Think young trendy underground, trying hard to not be trying hard; sort of hip, but a bit too…read moremawkish to actually be hip and you'll start to understand the Format Collective crowd - they don't care what you think mostly. They are a mixed group and none of them are particularly concerned about being real cool, they just want to explore their particular bent be it music, computers, film making, video art, painting, cartooning or social speaking, and to get on with things like drinking alcohol and fornicating with their chosen partner. They are young, but older than their years and they are absurdly un-trendy for that is their main aim I think, to be but not to be. If you consider underground publications photocopied and stapled together interesting artifacts then you will love Format. If you like post punk and alternative rock you will enjoy Format. If your idea of a big night is moshing on a small dance floor to a Melbourne underground band who are releasing an limited edition EP you have hit the jackpot here. They are a combination art gallery space, band gigging venue and computer geek experimental group with free internet that is a bit intermittent but it's the thought that counts. They have had poetry readings, zine workshops, talk festivals where they discuss how young and different they are (while they still are young and different in some cases, and while they are no longer either in others but remain in denial about that). They may have an obscure band in one night and a gallery opening the next night attracting many local geeks and inked freaks all in it for the cheap unpretentiously chilled out good time. To an outsider, a newbie to their group it may seem like they are nothing but a gaggle of masturbators, and that would make some of them laugh out loud while others of their number would cross the road and never speak to you or of you again, preferring to pretend that you do not exist. I personally enjoy my Format adventures and go along whenever I can. I think the group who run it are a little odd, but I'm sure they couldn't care less, and they may well think the same of me - whatever any of us think we always enjoy a good peaceful time in a largish group with no violence or actual vomiting, that's got to be good!

The Format Collective are a group based on Peel Street in the city who run the Format Festival,…read moreStreet Dreams art, the zine shop, and a variety of art exhibitions, live music, and community and art based events. The Format Festival, which was a surprise success and is what they're most well most known for, is on every year in February and gets all the DIY kids riled up. The zine and DIY fair is hugely popular, and what a great opportunity to pick up strange little publications you'd never normally read. Over the last two I've noticed the number of cat based zines to normal zines ratio is about two to one, and I personally hope that trend continues. The great thing about Format events is they're come one come all, you can rock up without having any sort of connection to this crew, and have a great time and always guaranteed see and learn something new. I for one am very excited to see what they come up with in 2012.

Upstairs on level 1 of the Institute Building on North Terrace you will find the headquarters of…read morethe Royal South Australian Society of the Arts (RSASA), a not for profit organisation responsible for promoting the arts in SA. A little bit stodgy and conservative, as one may expect from any society with Royal in the title, the RSASA does some good work in sponsoring a number of sketch and life drawing groups around SA and has regular exhibitions of members work. The RSASA seems to have lost touch a bit with the contemporary art world, with the majority of its big name members long dead or ageing. And while there are a few up and comers amongst its ranks, it seems that some drastic changes may be required in order to ensure the survival of the society. The gallery itself is quite appealing in atelier style, with a high domed ceiling, skylights and red trimmed walls. The work on show is generally along the traditional figurative line, although an abundance of overly photographic work in recent exhibitions seems a deviation in this trend.

Camera House have very good help behind the counter; if there's one thing I have never been able to…read morestand it is the know-it-all camera sales person who treats his/her customer as though they are a fool and can be sold any old piece of equipment because the sales person feels they need to sell it, not because the customer is asking for it. Never had this problem at Camera House. They have a few stores in the city but this is the original and the best. The others have sprung up by necessity in terms of processing hubs (Central Markets and City Cross Arcade) but this is where the bulk of the main stock is kept and sold. The processing side of the business has more or less become a DIY customer interactive experience - so rather than have that in the main store, it is out among the people in places with heavy foot traffic and easy spots to go have a snack or coffee while your processing happens within an hour. You can get good advice here in Grenfell Street main store and you can look at a range of lenses, telescopes and other items, not just cameras. These days are the last days of old school cameras so you may want to get one before they stop making them all together. This is one place you can do just that.

I've been in here with my dad, who is a keen photographer, on a few occasions. Every time I am…read morewowed by their knowledge and ability to help and offer advice. That's the difference between this store and others. The staff know their stuff. If I was ever going to buy a camera for myself or someone, I'd head here because I wouldn't have the first clue where to start. I agree with Dave that the staff manage to be helpful without sounding like know-it-alls.

Sold me a One Piece OP-15 Japanese booster box that was stripped of all the hits. As in not unlucky…read morebut literally had 0 hits at all including the guaranteed 2 super rares and a DON! card. The reply from then was a google generated ai response that said secret rares and alt arts aren't guaranteed which is obvious. I got NO hits. When purchasing they take a unsealed box from the back of the store but being a bigger business which I've purchased from before I thought would be safe. Boy was I wrong and the response from the store was I was just "unlucky" but accepted no fault and didn't actually answer why it was stripped of all hits. No offer of a full refund or exchange of my product. Really poor from Shin tokyo and I won't be spending my money there anymore. Should have taken responsibility- refunded and kept a customer spending thousands. Now you've given yourself a bad name to me and those that ask my opinion of your store. I will add staff have always been friendly so no shade to them. can't recommend Shin Tokyo anymore.

I'd just like to say thank you, Shin Tokyo…read more Finally, a sanctuary for anime and manga geeks! I'm not ashamed to say that I'm hugely into manga and Japanimation, and I for one am glad that we no longer have to scour the internet (legally and illegally) to get our comic book fix. Reading comics on a computer screen really sucks, and thankfully lovers of graphic novels no longer have to resort to this desperation. Shin Tokyo has a HUGE range of Japanese graphic novels, collectibles, video games and cosplay outfits catering to many genres. They have everything from the classics like Akira to recent groundbreakers like Death Note. If owning the books or the movies just simply don't cut it, and you need to express your fandom on a whole new level, then this shop is the place to go to get models to line your shelves and cosplay outfits to earn you some bragging rights. Chances are if you're looking for it, they'll have it. Of course, as much of their stock is imported, shopping at Shin Tokyo can get a little pricey. But with any book or DVD, there are going to be a number of different editions. Sometimes different editions will have different translations and extras; and if you're anything like me, getting the right edition can be a real pain in the ass on the internet. Being able to browse the books and movies, and knowing exactly what you're getting, is a huge bonus.

So, it is your mate's birthday and you have been super busy and forgot to get a gift. She calls you…read moreto catch up for a coffee and it hits you. You have to get a gift in an hour. Oh no! Worst friend ever! This is where stores like Three Birds come in handy. Three Birds have a great selection of gifts that are unique. They offer items like hand made children's toys, jewellery, awesome smelling candles, designer bags, funky furniture, skin products and light fittings. The collection is quite varied, so I have always found something that suit most people. Even for men! I should also mention that the stock is high quality and some items are designer. So that does impact on the price. But, you will find that the items are all really funky and you will be spoilt for choice. It is really hard to find items like these at other stores. The staff are super friendly and helpful. They will gift wrap an item for you if you need at no extra cost. On more than one occasion they have helped me pick gifts (which I sometimes struggle with). So if you are in Stirling or from the Hills and need something cool for your house or a gift; this store is worth checking out! You never know, you might also find something to spoil yourself.

Another pointless gift store in Stirling., this is where Ed Harrys used to be, do you know how…read moreupset my partner was when I told him that Ed Harry is gone? Filled with candles and photo frames and cushions and tea sets and lamp shades and coasters. It's one of those stores where you buy for someone else because you yourself wouldn't actually display much of any of the products in your house. Again, it's pricey, it's Stirling so no surprises there. Before Christmas I saw this horrible wreath made from all this little coloured felt balls, it was horrible ugly I daresay it never sold. The shop window actually makes me want to go into the store even less but I think Three Birds is handy when you forgot to buy a present for your aunties birthday and you need something quick smart.

For the hard to buy for friend, family or colleague Raw Space is your answer…read more Fancy a spaceship shaped ice cube? An avid fellow owl collector? Need a card that says everything you're not trying to say but is hell funny? Fancy some funky shaped 1m sized clocks for your home? Seriously, everything and anything quirky is in this store and it can easily consume a good hour of your time. While I am not a huge fan of some of their pricing on things, Raw Space can get away with it because they stock chique quirky (ie. not tacky unique or "novelty" reject shop style) wares. This place is perfect for birthday presents, Christmas presents, hey you have everything and I have no idea what to give you presents and self-gifts! Go in, but be warned you will end up wanting a whole heap of not very useful but amazeballs stuff because of it's "cool factor."

Trendy novelty shop located in the Gawler Arcade, one building East of the Myer Center. A 'go to'…read moreplace for gifts, especially of the last minute variety... there is something for nearly everyone in here! Owner, Naomi Travers has done a wonderful job of filling the shop with lots of nick nacks and things that make you go "ahhhh" and "ohhhh cool!" Raw Space is slightly feminine. Outstanding selection of funny and uncommon greeting cards. A tad pricey, but not unfairly so. There are some homeware items for a couple of hundred bucks, but I'd say the majority of items are priced under $50 with plenty of selection for under $30. The staff is fine and professional, but I've never received '5 star' service. There's been a few things that have irked me over the years, but nothing I could mention without sounding too anal.

There are two types of bookstores. Firsthand and secondhand…read more This is the latter. There are two types of secondhand bookstores. Dirt cheap and kinda cheap. This is the latter. There are two types of kinda cheap secondhand bookstores. Sucky ones and nice ones. This is the latter. Why is this a nice, kinda cheap secondhand bookstore? Because, for the most part, I'm not reluctant to put out a few extra dollars for some dusty, cobweb-ridden tomes.

This bookstore is absolutely divine! I love walking in and being able to see a vast variety of…read morecollectable hard cover novels, classics, children's favourites and to be able to smell that delicious smell of old books (I'm not weird, I swear!). This is a second hand bookshop and considering the quality of the books it's quite inexpensive. Most books start at around $10 (give or take). Now if you're like me and you regularly visit OP shops and second hand bookstores then you know that it's rare to buy a book over $5, in fact it's rare to even pay $5 for a book. If you're in the market for something that cheap then I wouldn't suggest visiting this cottage because once you walk in you'll fall in love and will find that it's incredibly easy to rack up a hefty bill. That being said, you really should go! Hard covers and classic favourites are so much better than paperbacks and brand new books. Give me old and vintage any day please! It's also a great bookshop to find rare copies of your favourites that you haven't been able to track down. These books will still be cheaper than going to your local bookshop and I assure you that they will be prettier than the books you already own.

Lemon Poppy is an adorable little gift shop on Unley Road just up from the Cremorne Hotel…read more If you're looking for the perfect gift for a friend or for just the right piece to finish off that room in your own home then look no further than Lemon Poppy. Having recently undergone a name change and look, this shop stocks pieces that suit shabby chic décor as well as those that work in a more traditional room. They have everything from candles to outdoor settings and trinkets galore. Whether it's a tea towel or a new piece of furniture, when it comes to homewares, make sure you head under the vines on Unley Road and see the girls at Lemon Poppy. You won't regret it.

These are the type of stores I love when I need to find a pressie for a house warming, or a present…read morefor someone I don't know too well. I get plenty of ideas in here. As Kristy said, it's a nice little gift shop that sells anything from furniture and home wares, to little ornaments. The staff are lovely here, which makes it an even better experience to go in and browse through their offerings.