It's really great to see how we can pull together when one of our Brisbane icons is being…read morethreatened, and I was chuffed to see how we did that for Rocking Horse. I wanted to see it stay because it's been a staple in my life ever since I started going to school in the Valley. Whenever my friends and I would go to the City of a Friday afternoon, we'd always wander in to Rocking Horse in an attempt to widen our music tastes, and I think that my taste today is owed in part to Rocking Horse. Not only is it the heart of Brisbane's best music, Rocking Horse has also been home to ridiculously long ticket lines for concerts and festivals. It's a modern venue with musical choices for everyone. Plus, here it's so much easier to get your hands on harder music than anywhere else. As an independent store, it has a kind of cult following, but how can you not adore it once you've stepped inside? There's not just music either. You'll be able to find a t-shirt in dedication of your favourite band and a sea of books and mags to tantalise your music tastebuds. I'm really proud to call Rocking Horse an independent Brisbane brand, and I'll be there if it's ever in need of support again.

I remember being a fresh-faced university student prowling through Rocking Horse Records, looking…read morefor CDs, records, posters, strangers eyes, discussing with likeminded friends about how we knew, "the music would save us". After four years of university and life I don't know if I would rummage through Rocking Horse Records with the same optimism that I once did. Rocking Horse Records offers an extensive range of CDs, DVDs and EPs old and new. The establishment itself seems to permeate a sort of grungy vibe, however now days the service staff seem to dress more hipster, as opposed to diehard, melancholic Nirvana fans from the late 90s. It's nice to see a music store with such a vast range outside of those larger outlets that dominate that CBD. All the products are categorized accordingly; it's just up to you to know if you're "into" 'alternative folk dubstep' or 'new-age punk metal' (categories may not be as specific as the latter). It's no mystery that the electronic innovations in music have hit the music industry hard, especially in terms of unique stores like Rocking Horse Records. There are of course attempts to reestablish their necessity in the market, such as being a place to purchase tickets for concerts and festivals. In addition, has anyone noticed how vinyl has made a real comeback? Even I have developed a real romantic inclination towards listening to my favorite music on an EP. I don't know if it's real or just manufactured in my head, but it does seem to add a certain quality to the sound that seems to hit me harder; perhaps it's just because we're sick of our music existing solely in our phones and on our computers? I couldn't help but wish that Rocking Horse Records would have a more extensive range of EPs, however I can understand how it may prove to be unprofitable to stock a wide range of music on record, when only a handful of people would come looking for. This being said, shouldn't they be establishing themselves as a business that offers us something we can't get online? Maybe if they got on board with this "hipster" trend and sold more EPs and record players we'd leave the safety of our computers and flock there on mass. After all, they are called Rocking Horse 'Records'. At the end of the day Rocking Horse Records is a great venue to have a browse and remember what it was like before we all had IPods. The unfortunate truth is I tend to go there to browse and buy my music online instead. This being said, those of you who prefer to have hard copies of music or have developed an ethereal connection to the sound of vinyl, Rocking Horse Records is the place for you.

Being the behemoth of a shopping centre Chermside Westfield is, it has the two major department…read morestores. This DJs is pretty big, but not quite as shiny as the city store. But let's face it, not as bedraggled as the old Toombul store had become. Staff are helpful. I've gotten some good advice here, not just someone trying to make a sale, which they could have done. Of course, it's not always the cheapest, but that doesn't mean you won't find a bargain. There's been one or two times when they HAVE been the cheapest, so it can pay to pop your head in if you're after something and you're doing the rounds.

If you like your collector locomotives, your collector cars, this is the one stop shop for you…read more They stock the biggest range of trains, cars, kites, model airplanes that I have ever seen. Walking into this place is weird because you feel that you shouldn't touch anything because you don't want to break anything but every ounce of your child within is really doing everything it can to not want to touch and play with everything within sight and within reason. With locomotives here going for over $1000 this is the real deal, not for the faint hearted but for serious lifelong collectors who are establishing their collection for grandchildren. The trains are limited editions sometimes and will only increase in value over time (they tell me), so you better be serious when you buy them and maybe just keep them in the box. Not the kind of stuff you buy for kids that are young. But kids that are old enough to appreciate a good thing and take care of a good thing when they see it.

I went into Hobbyrama for the first time yesterday to buy some glue (long story). Wow. I never knew…read moreI had an inner ten year old boy but apparently I do because I had so much fun looking around in here. Maybe I should start building model cars. They have so many crazy things that I would never have even known existed. Their range of model cars, planes, boats, tanks, trains, and insert any other mode of transportation you can think of here is amazing. The store is huuuge and literally packed to the rafters. As well as the model vehicles they have doll house kits, and little doors, furniture, etc. to for people who build dollhouses. Just seeing the little doors and windows in their packages made me smile thinking of Grandfathers making dollhouses for their grand-daughters. But now I'm getting emotional over a hobby shop. Hobbyrama has puzzles, crafts, kites, and countless other things you could do to entertain yourself or hone your fine motor skills. I've never built a model in my life, but this shop is full of so many things that even a hobby n00b like myself would love to try my (very shaky) hand at. I needed to buy glue for small pieces of plywood, and the guy behind the counter helped me out and was very friendly. He didn't even mind that I had my fourteen year old terrier in tow (who was busy examining the extensive range of matchbox cars down at his eye level). Hobbyrama is worth a browse purely out of interest. You'll be surprised by the kinds of cool things people make. You might even end up tackling something yourself although if you're anything like me you'll no doubt end up with pieces of aeroplane glued to your hands, but it's all part of the fun, right?

I like Artie's! They…read morehave a good range of instruments, friendly staff, and they're always willing to do you a deal. You can get your guitars, both electric and acoustic, basses, ukuleles, mandolins, banjos, drums, keyboards, violins... it's all here. If they don't have it they can get it for you. The staff are refreshingly honest, if they're not too knowledgable about something they'll tell you, but there's usually someone on hand who knows what you need to know. Be careful if you come here just to browse, you may walk out with a new instrument.

Artie's is the music shop I recommend to people looking to buy music gear. Located in Aspley…read moreHypermarket, Artie's has changed shop location a couple of times in its lifetime and currently resides near toys r us. The staff at Artie's know what they're talking about and are more than happy to share their expertise with you. You can go in, have a play and find out what you need to know. Their prices are competitive, and they will price match if you need it. They don't have something you want? They'll order it in for you. Bought something ages ago that needs a tune up? They also offer servicing. I get my acoustic guitar services and restrung for under $100. So they have your main instruments as well as brass and orchestral (though a smaller deletion), and recording gear. Shirts, merch and print music as well. Artie's has recently opened another store in Chermside. It has less gear but the staff are the same and I'm sure they would order in for you.

As the name implies, ZiNG Pop Culture specialises in selling various pop culture related items. The…read morechain of stores is owned by EB Games, with the Indooroopilly store being just over a year old. I mainly visit the store to view their large range of Pop Vinyl Figures (they are a big thing right now, with hundreds of figures being available for various TV shows, movies, and games). In addition to Pop Vinyl Figures they also sell various plush toys, clothes and accessories, posters, board games, action figures, collectables, and other various geeky items. They are reasonably priced for the most part, though you might find that some items are available for less online. I quite like how the store has areas that are sorted by franchise (e.g. Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead etc). The store is located near Dymocks on Level 3 of the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre.

I find this place confusing and frustrating every time I go there. They have every shop you could…read morewant, which is probably part of the problem. I always end up parking at the WRONG end of the behemoth single story centre (this is why building up is a good idea) and then need to do a 20 min power walk to my destination. They also seperate major competitors by the length of the centre in some kind of Highlander move (THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE), so if you want to compare Myers vs DJ's you're going to have to walk and walk and walk. My biggest gripe is the addition of paid parking. I had to do last minute wedding shopping (mother of the bride dress, bridesmaids dresses, beauty stuff - all 5 days before because I LOVE ADRENALINE) and ended up dropping about $800 there. When I left we'd been there for about 4 hours and I had to pay for parking!? Mate, here's some free advice, if I'm at your child filled, noisy, confusing shopping centre for 4 hours it's because I'm spending money there, not because I'm kicking it at the food court with my teenage mates. Plus, it's just a blatant money grab. They haven't installed extra parking or more services, they've just decided to take your money. If I was one of the retailers I'd be well pissed as I'm sure I'm not the only customer deciding to go to Indooroopilly when I can't avoid a shopping centre. I ended up sending a ranty email to centre management, and last time I was there I was happy to see that they've introduced validated parking if you spend over $150. Not thrilled though, as I think $50 is enough to warrant free parking and you can't validate at stores, you've got to go find centre management which is no doubt 3 kms away from where you're standing.

Big shopping place in Chermside, Brisbane. Try the breakfast at The Coffee Club. Big breakfast…read moredishes that's close to being homemade. Coffee tasted wonderful.

The products are good quality and durable We have had all…read moreour cupboards fitted with sliding draws and I don't know how I ever did without them The ease of ordering and fitting is outstanding the help from the staff was always done with patience and kindness. Howard's is always my first choice

I've developed a bit of an obsession with organising my home of late and there was no better place…read morefor me to head (to assist with this) than Howards Storage World. With more storage options and ideas than you could poke a stick at and friendly staff, I can see this will be the first trip of many. Heaps of parking in the shopping centre and close to bedding, rugs and other home goods stores. They are a little on the expensive side however they have a really really really great range.

The love of Carindale (like all the biggest stars, it's only known by one name) has been handed…read moredown through the generations of my family. My Mum passed down her passion for this place to me and my sister in law - and now we're handing down the pleasure to my 3 year old niece, Olivia (who loves it) and 14 month old Renzo (distinctly unimpressed). So why does this slightly ugly (from the outside) building inspire so much devotion in the female members of my family? Well, for those times we can't be bothered traipsing into town, Carindale pretty much has everything we could need. Except, perhaps, a chic cocktail bar. But I live in hope. Myer, David Jones, Sportsgirl, Dotti, Portmans, Witchery, cinemas, grocery stores, mobile phone shops, sports stores...it's like a one-stop-shopping-utopia for all our needs. With carpet. Yep, to this day, it's the only Westfield I've been in that has carpet. It's not particularly nice and occasionally gives you static attacks but I kinda like that it gives Carindale a strangely unusual USP. Even my friends in London laugh at my Carindale obsession (I've recently relocated back home after a lengthy stint living in London). Every email they send me usually starts with "so, how many times have you been to Carindale this week?" (I don't usually answer as I'm slightly ashamed that sometimes it's so often I feel I should take a sleeping bag and just move in). As Westfields go (and there's a gazillion of them in Brisneyland) this is not the biggest (yet) but it soon will be. I'm positively giddy at the fact they're spending $300m making it even more ginormous. For me! According to the website, it's due for completion in late 2012 and "will include a new parallel mall over two levels, a new full-line Coles supermarket, a relocated larger-format Target and a new dining precinct. Plus approximately 120 new stores including a range of Australian and international designers." Readers, dreams can come true.

I love Westfield Carindale! I don't think, from memory, I've ever visited and not enjoyed the…read moreexperience. I bypass three other closer, smaller shopping complexes and drive straight to Carindale. Took my kids, now 40 and 37, often and now take my grandchildren. I love the renovations, major stores and specialty shops. The parents' rooms are always clean and well appointed. Love the Event cinemas. Plenty of great coffee shops. Late night Christmas shopping is always a favourite time for me. Thanks Westfield Carindale.