It you got it, flaunt it! Air kisses to all. The Little Boutique injects a dash of colour with…read moretheir window dressing and as with most designer label items, you do unfortunately need to be a size 6 - 10 to fit into them. But oh so gorgeous and there is a small range of accessories to go with your purchase. As with all designer labels they carry a hefty price tag, out the front is a rack of discounted items incase your budget doesn't stretch to infinity. The shop is small but packed wall to wall with designer names like Anu, Lola, Suboo, Tahlula, Tigerlilly and more but also many Australian labels too. For those into designer brands this shop has got it all and you will most likely find what you want. They also have a online shop and a Facebook page in case you can't pay a visit in person to Grange. For the little girl in all of us who ever dreamt of being a model but the genes had other ideas, just immerse yourself in an indulgent browse and it'll also be so much cheaper.

I first discovered The Little Boutique on Instagram, falling in love with the cute, summery style…read moreand the very insta-ready and gorgeous staff. The clothes represent some iconic women's brands from Australia which was nice to see in my Insta-feed from LA. I watched all the posts for over a year before finally arriving back in Australia and awaiting my chance to go. I have to admit the shop was so unassuming for something I'd been looking forward to visiting for so long, I couldn't find it at first. The clothes in store just don't have the same appeal as they do on the girls on Instagram - poor merchandising. You really have to look hard to find something you like but you most likely find more than one thing. They don't have many sizes and cater to a fairly young aesthetic - but given the prices, a cashed up audience as well. I've bought a few pieces and have loved them at first but been disappointed with how they wear. Worth a look!

From time to time I drop into this dress shop as I do occasionally find stuff I like and is suited…read moreto my likes and budget. Fashion from Heaven has been around for ages in the same location and why move when they've built a very good reputation with the locals and others as well. All of their clothes are designer brands but the somewhat older ones lines like Geoff Blade for instance. A new label on the block which I've seen elsewhere recently also is 'I love my clothes' the word love is a heart shape. It's kinda funky as it's over sized one fits almost all type scenario but the price is close to up there for what it is, but never the less I was giving serious consideration to one piece in particular..but it wasn't to be. I purchased a kaftan style instead, it's not a bright colour - as I do have to ween myself off black and blacker - and not totally African or Indian but more of an inspiration I think...light weight with murky green and dark patterns the print hides the fact it's sheer, perfect for a camy worn underneath during the hot weather. And with Xmas coming up, I hear it'll be a touch on the warm side on Sunday. Fashion from Heaven is mainly aimed towards the more mature woman, possibly the socialite and perhaps someone with cash. But there are sales which are worth keeping an eye out for as you drive by as they don't have a website and don't advertise. This is how well they are known with their regulars who spread news word of mouth.

Findon Shopping centre is very easy to find, as it sits on the corner of Grange Road and Findon…read moreRoad, with easy access to its large carpark. While there's nothing particularly exciting about this shopping centre, it is great to have locally because it has all the elements you're likely to need - a choice of two supermarkets, Coles and Foodland, a greengrocer, two bakeries, a chemist, a health-food store, a butcher, a library, and several places to have coffee and a nice lunch. There are also quite a few shops, including homewares, discount wares, women's clothing and shoes, a spectacles store, a newsagent. It's neither small nor large - just the right size to cover all your needs. It's reasonably easy to get in and out of, just remember that if you're coming up Grange Road from the city, you have to turn right and the lights and then enter the carpark from Findon Road. Otherwise you have a lot of traffic and a rather difficult "No U-Turn" sign to contend with.

Findon Shopping Centre is a good option if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of some of the…read morebigger shopping centres. It's just the right size for doing your grocery shopping, where you might want to stop into the bakery, chemist, butcher, or any of the other specialty shops situated here. There are also a few cafes that do a decent coffee so you can refuel midway through your shopping. The carpark is pretty decent for the size of the centre, and is nice and easy to access.

Rainbow Fashion is a bizarre little shop that has popped up recently near the corner of Woodville…read moreRoad and Port Road. I struggle to know what to make of it! It is a fashion store, yes, but what kind of fashion? All colours (and styles?) of the rainbow! Okay, a lousy analogy, but it's all I had to work with. Along the walls are a dozen kinds of 50s halterneck dresses in bold floral patterns, as well as some with skull patterns, and some cutesy-goth black lacy dresses. At the back of the store is a rack with mature ladies' pants, very baggy, as well as a range of horribly printed tights. For the men, there are fashionable basketball jersey's, baggy denim shorts, and those hats with the flat visor (only appropriate on a teenager riding a BMX or skateboard). Then there are some pashmina scarves, which the woman behind the counter couldn't give me a price for, and some very bling jewelry that I've only see 50 Cent wear - not anyone in real life. They also do free alterations here, though I'm not sure if that's only on stuff you've bought in the store. They don't have a phone number or a website, but they're open seven days a week. Worth a look if you like strange shops, or any of the above clothing.

This store sells some amazingly cheap casual dresses. There are two racks out the front with ankle…read morelength dresses for $13. That sucked me in. The rest of the store is mostly formal dresses and gowns, which are all decently priced, but nothing like as cheap as the casual clothing. The dresses range from $100-$200, and there are some really original styles in here that I haven't seen anywhere else. I love looking at evening gowns, so I had a ball going through this small yet jam-packed shop. Further to the pack is a gorgeous range of children's bridal wear. There are dresses for flower girls, pale pink and while affairs with full skirts of tulle, as well as little suits and vests for the page boys - so very cute! The $5 dollar rack at the very back has a random mixture of items - a pair of shiny blue basketball shorts? Just one pair. Very out of place. The rest of the rack holds women's tops and skirts and some shorter dresses. For $5 I was tempted by several things, even though none of it was my taste. I will keep this place in mind if ever I need another formal gown! Or need to dress up some children for a wedding...or for any reason at all.

This store is an explosion of disposable fashion. It is so full of clothing there's little room for…read morepeople. It's clothing style is mostly casual and party dresses, with a few more formal dresses. It's pretty much all dresses, with some tops and skirts being devoured by the masses of cheap dresses. CHEAP. So very cheap. I think it is aimed at a younger market of girls - teenage - who buy something, wear it once, then come out to buy something new. It's actually a feasible thing to do when each dress costs $10. There's some good stuff hiding in here though. Some of the styles are quite original, if you like patterns and lots of colour (which I conveniently do!) You'll have to be patient though - it takes effort to haul your way through the tightly packed racks, especially if you want something above a size ten (again, my suspicions about all the teenagers they're marketing at who are mostly a size 6.)

NK Fashions is a hit and miss store. You might be lucky to walk into the store and find a dress…read morethat you like and find it in your size and walk out happy. It's happened to me twice. A beautiful black dress for only $30. I couldn't ask for much more. Unfortunately it's not always like that. The store is incredibly small. More than one person in the store and it gets crowded! No joke, it's insane! It's also really hard to look for clothing items. Everything is on a couple of racks and really close together. You have to search through everything until you can find something. Considering how small the store is it's very well stocked. It's just too much of a hassle to shop there. They also only tend to keep sizes 6-8. If you're lucky you will find a bigger size, but it's pretty rare.

Marjays Fashions "Plus Size Clothing" specialises in clothing for the mature woman as well as for…read morefuller figures. This almost put me off going in (being neither mature, nor particularly large), until I saw the rack of short skirts and colourful summer dresses. Don't be fooled! Marjays caters for women of all ages and sizes, and is very well priced. I was impressed by how much variety they have, from fuller figure designs to petite articles. Many of their designs would flatter larger women, whether tall or short, as nothing is too clingy, and the materials used are bright and airy. The skirts however look great on a standard size 12, so I walked out with one, and for only $10! I couldn't leave it there. I tried a few dresses as well, however, what would be flattering on a larger women was a rather shapeless bundle of material on an average one. I did enjoy the fact that it had pockets though. If you can find him, the store owner is lovely. He seems to spend most of his time out in the centre, socialising with other shop workers. I thought this was quite endearing. I did however have to find him to buy the skirt. When my mother is next in town, I'll be bringing her here to update her summer dress range. (Oh dear, did I just imply that she's "fuller figured"? Whoops! Really, she's not, I just like the shop!)

The 'by appointment only' experience is sometimes the best one to have when you are getting a…read morespecial dress created for you - maybe it is a prom night thing, or a debutante ball, possibly you are about to be a bridesmaid. Whatever the occasion it is nice to have the interactive experience with the dressmaker who is going to start with you one on one and work something up according to your tastes. But of course I am not someone who has his dresses made - I just don't wear dresses. But I see the great work happening here and I have met some of the very happy young customers who are delighted to have had such a positive experience, so I am saying I think from everything I have been informed, you may be wise to get a quote at least before purchasing something off the rack for an exorbitant fee when you may be remarkably surprised at the low costs involved comparatively speaking in having your own dress constructed.

The alternative shopping centre I use if I want to jump on a 100 bus (goes past here to my place)…read moreand you know, a change is as good as a holiday sometimes. I really like a couple of the food places here - they have a good green grocer, very nice cheap variety and crafts store where you can get glass beads and cheap party stuff like napkins and wrapping and toys and all sorts of odds and sods (that's on old saying). The supermarket is not bad, there's some seating inside if you are a bit puffed out and there are a few stores where you can get a feed if you need to. One of the things you may notice around here is there are more Africans, because there just happen to be quite a few living in the Anglicare accommodation around here. As yet that doesn't seem to have made any impact on what is for sale in the stores here, but eventually maybe it will. In the meantime, this is not a bad alternative to my usual shopping centre; I do like to mix it up a bit.

Westside Findon Shopping Centre is a gorgeous little set of shops with a very friendly atmosphere…read more There is a strong sense that everyone knows everyone else, and the shop assistants always smile and greet you and are happy to chat. It gives the place a great feeling. It follows the usual routine of local shopping centres - a supermarket, a green grocer, butcher, deli, newsagency, bakery, discount store, cafes, grog shop and some women's clothing stores. This sums up the shopping centres around this area. The only difference in this one is the atmosphere, the smaller size and the age of clientele, which appears to be quite a bit older than average. Lots of little oldies come in for a coffee and a piece of cake at the cafe, and to do a little shopping. The one clothing shop here is specifically for 'mature women', so that definitely says something. There is also a large Italian community in the area, and the deli caters very much for these, and you'll hear plenty of Italian flying about if you're nearby. Ahhh I love the sound of that language. The only downside of this centre is that because of the relaxed friendly vibe of the place, we often get some feral children screaming around. But you can get those anywhere I suppose.