not only wasted my time and money only to end up getting a second opinion to have my washing…read moremachine repaired

These guys know their stuff! I've contacted them a number of times over several years with washer…read moreand dryer issues. They have been able to tell what the problem is over the phone. It saved us time and money and we knew where we stood. They've kept a great old dryer of ours going for years with minimum cost and been able to source the right parts. Great to do business with people like this.

If you're looking for fabric, lace, trim, sewing notions, curtains, haberdashery this is THE hidden…read morejem in the further-est recesses of the oldest part of the Cannon Hill shopping center. If you're a sewer and crafter this is a must visit if you can find it!!!

I wandered into Anaconda on a whim after an IKEA expedition and was blown away by how giant the…read morestore was and the extensive range of outdoor gear and clothes they had to offer. From kayaks, to sleeping bags, to hiking shoes, Anaconda was an adventure land of camping gear. What I was most pleased about was their range of swimwear. I've just gotten into swimming recently and I've been having trouble finding a basic, black one-piece for under $100. At Anaconda, I swooped in on a pair of sleek, TYR swimmers for $50 and got a complimentary pair of TYR goggles as part of a giveaway. My brother has just joined the SES and he picked up a knife and compass. The total for both products would have been over $35, but somehow he picked up both for under $16. (Christmas sales!) I'd recommend swinging by Anaconda just before Christmas, because chances are you'll bag yourself an unexpected bargain. Or just go to browse the warehouse-sized store itself - you'll be sure to find something interesting.

Am I an outdoorsy person? To an extent, but I'd never fully act on it and go out and buy me some…read moreadventure ready outfits or gear. I ended up coming here on a last minute decision to look at something for my dad. Prior to this, I've never been, although I've always made the effort to go to IKEA next door. When I walked in, I was completely shocked at the enormity of the establishment. I mean, it was massive! Under this one roof they have absolutely everything to do with camping and adventure gear. If I could be frank, this place actually can inspire one to become an outdoorsy person. There is so many products and adventure equipment, it gets my heart racing and pumped to get into it. I want to ride bikes, go fishing, go hiking and even something basic, like running. They've got you covered. I particularly love the range of bikes they have here. It's not too expensive and they look great. However, I've found they always run out of the bike I want whenever I'm ready to buy... Hmmf. The staff here are fantastic! They helped us find what we were looking for and chatted to us about the product, it's benefits, their experience using it. They were really informative and genuinely good with customers. This is a one stop shop for the adventure gear, for sure!

This place is positively bursting with spring related goodies. From decorative flowers (real and…read morenot-quite-so-real) to beautiful canvases depicting [more] flowers and rain-drenched cityscapes. There's scented candles, incense, a plethora of brightly decorated vases, storage units, oil burners and interesting shaped lamps. Whether you're after a gift or something bright to jazz up your house, it's a great shop to have a browse through. Oh, and it's relatively inexpensive for a homewares store; win!

Although a brand new store, crossroads books has an old time feel. Located in the heart of ipswich,…read morein a big beautiful building, Karen and Tony have weaved their magic and created a charming, bookstore and gift store. The friendly and inviting charm of the store, coupled with the friendly team who work there, makes this a special place perusing the pre-loved books and new giftware options available. I highly recommend stopping by and saying hi.

If you love second-hand hand bookshops then I seriously recommend that you by a ticket to the Gold…read moreCoast and come and check out this place - you will be amazed. For a tourist city famous for beaches, partying, and theme parks the last thing that I expected for find here was a second-hand bookshop of this calibre. Sure, the Gold Coast is a city so I'm sure they would have their second-hand bookshops, but this place literally blew me away. I have never seen so many books crammed onto books shelves in my life, In fact the interior of the shop is a maze that you could end up being lost in for days (though I would probably end up finding you hidden in a corner with a pile of books that you have always wanted to read). Also, it is not one of those boring shops with reused copies of popular fiction - it has literally everything, including antique books. I was only here for ten minutes before my brother was loaded up with books to by, and I had to purchase them and leave because I suspect they wouldn't have let me on the plane to get home. If there is one reason why I want to return to the Gold Coast and it is this place.

This place specialises in wedding attire especially but has lots of formal wear generally for…read morewomen. They also keep their bins very tidy and remove the contents regularly. Not much available in terms of kitchen wares though. Not bad for a second hand store.

Those who are fans of owls will instantly fall in love with this shop - it's filled with decorative…read moreowls of all shapes and sizes. And it's not even an aviary. This place stocks lots of gifts and present ideas as well as home decorations. There are the usual suspects - women and men's jewellery, birthday cards, wrapping paper, ornaments and teddy bears for the kiddies. The staff are lovely - we were instantly greeted and asked if we were in need of any assistance (pretty rare in most places). Worth popping into if you're in need of a birthday present.