Do you sketch? Do you paint?…read more Do you draw? Do you know someone who sketches, paints or draws for a hobby? You need to check out the range of sketchpads and sketchbooks here. They have books inspired by Matisse. Books inspired by Van Gogh, Picasso and the pages of the sketchpads won't run, they are pretty strong thick paper quality, fit for a professional. Plus, call me a freakazoid, but they smell good. I come here for my sketchbooks, even though they may cost a little more, they will give you personality (none of the plain black anymore) and they will inspire you to be more of the artist than you are already. Come here to be inspired after a trip around GOMA. Come here to get gifts for your kids, start them off with a drawing pad maybe and be a part of inspiring the next generation of artists. Love this place.

This bookshop slash gift store is pure class. With books on Matisse (the exhibition is currently on…read moreat GoMA), and children's T-shirts by Pip and Pop (who are the pair behind the amazing kiddies exhibition We Miss You Magic Land on at the moment), it's clear that if you like what you see in the gallery, you can also buy something else as a permanent reminder in the shop. But, as per usual, I spent most of my time admiring the jewellery - all handmade by a variety of designers (in-depth info about each person is on a card beside their display). Then there were the quirky bits'n'bobs too - my niece was entranced by the "Owl" pens - complete with eyes that light up and strange, squawking sound. And I loved the photo holders - which were essentially like teeny coathangers, made of paperclips. So if you've got friends or rellies who fancy themselves as a wee bit cultured then this should be your destination shop for birthday and Xmas gifts.

This Paddington op-shop is, as its name suggests, full of second-hand designer clothes as well as…read morebric-a-brac, old vinyl records, books, and a huge collection of vintage clothes from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Upstairs is full of shoes, bags, jewellery, hats and men's, women's and kid's clothing from big and small designers. Downstairs is a veritable treasure trove of high-waisted 50's skirts, pleated dresses like the ones grandma wears, evening gowns from all decades, leather coats from James Dean's glory years and my favourite, a rack of enormous faux fur coats from a time when people were a little bit classier. The clothes in here might not be as funky as what you will find in a dedicated vintage store but the prices are much easier on the eyes and if you dig deep you can often find something a bit special.

Ah Endo's, the place where clothes go to be reincarnated. Endo's is kind of like a bit fancier, bit…read morefunkier Vinnie's where the clothes have been sorted to ensure that only things with the potential to be reborn are allowed through the doors. This is great for op-shoppers in a hurry who would rather skip trawling through pilled Kmart dresses that aren't quite vintage and more early 2000s. The convenience and funky factors do mean that the prices are a little higher than in your average secondhand charity store, but usually you'll find something in Endo's that makes that worth it. Especially since you can find it in half the time thanks to their excellent stock selection. Whether you're a novice op-shopper or just a lazy one like me, Endo's has done half the work for you and all you need to do is pick what you want and pay for it! And then when someone compliments you on your new dress or jacket and asks you where you got it, you can feel very suave and hip when you reply with a wave of your hand 'oh, this old thing? It's vintage'.

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.

You know how sometimes there's shops you want to visit but you don't dare walk in because you feel…read morelike it is too cool for you? Sunday Social was one of these shops until today. With friends visiting from San Francisco we were exploring Winn Lane and I finally ventured into this small nook known as Sunday Social. Upon walking in I realised it was the exact opposite, there's something for everyone here. Full to the brim with carefully selected vintage clothes and accessories I began searching through the racks with endless pieces catching my attention. I couldn't resist walking out of the store with two tops for $90, which, if you think about your mainstream stores could easily equate to one top that a handful of others will also be wearing. For the same price I've gotten two tops, that I'll be hard pressed to find others wearing. Best of all as an introvert, the sales assistant let us just browse without hovering over our shoulders at every second. Sunday Social feels like discovering a secret world of clothes with great stories. I'm so glad I walked in and know I'll be back to revisit their racks for one of the kinds from this vintage wonderland.

Yay, more vintage! Sunday Social is a really cute little place nestled in the tiny Winn Lane market…read morearea. I had never even heard of the Winn Lane markets until my friend suggested we stop by on one of your shopping trips in the Valley. The lane is lined with drawings on the walls and market stalls, all filled with lovely jewellery pieces and vintage wares. It reminded me a lot of the lanes and alleys you find in Melbourne so I was more than enthused to see what was down there. It's so nice and secluded that you feel a little like Alice going down the rabbit hole. Anyway, enough about the lane itself. Sunday Social is perched at its end like a tidy little cottage. It's a tiny, gorgeous little shop with vintage clothes and pieces, including a very sweet range of shoes. Indie kids would have a field day in Sunday Social, but I also think it has a little something for everyone. Their pieces are just so gorgeous with bags hanging in its middle with accessories dotting the central table. Guys are confined to a rail and a few shoes but girls have their pick. They have clothes from cute peter pan collared dresses through to funky light, fluttery tops. There's also a really random but totally awesome Indian headdress behind the counter the wall too, just for a little bit of flair. I hear this gorgeous little place went from being a market stall along Winn Lane to a now staple store with four walls. It's no wonder, because they have such gorgeous novelty vintage pieces that you'd be crazy to pass by. Sunday Social has no phone number as yet but you can email them! sundaysocialstore@gmail.com

Having recently attended a huge sale at Green Grass, I can…read moreattest to the cuteness of this boutique. Bird head cookie canisters, cute babushka glasses (that stacked into each other!) cookbooks, coffee keep cups (that are handy for Park Bench Expresso next door) dreamy wooden bowls, perfumes, colourful and sweet leather bags, aroma Diffusers, T2 containers and oddles of cute children's paraphernalia. ...All this AND more are available at this winsome Oxford St Store. I'd dedicate some time to peruse the shelves as there is a lot of stock to process, but this scrutiny is well worth it when you walk out with that highly coveted item.

I don't think gift shops can get more cute and whimsical than Green Grass Home & Body. They have…read morebunting hanging in their store for goodness' sake. Bunting. This place is the definition of quaint. They sell a really lovely range of homewares and gifts that you can't pass over. The shop itself gives off an aura of freshness and sweetness, but I'm probably biased because I like bunting and tea, of which they had a lot sitting in a corner. There are cooking utensils and cards and a slew of books appropriate to sit in your home, whether you actually want to read them or you just want people to think you read them. I was particularly impressed with a book of miscellaneous facts about everything and nothing. Grab a coffee around the corner and pick an appropriate gift for a friend or for yourself in this delightful little shop.

Oohlala, oui tres bien! My French may be awful, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the…read morecharming quality of The French Corner. The shop boasts an air of cluttered decadence; everything is kind of mashed into one place but it only adds to The French Corner's magic. They have some singularly gorgeous pieces, including a thickset white bedframe and the most amazing 20th century vanity and mirror I have ever seen. They also have an array of dazzling jewellery and accessories littering the side cabinets. Wading through the organised chaos is half the fun, because it allows you stumble across some hidden treasures. Just make sure you don't bump anything. I find that walking into The French Corner transforms you into a glutton; you can't just stop at one item. Once you pick up one thing you see a million others and can't bear to leave them behind. And yes, some of their pieces are rather expensive, but they also have a range of fairly priced items - most of them unique items that you'd be hard-pushed to find elsewhere. You can distinguish the shop easily from its trademark sign and if that fails, its beautiful vintage luggage and dressmaker mannequins lining the shopfront will give it away. It's an excellent place for gift ideas and for bits and bobs to add a stylish and quaintly furnished touch to any décor. If you're in the area and have some spare time, I definitely recommend popping in for a look and getting lost in another world.

Driving along Enoggera Rd, The French Corner entices you to stop and have a look. You know it is…read moreopen when the entire outside is lined with unique furniture, classy mirrors, old clocks and all sorts of other glorious decorations. You can tell that it gets a lot of customers from the road as cars pull up out front just for a quick browse. It is the kind of store that is way out of my price range (most of my furniture is second hand and falling apart) but is filled with the stuff I dream of having. There was an old clock outside that I would die to have but the $260 price tag was enough to stop me from impulse buying it. Walk inside and there are three rooms packed with everything from a dining table to a small model vespa. If you are like me and never know what to get someone for their wedding, or birthday than this is the perfect place. Everything is that little bit fancy and very very French. There is barely enough room to walk and if the place has more than a few people in it you end up doing those awkward dances to get around each other. But it is well worth it just to look at all the decadent decorations they have on offer.

Oh my, this is the most beautiful jewellery store I've ever seen. It probably helped a lot that my…read morevisit was at the beginning of December, so those trees laden with sparkling crystals in the window may have been in honour of Christmas and there's a fair chance the store doesn't look quite so enticing all year round. Still, it's location in a charming little building and the cosy room filled with cabinets combine to make a very alluring picture to innocent pedestrians. Their jewellery is absolutely gorgeous and they have a huge range. The service is also fantastic; when I called to verify the opening hours I was told that if I can't make it within their set hours, I should just call and they will stay a little later. It's a bit more pricey than your run of the mill Wallace Bishop type place, but it's obvious this is a high quality store and the extra zeros are worth it.

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.