The Barracks has been one of my favourite places to both eat or see a movie recently due to its…read moreconvenient location and variety of speciality stores. There is always enough parking unless of course there is a game on at Suncorp Stadium and more often that not you can get at least the first two hours free which is unique for a place so close to the city. The cinema has become more of a 18+ scene as it serves alcohol which they allow you to take into the cinema and the films are also more catered to that demographic which I find appealing. The shops here are many and varied, from a Sushi train, to Italian and Tapas restaurants to chocolatiers and ice-cream shops. There is also a sizeable coles supermarket, liquor store and a fantastic French Twist bakery and cafe which has a great atmosphere. Some of which I have reviewed in detail if you care to check them out!

I've been avoiding shopping and dining at the Barracks lately because parking here takes too much…read moreeffort. I understand that they want to exclude commuters and Caxton Street goers from their car parks but the two hour free parking does not work well for Palace cinema visitors. Most movies go for a minimum of two hours so even if you get your parking ticket validated, you'll get hit up for a $7 minimum parking fee. The last time I tried to catch Norwegian Woods at the Palace Barracks at 9pm on a Saturday evening, the car park was completely full and we ended up missing the movie trying to find a space. On a positive note, parking is less of an issue in the mornings which is great because The Chelsea and French Twist do a great breakfast. The Barracks is a bustling, modern shopping complex - great for dining and shopping but best to use public transport where possible.

I probably go to the Queen Street Mall too often. At some level, I feel lame for not exploring…read moreother options or areas. However, it's just too easy. It's well located and has just about everything one could want. There's food, drinks, movies, food, drinks, clothes, mobile phones, banks, etc, etc, etc. The current construction is a bit annoying, but it's hard to knock improvements being made. The result is a bit of a bottleneck with the huge crowds walking around on weekends. This is a problem when you walk faster than basically any other human in existence and are incredibly impatient. So, it's probably more of a problem just for people like me, which thankfully, I don't believe can be found in abundance. I like that there is often music and the people watching is tremendous.

'Ello chaps! Queen…read moreStreet Mall is a marquee tourist and shopping area of downtown Brisbane. It extends from George Street to Edward Street with more than 700 retailers. Many of them include the kitschy tourist shops. NOTE: Don't assume all of the stores are the same. Some may have the very same products, but even at different prices. It's worth the while to browse around first and then actually make your purchases. Other stores include shoe stores, clothing, jewelry, and odds and ends. It does seem as though Queen Street Mall may have seen better days, although it is buzzing. It's better than a typical American shopping mall, although it is not a five star high end shopping plaza, making it very affordable for most shoppers. Reportedly there were 26 million visitors to Queen Street Mall last year. Overall I give Queen Street Mall four stars out of five.

Hobohemia is a collection of vintage charm, retro kitsch and a truck load of effort from the two…read moremasterminds behind this operation who source the store's wonderments. The items given space on the shelves, floor and outdoor area of this converted cottage are exceptional and have earned their stripes with a story from yesteryear. The range might be smaller than other locales but you know they've been hand selected and vetted. I've admired Hobohemia for a while but what really stamped them in my heart as a great antique, vintage and more store was recently talking to one of the owners Mike about wanting to hunt down old Queenslander doors for a bit of a DIY project. They didn't have any at the time but a few weeks later I got a wonderful message from Mike saying they'd had a few doors come in and was I still on the hunt. It's this commitment to the cause that makes Hobohemia a wonderful delight to visit.

As you're walking up the garden path towards the front door of this eccentric little antique store,…read moreyou feel a little like you're in some kind of gypsy camp thanks to the quirky range of odds and ends littering the yard. It was with great trepidation that I stepped over the threshold, but I was thrilled to find a delightful store packed with treasures. Not only do they have great stuff like vintage rocking horses and rustic old tricycles, but the prices are a lot more reasonable than I expected. It's a must for anyone that likes something a little different in their home.

For an awful minute, I thought I wasn't going to be allowed inside this shop. I tried the door but…read moreit wouldn't open, then realised that I had to actually ring a bell to gain entry. I am not sure if this is so they can scrutinise your attire before they deem you acceptable to enter ((thank God I was wearing a lovely vintage leather midi-skirt), but I did find it very off-putting. And, to be honest, totally unnecessary. C'mon folks, it's a suburban Brisbane boutique, not Karl Lagerfeld's headquarters! Once inside the luxe environs (and yes, it is beautiful - and you can tell that they did base the opulent decore on the old-style French couture salons) I was told by the slightly superior shop assistant that you can find everything to dress you from the inside out. There's lingerie, high end hosiery, jewellery (I spied pieces by Ericson Beamon - I'm not sure anywhere else in Brisbane stocks that), bags, and of course an achingly expensive range of Little Black Dresses. When I was there they'd just received some newbies by Valentino). They only stock European designers - although one Aussie label did make the cut (Aurelio Costarella). Needless to say, the prices are not for the faint hearted. Nor for the really young and funky. Whilst the collections are carefully chosen and there are some beautiful pieces, I can imagine it would mainly appeal to the ladies-who-lunch set and the older members of Paddington's "society" crowd. I've given it 3 stars purely because of the quality of the clothes - if you're after a little slice of European chic, you'll get it here. But if I were you, I wouldn't turn up in flip flops and denim shorts...

For a taste of imported designer fashion in Brisbane this is the place to go. I visited to purchase…read moresome lingerie as they are one of the few retailers in Brisbane stocking french brands. If I had endless time and funds I would have found many special pieces to buy that I would not get anywhere else in Brisbane. The staff we're knowledgeable and I felt like they really wanted to help me find the perfect fit for me. A wonderful shopping experience.

The great thing about having a thrift store in a suburb filled with trendy and rich people is that…read morethey get some of the most awesome stuff. I always find some great clothes at Hey Hey It's Yesterday's Thrift Shop. Everything they sell is always in top-notch condition and at excellent prices. Hey Hey's is situated just a quick walk away from Rosalie village. It is fitted inside an old house which works perfectly in categorising the store. The store uses different "room" for separate things; there is an entire room devoted to men's wear a room devoted to children's wear toys and homewares and a room for ladies' wear. The staff seem to be pretty friendly to others but for some reason, I often get ignored when I enter the store, usually it is because they are busy serving other people so I don't mind that much.

I have to commend the effort and intentions behind Hey Hey It's Yesterday's Thrift Shop more than…read moreanything else. It's a little shop in Nash Street that sells every type of second-hand thing you could ever imagine. They have clothes, shoes, jewellery, handbags, and even sports equipment like bowling balls and hockey sticks, bless them. But the profits from these items don't even benefit the shop owners, they all go to benefit brain-injured children. You can't get more selfless than that. This shop is really a testament to the good people that run it, and they don't even charge much for their items. Books and videos are only $2, DVDs only $3. Everything is cheap as chips but goes to such a great cause. If you've ever visited Cold Rock or Grill'd at Rosalie, all you need to do is drive up a little bit more and you'll run into Hey Hey It's Yesterday's Thrift Shop. It's in an absolutely beautiful old burgundy-sort-of-coloured house. If you like vintage and feel like making a difference during the course of your day, amble on down and have a chat to the lovely ladies there. There is no eftpos, so bring your cash and your good intentions. You can also find them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hey-Hey-Its-Yesterdays-Thrift-Shop/137976260515?sk=info

Swop fills a gap sorely needed in Brisbane. Where Sydney is peppered with boutique vintage clothing…read morestores, Brisbane tends to have clothing collections mothballed in the dark corners of antique furniture and collectibles warehouses. While Swop advertises that they will take high end or trendy fashion, when you get up the stairs you will definitely feel you stepped back in time. A sweep of the hand over any track will give you sensations of old: Terry toweling dresses, velour pants and jackets, fur collars, stiff gloweave, lame by the kilometre, rustic polyesters (you know what i mean! Polyesters just don't feel that way now!!!) and linen linen linen. Swop is perfection. There will be no mothballed or mustiness here. Every thing is laid out logically and aesthetically. It's uncluttered but well stocked. The men's section is at least a third of the store (speak to any man who frequents op shops... A 1:2 ratio is extraordinary). Don't expect op shop prices, and good on em too. The better run Swop is the longer we get to shop there. I spotted two fantastic condition retro wool coats at $40 and $60, and a classic symmetrical equestrian theme scarf for $20. So again, realistic prices to run their business, but of course they only stock good quality and interesting items. You will find: clothes, hats, shoes, bags, belts, denim, leather. Probably more but I'll have to find out another day.

Really nice VINTAGE clothing just a bit more pricey than I thought. Plays really good music and…read moregreat overall vibe. I recommend going if you're looking for shirts, dresses or hats :)

The Collective Markets are touted as "the place" to find the perfect souvenir. I disagree. Not…read moremany handmade items. Lots of dresses and items purchased from South Asia --fast fashion. I bought nothing and had looked through every booth in 40 minutes. The location is superb. Gorgeous Southbank with nice ferry stops make it an easy place to access from other areas of the city. Markets are only held on certain weekends so check the calendar. If you miss it, no big deal because the same stuff is in several stores.

I love these markets, especially at night with all the glittery lights on the stalls. It's so nice…read moreto be able to walk around south bank and then wander through these markets at a leisurely pace. They have all your usual market stalls here, from knick knacks to food, art to iced tea. Plus you can't go wrong with a Choc centered banana for the kids or kid at heart. The fact that they are located in between all the shops is a plus for me because you can meander from shop to stall and back again. Some stalls are a little pricey compared to other markets so keep that in mind.

By far one of my most favourite thrifting events on the calendar…read moreSuitcase rummage is THE place to sell your old wares (or to pick up new ones!) This market is heaving with cheap vintage, bric-a-brac, CD's, DVD's, comics, zines and all manner of art and craft. (I can guarantee you will need to set aside a full day to adequately peruse all that is on display.) If you are thinking of joining as a stallholder be aware that there are some stringent rules in place. For one you can't just mosey on off when you get a bit bored the organisers prowl around and insist you stay put til the 5pm close. NO stands, booths or clothes rails are allowed, everything has to be sold out of a suitcase (preferably vintage, to keep up with the aesthetics.) I've had stalls here a couple of times and can vouch for the friendly, low-hassle vibe about the place. The best aspect about these markets is the range of crafting goods that are available. Ideal for home or to give as unique gifts and all at bargain prices. A definite must-do in brisbane!

It says a lot about a person who can take the drab concrete Reddacliff Place and turn it into a…read morebuzzing bazaar of vintage knick-knacks, home made arts and crafts, second hand clothing and other various trinketry. Yet, on the first Sunday of every month, Suitcase Rummage does just that. From 11am til 5 a steady stream of loyal fans, curious wanderers and first time inspectors wander the markets where not a table is in sight. From the vintage to the modern day - everyone sells from a suitcase. There's a certain buzz at Suitcase Rummage, an atmosphere that I've not experienced anywhere else. With a coffee in hand, friends in tow it is the perfect way to spend a Sunday mid-morning. Prices are ridiculously reasonable (real op-shop prices. For example, $2 for second hand clothing, $5 for jeans at one stall) and there's even tea cup candles hand made by another seller. There's live music and I think if there were a few things like a coffee cart, and a few food stalls it'd be even better. A word to the wise, don't just pass by the stalls thinking you've seen all they have. This is a market where to find the best buys you'll have to get down and dig through the lot to find the good stuff!

Though the boutique boom has certainly settled down in Paddington, there are still a few that have…read moreclung on and remained inner-city cool. Though Zazzy's location is less hip than most (stowed away in Paddington Central above Woolworths), the clothes are amongst the more appealing in Paddington in terms of quality and cost. The discount racks out the front of such boutiques I've found to be fairly useless: typically, these are the bizarre or ill-fitting designer clothes no one wanted. However, Zazzy often has a few treats amongst its outdoor discount rack. And, surprisingly, it's the cheapest rack ($20) that tends to have some of the best stuff. It's casual-wear, usually, but cool casual-wear. Whatever's on show in the front window is usually showcased in the centre of this fairly small shop (which, in spite of its size, manages to have ample room-to-move space and a very wide range of clothing. Someone knows their interior design.) The most "Wow" dresses are also showcased on this central rack and are amongst the more expensive clothes downstairs. Lining the walls are dresses, skirts, tops, belts and shoes covering a variety of genres, and the price is usually reasonable for a boutique. Upstairs is dresses, dresses, dresses galore. A few are beautiful maxis and some are funky short numbers, but being tall (178cm) they tend to be too short for my frame. The upstairs area actually seems to perpetually boast dresses suited to high school formals with tulle, silk, and sashes stuffing the racks, typically going for around $200+, so I don't always venture upstairs at Zazzy.

Tucked away above Paddington Woolies near a butcher not-so-appealingly named the 'Meat-ing Place'…read moresits Zazzy. Zazzy is a strange fit in this centre among the pharmacy, newsagent, butcher, baker, and Woolies, and it looks like its feeling its age. Perhaps it's leftover from the 90s when this centre was the cutting-edge of Brisbane boutique chic cool. From the outside, Zazzy doesn't look particularly promising. It's a bit dated, even the name and hot pink sign with its 'jazzy' font are starting to look unintentionally retro, but if you take the plunge you will be pleasantly surprised. Zazzy has some name brands that will be familiar to you and others that most people haven't heard of, but most of it is nice, decent quality and fairly priced. There's a cheap rack that can be a goldmine, and upstairs they have more top-end frocks if you are after something for a special occasion. I don't come to Paddington Central often and when I do I'm always faintly surprised to see Zazzy still hanging on, but glad, too. I always enjoy a browse around Zazzy's eclectic racks and shelves and sometimes come home with something I wasn't expecting to buy when I popped in to Paddington Central to grab some bread and milk.

What I love about the Paddington Antique Centre is that you can literally spend hours in there…read more This place is heaven for anyone who loves collectable antiques, vintage clothing and antique furniture. I have bought many presents for friends and relatives here and they have always been well received. One thing I love to do with my girlfriends at the Antique Centre is try on a pile of vintage dresses, last time I went there with a friends of mine, we literally spent 2 hours trying on the most extravagant dresses. This was a whole lot of fun but not good for our wallets as we each wanted to buy about 5 of the dresses we tried on but had to settle for one each. There are a number of stalls that sell vintage attire- all in impeccable condition too. And as for presents- the Antique Centre is also the place where I bought my father a vintage Yaschica camera for his birthday. The camera is from the 1940's but miraculously, it still works. I also bought my sister an antique perfume bottle (the type with the pump and tassels) which really stands out in her extensive perfume collection. The beauty of buying presents from the Antique Centre is that you can find things that are thoughtful and unique to give to your loved ones. The Paddington Antique Centre is never dull, make sure you pop in fairly often as they are always getting new treasures in stock.

I cannot actually believe I've never been into the Paddington Antique Centre before. If you've ever…read moredriven down Latrobe Terrace, you'd have seen it. You can't miss it, really. But its simple exterior doesn't nearly do it justice. Walking into the Paddington Antique Centre is like stepping into another time; another world, another place filled with history and previous lives. I found it a delightful maze of history and whimsy and you really have to go slowly to absorb its equally awe-inspiring and humbling treasures. You can round one section filled with jewellery and wedding dresses and go around another corner and find yourself amongst a brass diving helmet and telescope (seriously, they have a diving helmet). They literally have everything including a very-well laid out nautical section that left me speechless. And they have stacks of old luggage, which is very appealing to me as I adore vintage luggage and carry it around like a badge of honour. Paddington Antique Centre has standard brown luggage, floral luggage, and some very quaint hatboxes to boot. They also have heaps of furniture if you want to add some character to your home. I stumbled across the most gorgeous writing bureau complete with vintage keys that are very popular as accessories these days. It's overwhelming to walk amongst all these items and know that they had former lives and that they carry so much history within them. Not only can you pick up a unique item for a bargain, you find yourself picking up things you don't even need. That's just the allure of their antiques. My favourite author once noted that the Paddington Antique Centre was inspiring to her, and now I understand why. Only go if you have a few hours spare because it's so easy to be transfixed and get lost in its world of history and whimsy. I cannot express my love for this place more; it's definitely a Brisbane treasure.