it's always a pleasure to shop at my fav store - Swarovski…read more When I was in Austria I shopped at a mini mall and bought jewellery. These days and once a year i have bought figurines like A Ballerina as a gift for my niece. Their watches on display are also beautiful.

This shop has all the looks of a bomb having gone off inside it, a jewelry bomb. Every nook and…read morecranny is draped in something sparkly and beautiful making it impossible for anyone with any magpie tendencies to pass by the shop without a quick look-in. Although this is not the only place that Tresors exhibits, they usually have a stall at the Antiques Fair, it is soon to close so it's important to remember this shop is still around. The shop assistant told me that the shop had always stocked the "more fun" things anyway. Their pieces are a variety of costume, antique and estate collection jewelry which hasn't been tampered with, so you'll find the prices and styles range wildly. Most pieces are one-offs. I could barely tear myself away, though I've definitely made note of this one for any friends' up and coming Birthdays (or presents to myself). Without a doubt there'll be something for everyone in there, and (for the blokes) the shop assistants are just gorgeous!

After years of longingly looking into the front window, today I made my first purchase from…read moreTresors, and I'm so sorry I waited this long to step inside. But antique/ old wares stores can be somewhat intimidating, with "invite only" style security, or posh/ rude staff. I've often found myself "looking shyly", too self conscious to ask questions, and hurridly scurrying out the door. My experience today at Tresors was anything but. On taking a gulp and stepping inside, I was greeted warmly by staff, who let me look unattended for as long as I needed until I approached them for assistance. The aim today was to find the perfect 30th gift for a dear friend, something beautiful, and one of a kind. To be honest, I'd say I found that "special something" 100 times over, such was the volume and collection of antique, vintage, estate, costume jewellery and ornaments packed into this modest store. I must've spent over an hour rifiling through what felt like grandma's treasure box, scouring their many drawers of beads and semi precious stone necklaces in every possible colour of the rainbow, aurora borealis, lapis lazuli, german art deco beads, citrine and 60's vintage mod beads. Each beautiful piece had a story, and nothing was too much trouble for the staff at Tresors who respectfully and patiently answered all my questions and made thoughtful suggestions, I even learned a thing or two and had a laugh in the process =) I finally decided on a beautiful string of pastel agate beads, (pictured). THE place to come for necklaces, beads, rings, brooches, bangles, bracelets and trinkets, not simply an excellent vintage store, but a collection lovingly curated by Jenny and her lovely and knowledgeable staff who know each piece personally. I simply can't recommend this store enough, do pay them a visit!

Not many watch & Jewelery places like this open anymore :)!! The family or staff that work here…read morehave always been super friendly & helpful whether it be fixing something for nothing or charging :)!! Wouldn't think twice on taking my watch or Jewelery anywhere else & definitely with no doubt i would be recommending  here too anyone else :). Good honest & friendly service at a fair price is hard to find these days :D!!

Pure Silver Design have quite an extensive range of silver jewelerry and watches. Their goods are…read morequite tasteful and modern. I was a bit surprised when looking through their glass windows to actually find quite a few beautiful pieces. Prices seem reasonable ranging from $50 upwards, but everything seemed tasteful and well crafted. I imagine this to be a great place for a spontaneous jewelry shopping splurge. I was pleasantly surprised.

What treasures abound in this store! What a feast for the eyes. Everywhere you look is a…read moredelight. Like candy! Like fun! Like style you can't find anywhere else. They carry this designer from the Netherlands Zsiska and I am obsessed and in love. Also a plus, the salesguy was the first person to welcome me to Australia. He was great I really felt special. Maybe that's just how people are here but at any rate it was a good experience.

The Family Jewels came up with their name I imagine from the fact that they sell pieces collected…read morefrom across the globe - the family of humanity. Brazilian, African, Tibetan, North American, Mexican, Chinese and Indian - they have it all. There are semi-precious stones like Jade and Turquoise, Sterling Silver, Pearls, and men's jewellery including cuff links and silver bracelets. I don't recall seeing an gold pieces so if you're not into bright and bold pieces this probably isn't your kind of jewel haven. I like that you can try on any of the pieces without waiting for a shop assistant to open a glass cabinet. There are expensive pieces you might wish to buy as a gift as well as more costume type pieces to match with that new outfit. Other bits and bobs sold in the shop include bags, silk kimonos and a gorgeous lace umbrella that I nearly bought just for the sake of having it. If you want to add a bit of colour to your jewellery collection visit The Family Jewels.

Mrs Watson is constantly tempting passers by with a frequently changing, colourful window display…read morefull of pretty patterned pieces and funky ensembles. Located facing the busy Northbridge Junction intersection, I often find myself stopped in the car at the lights, drivers behind beeping me out of my fashion lust daze. This little boutique is a great place to pop into for high quality basics (Malene Birger and Skin & Threads tanks, tees and singlets) and silky, vibrant summer dresses (I'm currently obsessing over their après-beach perfect Tibi summer collection, alongside the regular Paul & Joe printed wrap dresses and tunics). The ever fashionable store manager Renee (aka the real life Mrs Watson) is knowledgeable about the brands stocked, and has also launched the store's namesake brand in recent times. You're also sure to find a good range of accessories, perfect for last minute Christmas and birthday presents.

To me, Northbridge is the home of my primary school, a little milk bar and a supermarket. It is not…read morethe place I expected to chance upon a boutique as cute as Mrs Watson! This little gem stocks labels like Paul & Joe, Tibi, Leona Edminston and even their own label Mrs Watson. With labels like this you can expect the price point to be upwards of $100 per piece. The clothing seems to be targeted at a slighter older woman - say 35-40 but still there are pieces in here I like and I'm 27. These guys also have 'Little Watson' stuff for kids which is really cute. Overall a really nice, unexpected find.

I should probably avoid The Family Jewels…read more No, not just because the name makes me giggle (I know), but because I want to buy up the entire store! (In)conveniently located next door to Ariel Bookstore and across the road from Palace Verona, this dangerously well-stocked shop is filled to the brim with gorgeous gems and "must-have" accessories (the inverted commas represent the process of justification that I go through every time I visit) that make for great gifts...and even better treats for yourself! So far I've been able to limit myself to the odd pair of earrings - and I've even managed to actually gift the presents I've bought (sometimes that's easier said than done). Suffice it to say, The Family Jewels is well worth a visit - but you've been warned!

If you're looking for a special piece of jewellery, whether it be a gift for your mum, your…read moregirlfriend or yourself, The Family Jewels is well worth a search. You can find this treasure chest down the Victoria Road end of Oxford Street - keep an eye out for the turquoise and black shopfront and a display window full of gorgeous pieces. They've got an excellent range of silver, such as pendants, earrings and rings, as well as semi-precious stones, birthstones and pearls. They also do jewellery repairs including ring resizing and necklace restringing. (Perfect for neglectful goofballs like me who break necklaces constantly.) They stock their collections with pieces from all over the world - they recently added the Zuni range to the shelves, which features jet, turquoise, silver, coral and mother of pearl from New Mexico.

So upon closer look, Newtown Old Wares has a smaller sub-shop to its right with more household-type…read moreitems. If you're even on a grand quest for an antique rotary phone, a retro radio, some decorative vases or perhaps a television circa 1950, this is your place! The long corridor through the center of the shop will lead you past nooks and crannies filled with treasures your grandmother once had. From gumball machines to Bakelite dishes, the antique merchandise has been well selected. If I had all the money in the whole world, I would have purchased two things here. First, I would have become the proud owner of a 60s desk with laminated world map covering its surface. However, by far the most interesting item in this whole shop is the 1960's home sauna. This contraption looks like a refrigerator with a head hole cut in the top. I can only guess that one climbs on it and shuts the door trapping oneself inside from the neck down and then.... Bakes? Or steams? Or stews? Either way, pretty ridiculous and therefor, pretty brilliant.

Macrame wall-hangings never died, they were just comatose for a while. Walking in here was like…read morewalking into my aunt and uncle's house when I was a kid. The abovementioned macrame, a cane chair-pod thing that hangs from the wall, dreadful kitsch nudes as art. Specialising in art and antiques from the 40's, 50's and 60's this is an absolute retro timewarp. You don't see pineapple-head money boxes and a green enamel electric stove for sale every day. While I was wandering the aisles, the two gentlemen staff were engaged in a very stern discussion over chair placement. People who take their furniture seriously. While not cheap from a buyer's point of view, the sign claims they hire and buy items as well. I still think macrame looks like an activity forced on 1940's mental patients awaiting their turn at the electroshock table.