There's not nearly enough gorgeous boutiques named after Ancient Roman Orators…read more Sigh. My favorite boutique ever. I have expensive taste, and not the budget to match it. But with frequent sales and very often a sale rack, I've bought the odd drop dead stunning designer concoction here. There's a red dressing-table like long couch for your shopping companions to sit upon while giving the requisite thumbs-up or -down response as you parade something you never want to take off. Staff are fantastic, one went to a great deal of trouble once to try and source me a replacement for a red winter coat after an accident with City Rail, rain, no signage and floor paint. Don't ask. They stock Lazybones (great cotton vintage inspired Australian designs) although the staffer the other day tells me they're getting harder to source, Katherine and Odd Molly. Amongst others. A few groovy shoes and handbags too. Desperately want an Odd Molly piece with not-really-making-sense writing all over it and Scandinavian embroidery. Sigh, one day.

Every year I order PJ's for my wife for Christmas. Each time I purchase from a different vendor,…read morejust to mix things up and see if there's a particular brand she likes or the customer service is better or maybe there's a hidden gem out there. So far, they've all been mostly the same and the PJ's tend to be about the same in terms of comfort, fit, style, etc., which is to say they've been good overall. This year I chose Papinelle after doing some research and comparing. I figured if they didn't hold up or the service was lousy, I would just shop elsewhere going forward. The prices are a bit on the high side, but the styles are nice and the silk blend is supposed to be very soft and comfortable. I ordered the long pants and top, but was a bit surprised on Christmas morning when my wife revealed they had sent shorts instead, which isn't very cozy when the temps drop down sufficient to light a fire in the fireplace and/or the heater comes on. So why the five stars? Well, it's because of how they handled the situation, how the PJ's fit and feel and look, and the overall experience. I reached out to Papinelle a few days later and they quickly got back to me with apologies and a plan to remedy the situation. They turned around an order to us within a day and sent the tracking number. They said we could just hang on to the shorts set and were further surprised to receive not only the pants, but also a second top. That was a really nice touch for sure! These are somewhat pricey PJ's, but this kind of service is part of why you pay the extra money. Things happen and you have to move forward, but it's how a business handles these issues that really defines their character and diligence. Top that off with a great looking and great fitting set of PJ's, and you have a winning combination! For the first time, I'm planning to return back to Papinelle next year to pick up another set.

I am ontologically disturbed by this store…read more Newly opened in the wake of the crime-against-Leura Woolworths incursion, this cavernous shop is the second for this Australian designed label after their 'flagship' in Paddington. That should give you some idea of the prices. I go to a great deal of effort never set foot in Paddington if I can help it, so walking down The Mall the other day, this came as a surprise. Large store. Few Items. Very Pink. Very Florals. Very Pink Floral Knickers. Not My Thing. Ok, but wait. Matching Very Pink Floral Knickers For Babies. Hang on. 1. A baby is not a matching accessory. 2. If baby and mother's underwear is the same, is that reducing the woman to status of child, or child creepily to adult? Not actually the same, I hesitate to point out. Look, it's very pretty. The lady seems very nice. They'll make a killing in Leura. And I have a tendency to overanalyse, it has been said. Just a bit creeped out by the whole matchy-matchy thing.

I have a vivid image of Mrs Peel. If she were a person, that is. Cat's eye 50's sunglasses…read more Ponytail. Bright red lips. Bobby sox and saddle shoes because she's sensible. Poodle jewellery. Killer vintage wardrobe mixed with modern designer pieces. Doesn't mind attracting a bit of attention, and saving up a total sequin overload cocktail sheath for when she wants to arrive in a room with a bang. Sarcastic barbs have a way of just falling from her lips. I think we'd be friends. This fab store used to be hidden down the back of another Leura arcade, but is now front and centre, windows full of modern, quirkily designed jewellery and vintage clothing for women and men. Inside is even better. I instantly swooped on a piece from a designer I used to love from my days in Newtown, who no longer seems to exist. Lovely lady staffer and I chatted about Japanese fabric-using designers while I was breaking my no unnatural fibre rule with my purchase. Almost air-tight, but a woman's allowed exceptions for vintage, right? Prices are pretty good, especially for Leura, the modern designer stuff is a bit steep, but that's what you'd expect. Staff are lovely, and the offer gift vouchers too, which I'm thinking would beat a Myer GV hands down in the Christmas pressie stakes. Newly glammed, I'm off to scour the cafes for someone in cat's eye sunglasses. I'm sure she's around somewhere.

A very sweet and mostly reasonably priced vintage shop particularly for a store in Leura. There are…read moresome truly gorgeous little jewellery pieces, cute retro bags and a good mix of new and vintage clothing pieces. It is a little cramped but they have made good use of the space they have been given. A few pieces here and there were a little too expensive for what they were but generally prices were fair. The staff are friendly and personable and I will certainly be back again when shopping in Leura.

There's a wurlitzer at the top of the stairs. Four rooms packed with vintage delights as well as…read moresome modern reproductions. Stacks of hats and glasses (heart shaped sunnies anyone?) 1950's dresses and rockabilly repros. Lots of menswear too. Out the back there's a smattering of homewares, bric-a-brac and books. Love a shop where you can buy antique gloves and a stretcher to keep them in tiptop shape, a Superman tie or one of those weird turbans 1940's vamps used to wear in black and white movie just before they led some poor hapless chap to his doom.

Yay! They're still here! Had a bit of a panic in Leura recently when their corner store had…read moredisappeared in the way for some dreadful corporate stationery nonsense. Vivianna's are a Mountains institution. The staffer tells me it was landlord problems in Leura. Tell me about it. Doube size store chock full of ethnic homewares, great silver jewellery and interesting clothes including Vivianna's own range of silk and velvet numbers. I was Christmas shopping with a certain family member who pulled out a sage green Vivianna's dress and had a bit of a swoon. As it was on the 50% rack, I made her try it on. Looked fab beyond belief and I swept it away to be immediately transformed into a Christmas pressie. Easy. Staff are lovely, and you can pick up the kind of thing you don't see elsewhere. Hope they're here to stay.

Tiny, but full of bursting bright colour. Currently, they've got a display of vibrant parasols in…read morethe window and hanging from the ceiling. Maharani sells women's clothing, mostly with an eco bent and often by Australian designers. Have my eye on this fab grey pinstripe skirt reminiscent of a bustle at the moment. Lots of jewellery too, some of the tribal kind (love it), as well as a smattering of accessories and gifts. A friend bought a great brown leather messenger bag (Billy Goat designs) from here, and I rarely see them apart. They have that great leather smell as well, so, on second thoughts, not the best place to bring a vegan. I haven't had much luck trying on the super-uncomfortable felt clog shoe things. Eek. But their range of clothing is great and not super pricey, the staff nice. It's obviously aimed at a slightly younger market (ie: under 50) than some of the other boutiques in Leura. Bustle skirt or fab chartreuse green stripy one?

We stumbled into this paradise while wandering the shops in Katoomba. We will visit time and time…read moreagain, when we return for Holiday. Most of our shopping was in the men's wear, but they had a marvelous selection for both men and women. The collection of unique dress shirts made us most happy. We bought three John Lennon dress shirts. One was a gift for my grandson and the other two were for my partner. Everyone loved the quality and the fun details. The staff was extremely courteous and helpful during my two visits. Stop in and find yourself some quality clothing or accessories. You are worth it!

I hate shoes. Blessed with feet designed for sitting and not actually anything ambulatory, finding…read moreshoes that fit is a nightmare. I wandered up the stairs with a friend here to lend shoe shopping moral support. The ceiling slopes in, and you do feel like you're in an attic. Displays of (mostly expensive) shoes, handbags, scarves, hosiery etc. I barely even looked as a sale table boasting $350 'sale' shoes was a little out of my budget. My friend, bless her, picked up a shoe, found it a bargain, and asked to try it on. Nice staffer found the other for her, and she put it on, it fit, purchase finalised. No-one noticed me going blue in the face having a jealous fit in the corner, gobsmacked that anyone can just buy shoes like that. I'm off to try on 65 pairs, none of which fit. Again.

I LOVE shoes in the attic. True - they aren't cheap - but YEARS later, anything I buy there still…read morelooks terrific. And they DON'T stock shoes made in China - shoes that would not past tests for either longevity or stylishness. I love the bargain shelf - you wind up buying shoes that you don't need, but how can you resist - and years later, you are glad you didn't.