You wouldn't believe it from when you're standing, looking from the outside in. The sign outside…read moresays Gallery B yet here you are staring at the Newmarket Hardware store. Sceptically you walk in and the well-mannered storeman you first meet smiles, points at the floor and says, "just follow the footsteps." You follow the painted footprints guiding on you though hammers and drill parts. Ahead, an open doorway leads you into a room filled with unique gifts and trinkets of all colours, shapes and materials. There's unique jewellery, paintings and photography next to art cool vintage dresses lit up by a stain glasses lamp. Everything is eye catching and for sale. By crossing the doorway's threshold you've stepped into another world. It's beautifully confusing. To your right you hear someone say hello, the accent isn't colloquial, it timbre is European maybe Russian. She asks if you would like a hand or a coffee. You're unsure and just want to look around make sure you know where you are. Then she suggests you go outside and take in the view from the deck. You step through another door. Now you're high in the air looking down into the lush greenery of inner west Brisbane. Beneath you a sharp incline falls down to a slowly moving creek and you go back through the door. You go to the woman and order a coffee and dessert, it's cheap and its served on classic china plating. You walk back out to the deck, take a seat, drink some coffee and eat some cake. Everything is delicious. You will come back.

Do you know, that this place is absolutely brilliant. The slogan on their website says the only…read morehardware store where your girlfriend will be happy and the only boutique gallery in the world your boyfriend will be happy... it is what I can only describe as a magical surprise. Through this ugly thin little cramped hardware store (this is the girl in me talking, i'm sure it's not that thin, not that ugly really) is a secret door which says 'ava cuppa' and you're like what the... is that a door that works? Anyway if you're game enough to step through the hardware mess... there is a beautiful cafe out the back overlooking gardens and grass and all things pretty girly! In freakin newmarket for goodness sakes!!! Thoughts: 1) What the 2) OMG baby look 3) MMMmm coffee 4) And hardware 5) Weird. This is definetely a secret special cafe spot spies would go to discuss their secrets I think. Super secret.

Eat Cafe is a little confusing when you first walk in. Is it a cafe? Is it a lounge? After…read morepondering this, my second thought was 'wow'. The feel of the cafe is very modern, with random posters, canvases, gifts, a computer and mis-matched seating but somehow it all works. It is a fun place to have a coffee because there is so much to look at. The big red lounge is really inviting but the wooden tables are red stools are surprisingly comfortable too. The coffee is wonderful, service is relatively good and the cakes are delicious. All the food is very well presented and the cupcakes are wonderful. They don't have a website as such, but you can have a look at their range on their Facebook page.

I remember this store from when it was located in the Wintergarden, and then it just disappeared!…read moreBut recently while I was roaming around the Emporium in the Valley it popped up out of thin air. I was so glad to see that this shop had just relocated and hadn't closed for good, because I've purchased many a gift from Essensuals and it's always been perfect for those people who are difficult to buy for. I must say though, I much prefer the old store to the new one. I'm not sure if it has changed hands or they just decided to change it up a little bit, but it was a little disappointing. The new store seems to have stock piled up everywhere, like a teetering tower of doom that could crush the shopper below at any second. It also seems like they don't have as much stock as before, which is unfortunate because you could find things for both men and women in the old store, whereas the new one appears to be very female oriented. Despite the disappointment that Essensuals has changed quite a bit, it's still full of pretty things like crystal wine glasses, decorative trunks and vintage perfume bottles. It's worth a look if you're not quite sure what you're looking for, but certainly isn't as impressive as it used to be.

Need to find a gift for that person who literally has everything? Or in desperate need of a mask…read morefor a masquerade party? Then Essensuals has got you covered. This place is piled high with unique gifts, home decorations and of course, ceramic masks (yes, never fear, those tacky plastic masks covered in sequins and feathers do not have a home here). There's a seemingly large emphasis on Parisian prints and artefacts as well as London-esque decorations and canvas prints depicting rainy days in New York City. So definitely a perfect gift idea for those jet-setters or dreamers who long after a city-change. So when you're next in Emporium, keep an eye out for a large, hollow dog - it stands guard outside the shop.

I went to the downtown Brisbane location on my last night in Australia looking for some Australia…read moregifts that didn't seem corny. These folks have everything from, yes, corny keychains to higher end clothing and bags. I was able to purchase some great gifts. I would definitely recommend.

Jasinda was rude and condescending. We asked why there were no pocket knives with women's names and…read moreshe said "women should get more hobbies".

It had been quite a while between visits to Jamieson's and it showed. They've extended the showroom…read moreand now have an extra space to show not only their mad styling skills but their range of beautiful linen bed covers, furniture and prints. The effort put in to style and carefully select the products sold in Jamieson's is evident. It's a place to invest in a lifestyle - from the clothes you wear, the bag you carry and the linen you lay your head on each night. Every piece compliments it's shelf mate and their collections would suit anyone from the Bohemian Chic lover in your life to the Hampton's fan wanting a pop of colour in their cushion collection. Similarly, whether you're looking to spend a little or a lot - there's pieces to match most budgets. That said, this isn't a $20 for a throw rug kind of store. Purchases made here are less of the impulse kind and more of the deliberate and considered for a while kind. Still - it's worth the stroll through for inspiration and to find something worth saving your pennies for!

I love all of the pieces in this adorable little shop however, after just experiencing the owner I…read moream not so pleased any longer (the other staff are fantastic though). I went to return a necklace that I was not happy with and she gave me attitude and said 'I am not happy to give you a refund for the necklace because I don't see anything wrong with it so I will give you a store credit'. Don't get me wrong, that is absolutely fine, I would have preferred a refund but it's ok, BUT I definitely did not need the attitude. I approached her with a smile and a friendly 'hi I just want to return this necklace the clasp keeps opening'. Conveniently when the owner tried opening it herself she really struggled, but the bottom line is, hey your customer isn't happy, so lets keep the peace and keep her coming back by just giving her a friendly transaction of a store credit. I feel as though because I was a lot younger than her she just walked all over me. There was just no need for it. I am so disappointed, I understand her frustration because she obviously thought I was making it up that the clasp was faulty but there is not need to make a fuss. So, from a younger person who has spent years in retail and customer service, to an older more mature woman. Be kind to your customers, because bad feedback travels a lot further than positive :-)

LARGE souvenir shop on Queen Street…read more Tacky? Yes. Postcards? Yes. Boomerangs? Yes. T-shirts, magnets, stuffed kangaroos and koalas? Yes, yes, yes and yes. Obligatory UGG boots? Of course. Plus dozens and dozens of other items you never knew you needed or wanted. Staff was friendly. Location was convenient.

I went shopping with a friend from overseas. We stopped by Tourist House to have a look. As I…read morewandered around while my friend tried UGG boots on, I noticed they sold Golliwogs (aka golly dolls, golly), the dark skinned doll, with clown-like red lips and frizzy black hair. There was a collection of them sitting in a woven basket by the entrance. It is rare to find places that sell this type of doll these days and I thought it looked a little out of place in this souvenir shop. Or was it? Despite this odd encounter with a doll popular in the 60's, we found the store useful and my friend successfully purchased a whole heap of things. One of which, includes her beloved UGG Australia boots which she praises for being half the price here, compared to overseas. An insightful souvenir shopping trip.

Card and Caboodle has recently become my all-time favourite card and gift store…read more There are rows and rows of beautiful, funny and witty cards to choose from, for every occasion, and for every individual. My favourites, however, are the 'Twigseeds' greeting cards. These are small, gorgeously drawn, truly heartfelt cards, usually of dressed-up animal chacracters, and a beautifully-worded line of text. Some of my favourite inspirational messages are "Always remember, you are loved," "When I opened the door to my heat, life became a forest of wildflowers and wonder," and "Life is for deep kisses, strange adventures, midnight swims, and rambling conversations." It is hard not to fall in love with these lovely cards. Without a doubt, these cards are always my go-to for any occasion, and I usually stock up on a few as I simply cannot choose just one! If you haven't seen these cards before, you need to check them out, either in store, or at http://www.twigseeds.com. But anyway... back to the store! Card and Caboodle also stock a range of wonderful gift boxes, wrapping paper, quality ribbon, and all other present-wrapping supplies! You will also find inspirational books, cards, cute coasters, bags, stationery, and other little things. The staff are incredibly friendly and are always very smiley and helpful. If you are looking for a place to buy a nice card for a special someone, or need a small gift idea, pop into Card and Caboodle. I guarantee you, something (if not multiple things) will catch your eye!

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.

One of my most favourite stores in Brisbane, the Oxfam shop is a wonderful, ethical stop on your…read morenext shopping trip. The store is run by volunteers and all of the profits from sales within the store supports Oxfam's charity endeavours both locally and globally. In store you'll find a huge range of beautiful handcrafted items from across the globe, fair trade coffee and treats, a range of books including children's titles and cookbooks, beautiful home wares, toys, various apparel items, gift cards that support numerous causes (the 'Oxfam Unwrapped' range and tax deductible), jewellery, and Cd's. You will always find something unique and original here. The prices in store range from fairly cheap to moderately expensive, but it's well worth it.

I love, love the stuff Oxfam Shop carries, and I appreciate the fact that they do fair trade and…read moresome of the items are handmade. I was fortunate to be the recipient of a gift certificate to Oxfam, and after going in a couple times (and leaving empty handed), I finally picked out a "secret" jewerlly box (the secret is in how to unlock/lock it). It's a beautifully carved wooden box, with velvet lining the inside. The staff here has always been pleasant and I didn't feel any sort of urgency in this small shop.