I remember this store from when it was located in the Wintergarden, and then it just disappeared!…read moreBut recently while I was roaming around the Emporium in the Valley it popped up out of thin air. I was so glad to see that this shop had just relocated and hadn't closed for good, because I've purchased many a gift from Essensuals and it's always been perfect for those people who are difficult to buy for. I must say though, I much prefer the old store to the new one. I'm not sure if it has changed hands or they just decided to change it up a little bit, but it was a little disappointing. The new store seems to have stock piled up everywhere, like a teetering tower of doom that could crush the shopper below at any second. It also seems like they don't have as much stock as before, which is unfortunate because you could find things for both men and women in the old store, whereas the new one appears to be very female oriented. Despite the disappointment that Essensuals has changed quite a bit, it's still full of pretty things like crystal wine glasses, decorative trunks and vintage perfume bottles. It's worth a look if you're not quite sure what you're looking for, but certainly isn't as impressive as it used to be.

Need to find a gift for that person who literally has everything? Or in desperate need of a mask…read morefor a masquerade party? Then Essensuals has got you covered. This place is piled high with unique gifts, home decorations and of course, ceramic masks (yes, never fear, those tacky plastic masks covered in sequins and feathers do not have a home here). There's a seemingly large emphasis on Parisian prints and artefacts as well as London-esque decorations and canvas prints depicting rainy days in New York City. So definitely a perfect gift idea for those jet-setters or dreamers who long after a city-change. So when you're next in Emporium, keep an eye out for a large, hollow dog - it stands guard outside the shop.

This is one of the most beautiful homeware stores I've ever stepped foot in. It is huge and packed…read morefrom floor to ceiling with products. There's clothing, jewellery, elegant stuff for the bathroom, pretty cushions, bags, candles, clocks, vases - the range is immense. The layout of the store is great, with one large room on the ground floor. Up some stairs and you reach a balcony housing a thousand different temptations for your nose, as candles and the many other modern inventions for making you want to eat air huddle along shelves. Once you drag your nostrils away from this section you find yourself facing a long corridor lined with towering shelves holding soap dispensers, towels and much more. Along here a way and you'll come to a tiny room full of cushions in every colour of the soft, cuddly rainbow. It was a lovely place to explore - if you have Houdini-like children I probably wouldn't bring them here.

This is kinda like a "general store" of fabulousness…read more Want a cute Xmas card with a cute tin star on the front? Or perhaps a sweet dress from Fleur Wood? How about a bathrobe so soft you feel like you're enveloped in a cloud when you try it on? Or Xmas decorations, homewares, handbags, toys? I could have pottered around Olive for hours - it's quite literally crammed to the rafters with bits'n'bobs. Not all of them cheap, but if you're a fan of poking around, so to speak, you'll love it here. As is so often the case with me, I spied with my little eye, something beginning with S (for sparkly) so I spent an age at the jewellery counter, trying on all sorts of bling. I was particularly liking the Kardashian range of jewellery which is actually super cool (who knew?) and the shop assistant told me that I probably like it because it's apparently designed by the same people who do Nicole Richie's jewellery line, House of Harlow 1960 (which, in fact, Olive sells too). I reckon there's a little bit of everything to keep most people happy in here.

Whenever I am unsure of exactly what to get someone for a present (whether it is a housewarming,…read morebirthday, or Christmas) I tend to venture into homewares and gifts shops. You know, the type that a full of little nick knacks for around the home, sculptures, cushions, scarfs, lamps, ornate boxes, rugs and a lot of pretty but useless decorations. Nest Homewares and Gifts is one of these stores. Rather a small shop, it is chockablock full of stuff to look at and riffle through. They had a great selection of classy looking gift cards out the front as well as some welcome mats when I walked past the other day. Unlike most homewares shops, Nest also has a small range of clothing and scarfs available. Check them out if, like me, you are desperate for some gift ideas.

If I had to describe Nest in one word it would be 'elegant'. Everything sold in this store looks…read morelike it would be something you would fine in the home of an elegant 'lady who lunches ". This makes total sense as their are many of these ladies roaming around Kenmore. To be perfectly honest, this store is nothing unique; it sells pretty decorations, hand-bags, jewellery, and all sort of things that not one really needs, but I can't help but love walking into the store an imagining what my life would be like if I had money to burn. The store is nice and clean, modern and is very well organised. It even smells good too. If you are an elegant lady living around Kenmore, you might want to check this store out if you have not already. This store is also perfect if you are looking to buy a present an elegant lady in your life.

I've been to a lot of home and living shops in my time, and this one is a stand out. Why? Because…read moreit's interior is unlike all the others; it's laid out just like a house...well a very strange house at that. I mean, who has a bed in the middle of their lounge room? Anyway, oddly positioned bed aside, the place itself is beautifully fitted out with a simple beige colour scheme. There's an emphasis on furniture; wooden stools, wicker chairs, wooden benches and drawers as well as the usual suspects; candles, cushions, lamps, cutlery and ceramic crockery. Just be prepared to part with a fair bit of dosh - prices are a little on the high side.

I find Paddington to be a bit like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates when it comes to shops; you…read morenever know what you're going to get. Some places are full of gorgeous things that don't make my eyes widen at the extraordinary prices, while others are also full of gorgeous things, but with terrifying price tags. Both of these options are scattered throughout the suburb, so when you walk into a little boutique, it's always a bit of a gamble. Looking at Villa & Home from the outside it seems a fairly safe bet that this place falls into the latter category. It has to be the smallest homewares store I've ever seen. At first I thought it was quite narrow, but that it extended a fair way into the building. It turned out there's a mirror on the back wall, so the shop is not as big as I was first optically tricked into believing - an ominous sign that it was going to be pretty pricey. My theory was proven correct; they had umbrellas in there for over $200. Obviously what they sell is high quality, designer stuff, but it didn't look too exciting to me. And in stereotypical hoity-toity fashion, the majority of their products were beige or cream coloured. If you're willing to spend hundreds of dollars to look stylish as you hurry about in the rain, go for it.

It had been quite a while between visits to Jamieson's and it showed. They've extended the showroom…read moreand now have an extra space to show not only their mad styling skills but their range of beautiful linen bed covers, furniture and prints. The effort put in to style and carefully select the products sold in Jamieson's is evident. It's a place to invest in a lifestyle - from the clothes you wear, the bag you carry and the linen you lay your head on each night. Every piece compliments it's shelf mate and their collections would suit anyone from the Bohemian Chic lover in your life to the Hampton's fan wanting a pop of colour in their cushion collection. Similarly, whether you're looking to spend a little or a lot - there's pieces to match most budgets. That said, this isn't a $20 for a throw rug kind of store. Purchases made here are less of the impulse kind and more of the deliberate and considered for a while kind. Still - it's worth the stroll through for inspiration and to find something worth saving your pennies for!

I love all of the pieces in this adorable little shop however, after just experiencing the owner I…read moream not so pleased any longer (the other staff are fantastic though). I went to return a necklace that I was not happy with and she gave me attitude and said 'I am not happy to give you a refund for the necklace because I don't see anything wrong with it so I will give you a store credit'. Don't get me wrong, that is absolutely fine, I would have preferred a refund but it's ok, BUT I definitely did not need the attitude. I approached her with a smile and a friendly 'hi I just want to return this necklace the clasp keeps opening'. Conveniently when the owner tried opening it herself she really struggled, but the bottom line is, hey your customer isn't happy, so lets keep the peace and keep her coming back by just giving her a friendly transaction of a store credit. I feel as though because I was a lot younger than her she just walked all over me. There was just no need for it. I am so disappointed, I understand her frustration because she obviously thought I was making it up that the clasp was faulty but there is not need to make a fuss. So, from a younger person who has spent years in retail and customer service, to an older more mature woman. Be kind to your customers, because bad feedback travels a lot further than positive :-)

Loot has to be one of my favourite homeware stores. It has an exotic feel, with imported and local…read moreproducts and is a bit artsy with really unique prints, canvases and greeting cards. They have some beautiful decorations for every room in your house like clocks, candles, ornaments and paintings, plus a great range of gifts for different occasions. There are colours and different scents and textures when you walk in and I never know quite where to start or what to look at first. Fortunately, whoever designed the store obviously planned for this because without realising it, there is a very obviously laid out pathway around the store to follow as you look from one display to the next. There are a few different styles, many of them Asian or Indonesian influenced and a light beach or summer feel.

Outstanding!!! I…read morerecently constructed my new home and luckily during the initial design and concept phase, I was more than fortunate to avail myself of the wonderfully talented services of the lovely Raquel from My Style Interiors. I must admit prior to the original consultation I was a little unsure and hesitant about the whole process, but almost instantly Raquel put me at ease with her vibrant and warm personality and obvious love and passion for design and her impressive attention to detail quickly instilled in me a great confidence that I had indeed made the right decision to have an specialist guide me through the whole design process. She listened intently to my ideas and proposed themes whilst providing amazing suggestions and alternate themes and painted so many beautiful pictures and inspired ideas in my imagination! At our subsequent consultation Raquel had produced some wonderful themes and styles with regards to colours, furnishings, materials, cabinetry and lighting ideas that perfectly captured what we discussed in our original meeting whilst also ensuring it was within my proposed budgetary requirements. Now, seeing my delightful home finished and witnessing the whole planned concept come to fruition so stylishly and beautifully, I couldn't be happier. Thank you so very much Raquel. I could never have imagined living within such a more gorgeous environment. I cannot recommend My Style Interiors enough...do yourself a favour, you deserve it!

From the owner: - Colour consultations - Interior Decorator Service…read more- Home Staging - In House Consultations - Showroom Appointments - Specification selections and design - Display home styling - Shop fit-out/Layout - Electrical plan selections - Alterations, Additions and small renovations with design selections when required - Flooring, Lighting, Painting, Wallpaper application and selection

Next time I visit MOZI I'm leaving my coins and cards at home. Yes, it's just that gosh darn…read moretempting to buy everything in this store. I remember when MOZI launched and was such a small collection of knick knacks for the kitchen. And now look at this little Aussie brand that could! Measuring spoons, plastic bag holders (yes, they're a thing!), bowls, tea towels, plates, dog leads, napkins, and even candles are all neatly displayed in their "print story" categories making a visit to MOZI on trendy James Street an organised mind's dream. Everything is in its place and it makes it that much easier to find what you're looking for. It's fun without being frivolous and twee without being saccharine. If you're looking for a quirky and unique gift for a loved one getting married, moving into a new house, having a baby, birthday, engagement, just because...you get the point...MOZI should most certainly be on your list. The prices are what I personally would consider reasonable with most items being under $40. PS: If someone gifts me the sequined fox tote, I might just have kittens.

Spotlight is a haberdashery haven for anyone who loves sewing, quilting, knitting, scrapbooking,…read morecrafting, costume and jewellery making, crocheting and pretty much anything else you can think of. Their stores are so wildly popular amongst crafty types because they are undoubtedly one of the cheapest places to get everything you need for your next project. The one downside I find to Spotlight is that while they have plenty of cheap basic fabrics, they're mostly just that-cheap. A lot of the better quality fabrics I come in looking for I end up going to Lincraft or Gardam's for. I still love their sales though, when you can get half-price EVERYTHING, including dress patterns, fabric, sheets, rugs-just everything. Sign up for a members card and you will get notifications of all their sales and extra discounts, sometimes even gift vouchers, just for writing down your email address.

Wedding - Bonboniere Parcels Birthdays - Cake tins, lollipop…read moresticks, foils for the platform, lollypop molds, cooking chocolate in pink Parties - Hats, streamers, bubbles for the kids, plastic flowers and table decorations, balloons. Spotlight has it all. I know, i've done all of the above. Gotten engaged, married and celebrated 3 almost 4 next week kids parties. I've baked the cakes for them too and the cake pops. I've done it all. These guys have a pretty extensive scrapbooking section with the connectors, the extra pages, the cutters, the glue and whatnot. They also have a pretty good range of garment supplies for your sewing pleasures. I got some stuffing here and made a stuffed monkey for my kids with some cute material offcuts you can buy here too. Paints - where do I start? Acryllic, oil, water. Palettes, canvasses you name it, they have it. They have brushes and artist tools, and screws and glues and pencils (2b, 3b, 4b...) it's a pretty good range. You can usually find what you need most times. It's one of those hodge podge of many things artsy places and it's also quite big, and the ladies here are super helpful. I've been getting crafty ideas and plastic jugs here for many years and I don't think i'll be stopping anytime soon. Bonus - Craft workshops for the community.