Exquisite is in the "I wish" category of gift shops. "I wish" I could afford these beautiful gifts,…read more"I wish" I had someone to buy that scented paperweight for, "I wish" I knew why I never thought of going to Exquisite for so and so...and the list goes on. One "I wish" that has been a possibility, and indeed a reality, is "I wish" I could have a peep in Exquisite sometime. This came to be a couple of months back, and again two days ago. Oooh goody. Exquisite really could not have a more appropriate name. The shop oozes style and glamour, its stunning gift and jewellery range exuding charm. With names such as Couer de Lion, Shira, Pilgrim and Jackie Brazil jewellery all featuring in the jewellery section, you know this is going to be snazzy stuff. I love the fancy belts and buckles - cowhides, gems, embellishments galore. The kids clothing range is absolutely gorgeous, and would make a really special gift for a little 'un. Exquisite also stocks incredibly diverse gifts, from Lilly Flame candles to Dora designs scented paper weights, from East of India ribbon to umbrellas and lampshades. There is certainly plenty to choose from. One final "I wish". I wish I could buy the whole shop...

I really do like this shop. It's lovely for a browse or to pick up some small item like a nice…read moredesigner piece of wrapping paper or a funky little card. The only problem I have with Exquisite is that it is too expensive. They sell the most darling little outfits for babies and toddlers as well as gorgeous little unique books and toys but be prepared to pay through the nose for the bits and bobs baby will grow out of very fast. I recently picked up a cool little outfit in the sales for a new born baby and was chuffed that it was reduced way way down to £5.00. I also bought my nephew a little wooden trike designed like a cow. it is totally beautiful but completely impractical as the wheels are so spinning the wee man nearly crashes every time he gets on - obviously not the shops fault but it is being sold for aged one!? anyways, they also sell Pilgrim jewelry and lovely hair pieces for that special occasion - just be prepared to dig deep into the old wallet.

I spent ages looking for a small brown coloured pearl with a diamond drop on a thin long chain for…read moremy bridesmaids to wear at my wedding. For some reason I never thought of Samuel's and spent ages going from shop to shop on the hunt. This is going to sound toffee nosed but I had always thought of Samuels as a cheap jewellery store full of yellow gold and little figurines - I was genuinely happy when I called in and found the perfect necklaces for very good prices. The girl who served me informed me that they only had two left but, as I needed three, she immediately jumped on her phone and located some in Sheffield - these were than shipped over for me and I got them a week later - really happy with that result and they gave me a money off voucher as well which I am going to use to buy my own bridal necklace - i've seen the perfect one in Samuel's as well. Not tacky but classy and full of many designs to suit all needs and pockets.

Moda is apparently the place to buy shoes in Newtownards. I disagree - first of all it is way too…read moreexpensive and even their sales don't really take that much off. The handbags are also very highly priced and personally not even that nice. I know that taste is subjective but price isn't and who can afford to pay £150 for a handbag in this climate? A lot of the brands they stock can be found cheaper in TKMaxx therefore if I want an unusual pair of Rocket dogs, for example, I might go there first. They also sell jewelry, which is also priced rather highly at some pieces costing £50 and not really looking like they should. They do stock Fit Flops which is a good find as I struggled to find them anywhere else in the town. I notice they have just bought in EMU brand boots too, which I quite like but can also be found for a cheaper price in TKMaxx (if you are lucky!) One last thing, if a pair of shoes costs £99 one day then £89 the next does that mean they deserve to no longer sit nicely in a little area of their own but have to now lay in among all the other shoes in what frankly I would refer to as a heap? If you have money go here and have a look. They do do a range of shoes to suit young and old - I'm just cynical about the prices.

Moda is a rare breed of shoe shop. And it's not because it sells shoes (novel, I know), but because…read moreit caters for a wide range of ladies, right from the teens to the older ladies. So many shoe shops stock shoes which only appeal to a certain generation, so its extremely refreshing to find such a fab range in Moda, and the shoes really are generally very nice. Having popped in to take a peak at the sale a couple of days ago, I was delighted to discover huge discounts on nearly all shoes, and attempted to dive in and find a few bargains. Unfortunately, three ladies and a buggy were in my way and would not move. Nope, not even an inch. For a good ten minutes, I hovered, I coughed, I dodged...and still the chin-wagging continued. No movement, but plenty of chat. Grrr, frustration. No shoes bargains to be had, unfortunately, although that was quite possibly for the better. I'll be back!

These places can often be a bit stuffy and unwelcoming, making it not a completely pleasurable…read moreexperience to go in and check things out. While this place doesn't exactly roll out the red carpet, particularly for anyone under 30, they aren't as stuffy as some other places. You can get lots of stuff here if you are looking to splash out on a gift for a loved one or just to treat yourself. There are bracelets, rings, and all sorts of women's jewellery as well as a really large collection of Tag Heuer and Omega Watches. Its located in Bloomfield Shopping Centre so it is nice and easy to get to with ATMs and free parking on site.

Esprit is a real gem in the relatively commercial world of Ards Shopping Centre. With its rustic…read moredécor, this shop is absolutely packed full of pretty little trinkets and is the ideal spot when searching for a unique gift. This is reinforced by the vast selection of wedding and newborn baby gifts found throughout the store. The staff members are polite and carefully wrap each gift in your preferred choice of tissue paper. Esprit also stocks a wide selection of both Yankee and Castle Hill candles, which are more than reasonably priced. This shop is one of my favourites as you're always sure to find a bargain (my most recent being several boxes of incense-with a holder for £1.50) that will leave you grinning like the Cheshire Cat for the rest of the day. Occasionally furniture can be found, although the vast majority of this is usually displayed in the window. The shop also stocks a range of beautiful Tiffany lamps, as well as elegant gift boxes at great prices. Situated at the shopping centre's entrance, this should be one of your first stops.

I don't want to be too critical as actually this wee shop has several things going for it - one of…read morethem being the door out! Why do they cram so much stuff in? It is always heaving with under 15's trying on everything and there is, I find anyway, a funny smell. All this aside this is a grand place to pick up some cheap jewellery, hair accessories or some skull embroidered socks. Cheap as chips and the quality matches the price. Lots of tacky items can be found here - Christmas earrings, Glow in the dark raver gloves, bizarre coloured hair extensions - oh yes it is all happening in Claire's. I might nip in for a packet of hair slides but that is it.