Kikki.K and I are not friends. Something about the way they compartmentalise life into neat,…read morematching boxes doesn't sit well with me. It could also be that I find their creamy pink, blue and yellow colour scheme insipid. A lot of my friends like this shop and think I'm irrational and crazy. It all comes down to personal taste but I've never been tempted to buy anything useful or pretty from Kikki.K - not even as a gift for someone else. Their diaries, calendars, stamps, clips and photo albums are products I associate with aspiring domestic goddesses, unrealistic, neat homes and housewives and house husbands obsessed with cleanliness. I do appreciate though that a lot of people like their designs and it's definitely worth checking out their store despite the rants of one possibly crazy and irrational person like me.

Not just another office organising shop, this one is Swedish. I judged this place the first time I…read moreentered the store because the first thing I picked up, this organiser it's price tag rang high and true to the tune of $175.00. I pretty much walked straight out of the store right then and there, swearing to myself I would never go back in. Ridiculous. I walked past again a month later and they had pretty pink binders with polka dots, I curiously checked the price tag, and it was $39.95, a far cry from the $1 ring binders you can buy from Big W, but it wasn't over $100 so that was a step in the right direction I guess... there was a sale as well? I didn't end up buying the binder, I'm not too sure how I could justify the cost of a haircut to a cardboard binder with 3 metal rings. But, having said that, the things in this shop are very pretty, pretty enough for me to walk in twice. It's worth a look-into or a look through a window.

I raced in here with an emergency situation. No decorations for my mothers 80th birthday and she…read morewould be arriving at the house in 45 minutes. Assistant, Praneeta was AMAZING. She immediately took me through the store, helping me choose a trolley load of really lovely rose gold and silver decorations, as well as napkins, plates and more - all color coordinated and elegantly themed. She told me how everything need to be hung and displayed to best effect. She rang up the charges (very reasonable.) Then she blew up the helium balloons and told me to go to the car and turn on the air conditioning so it wouldn't be too hot (it was a 37 degree day) - she said it was important to keep them cool. She brought them out to the car. I was driving away within 20 mins and was able to get home, set everything up before my mother arrived from her nursing home. The look on her face of surprise and joy at the beautifully decorated room, was just the absolute best! We all had the loveliest party! Thank you 'Unique Party Shop' for a fantastic well stocked store and especially to Praneeta - store assistant and party planner extraordinaire! Highly recommend!!

I saw this place driving out from Jijaws Street at Sumner Park and seeing my son was turning 3 the…read morenext day decided to go in and see if they had stuff for his mini birthday party. I found balloons that were kind of stuck together not sure how old they were, the shop was a bit hot, and there was a whole wall full of costumes. Great for big parties I guess, but not much in the way for young kids parties as most candy packs were mega sized, the costumes were for older kids and adults. There was a lot of stuff here for hens and bucks nights though. I think i've been to better ones.

For a stationery addict like myself, kikki.K is a dangerous place. Their wares can be a tad on the…read morepricey side, but they often have sale items (I got 3-for-2 lists/planners today, nngh so good) and if you're a "strong of will" sort - or can get someone to hold your wallet - then even window-shopping in kikki.K can be a delight. The stores are always clean and bright and well laid-out, and the new Carindale store is no exception. kikki.K is one of the stores that should have been a part of Westfield Carindale ages ago, so thank goodness for the additional space in the new section. The staff are a delight, very helpful and friendly; I had a great chat with the girl who ended up serving me today. kikki.K's more than just stationery - they're gung-ho about organisation, to the point where you can attend workshops and consultations related to organising your life. Uh, I'm interested, but I'm all out of cash - do they barter?

If you've got whingey kids who are totally over being dragged around the shops this festive season,…read morethen short of taping their mouths up (and I don't advise child cruelty), this is a nice way to shut them up for a few minutes. Even better, it's free! Yep, it's the Myer Centre Christmas windows. It might not be as good as last year's effort (a homage to the children's storybook fave Olivia. How can you not love a window display featuring a puking pig?), but it's still seriously cute. This year it's a little less about vom, and more about Santa. There's large Santas, teeny elves, presents on conveyor belts, reindeers, lots of sparkle, and a "Santa Claus is coming to Town" soundtrack. And, er, snow. (Why do people insist on pushing the whole White Christmas thing on us when we all know that on the big day we'll be losing our body weight in sweat, our tinsel will wilt, and even the flies are too hot to move?) That small gripe aside, while it's not spectacular, it's definitely sweet to the max, and worth a peep.

Smiggle is a stationary shop that sounds more fun than it actually is. They rely on bright colours,…read morebubbles and patterns but there's really nothing clever about their designs. It is well priced though and should be popular amongst young girls and teenagers whose outgrown glitter but isn't completely over shiny stationary. Their range of Smiggle Skins for phone and ipod covers has some cute character designs, refreshingly different from the usual brands. I only wished I had a family friend with a young daughter I could buy for. To top it off, the shop assistant was lovely, helpful and very enthusiastic about the products. So keep your eye out for a Smiggle shop during the next back to school sales and make someone the coolest kid in class.

This Smiggle is a bit strange because it's a standalone stall in the middle of the mall, but it…read morestill stocks the same stuff as the other ones I've seen. The stationary express as I like to call it has stuff so brightly coloured it can make your eyes hurt if you look at the products for too long. It's more meant for the teens I think, with Kikki. K catering for the adults, Smiggle is a great place for you to get stationary for your kids in school, with cool telephone cord lanyards and eraser white outs. There is no kidding here, the person who created Smiggle was onto something, but my issue with this place is that it's good stuff, but I can't see myself buying any of it, even for my kids. Maybe i'm just not in that demographic. Prices are the same as if you would go to any stationary shop, and they have some cool pencil cases with lots of zippers too.

The go to people for equipment and event hire. Always knowledgable, helpful in picking out the…read moreright lights and extras. Extra cables and powerboards are free and if there's not a lot of bookings you may even get an extra day for free (handy if you are heading up the sunny coast for a wedding say). Have rented with them many times and even subscribe to their DJ and lighting tips newsletters.

Lightsounds has all your sound and lighting needs for your next party of all parties (if you can…read moreremember it afterwards). They have DJ equipment, speakers, effects machines and all sorts of insane lighting that will probably send your guests into strobe induced seizures. Everything is available to hire as well as buy but unfortunately both options are very pricey. The store assistants are very helpful though and knowledgeable about all the equipment, though they somehow manage to make me feel seriously uncool when I'm in here.

Wedding Art is a wonderful place, not only for brides-to-be's, but for anyone who loves and…read moreappreciates beautiful paper and stationary. If this is you, then you would adore this little store on Merthyr Road. It's not so much a big store, it's more or less a combination of an office as well as products available for purchase. The staff work from here to create their clients orders. They have an extensive range of paper, so the only problem here would be selecting one. There is great customer support. The staff are happy to assist in creating the perfect invitation to your special day. You can make an appointment with them to discuss the design you would like for them to make or alternatively you can pick what you need and make it yourself. The choice is yours. If you are planning your big day and need a trustworthy place to make your invitations or place cards, Wedding Art is definitely worth a visit. Drop by or make an appointment.

Texts, tweets and Tinder might be all the rage but I firmly sit in the corner that believes sending…read morea beautiful card for an array of occasions beats the obligatory Facebook message or wall post. That's why I'm thankful that a store like Card & Caboodle, located on the lower floor of Queens Plaza, is still around. Much like hen's teeth, a shop dedicated to the art of correspondence via a carefully deliberated card is hard to find. Much like Suzannah B, I often find selecting a card far more exciting than the gift it may be presented with. Their range is some of the best in Brisbane and extend from classic humour, modern design and quirky.There's a card for almost all occasions and you'll also be able to stock up on wrap, ribbon or a fancy-pants gift bag.

Every year I tell my friends I'm going to write them a personal letter and post it. We all agree…read morewhat a great idea this would be and spend awhile reminiscing about the good ol' days before email. I've never yet written such a letter although Card and Caboodle has certainly tempted me with their range of stationary. Some of their writing sets are so pretty. Plus, anyone would be pleased to receive best wishes from their intricate pop-up card range. Their cute stamps, stickers, hanging ornaments and magnets would make perfect 'filler presents', the sort you would get for your workplace Secret Santa or that cousin you don't know very well but you suspect she's a girly girl. If you're looking for something more original than your stock standard newsagency range, then try Card and Caboodle for all matters stationary related.