It's really great to see how we can pull together when one of our Brisbane icons is being…read morethreatened, and I was chuffed to see how we did that for Rocking Horse. I wanted to see it stay because it's been a staple in my life ever since I started going to school in the Valley. Whenever my friends and I would go to the City of a Friday afternoon, we'd always wander in to Rocking Horse in an attempt to widen our music tastes, and I think that my taste today is owed in part to Rocking Horse. Not only is it the heart of Brisbane's best music, Rocking Horse has also been home to ridiculously long ticket lines for concerts and festivals. It's a modern venue with musical choices for everyone. Plus, here it's so much easier to get your hands on harder music than anywhere else. As an independent store, it has a kind of cult following, but how can you not adore it once you've stepped inside? There's not just music either. You'll be able to find a t-shirt in dedication of your favourite band and a sea of books and mags to tantalise your music tastebuds. I'm really proud to call Rocking Horse an independent Brisbane brand, and I'll be there if it's ever in need of support again.

I remember being a fresh-faced university student prowling through Rocking Horse Records, looking…read morefor CDs, records, posters, strangers eyes, discussing with likeminded friends about how we knew, "the music would save us". After four years of university and life I don't know if I would rummage through Rocking Horse Records with the same optimism that I once did. Rocking Horse Records offers an extensive range of CDs, DVDs and EPs old and new. The establishment itself seems to permeate a sort of grungy vibe, however now days the service staff seem to dress more hipster, as opposed to diehard, melancholic Nirvana fans from the late 90s. It's nice to see a music store with such a vast range outside of those larger outlets that dominate that CBD. All the products are categorized accordingly; it's just up to you to know if you're "into" 'alternative folk dubstep' or 'new-age punk metal' (categories may not be as specific as the latter). It's no mystery that the electronic innovations in music have hit the music industry hard, especially in terms of unique stores like Rocking Horse Records. There are of course attempts to reestablish their necessity in the market, such as being a place to purchase tickets for concerts and festivals. In addition, has anyone noticed how vinyl has made a real comeback? Even I have developed a real romantic inclination towards listening to my favorite music on an EP. I don't know if it's real or just manufactured in my head, but it does seem to add a certain quality to the sound that seems to hit me harder; perhaps it's just because we're sick of our music existing solely in our phones and on our computers? I couldn't help but wish that Rocking Horse Records would have a more extensive range of EPs, however I can understand how it may prove to be unprofitable to stock a wide range of music on record, when only a handful of people would come looking for. This being said, shouldn't they be establishing themselves as a business that offers us something we can't get online? Maybe if they got on board with this "hipster" trend and sold more EPs and record players we'd leave the safety of our computers and flock there on mass. After all, they are called Rocking Horse 'Records'. At the end of the day Rocking Horse Records is a great venue to have a browse and remember what it was like before we all had IPods. The unfortunate truth is I tend to go there to browse and buy my music online instead. This being said, those of you who prefer to have hard copies of music or have developed an ethereal connection to the sound of vinyl, Rocking Horse Records is the place for you.

When it comes to shopping, Brisbane is always seen as the poor relative to Sydney. And it usually…read moreis. But the uber chic Level 1 Designer section David Jones is definitely equal to, if not better than its counterpart down south. Let me run through just a taster of the labels you can get your hands on here: Burberry, Paul Smith, Scanlan and Theodore, Easton Pearson, Willow, Romance is Borne, Sass and Bide, Camilla and, my fave, Thurley (note to parents: as the sales will be on by then, I'd love the one shouldered lurex top or the long sequinned necklace for my birthday!) The drawback - the expense makes your eyes water. So my tip to you is, browse now and make a note of what you want, then come back in sale season and rummage, rummage, rummage. It's worked for me many a time. Ladies, be strong, be determined and above all, keep looking until you find it!

When I was a young whipper snapper I remember going into the David Jones store in Sydney. It felt…read moreall fancy, and i'd marvel at the food markets they had in there too. And the cost! Well, DJs still goes for that fancy, up market look, and if their Brisbane store ever had food markets, they're long gone. This is a newish store in Queens Plaza, and it's still quite fancy. Multiple levels, I usually come in for clothes, or sometimes to check out the electrical stuff. They've scaled back on games, and I note that their electronics is just a Dick Smith now. The department stores of the past are long gone. Despite the up market vibe they go for, I've found they are quite often competitive with prices, so it's definitely worth checking out if you're shopping around for the best price.

Held every month are the weird and wonderful Marky Markets…read more At a venue like the Hi-Fi you know these markets pack some 'tude, It's chock-a-bloc with style from local designers and retro wares. From fabulous vintage frocks, shoes, handbags and paraphernalia to paintings, badges, bags and art. (My absolute favourite stall is Pannikin, be sure to check out her superfly range of totes and badges.) So if you're hard pressed for gift ideas or love vintage fashion, Support local and check out Marky Markets today! ( /third sunday of the month.)

If you're after an authentic vintage clothes and accessories market with an intimate and…read moreindependent atmosphere, make sure you swing by the Marky Markets on every third Sunday of the month. Here you'll find a great (and wallet friendly!) variety of great vintage threads (primarily women's), along with shoes, bags, and local arts and craft. If it's an extra hot day, cool down at the bar with a drink. It was so hot the day I dropped by that any alcohol in my system seemed like a bad idea, so I had the bar staff whip up a mocktail concoction using my own choice of ingredients. They sliced up a whole lot of fresh summer fruits and topped that with delicious lemonade, fresh lemon, and finely chopped mint. Perfect afternoon.

Women and Men clothing. Jewellery. Knick Knacks. A fun little place to spend your hard earned…read moredollars on cute, trendy and cool stuff. Expect laser cut perspex/metal earrings and pins, moustache covered objects, eggcups and mugs that are animal heads, interesting stationery. My favourite I've seen is the giant crumpled 'disposable cup' vase in green glass. Pigeonhole has another store over at Macarthur Central, across the road. Parking in the Wintergarden carpark.

Swop fills a gap sorely needed in Brisbane. Where Sydney is peppered with boutique vintage clothing…read morestores, Brisbane tends to have clothing collections mothballed in the dark corners of antique furniture and collectibles warehouses. While Swop advertises that they will take high end or trendy fashion, when you get up the stairs you will definitely feel you stepped back in time. A sweep of the hand over any track will give you sensations of old: Terry toweling dresses, velour pants and jackets, fur collars, stiff gloweave, lame by the kilometre, rustic polyesters (you know what i mean! Polyesters just don't feel that way now!!!) and linen linen linen. Swop is perfection. There will be no mothballed or mustiness here. Every thing is laid out logically and aesthetically. It's uncluttered but well stocked. The men's section is at least a third of the store (speak to any man who frequents op shops... A 1:2 ratio is extraordinary). Don't expect op shop prices, and good on em too. The better run Swop is the longer we get to shop there. I spotted two fantastic condition retro wool coats at $40 and $60, and a classic symmetrical equestrian theme scarf for $20. So again, realistic prices to run their business, but of course they only stock good quality and interesting items. You will find: clothes, hats, shoes, bags, belts, denim, leather. Probably more but I'll have to find out another day.

Really nice VINTAGE clothing just a bit more pricey than I thought. Plays really good music and…read moregreat overall vibe. I recommend going if you're looking for shirts, dresses or hats :)

If you like your collector locomotives, your collector cars, this is the one stop shop for you…read more They stock the biggest range of trains, cars, kites, model airplanes that I have ever seen. Walking into this place is weird because you feel that you shouldn't touch anything because you don't want to break anything but every ounce of your child within is really doing everything it can to not want to touch and play with everything within sight and within reason. With locomotives here going for over $1000 this is the real deal, not for the faint hearted but for serious lifelong collectors who are establishing their collection for grandchildren. The trains are limited editions sometimes and will only increase in value over time (they tell me), so you better be serious when you buy them and maybe just keep them in the box. Not the kind of stuff you buy for kids that are young. But kids that are old enough to appreciate a good thing and take care of a good thing when they see it.

I went into Hobbyrama for the first time yesterday to buy some glue (long story). Wow. I never knew…read moreI had an inner ten year old boy but apparently I do because I had so much fun looking around in here. Maybe I should start building model cars. They have so many crazy things that I would never have even known existed. Their range of model cars, planes, boats, tanks, trains, and insert any other mode of transportation you can think of here is amazing. The store is huuuge and literally packed to the rafters. As well as the model vehicles they have doll house kits, and little doors, furniture, etc. to for people who build dollhouses. Just seeing the little doors and windows in their packages made me smile thinking of Grandfathers making dollhouses for their grand-daughters. But now I'm getting emotional over a hobby shop. Hobbyrama has puzzles, crafts, kites, and countless other things you could do to entertain yourself or hone your fine motor skills. I've never built a model in my life, but this shop is full of so many things that even a hobby n00b like myself would love to try my (very shaky) hand at. I needed to buy glue for small pieces of plywood, and the guy behind the counter helped me out and was very friendly. He didn't even mind that I had my fourteen year old terrier in tow (who was busy examining the extensive range of matchbox cars down at his eye level). Hobbyrama is worth a browse purely out of interest. You'll be surprised by the kinds of cool things people make. You might even end up tackling something yourself although if you're anything like me you'll no doubt end up with pieces of aeroplane glued to your hands, but it's all part of the fun, right?

Garnsis combines just the right amount of edge and cute femininity into its selection of clothing…read moreand accessories. I love going into the store but when I'm strapped for time/being really lazy I just jump on their website and browse the range of awesome clothes at my disposal. Their Facebook page also keeps you up to date with all their latest specials, popular items, and new arrivals, giving you a personalised feeling and the strong urge to just keep buying their stuff. There's just the right mix of flirty, fun, striking, and strong in their clothing mix, and I've never been into the store and not instantly fallen in love with something. Shorts, skirts, dresses, accessories; bold prints, bright colours, pastels, and whites. Garnsis has an amazing range of it all. There are styles to compliment every girl and you'll probably spend ages running through their racks of clothing.

Ahhhh so this is where the young and the pretty have been shopping! Garnsis Boutique welcomes you…read moreat the front of the Elizabeth Street Arcade and is the first of many cute boutiques where little ladies can grab some fun frocks for their wardrobes. The clothes stocked aren't really my style but you can definitely see why it's popular. It's reasonably priced and the perfect place to shop if you need an outfit for a festival or a cute new summer dress. Although, given that the brands stocked are popular in a lot of stores means that there is the chance that you could have one of those awkward "oh my goodness we're wearing the same dress" moments. Garnsis also has you covered if you're after bits and bobs like new sunnies, some fun jewelry or even nail polish. Despite not being really my thing, this cute little place is definitely worth a look for any young ladies who love a good shopping spree.

Temt at Capalaba Central seems to have a sale on every time I go there, so I naturally love it. I…read morethink the clothes are really good prices even when they're not reduced. I don't love it all, but they've got quite a good budget fashion thing going on, so I always have a browse.