Generally this gift shop is just like any other quality present finding shop filled with…read morecollectibles, flasks, frames and an assortment of adorable homewares. But recently they've truly outdone themselves with the vast and magnificent range of Christmas decorations and collectibles on offer. I must say I'm a sucker for the festive season, particularly since I've had kids I really love getting into the spirit with them and decorating the house. This year I'm going to Cards and Gifts Galore to purchase my daughter her own Christmas memorabilia keepsakes. The front display is of a white Xmas, with singing and musical Santa's, white Xmas trees and other trinkets perfect for the Xmas tree. For as little as $1.00 these are the best Xmas keepsakes I've found for quality and price. Similar to the range at Myer but half the price!

Never felt threatened in a retail store before . Been a loyal customer of Harvey Norman for 25…read moreyears and more recently in the past few months bought a Sony OLED, washing machine and Dyson vacuum cleaner. Out of loyalty went into the Harvey Norman Maribyrnong store to buy some smaller electronics ($300 worth) knowing they would price match against competitors such as Officeworks under their advertised price guarantee and was meet with a barrage of excuses and reasons from different staff members not to honour it. Then asked to speak to manager and waited 15 minutes to be aggressively approached by him and later threatened in a persecuting manner that as we had already opened the box to inspect the goods we were buying, (Logitech keyboard) we had therefore already bought it at the full price" when we refused and decided to leave without a purchase. He threatened to get security using further further verbal and physically intimidating tactics to purchase the items. As we began to leave he "escorted us out" like we criminals. Our upcoming intent to purchase a full Sonos home theatre system and sound bar and HP spectre laptop (about $6000-$7000 worth ) will be going elsewhere

Have only dealt with the bedding section here, but I had the most fantastic experience with them…read more Cos (the area manager?) was generous, helpful, knowledgable and generally really great. Would highly recommend these guys to any, and everyone!

Can you tell I am going through a crazy plant phase? I can't get enough of them! GIMME!…read more If garden nurseries were department stores, Lygon Street Nursery is the David Jones. It's very clean, you feel underdressed when you go in, and it's just a wee bit more expensive than everywhere else. Having said that, it's nothing but quality within. At Lygon Street nursery you will find designer plants, mature fiddle lead figs without a spot on them and gorgeous, picture-perfect pots to boot. I popped in to find a Valentine's Day present for BAE (I say that, tongue-in-cheek) as he likes plants just as much as me. I spotted the most gorgeous chilli plants on the footpath out the front as I headed in and instantly knew that was the one - the perfect present, don't you think? The staff gave me some great tips to keep the little guy alive - they definitely know what they're talking about. While I didn't spot any succulents, I suspect they all lay out the back in the outdoor section, which I did not venture out to. All-in-all, a terrific nursery with absolutely perfect plants.

If there was an award for the best smelling shop in Melbourne, the Local Shop would win hands down…read more They strategically have placed all their beautiful, fresh smelling flowers right by the door so that you're lured in and then before you know it, you've handed over your credit card to pay for that candle, tea towel and pot plant... you know the ones that you need to have on top of your 20 other at home already. There are so many beautiful bits and pieces (think candles, door hooks, tea towels, cacti, hand cream, bags) in this shop. If you ever need a birthday/housewarming/christmas/anything present for a girl, you'll be able to find it here. Not to mention the bunch of flowers that you thought would be the perfect addition to your present just because. I never seem to escape empty handed.

What an adorable shop! Starts with the florist section and goes back into a huge candle selection…read moreand random gift section. Was also able to pick up a cute and unique cards. Great place to pick up a birthday gift for a girl friend. Staff was really friendly and I came out with an amazing candle and card! Flowers looked lovely although I did not purchase any.

The shop has good variety of RC and the owners are helpful…read more It might just be the nature of the hobby but the prices of the cars have all jumped up by 20% strange but still worth a look.

Since Christmas is only SEVEN weeks away I thought I would offer some shopping advice. If you are…read moreafter a gift for a kid, one that will be greeted with approval from both the child in question and their parents then head to Creative Minds. Here you will find all kinds of games, puzzles and toys for the young and young at heart. Most of their stock is fun and education or creative, which are good things for kids...apparently. The staff know their stock so if you have no idea what to get a child (yep that's me) then ask the friendly staff for advice. If you bring a kid with you be prepared to a. stay a while. b. spend your money. They even offer gift wrapping. How easy is your Christmas shopping now?

CRAZY ASIAN KNICK KNACKERY - Slightly better than a two dollar shop, this place is beyond…read moreclassification. They stock mattresses. Cheap mattresses for the poor Uni student who find themselves living in some weird share house. Carpets. Doggy beds. Kitty scratching posts. Duct tape. Measuring tape. Jewellery. Sunglasses. Reeds for the vase in the hallway. Don't have that vase? They have many vases! Wigs for halloween. Vampire teeth. Paint. Facepaint. Canvas boards of varying sizes. Thongs. Stockings. Novelty lighters.The list goes on and on and on. When you walk in, you want to walk straight out but something compels you to stay - that little voice in your head that says maybe, just maybe you could find something in this treasure trove of awesome junk.

There are so many of these knick-knacky type shops on Sydney Rd it's a bit of a joke. Along with…read morebridal shops, jewellery stores and textile places - it seems like an Italian woman's dream street. Brunswick Clearance Centre is probably the biggest knick-knack store in the area. It has everything from party supplies, picture frames, art, furniture, manchester, homewares etc. etc. As with all of these stores the gear is cheap (ish) and they are a bit of a mish mash of things that are hard to find anywhere else. I recently bought a cork board, candle, ribbon and plastic champagne flutes. Good for a look if you're stuck trying to find something specific.