusively set up for…read moregirls, particularly teenage girls who want to buy trinkets and the like to add that little bit of supposed magic to an outfit to head out on the tiles and impress boys at the discoteque. (Or whatever teenage girls do, I have no idea. I didn't much understand them when I was a teenager and I understand them even less now). That being said, I have been in here a few times with girlfriends and they all seem to like it and they all say the prices are good for what you get and its a one-stop shop if you want to pick up earrings or belts or scarves or what not. The staff are friendly and polite and are always on hand to help without being too intrusive which I think really adds to any shop. Based in Bloomfield Shopping Centre it is accesible and has good parking available on site.