Ahh zee smell from the Provence! The aromas of Peony and…read moreLavender Fleurs waft into my nostrils. Mais Non! This is not the south of France, I am in stinky hot Brisbane seeking some airconditioned shelter in the Edward st L'Occitane store. I have used L'Occitane products in some shape or form since I was 13 years old. I can attest to the quality of their merchandise, but they are a little on the pricey side of beauty products. Their range of natural skin care and moisturisers can't be beat, and their traditional art deco-esque labels and packaging never fail to make me swoon. In particular be sure to try out the Almond Milk Concentrated Moisturizer, It will have you exclaiming "C'est Tres Tres Magnifique!" in no time.

Did you know that you can find products here in this wonderfully pretty shop (from France…read moreapparently, or stocks just french products i'm not entirely sure) from nut or fruit? For example... if you say Almond! The lady in the shop also smelling very nice will direct you to almond specific products? Great for people with allergies or sensitive skin. As the lady in the shop (I really should remember names shouldn't I) also showed me, they have a really cool online make-up tool where you can put their products on your virtual face and see what they look like... and she can also put them on you in store... no pressure to buy either. The prices aren't super duper either, you can get a cool Petals Eye Quartet eyeshadow kit for $39.95... very comparable with other lower key brands... and the packaging is really pretty, so you can easily gift this stuff too! I love this shop, if not for the cool eyeshadow colours, the ladies aren't overbearing, it's all good.

When it comes to shopping, Brisbane is always seen as the poor relative to Sydney. And it usually…read moreis. But the uber chic Level 1 Designer section David Jones is definitely equal to, if not better than its counterpart down south. Let me run through just a taster of the labels you can get your hands on here: Burberry, Paul Smith, Scanlan and Theodore, Easton Pearson, Willow, Romance is Borne, Sass and Bide, Camilla and, my fave, Thurley (note to parents: as the sales will be on by then, I'd love the one shouldered lurex top or the long sequinned necklace for my birthday!) The drawback - the expense makes your eyes water. So my tip to you is, browse now and make a note of what you want, then come back in sale season and rummage, rummage, rummage. It's worked for me many a time. Ladies, be strong, be determined and above all, keep looking until you find it!

When I was a young whipper snapper I remember going into the David Jones store in Sydney. It felt…read moreall fancy, and i'd marvel at the food markets they had in there too. And the cost! Well, DJs still goes for that fancy, up market look, and if their Brisbane store ever had food markets, they're long gone. This is a newish store in Queens Plaza, and it's still quite fancy. Multiple levels, I usually come in for clothes, or sometimes to check out the electrical stuff. They've scaled back on games, and I note that their electronics is just a Dick Smith now. The department stores of the past are long gone. Despite the up market vibe they go for, I've found they are quite often competitive with prices, so it's definitely worth checking out if you're shopping around for the best price.

Gorman is one of those labels that specialises in frump-chic. You know, ironically patterned midi…read moreskirts, boxy tops and tea-dresses in whimsical, quirky prints. Nothing tight'n'tarty here. The decore is all sandy wooden floors with animal print rugs, and some enormous, sequinned butterfly print drapes at the back of the store. It's a shame I've never been a huge fan of this label - although I possibly might be more tempted if the prices weren't so ridiculous. The only dress I really like in there at the moment is $160 - and that's almost half price. It's nothing special, either, just a cotton, navy blue and white polkadot sundress. But even though Gorman is not my No. 1 fashion hotspot, I totally appreciate the fact that it offers Brissie something other than yet another boutique full of mullet maxis. And I'm grateful as hell for that.

Gorman is gorgeous…read more The hemp looking butterfly drapes that hang from the back wall of Gorman like some Christo conceptual art piece really say a lot more about the design house than you'd think. It's a little known fact that Gorman has an organic range of clothing where all of the raw materials purchased for the clothes come from organic and sustainable farms. Most of us nowadays think often about organic food, but organic clothing- that's something else. I, for one, was thrilled to find out about this organic range. Outside of this, Gorman's collections are beautiful. Lisa Gorman, of Fitzroy, Melbourne is a highly celebrated designer who's made serious waves in the Australian fashion scene. Browsing through her current collection, you instantly see the 'design' element. These are not some run of the mill generic threads meant to clothe millions on the cheap. Her colours are distinctive, the patterns bold and often borrowing from a vintage aesthetic, and the designs are wonderfully fun and unique. What's most striking about Gorman is how she arranges her clothes into unbelievable ensembles. Gorman has the impeccable ability to mish mash the most clashing and confronting pieces together and have the end product look sophisticated in this edgy, fun, almost childlike way. It's brilliant. Gorman also designs shoes, jewellery and accessories, which are all undertakings that are equally as successful as her clothes. To have some Gorman in your wardrobe will cost you a pretty penny (take $500 for 2-3 pieces). However, buying from Gorman means you're choosing to support an Australian designer who gives you the option to wear sustainable and organic clothes (yes!). I also personally guarantee that you'll feel like the most fun girl in town wearing some of her threads.

Your first hint that there's more than bra's and panties in Honey Birdette is the mostly closed…read morestore window. You're not going to find any cutesy twin set PJ numbers here that's for sure. Honey Birdette specialises in fancy pants lingerie (think sexy not practical) and, um, adult things. Which is actually a very clever combination as a lot of women feel very uncomfortable going to a sex shop, so adding an adult line to a lingerie store no doubt makes it heaps easier for less brave women to make their first foray into the land of sex toys. The staff are very professional and helpful, and definitely not there to make you feel cheap. You can get a proper bra fitting when you're buying your corset too. Prices are premium, but if you don't feel comfortable going to a full on sex emporium - and want some classy knickers while you're at it - visit Honey Birdette.

Amazing salon. So happy with my colour. The girls in this salon have GREAT taste in hair and they…read moreuse a good product without the nasty chemicals. Plus they listen... which is important. High class salon at local prices. Very happy!!!

This chemist warehouse is always ridiculously busy, but the medicines are cheap so worth while…read morevisiting. You wanna pick your time as waits on prescriptions can be lengthy.

Loved daiso n ses clothing at catindale n in the city Brisbane etc. Where. Did they all go. Miss…read morethem so much. Great rice milk skin care n make up, herbs n spices. Sosve saving knick knacks n aloe vera pulp drinks.

Gotta love Daiso for quirky items at cheap prices, they always have a great range of stuff you…read morenever knew existed, that you end up buying. Polite staff.

My favourite store in the world came to Chermside! It's obviously wonderful and has some amazing…read moresoaps and shower gels and candles. There are 2 let downs about it.... they don't have the range of the American stores, but they are owned by Valiram which is based in Asia so bring in what the Asian market want. The biggest let down is how expensive it is! I am used to paying uber cheap prices in LA and getting amazing buy 3 get 2 free deals and lots of savings.... this does not happen the same way in Australia so it's definitely being marketed as a premium product here. But as I have a major addiction I will still shop here