This shop is so very exciting from the outside. A brief wander past the window, most especially at…read moredusk, and it shines out like the north star - a beacon of shiny! Inside it is packed with all kinds of ornaments and gift items, including some awesome vintage styled wire frame candle holder type lampshades, cute garden ornament animals and beautiful vintage style birdcages. I don't even know why I want a quirky birdcage, but I do, and Leaves and Linen stocks lots of them! I think they'd make a great jewellery and scarf holder, certainly it would look really funky, but perhaps for the more experimental person even a great flower pot holder! As well as this there are flowers, cards, linens, throws, terracotta and many other troves of gifts and such inside. Apparently all of the stock is hand picked by the owner from all over the world and this personalised sense of style is apparent throughout. Everything you could want for the home and garden are within and there is brilliant advice on offer too for throwing about ideas. For the shiny obsessed magpies out there this is a delightful shop. For the patient-but-gloomy-disinterested boyfriends, not so much apparently...

Another shop selling dangly wind chimes in Ilkley! Leaves and Linens is the kind of place you can…read morefind a gift for your mother or grandma as they sell floral tea towels, oven gloves, flower, mugs, and candles. The whole shop is nearly entirely filled with beautiful, colourful flowers but I was disappointed to find they were all fake, after a brief period of amazement! Oh well, they last longer, right? There are real, alive flower outside the shop. The man working there was eager to be of help then politely left me to look around when I said I was 'just looking'.

Sometimes I like the story to be all about me. That may happen more often than it should. So it is…read moreme I'm looking after again and I feel the need of some shopping and jewellery splurging. You better be ready Share. Share is a jewellery and giftware boutique run by two brothers. They claim to have over 50 years of jewellery experience between them so all that time must count for something. And it does. It's a lovely unit on Street Lane and my purse is itching to be opened. Now I'm a sucker for charm bracelets and they do some real alternative options to places like Links. The Molly Brown ones are irresistible and are just undercutting the prices of some of the other places. I mean who doesn't want a jelly bean on a bracelet? Okay maybe it's just me then. So the jewellery is done now to fancy pants my house up and with the array of clocks and furnishings it is easy to do that. They've even got fancy ashtrays! I know! Perfect stop off for gift ideas as long as the budget will stretch.

Having seen the large glass windows and doors I could tell in an instant that this place held shiny…read moregoodies within. My magpie instincts drew me in and I made a beeline for their front door, only to practically walk into it as you have to ring the bell to enter. Nearly having left a face-smudge on the glass I almost didn't go in, for shame, but wanted to check it out having gotten this far! Inside there are hoards of shiny high-end ultra expensive jewellery and ceramics items. It was a bit of a duplicitous visit, in terms of my enjoyment, since I really had fun looking at the quirky and beautiful items but simultaneously didn't enjoy the slight feeling of being monitored - perhaps it was my cumbersome rucksack which put the fear of breakages within the staff? Nevertheless I felt a little ill at ease with my reception. Things got better later however, since I got a nice smile as I was leaving! My favourite piece of crockery was this sort of ergonomic cup, teaspoon and saucer set by Villeroy Boch - the teaspoon balances/hooks on the cup with a specific divet in its stem. Pretty cool, though I didn't dare look at the price. They also had a really sweet cupcake stand and tea set which I'd have absolutely no use for but I liked the idea of having one day! In terms of jewellery there were many exquisite contemporary silver items on offer, a cabinet dedicated to those very fashionable charms, many many shiny watches for him and some very expensive jewellery specifically for young girls - pearls and such. So there was rather a large range to choose from! However, the essential theme here is pack your wallet, we're not talking monopoly money. Should you wish to purchase this place is way more of an investment buy than an impulse buy, unless of course, you're loaded!

This beautifully laid out shop is another wonderful and unique gift store in Otley. With so many…read moreindependent shops offering one-off gifts, special presents and individual ideas it is difficult to choose between them. So I'll try to explain what this one is all about. The last time I paid them a visit they had some beautiful items on offer. One such gift was a delightful illuminated lamp vase item, which had fibre optic branches erupting from the base. It was like a beautiful fibre optic houseplant, and retailed at £99. Phew! But if you want the perfect item to offset that modern fireplace... In amongst a variety of gifts, jewellery, cocktail glasses with dappled patterns, glassware, porcelain statues of lovers and more you will find any number of trinkets and treats that are bound to please the eye. For my money, there wasn't quite a find unique enough to warrant its price, but I am sure that this is just an opinion. Seems to me, in amongst some standard gift choices, there are plenty of decorative and homely gifts that are a little bit different. Contemporary - but just not my style.

This shop is great for card shopping, with a huge range and some very pretty and unusual designs…read moreincluding gorgeous stylized landscape prints that I was tempted to buy for mother's day but it's become a tradition in my family for me to hand-make cards, so however nice a bought one it always seems like a bit of a cop out! Yes the bath bombs are just yummy - the same kind they sell at Rose & Co from Bomb Cosmetic they look like miniature cupcakes and smell edible too! Gift wise it's a bit limited, as most of the shop is dedicated to cards, but what is there is pleasant, especially a set of body lotion and hand cream with an absolutely scrumptious smell. They also sell delicious-looking chocolates behind a glass counter that can be hand-picked to guarantee the satisfaction of any sweet tooth. If you see Send it With Love as a gift shop you may be a little disappointed by the choice, but if you see it as a card shop with a few gifts and chocolates thrown in for good measure you probably find it to be just the ticket!

It was a pretty drizzly day to go out looking for Christmas gifts, but it had to be done, so I…read morestopped by Oakwood on my way home from a half day at work. It can be a total pain doing this sort of thing - I don't drive so it's buses all the way. And the buses back to Headingley specifically are a pretty tricky thing. Anyhoo, I'd seen some exciting shops and hoped it would be worth all the bus trauma. Oh wow. As soon as you walk in this shop you are hit with the most delectable smell. It's both edible and bathable at the same time - sweet and delightful. This, I discovered on further investigation, was down to two things. The first, a glass display counter of the most exciting looking chocolates - they even had some shaped like mini chocolate brownies! Thorntons isn't a patch on these delights. And secondly, a unit filled to burst with the loveliest looking bath bombs. If you have ever been to Rose and Co. you will be able to picture the kind I am talking about. This delightful card shop, which is in essence what it is, goes more than the extra mile. Not only will you find beautiful cards, gift bags and the like, but so many extra cute treats you won't know what to do with yourself. Seriously, they have candles, piggybanks, chocolates, bath bombs, calendars, decorated notepads.....(fade to black). Need a shiny birthday gift? Here is your shop. Done!

When Tableau first caught my eye I had two contradictory thoughts. Firstly: oh look at that nice…read morepainted iron table that would look lovely in the garden. Secondly: why is there another shop in Headingly selling seemingly pointless ornamental objects? I went in to check it out and see which initial thought would pervade. They have quite a few bits of furniture that are very attractive, expensive but original such as a white painted iron bench and a similarly crafted coat stand. Decorative things hang from the ceiling that would suffice as gifts for mothers or girl friends who like pretty, hand-crafted things and can overlook their pointlessness. There is hand-made jewelry and some interesting prints, including a Jack Vertriano print. I particularly like the tiny glass pigs for sale. This shop is a bit more sophisticated than others of its kind in Headingly/Hyde Park selling gift items but they do sell fairy lights.

Tableau is a gift shop that I'm actually willing not to whinge about! The exterior is very tasteful…read morewith a muted forest green painted front and minimalist stainless steel lettering. The large windows display their pretty wares. Upon entering it's quite difficult to categorise their products as there is such a range. Mainly decorative home ware. There are small pieces of furniture, clocks, fairy lights, plant pots, lanterns, watering cans, ornaments, bobs and bits, bits and bobs, pretty things and lovely items. What I must say is I just LOVE their greetings card selection. Small it may be but perfectly formed it certainly is. The cards are very unusual and with a vintage and quirky style. Though I always make cards for my family I found a few that would just make perfect mothers' day cards...could I really give her two? I might have to they are so pretty! Now I'm not easy to please when it comes to cards so waxing lyrical about a shop's card selection feels rather out of character! Now gift shops and I generally don't get on, but Tableau really is different with its own character and style. Definitely a place to hunt for a present for mums or female friends who like to beautify their home. What the hey...I'm a fan!

This is a beautiful little florists in the heart of Ilkley. From the mere outside you can tell the…read morekind of love and care taken with their displays and craft, with beautifully lit little trees snipped into lollypop type shapes, which immediately reminded me of visiting Disney Land Paris, where they had fairly tale square and round shaped trees, which I in particular found to be very exciting! Inside it is somewhat like a sort of beautifully scented meditation room, with some lovely water features splishing away in the corner. The lady who served me was very friendly and helped me to choose a lovely bunch of flowers as a gift for a friend, who was very pleased - I'm told they lasted over two weeks, which is quite good value for money! As a lovely alternative to supermarket flowers, which are hit and miss at best, try Amity Rose if you're in Ilkley Town!

Amity Rose is essentially a florists with lavish and decadent extras thrown in. Two bay trees stand…read moreoutside, framing the doorway and the window display was very attractive with a large 'distressed' mirror and bird cages surrounded by plants and flowers. Inside, I particularly liked the bold decoration that would bring a subtle effect to a home or garden - like the large stones with small indents just big enough to fit a tea light in. Even though it was a small shop everything was quite grand. There was a vase nearly as tall as me filled with lemons! I fantasied about one day having a house suitable for any of this but if you're looking for some extras for your home maybe take a look here for something a bit different.

Secret Garden Florist is a pretty lovely little shop, and the previous reviews have inspired me to…read morelove it even more! Although not a standard combination I actually think that selling flowers, hats and fascinators in the same shop somehow makes sense. Maybe because the fascinators are so flowery, or maybe it just feels right to see so many pretty things in one place! This shop has recently opened and has yet to put up a sign, but the interior is very inviting, with a minimalist whitewashed look, a large display of hats and fascinators and some beautifully presented flowers. The hats and fascinators are large and flamboyant and adorned with feathers flowers and bows. Perfect for the races (if you're into that sort of thing) or a wedding. The milliner who creates these wonders does a bespoke hat-making service and specialises in creating pieces for weddings. Bouquets are made to order and are sure to impress!

This beautiful little shop is a brand new edition to the sweet little run of shops along Roundhay…read moreroad in Oakwood. Being fortunate enough to work practically in the forest (my work base is right out in the countryside) I have to catch the bus through Oakwood on a Mon-Weds. As such I'm always staring out of the bus window, eyes glazed over in the morning light, trying not to fall asleep. One fine morning I realised that this place was re-opening and so decided to nip in on my way home! What a delight. It's a bit of a random mix, flowers and fascinators, but then if you are a creative person you'll know what it's like to have more than one outlet for your imagination. The shop may only be in its infancy, but that doesn't mean there are few items to browse - oh no. With a back wall dedicated to a range of exquisite fascinators one could simply stand for an age taking in all of the detail. There are large ornate pieces, with huge illustrious peacock feathers and bright colours, to a more modest set of hair comb based feathered creations. Literally something for everyone and with a price range of £30 - £100+ this could not be more true! There are also a selction of delightful mini felt top hats decorated gloriously with a range of feathers, and my favourite piece of all, an utterly beautiful fascinator hat. That last piece is not for sale, as it was a competition piece, but you really must go in to see it. It's a sort of 20s style hat, exquisitely crafted, and won its crafter a place as one of 12 finalists *in the world* for one of the largest hat making competitions held worldwide. Wow! The crafter, also owner of the shop, is a truly lovely lady as well and more than happy to chat about her creations. If her fascinator artistry is anything to go by her floristry will certainly be exquisite too. She has a workshop inside the building as well, crafting on site, and can make up specialist hats and bespoke flowers to any specification. If you are thinking of saying it with flowers, or perhaps fancy an outing to the races, you now know your first port of call! I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful shop. I know I'm looking forward to watching it flourish!

So I made a special effort to visit this beautiful shop in the last few hours I had left in York,…read moreso eager was I that I arrived at 9:30 only to loiter around for 30 mins till the shop opened at 10am, you see I just had to have one of those beautiful glass cats, emerald for my colour of birth as well as a few other glass treasures. I was thrilled and so delighted that I was able to have time to visit, its a must, the glass shop has everything you could possibly imagine, all made of glass, tiny bee's, ladybirds, pigs, pandas, unicorns, everything!

Beautiful glass collection for your home. Lovely glass cats and Christmas ornaments . All of the…read morefamous glass cats are here