Three kids in tow, one due at basketball, three gifts required: one for a babysitter's 21st…read morebirthday, one thank you for a teacher, and one to send to my sister. One stop: a pair of diamente bra straps (tick), a scented candle (tick), and a faux animal skin handbag (tick). I am not a huge fan of gift shops - they seem to specialise in selling things you wouldn't want yourself but you could get away with giving to someone else. But I do like this one - whilst its collection is a broad mix, it somehow seems to cover all bases (well, female ones). There is the predictable candles-and-soap range, but also some more off-beat options, and a range of sizes and prices. Easy to get to and easy to park - tops my list of places to tick lots of boxes in one stop.

For those of us who like to find that special fun gift , cheese making kits wow..I have always…read morewanted to make cheese...yes and the stinky kind .. (plus lots of other types) these kits by mad Millie "crafted by you" will bring out the best in you. The ultimate DIY cheese making kits. This delightful shop has something for everyone.

If you're visiting Chatswood Chase, you simply must swing by Aero Plus. It's a beautifully curated…read morestore, filled to the brim with fun designer inventions. It's as if The New Inventors set up shop. Aero Plus is a brilliant place to peruse for gift ideas. You can buy funky enviro bags, cute watches and even cuter kids ware. The lady who runs the store is both delightful and helpful - just like her products.

Tony and Cherie have stuffed this place with so much stuff that you are left to root around on your…read moreown. It's fantastic, a shopaholics delight! From lace tablecloths to picture frames, little nic nacs to cushion covers, you have to spend time looking around, it can't be done if five minutes. They sell a range of good brands: Disney Traditions, Coots, Biddys etc etc. Have a look at their Leaning Tower of Pisa pot and cups or their Eiffel Tower. They have both large and small items, just getting to them is the problem. Lots of fun.

I can never resist a pop in to Ginger Flower…read more A cacophony of colours, textures and fragrance, this boutique gift shop has every inch covered with things to read, touch, smell, wear and write in. Ginger Flower has a distinctively bohemian feel, stocking brands like Ecoya, Voluspa, Nesti Dante Soaps, MOR and Cards by Lulu. I recently bought a very cute 'Flat Out Bear' ($55) as a gift for my 3YO niece which she absolutely loved. There is almost always something in this shop you would like to give... to yourself if not to the person you are shopping for!

After a last-minute birthday/baby shower/engagement/Christmas gift and no idea where to look?…read moreGinger Flower in Kirribilli is likely to have a solution for you. This charming little gift shop is a magnet even for unintentional shoppers, tempting passers by inside with their beautifully curated window displays. Once inside, marvel at the bounty of trinkets, stationary and beauty products covering each and every inch of the tiny space. Choose from candles by Voluspa and Ecoya (theirs are portable and made from soy), smells-good-enough-to-eat body lotions and scrubs from MOR, leather bound journals, coffee table books, silk scarves and even Moroccan-inspired leather ottomans for those in search of something larger. They've got a good selection of cards, too, so it's pretty much a one-stop shop. Upon purchase, you can opt to give a gold coin donation in exchange for their gift wrapping service - your pressie will be completed with colourful tissue paper and a cord ribbon. Best of all, the money is given to the Kids For Life charity, which assists ill and under privileged children in Australia.

This shop has to be one of the funnest I've been to. Ever…read more Popshop's entire purpose is to sell fun things. Things that are fun and funny and make us laugh. Whilst some of them may hint at practical purposes (like spaceship shaped ice trays), mainly they're just there to be fun. And fun they are. There is moustache themed paraphernalia aplenty at Popshop, with fingerstache tattoos, moustache chocolate lollypops, moustache straws and fuzzy stick on 'staches. A few of the other items that stood out on my last trip to Popshop included bobbly-head flamingoes, witty flipbooks, bacon flavoured toothpaste and many other things designed to lift the corners of your mouth, such as an audible fart book. I made the mistake of testing one of the buttons of said book, which was followed by an extremely awkward 10 seconds in which the book blurted out an extended and, might I say, varied fart. I then attempted to put as much distance as possible between me and the farting book (not an easy task in this tiny shop) whilst fellow shoppers avoided my eye contact. As I left the store, the man working in the shop picked up a handful of stock, setting off a chorus of squeaking rubber chickens and decapitated limbs. The man smiled to himself and I smiled too, knowing for certain that he had the best job in the world. Ever.

Popshop: my go-to store for quirky, fun gifts both for myself and others…read more They've got an array of knick knacks from heart shaped individual sized pans to make pretty pancakes and eggs, to moustache everything to dinosaur bubble guns, books that will make your eye pop out of your head from the high level of amusement, cards for every occasion and much more. My inner kid always comes out a bit more after a visit to this shop!

This independently owned gift store is worth a look for buying gift for him or her. I was intrigued…read moreby the tasteful battery powered, flameless candles made from real wax (set of three for $70). They have quite a bit of jewellery, a lot of which were pieces I'd not seen before. So many boutique gift shops stock the same ranges - I guess because they sell. But it's nice to come across a store that takes the risk of stocking something unique - it makes me go back for original gifts. There are also eco shopping bags, hand made woven bags, scarves, beautiful kaftans, bright kitchen wares, vases, journals and retro cards. For him there are funky cuff links and a pretend pencil size match to select phone or IPad applications. Friendly staff.

Rapture Living is one of those stores you shouldn't visit if you're feeling weak-willed. The…read moregorgeous array of accessories, homewares and keepsakes are just too tempting for words. Just this week I ventured in - fortunately with a mind to buy a birthday gift - and within 30 seconds I had found the perfect present. Of course I then spent the next 10 minutes wandering around trying to justifying buying the rest of the store for myself! Luckily the lovely lady in the store offered to giftwrap my pressie, which provided enough of a distraction to keep me away from buying up all the jewellery!

I walked in and Bon Iver was playing, clearly my shopping spree was meant to be…read more Paddington feels like a Parisienne arrondissement, and The Vignette Room would fit right into Montmartre. A curated shop of bespoke homewares, scented candles, pillows, throws, kitchen accessories, and bar knick knacks. I was sort of in a daze (I had been to Bon Iver's concert the night before) and my aimless wandering led me to discover they had Kip & Co linen sheets! A brand I had been trying to get my mittens on for a while, winter was coming** - so I bought a beautiful crushed blue quilt cover to cocoon myself in bed. The lady working was so lovely and helpful, and we had a rather loud squealing moment when we realised we had BOTH BEEN TO THE SAME CONCERT. I did skip out of the shop, but not sadly into the arms of Justin Vernon because... well, he probably doesn't shop for homewares. ** If you get the pun, we are truly meant to be friends.

Not your average, cookie cutter homeware/interiors store. This gorgeous terrace in Paddington is…read morefull to over flowing with eccentric, unique, bespoke pieces of homeware, pillows, candles, brassware .... man it's full of very interesting, collectable stuff, and the service is first class.

I have an appreciation for the power of blooms that can evoke atmosphere, change moods, inspire…read morememories and lift spirits. Ms Lily is charming and attractive in its cosy abode and Sally is very talented with bringing her artistic creations to life. Contemporary blooms share display with Sniff Soya candles and today I purchase my favourite blooms at the moment which is purple anemones. I also decide a gift for a special family friend is required and I decide on the Sunday Wash Lime. Poppies are mixed with orchid in a clash of colour and striking yellow waratahs' sit in single stalks. There is no doubt Sally has no limit on creativity and she's worthy of the praise I have heard from many of her customers.