As far as gift/homewares shops go, I think Urban Attitude is the most fun. Filled with so much…read morestuff that absolutely no one will ever 'need', but is fun to have. Makes it a great place to go gift hunting if you're unsure what to get someone. I love their collection of designer cards. They're a bit out there and random, which is how I like my gift cards. No soppy Hallmark greetings for me, thanks. The stuff you can find here is genuinely fun/random/hipster, not like the cheap knock off/trying-too-hard stuff you find at other larger stores *cough* Typo *cough* The staff are lovely to boot and will help you track down something quirky be it poster art, wallets, toys, kitchen ware or maybe a T-Rex lamp.

I love love love this store! Full of super cute, fun and quirky things, Urban Attitude is great for…read morebuying gifts, finding unique things to fill your home with, and taking everyday things and turning them into something special. Take for example the best knife block holder I' ve ever seen...Its a silhouette of a person ( I like the one in fire engine red) with six or seven slits throughout the body, so when you put your knives in they look like they are going through the body..... okay, I just re-read that, and now I sound like a crazy person who thinks stabbing people is awesome. AWKWARD......But seriously its really cool. When you walk into the St Kilda store, you feel off balance, until you realise that it is the shelves and design of the store that is off balance, not yourself. I think it really suits the concept they are going for. Definitely go check it out.

I stumbled upon Zingy's on Gelenhuntly Road when I was on the hunt for bedside lamps. No, I didn't…read morefind nice bedside lamps here (the ones they had were quite tacky) but I did find a whole new world of homeware and functional gifts inside. Think the likes of magazine racks, jewellery hangars/ storage, crockery, waste paper bins, kitchen utensils etc. Zingy's is the kind of store that sells everything you can think of. (Okay not everything but it has a lot to browse through) I fell in love instantly with the large selection of bamboo trays, side tables and cheese plates. They also carry a wide range of cool jewellery organisers, from enclosed boxes to tall, standing mirrors with hidden storage, to rings trays and tree-shaped necklace holders. Prices are reasonable and the girls who work here are super enthusiastic and know the shop and the products they sell like inside out, so it's easy to get recommendations or alternatives.

You know what I don't get about modern society? It's where all the clotheshorses have gone. Five…read moreyears ago, you'd head out to Target or to K-mart and you'd be able to pick a cheap one up without too much effort. Nowdays, though, they seem to have vanished off the face of the earth. Even a place like Zingy's, which seems dedicated to selling cheap homewares, boasts a tagline saying "something for everyone", and which has a wooden watch display case (where you can display up to four watches at once). Even a place like this doesn't have one on offer. But you can buy individual plates at quite nice prices. I guess that's something, anyway.

I walked in here for the first time on my 15 minuet break, tried on three T-Shirt, brought them,…read moreand had time to get a favourite muffin in Centre Place. I am a big fan of little boutique Melbourne clothes shop, especially those that have cute designs. I am always getting little comments about the clothes that I buy from here. Conveniently you can buy their products online which means that I don't even need to be on my break the next time I want a shirt as I now know what size fits me.

A funky boutique filled with a mix of fashion, accessories, knick knacks and specialty items that…read moreyou find yourself buying because of its "oh my gosh thats so cute/cool/funky" appeal. The fashion aspect of the store mainly focuses on print tees that catch the eye with bright volours and statement images. If you're a t-shirt kinda gal or guy, you'll find some unique designs that arent available elsewhere. Otherwise, they also supply some great jewellery and fashion accessories, including bags and head wear. Im personally more interested in the bits and pieces you'l find around the store - I've seen everything from fake non disposable coffee cups and homemade cards, to funky kitchen utensils and table decor items. Its worth a look in at the store, and even though its small you dont feel like the sales attendant is eyeing you off the whole time.Its quite comfortable to just browe.And you never know what you could find.

It's not very often you walk into a chain retail store these days where the staff are so…read moreknowledgeable AND super friendly. I'd recently decided to grow up and get myself some good luggage, and as much as I love online shopping, if I was going to drop a grand on a couple of suitcases I wanted to see them in person first and ask a zillion questions, so off to Strandbags I went. Located in the thick of things on the corner of Bourke St Mall & Swanston, ground level has handbags / small backpacks etc, and the basement level is where the travel magic happens. Stocked within an inch of the spaces life, here is where you find enough luggage porn to suit the pickiest of picky travellers, including brands like Samsonite, American Tourister & plenty of cheaper luggage sets for those that don't want to shell out big bucks. You'll also find accessories like travel pillows, power adapters etc I visited a few times to ask questions before making a decision on my purchase, and every visit the staff were friendly and helpful, but not pushy. Fun Fact: never pay full price for Samsonite or American Tourister, keep an eye out for 40% off sales

I had decided that my old backpack was too old, too uncomfortable and that I wanted a new one for…read moremy travels. I also didn't necessarily want to be identified as a backpacker - sometimes it isn't the impression that you want to give. I had seen some backpacks that converted into suitcases. So I went to Strandbags in the Bourke St. Mall to see if I could get something like that. With two floors of bags, handbags, wallets, suitcases and backpacks there was plenty to choose from. It wasn't difficult finding what I was looking for, as there were some on display in the shop window.

Stuff and Nonsense is located on the Ground floor of Melbourne Central, close to the exit leading…read moreto beautiful Menzies Alley. Stuff and Nonsense is a no frills, cheapo store - the type of store that is needed in the city. They stock cheap deco's for Chrissy and other celebrations throughout the year. But for thousands of office and retail workers in the city, I find this place brilliant for tea room supplies (plastic plates and cutlery), toilet paper, and also for cheap gifts and cards for staff parties. And if you're like me and give cheap presents for Xmas etc to people you don't really care about, Stuff and Nonsense is fantastic. Old Hollywood prints like Marilyn Munroe and Elvis, Parisian chest boxes and clocks, all at cheap as chips prices.

Woop. If you wanna find awesome bargains and miscellaneous crap that you probably don't need, look…read moreno further. Hot Bargains is the best spot for all those little accessory items that you need for throwaway events (fancy dress, kids birthdays, Christmas presents, girlfriend's birthday etc). They more than deliver on their hot bargain promise and you won't believe how much crap they've got piled up in there. This is the reason we need a free trade agreement with China. Sure, they'll benefit by getting access to the very fuckin' elements and minerals the miners pull out of the fuckin' ground here, but you, as a proud Australian, will have access to all of the mass produced plastic shit you can ever imagine. Wow. Our politicians are really on to a winner there. Seriously, do not bother with another shop if you wanna go fancy dress. I got a full Mexican gangster outfit (complete with cap gun) for about $8. You can't fuck with those prices... Honcho.

I buy so many things here. Great bargains. Just watch if you get a few items that it is entered…read morecorrectly. I was overcharged from a $2 item put through as a $1 item 22 times. Very hard to reason with staff & the items aren't on the receipt, only amounts. Otherwise awesome.

Looking for gifts for every kind of person in your life (especially yourself)? Then look no further…read more- Five Boroughs seemingly has something for everyone. From jewellery to children's books, to bike friendly backpacks and locally crafted furniture. I'm just a little bit in love with everything here... especially the custom Monsieur Truffe chocolate bars! Milk chocolate with popping candy wrapped in a Emily Green designed wrapper? YES PLEASE!

It's pay day, your best mate's birthday is this weekend and you're feeling particularly generous…read more If you've ticked all these boxes you simply NEED to come to Five Boroughs in East Brunswick. Here you will find all the finer things in life - locally designed jewellery, delightfully smelly soaps, adorable baby booties, Danish-style desks and coffee table books for days - I mean, the list goes on! I popped in to buy a 30th birthday present for my dear friend and instead walked out with a soft leather wallet from Melbourne label Status Anxiety for myself. WHOOPS. SOZZLE! It is simply one of those stores that you will want to buy everything but will become broke in doing so. But hey, if you want to shop hardcore you've got to pay hardcore.

I have to confess, I am in love with Daiso. There is every little knick knack you could possibly…read morewant and then some! Not to mention the whole Japanese inspired theme given it is part of a big Japanese chain. This store is a "$2 shop" lover's dream - keeping in mind everything is $2.80 here. As a bit of a beauty fanatic I was enthralled by the range of face masks, bath products, and false lashes on offer. There is also a wide range of other beauty products but check the product listings carefully (most are in both Japanese and English) - ingredients such as palm and mineral oil are low quality... Then again given that everything is $2.80 one must have realistic expectations! Ladies a nice range of stockings and knee high socks was available when I went in as well as tonnes of great hair clips and other accessories. There's also a heap of great home stuff available too. No one is left out, there is even stuff for pets. :) Grab one of the shopping trolleys when you enter as a hand held basket is simply not enough! As much as I love this place, I am kind of glad there isn't one in my home city as I'd probably be in there daily (and broke as a result!).

Need new bike lights? Daiso has it. Need crockery for new apartment? Daiso will have some. Need a…read morecreepy outfit for your teeny tiny fluffy dog? Guess what, you'll find it at Daiso. Daiso is basically the Ikea of everything you can't find at Ikea. You walk in needing new ice trays and walk out with three bigs full of stuff that you're not event quite sure what it is. Everything is $2.80 (everything) and you'll find stuff you never even knew you needed. I go to buy cute little homewares such as crockery or the aforementioned ice trays, as well as things like silly cards or gift bags. The point is, if it exists, you'll find it at Daiso (for the low low sum of $2.80.)