Wandering around Cowling and Wilcox makes me long to be an arty type, someone with some real…read morecreativity that could put all these chalks and canvases to goo use. Unfortunately I never got much further than the Blue Peter school of glitter glue so a lot of the stock in this shop goes a bit over my head. Sticking to what I can understand, Cowling and Wilcox has a really nice card and gift selection with a bit more personality than anything you'll find in Clinton's. The writing sets are particularly stylish although they can be quite expensive. Similarly, they have a great selection of Moleskin diaries and books but these can cost anything upwards of £15. On the other hand they have a great selection of arty presents for kids which all seem very reasonably priced and a lot of fun too for that matter! I defy anyone to be too old for face-paints. Cowling and Wilcox is a lovely shop which is well worth a look around if you're in need of anything a bit arty or looking for a more personal present for that difficult someone.

I could spend hours in art shops. I always end up spending a fortune. It is just something about…read morenew paper and sketch books and paints. Mindlessly wandering through the store, picking up colourful bottles and textured paper. The mind can run wild with new ideas. Cowling and Wilcox is a huge store situated on Shoreditch High Street. They have everything from portfolios, to canvas, paints, spray paint, paper, printer ink cartridges and much more. A light and airy shop pack fill of supplies all organised clearly on shelves and stands making for easy spending. It is a little on the expensive side, however the quality and quantity of supplies is impressive. Especially if it is a final year portfolio or important presentation. To top it off the staff are very helpful and inspiring if stuck for colour choices or alternative solutions to presentation.

If you're a sucker for cute notebooks, pens, pencils, stationery, diaries, scrapbooking... DON'T GO…read moreIN HERE. I repeat, DON'T GO IN HERE. IT'S A TRAP. I just want to buy.all.the.notebooks Loved their products, not only because of the variety of items, but also for the cute designs. The shop is really pretty and the staff were super nice and helpful. I'm glad I don't have one of these where I live cause I'd simply go bankrupt.

I came here to get some funky London inspired postcards and stickers as souvenirs for back home…read more Great customer service.

as a freelance bookbinder, i go there regularly to have the edges of my text blocks trimmed. it's…read morealways such a pleasure to chat with the owner! impeccable service and a lovely time altogether :)

The shop is not only brilliantly organised and has everything you could possibly need for work,…read moreschool or Arts and Crafts. But the staff is incredibly helpful and patient. They helped me with two editions of a 220-page document that I needed to be printed and bound. The quality of the paper and printing is great! I had this printed elsewhere before with hardly the same quality. I would recommend Newsmans anytime! In fact, I already made this the new "go to" place for my office.

A bit of nudity here, a fifties pin up there, cards replete with Latin poverbs and stocking their…read moreCivil Partnership cards next to their Marriage cards, Scribbler is so right on that it's easy to forget that it's a humble card shop. Hands down the best card shop in the Liverpool Street Station area, Scribbler is the place to go if the recipient of theoretical card has a) taste, b) eyes, or c) all of the above. Quite simply a really great card shop.

This has got to be the tiniest card shop ever. But it's lack of size is well and truly made up by…read moreit's stock: the most amazing range of inappropriate (and appropriate!) greeting cards ever. They do have a huge range of 'proper' cards too, you know, one you could send your Grandmother. But they're not quite as funny! It doesn't matter if you're in the market for a greeting card or not, pop in and spend half an hour laughing your face off!

As far as London card shops go, Clinton Cards along Bishopsgate just near Liverpool Street station…read moreis pretty middle of the road. Need a funny - at a stretch - but inoffensive card for your boss? Go to Clintons. A card with some roses on it that might just have been designed in the seventies for your elderly grandmother? Ditto. This branch of the chain also stocks a range of smaller gifts, gift wrap, invitations and the like which is great news for those that leave everything till the last minute and the generally lazy. Not the most charismatic of shops but what it lacks in pizazz it makes up for in variety. Does what it says on the tin really.

Great local card shop that does helium balloons and a vast array of party decorations!…read more I went the day before I needed to get helium balloons so I could pick colours and a suitable weight for them. Collected next day and they were brilliant and not too expensive!

Located on the corner of Globe and Roman Road, this cards' and gifts' shop has some nice…read morenick-nacks. And if you want to pick up a card when you're in this area, just drop into this shop. You'll find everything you want.

Redchurch Street = IT…read more I don't know how on earth all of these super niche boutique shops survive on Redchurch Street, but by God I'm glad they do. Because when I feel it, I feel it -- and these shops scratch the itch for those in love with a finely tuned harem of goods. Monologue's curated collection of homewares, tech accessories, stationary, cushions, throws, frames, oddities, etc throws a skandi-chic vibe into the back alley of Brick Lane. With just enough neon color pops to remind you, indeed, you are in East London -- it's a great spot to check out for a unique gift or splurge on yourself. I was able to scoop up a collection of items for my husband (Valentine's Day, why not?): Native Union self-charging battery pack, book, shaving soap, I LOVE YOU card. For myself? A super amazing USB cord keychain because my phone is perpetually at 1 percent battery and clinging to dear life. This at least ensures I have a fire wire with me in an emergency. Grand total = £90. Items range from small (pencils) to large (furniture). Fun for a look, but try to leave without buying something...not so easy. Nicely wrapped by a very nice gentleman, too. Done and dusted. Monologue, be my Valentine.

I love literally *EVERYTHING* in Monologue. I mean, it's easier for me to point out what I _don't_…read morewant to own (seriously). I also go in there and start talking at a higher pitch and...wanting to touch things. *so excited! Give me all the things, lemme touch!* Smart, cool, simple, beautiful. Monologue, I'm sold. I'm going back for some understated-but-still-interesting water glasses next time I'm in the area (I was in yesterday and regretted the non-purchase as soon as I was on the bus). Yesterday I just got away with one purchase: a girl clutching a slice of pizza with the caption "I Love YOU". I was going to send it to someone special but, erm...now I think that it might just be a new addition to my desk-scape. Yelp note: staff is super-lovely, and their wrapping/packaging is gorgeous; of course, right?

Meh flowers, very pricey and thorny service…read more I went in to get a bouquet. It was ten minutes to 5pm and they closed at 6. The guy seemed so annoyed that it was if I'd asked him to stay late and produce 1000 bouquets. The bouquet was ok, though included several large, clearly past their prime flowers which I had to remove before giving it. Surely for 25 quid it should be something special?

So the flower quality is fantastic. The range and standard of the flowers they provide is…read moreunquestionable -- beautiful blooms all times of the year. Great additional offerings as well -- vases, pots, herbs, etc. But the prices are a bit much. Say £40 for what would amount for one bunch of blooms, most of it green filler. A prior time they charged me £3 per FLOWER for ranunculus. I paid far less out of season in California.