There's not nearly enough gorgeous boutiques named after Ancient Roman Orators…read more Sigh. My favorite boutique ever. I have expensive taste, and not the budget to match it. But with frequent sales and very often a sale rack, I've bought the odd drop dead stunning designer concoction here. There's a red dressing-table like long couch for your shopping companions to sit upon while giving the requisite thumbs-up or -down response as you parade something you never want to take off. Staff are fantastic, one went to a great deal of trouble once to try and source me a replacement for a red winter coat after an accident with City Rail, rain, no signage and floor paint. Don't ask. They stock Lazybones (great cotton vintage inspired Australian designs) although the staffer the other day tells me they're getting harder to source, Katherine and Odd Molly. Amongst others. A few groovy shoes and handbags too. Desperately want an Odd Molly piece with not-really-making-sense writing all over it and Scandinavian embroidery. Sigh, one day.

Somewhat slipped into a decline, has Circus. Still has the best changerooms ever (and for anyone…read morewho's wrestled curtains that don't cover the entire doorway, lack of mirrors and uplighting will know how important that is). Think Venetian glass mirrors, posh armchairs and lush patchworked curtains. 'Free gift with any Metalicus purchase over $250!' the sign screamed in the window. Oh dear, I know times are hard. And yes, free gifts are always good. And yet, this boutique is not looking in its prime. The lovely cream coloured floorboards still feel kind of shabby cool, the pinks of the decorations not too, well, pink. But something's missing. Where you used to be able to walk in and find a range of interesting women's clothing suitable for a range of ages and styles, most of what they had in the other day seemed geared to the middle-aged 'I've given up and retreated into violent florals' crowd. Which wasn't Leura, I would have thought. Even some ridiculous feathery hats suitable for drunken matrons at the races. I'm sad, this used to be a favourite place to browse, and I've bought some great stuff here in the past including a recycled material totebag with cowgirl/dominatrix overtones. Bring that vibe back, please!

Every year I order PJ's for my wife for Christmas. Each time I purchase from a different vendor,…read morejust to mix things up and see if there's a particular brand she likes or the customer service is better or maybe there's a hidden gem out there. So far, they've all been mostly the same and the PJ's tend to be about the same in terms of comfort, fit, style, etc., which is to say they've been good overall. This year I chose Papinelle after doing some research and comparing. I figured if they didn't hold up or the service was lousy, I would just shop elsewhere going forward. The prices are a bit on the high side, but the styles are nice and the silk blend is supposed to be very soft and comfortable. I ordered the long pants and top, but was a bit surprised on Christmas morning when my wife revealed they had sent shorts instead, which isn't very cozy when the temps drop down sufficient to light a fire in the fireplace and/or the heater comes on. So why the five stars? Well, it's because of how they handled the situation, how the PJ's fit and feel and look, and the overall experience. I reached out to Papinelle a few days later and they quickly got back to me with apologies and a plan to remedy the situation. They turned around an order to us within a day and sent the tracking number. They said we could just hang on to the shorts set and were further surprised to receive not only the pants, but also a second top. That was a really nice touch for sure! These are somewhat pricey PJ's, but this kind of service is part of why you pay the extra money. Things happen and you have to move forward, but it's how a business handles these issues that really defines their character and diligence. Top that off with a great looking and great fitting set of PJ's, and you have a winning combination! For the first time, I'm planning to return back to Papinelle next year to pick up another set.

I am ontologically disturbed by this store…read more Newly opened in the wake of the crime-against-Leura Woolworths incursion, this cavernous shop is the second for this Australian designed label after their 'flagship' in Paddington. That should give you some idea of the prices. I go to a great deal of effort never set foot in Paddington if I can help it, so walking down The Mall the other day, this came as a surprise. Large store. Few Items. Very Pink. Very Florals. Very Pink Floral Knickers. Not My Thing. Ok, but wait. Matching Very Pink Floral Knickers For Babies. Hang on. 1. A baby is not a matching accessory. 2. If baby and mother's underwear is the same, is that reducing the woman to status of child, or child creepily to adult? Not actually the same, I hesitate to point out. Look, it's very pretty. The lady seems very nice. They'll make a killing in Leura. And I have a tendency to overanalyse, it has been said. Just a bit creeped out by the whole matchy-matchy thing.

I hate shoes. Blessed with feet designed for sitting and not actually anything ambulatory, finding…read moreshoes that fit is a nightmare. I wandered up the stairs with a friend here to lend shoe shopping moral support. The ceiling slopes in, and you do feel like you're in an attic. Displays of (mostly expensive) shoes, handbags, scarves, hosiery etc. I barely even looked as a sale table boasting $350 'sale' shoes was a little out of my budget. My friend, bless her, picked up a shoe, found it a bargain, and asked to try it on. Nice staffer found the other for her, and she put it on, it fit, purchase finalised. No-one noticed me going blue in the face having a jealous fit in the corner, gobsmacked that anyone can just buy shoes like that. I'm off to try on 65 pairs, none of which fit. Again.

I LOVE shoes in the attic. True - they aren't cheap - but YEARS later, anything I buy there still…read morelooks terrific. And they DON'T stock shoes made in China - shoes that would not past tests for either longevity or stylishness. I love the bargain shelf - you wind up buying shoes that you don't need, but how can you resist - and years later, you are glad you didn't.

This location's gone through a few incarnations in recent years, I hope this one's here to stay…read more Was met by a lovely smile as I went in and browsed through the range of well-designed, terribly wearable clothes from labels like Vigorella and Mesop. A lot of the clothes were lovely cotton, and all of the type where you want to look stylish but feel like you're wearing your pj's all day. All good. Constrictive fashion's for the very young who don't yet know better. There's a bunch of cute jewellery too, some handbags and accessories. Prices aren't as expensive as I've seen some places sell these brands at, and service was great. Comfort's the new black, I say.

I can't find enough nice things to say about this shop. I was met by a genuinely helpful and…read morefriendly staffer, who helped me out with some items that were truly lovely. I am particularly happy with the two items I bought, both at more than reasonable prices, and would definitely shop there again!

What a delightful exxperience visiting this shop. The fragrances and other products are lovely and…read morethe service is fabulous. The owner takes justifiable pride in the quality of everything on offer! Have been there on many occasions and always look forward to my next visit.

I am trying very hard to resist the temptation to say 'Ooh la la!' Trying…read more Newly opened, this little store stocks items which are all imported from France. Having a desperate longing to visit Paris, I was hoping to be able to indulge some wandering down cobblestoned streets by the site of a few beheadings before having my 6th cognac for the morning fantasies. There's chandeliers, a gold clawfoot tub, and the nice lady working there was as French as you can get, but if this shop was the trade office for the nation of France, you'd think the entire economy rested largely on soap sales. I've never seen so much French soap in one spot. You can choose between brands of French soaps, including a terribly pricey range that claim to be 'dried by the winds of the mistral' and stamped with an 100 year old stamp. In Provence. Better be, for $14.95 a pop. The staffer was lovely, and the soaps and gifty things nice enough, but I suspect France has considerably more to offer than this. Anyone want to sponsor to send me and find out? I'm taking donations...

Great jewellery, great service, great music…read more Yep, had a lovely silver tribal ring browse the other day and the Be Good Tanyas came on. Never met anyone who's even heard of them. "Great cd!" I said "Yeah, there's only so much Norah Jones you can cope with", the terribly nice staffer drawled. Preaching to the choir, my dear. Cue lovely conversation over jewellery and gorgeous red leather handbags about the visual, if not aural appeal of Lady Gaga compared to the complete lack of appeal for Katy Perry whatsoever. Although the wearing of meat should be sternly discouraged. Still, our shared music tastes ran to the more obscure, individual artistes, which seemed to fit the vibe of the shop perfectly. Local and international jewellery designers, for those with a sense of individual taste. If Goldmark is the Katy Perry of the jewellery world, Devine Dezine is the alt-country, all female band that only people in the know have heard of. I'm even willing to forgive them the eye-twitch inducing misspelling.

From the owner: Unique Contemporary Jewelleryread more

Tiny, but full of bursting bright colour. Currently, they've got a display of vibrant parasols in…read morethe window and hanging from the ceiling. Maharani sells women's clothing, mostly with an eco bent and often by Australian designers. Have my eye on this fab grey pinstripe skirt reminiscent of a bustle at the moment. Lots of jewellery too, some of the tribal kind (love it), as well as a smattering of accessories and gifts. A friend bought a great brown leather messenger bag (Billy Goat designs) from here, and I rarely see them apart. They have that great leather smell as well, so, on second thoughts, not the best place to bring a vegan. I haven't had much luck trying on the super-uncomfortable felt clog shoe things. Eek. But their range of clothing is great and not super pricey, the staff nice. It's obviously aimed at a slightly younger market (ie: under 50) than some of the other boutiques in Leura. Bustle skirt or fab chartreuse green stripy one?