Well...where do I start? From the moment you walk into this…read moreshop, you get an overwhelming feeling of happiness. It is bright, funky and smells divine from the various assortments of room diffusers, candles, lotions & potions. Everything is modern and classy...it's a gorgeous gem of a shop that belongs in my local suburb of Blackwood SA. This shop has it all. Glorious gifts, clothes, accessories, kids gifts, homewares. ..everything. The most outstanding asset this gem has is amazing, friendly and helpful service. To say I love this place would be an understatement.

When I used to work in Blackwood, this was my go to lunch break venue. I would spend my 30 minutes…read morehere just browsing through the stunning Asian artefacts and exotic homewares from Africa, Morocco and more! I absolutely love colours, fabrics and tastefully selected homewares, especially if there are from Asia or India to reflect my heritage and culture. Although the prices are steep than what I have purchased back in Asia, but I have no doubt that the proprietor Jenny who hails from Africa has exquisite taste and a deep background in interior design and will lend you her expertise and decorating tips that you so deserved to turn your home into an oasis of love, comfort and beauty.

I love this shop, it's full of all the things I'd never dream of doing myself hence the interior…read moredesign service is very helpful. Choosing this option is a great opportunity to get your colours happening and create the mood you want in your home. This is not only in regards to where the wall hanging or canvas is best suited to but the actual colour of the walls! Unique, classy and blendable homewares to furnish any home no matter what your colour scheme. And...guess what - YOU CAN TRY BEFORE YOU BUY, I dare anyone to name another shop that does that !! Yes, take it home and if it's not suitable take it back....but read the fine print first regarding conditions. It has a melting pot of cultures so the homewares are mutable in their application, going from Asian, tribal influences, Moroccan, Indian, Balinese and more but that's the general look and feel. There's a large range of jewellery, candles, essential oils, etc, so whether it's for yourself or a loved one this place has something you've been looking for to add a touch of class in your home.

Well, well, well... apparently creeping down alleyways and behind shops hides little gems…read more While I was on one of my regular visits to Goodwill in Blackwood, I noticed a sign displaying that lovely word "antiques". Oh, my heart jumped. Surprisingly, I had never seen the sign before. Maybe the storeowner had moved it? Or maybe I have always been too fixated on getting into the Goodwill store. Nonetheless, I followed the directional sign down a driveway only to find a roller door and hidden store behind it. Wow! Where did this store come from? How long had it been here? I only presumed that down the driveway was the backend of the Goodwill store. But I was wrong. According to the storeowner, he has been open for around 18 years. What a shame I did not find this earlier. The Old Furniture Shop is not a big store; however, it is not about quantity, it is about quality. The store offers antique furniture and vintage items such as suitcases, crockery, jars, lamps, clocks, etc, etc. Everything is well priced and in great condition. The other brilliant thing about this store is that the owner restores and repairs antique furniture. Now, if you are into antique furniture like myself, you know that it is hard to find someone with the craftsmanship to mend pieces. However, after inspecting some of the work I was very impressed. It takes a lot of skill and expertise to know how to repair and restore antique furniture. The methods are a lot different to furniture construction used today. This guy has definitely got some skill. So, if you are hunting for some beautiful vintage display items for your home, or if you have found an amazing antique that needs a little love; the Old Furniture Workshop is worth a visit. Even if you just want to meet the storeowner for a friendly chat about your love of antiques.

A shop after my own heart. They stock Eiffel Tower shaped products here, a true winner in my books…read moreseeing that I absolutely love collecting Eiffel shaped products. Lending a whisical, dreamy and romantic ambience, this delightful giftstore has now become my favourite place to shop. I picked up a chocolate shaped teaspoon for my sister, to enjoy her daily delightful treats and a heady mix of jasmine and vanilla scented sachet to intoxicate my drawers. Cream bird cages and black framed Eiffel Towers lay outside the store for all to gaze and fall in love with. They are magnifique and will add much charm and character to any dull room. You'll find inspirational journals here, stunning jewellery holders, printed tea towels, linens, accessories, home decor and just about anything that would appeal to us women. Pink, subtle and with a lacey bow, just the way we like it!

Totally Wrapped specialises in gift baskets for all occassions and there certainly isn't a shortage…read moreof gifts to choose from as their shop is full to the pussy cats bow. The shop on Winston Avenue Melrose Park is open Monday to Saturday 9 - 5 and also provides a dry cleaning service. There are so many items in here and definitely not big shoulder bag territory, otherwise it'll be a very expensive visit. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of financial investment businesses such as this one make on their stock and when is it considered to be too much stock. A blend of folk art items to shabby chic, decorative outdoor wire love seats - which are going to be really hot stuff left in the sun!

Doesn't look big from the front but once inside it goes all the way back to the end of the garden…read morepath on a gently sloping block. The majority of the shop is plants but they also have a good selection of pots, statues, etc outside and an excellent range of giftware inside the shop. It's worth venturing right down the back of the garden and having a look at their reject or damaged section. I picked up an absolute bargain...a garden angel statue of a little boy sitting with knees up to his chin, resting his head to one side over folded arms, posed looking down eyes closed. These statues look aged and retail for over $250, I found the purchase of the year paying only $50 because he was damaged, to me I didn't care...he's beautiful as he is. This is not to say it'll happen often but when and if it does...you're in luck. The garden centre is well maintained and well stocked for all you need to plant out your garden, patio, etc, also great for garden orientated gifts.