Heaven help you if you need to return a sub quality purchase to this shop. How very dare you? How…read moreinsulting of you! Be prepared for a full on treatment of condescension, disdain, and passive aggressive belittling. These ladies think they really are the bees knees. When I could not find anything to my liking to exchange for the returned piece, I was told -and I quote "You know dear, this is a very affluential area and the ladies who shop here would be pleased to buy anything from this shop" !! So, no matter who you are dear customers, I suggest, to avoid being spoken to and treated as a complete undesirable, ensure you have a form of ID with your local Bulimba address -and an up to date payslip showing your salary is of a significant pay scale. You will then avoid the patronising and humiliating situation these "ladies" gifted to myself! By the way, I suggest buying from the gift shops further up Oxford Street - same products, not over priced!

Perfect Living is an elegant, quirky and decorative home and garden ware store located in Bulimba…read more The store is beautifully laid out. Although it seems busy at first, once you start weaving your way through the maze of furniture, decorations and garden accessories, you feel like you are on a journey of discovery to try and see all the treasures the store has to offer. The style of the store is overall decorative, traditional and homely. They have outdoor and interior gifts, decorations and French furniture. Even if you don't buy, it's a lovely place to browse. They stock ranges such as Florabelle, Salt City candles and Maison.

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.

Next time I visit MOZI I'm leaving my coins and cards at home. Yes, it's just that gosh darn…read moretempting to buy everything in this store. I remember when MOZI launched and was such a small collection of knick knacks for the kitchen. And now look at this little Aussie brand that could! Measuring spoons, plastic bag holders (yes, they're a thing!), bowls, tea towels, plates, dog leads, napkins, and even candles are all neatly displayed in their "print story" categories making a visit to MOZI on trendy James Street an organised mind's dream. Everything is in its place and it makes it that much easier to find what you're looking for. It's fun without being frivolous and twee without being saccharine. If you're looking for a quirky and unique gift for a loved one getting married, moving into a new house, having a baby, birthday, engagement, just because...you get the point...MOZI should most certainly be on your list. The prices are what I personally would consider reasonable with most items being under $40. PS: If someone gifts me the sequined fox tote, I might just have kittens.

Magnolia is a visual feast, that's for sure. The large store is full of all kinds of colourful home…read morewares, interior design products, fabric, furniture, and accessories. The range is fairly eclectic, but for the most part involves colour, bold prints, and lots of florals. The thing with Magnolia, though, is that the prices are kind of over the top and the staff are a little snooty. Whenever I walk past I'm tempted to go in and browse, but usually I don't because I know that I can't afford anything and that the staff will give me the once over. Not the nicest environment to browse in, if you know what I mean. It's a shame that Magnolia isn't more inviting and welcoming, or more reasonably priced because the do have some genuinely gorgeous things. Fortunately, I've found other places that provide many of the same products or style or products, at a less balk-worthy price and with more helpful staff. Definitely worth a look, but more for inspiration than actual purchases in my opinion.

White washed furniture, Hamptons-worthy linen, beautiful table settings and more make Magnolia a…read moretreat to browse in. This is the perfect shop for anyone who likes to pamper their homes as much, or more, than they like to pamper themselves. There's so much to gush over it's overwhelming. I had already planned my future home design in my head prior to taking my second lap around the store. There's also great gift ideas too such as coffee table books, candles, vases, rugs and other plenty of other pleasantries for a home. Magnolia, as sweet as it might look and smell, isn't so delightful in the price department. For example (you might want to sit down for this), I found some Tokyo Milk bubble bath for $85. $85!!!!!!!! For bubble bath! After I had recovered from that initial shock I went on admiring everything again, I just stopped touching things. With the plethora of choices for home decor shops in and around James Street, Magnolia does a good job to differentiate between the rest with fun plays on old styles and a huge range of stock from tea pots to bed frames. If you're willing to spend a fair bit of money on beautifying your home, Magnolia is worth a look.

As someone who lives in an apartment, it's not often you'll see me in a shop that devotes itself to…read moreoutdoor living. My Secret Garden in Teneriffe is the exception. The shop is treasure chest full of beautiful things for your garden, balcony, outdoor table as well as lovely art and gifts. I recently ducked in to buy a friend a wedding present and was highly successful in buying a unique gift that I was sure they could cherish for a long time. But it's possible to buy for yourself (even if you live in an apartment) with items such as pot plants which sit over a balcony railing, candles, deck chairs and hammocks. The owner Rick who mans the shop is friendly and always willing to chat. It's obvious that he is passionate about creating comfortable spaces and an urban oasis for us Brisbane dwellers. My Secret Garden is a treat of a shop whether you're shopping for yourself or not. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Teneriffe!

What better way to escape the heat of summer than to drop into what has to be the coolest…read more(temperature cool and awesome-cool) boutique outdoor living store in the inner-north. You feel like you've reached the inner-sanctum of serenity as you're greeted by the sounds of chilled out meditation music blended with the gentle gurgling of splashing water. Bliss? Yes. Dark wooden shelves are adorned with outdoor table decorations - from scented candles, to table cloths and an assortment of cups, saucers, cutlery and iced tea pitchers. The middle of the shop features outdoor furniture draped in bright cushions, towels and lamps. And of course, discounted, high-quality Christmas decorations and oversized deer (why not?). A perfect place to unwind and begin hoarding those decorations for your garden which you know you'll have to have once you step foot into this oasis of calm.

Need a fancy-pants gift or something to make your house look pretty?…read more From smelly candles, French soaps, strings of fabric bunting to larger items like paintings, statues and tables, That's Unique is just the place to visit! This store has multiple rooms to poke around in and you're sure to be tempted by many of the items.

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.

Rudest store keeper ever. Popped in for a massively over priced greeting card and was met with a…read morestoned faces lady behind the counter who refused to even acknowledge me whilst she maintained her personal phone call throughout the transaction. I don't care if I am spending $10 or $1000, I would never expect a store trader to behave with such arrogance and ignorance. DON'T BOTHER!!

Great shop bursting with gifts and homewares, run by two dedicated and helpful blokes who'll even…read morewrap your purchases if you are buying them for someone else. I forgot to ask which one was Ollie and which one was Lloyd.

This cute little homewares and gift shop is down a little arcade on Oxford Street. Look for the…read morebakery and it's down that alleyway. Escape the busy street and visit this tranquil shop, filled with old country style homewares, wicker baskets and birdhouses, China plates and heaps of great gift ideas and treasures. Everything has a real farmhouse style to it. I want to come and redecorate my house!

Located down a quiet 'ol arcade on Oxford St, you too can…read morehave La Belle Memoire (Beautiful Memories) about this small boutique. This is a place that my mum would love. Faux-tiques, gilded vases, fake flowers, candlestick holders, decorative urns, tea glasses, cake displays, candles... This place has everything and anything in spades. What I think is great about this wee shop is the range of furniture on display, (Think handsome cabinets, mirrors and chairs) as well as the myriad cute detailing about the place. (The duck statues scattered around are stupidly cute.) Tucked away in a cozy arcade on Oxford, this place is worth a good gander when in the area.