Melbournalia is a souvenir shop that sells stuff people will actually like. This news is the good…read morekind of shocking. I'm a fan of gift giving, but souvenir shopping is such a chore. It takes forever and there's a good chance that the recipient will be polite but never use it, or you'll buy something that's more gag-gift than keepsake. What bugs me even more is when you see the same damn souvenirs relabelled in every country you go to. The wares at Melbournalia are different. They sell well thought out items from local Melbourne designers, with just the right hint of local charm (trams, postcode designs, aussie animals). You wouldn't have to have a foreigner in mind to buy something here either. They sell the kind of stuff you could have in your own house without it being embarrassingly ironic. Cute+

Bourke Hill based Melbournalia carries all manner of Melbourne-themed (and Melbourne-made!) goods…read more From local rooftop honey and tea towels to tram t-shirts and kids books, this small shop pretty much corners the market on local gifts. A wise stop if you want something to remember your trip to Melbourne, or want to send a gift to a homesick Melburnian living abroad.

Sydney road is not the most particularly glamorous retail strip and the Coburg stretch is pretty…read morerough, thankfully this is reflected in this Salvos store pricing. Some of the inner city Op shops can be frustratingly over priced, not so here. No point in high pricing when the sweet old nonnas are just gonna bargain you down. Thats the particular point of difference here. The clothing is nothing overly special. Just cheaper basics. There is a decent book selection, don't really bother for furniture the store is too small. If youre after cheap and interesting bric a brac this place is worth a browse.

There are a couple places in the CBD this good…read more There's even Assin in Fitzroy. This place is just as great, and since they have men's and women's it's like 2 birds with one stone. This place feels like the best private shopping experience ever, being hidden off Lygon Street, in an old tiny cathedral-type building. Their brands are ever changing depending on what is hottest, but they usually have: Carol Christian Poell Issey Miyake Theo Volga Volga Paul Harnden

There are two things that I know about Glassons: a) that this popular high street retailer is New…read moreZealand's answer to Sportsgirl just as Sportsgirl is Australia's answer to Topshop; and b) that Glassons is largely yucky, with synthetic fabrics and questionable faux fur gilets abounding in a store aimed squarely at wannabe WAGS whose budgets are sadly more Target than Prada and op shop than Topshop. That said, Glassons holds a special place in the hearts of us kiwi girls and has more than the occasional nice piece along with great bikinis year in year out and a weirdly great range of fine merino knitwear. The Spencer Street branch is particularly good for great sale stock alongside a good cross section of current season pieces and although the Glassons website offers free shipping New Zealand and Australia wide, it's always a good idea to try before you guy as Glassons' sizing can be unpredictable.

I'm going to have to describe The Curious Oyster Shoppe as simply adorable. Another of the newer…read moreshops along the junction end of High St in Thornbury, it's filled with jewellery, knick knacks, cards and women's and baby clothes, much of which is made from recycled materials. The clothes are particularly fun and generally one offs, but fairly pricey given the whole locally made/produced/eco-friendly aspect. There's also a really terrific range of cards with funny slogans and cute pictures, some of which have a local twist. A lot of the jewellery is pretty distinctive, such as necklaces made out of old spoons and retro pendants. On the whole, it's basically the kind of store where you can't know what you're going to find in there on any given occasion, just that it'll be something special. At the moment there are some vintage inspired first aid and sewing kits stored in metal, biscuit-esque tins. The owner is lovely and has a really natural smile that puts you at ease. A really fun shop that's great to drop into.

Curiouser and curiouser! The Curious Oyster Shoppe is a little craft box brimming with…read morelocal/national designers of assorted jewellery, homewares, stationery, childrens/womens clothing and just gorgeous little things. Notable items include locally produced lip balm in kitsch tins, 'Things By Bean' gift cards with irreverent and anti Hallmark quotes at affordable prices. This is a cute gift store predominantly for the ladies interested in Frankie or other craft/design oriented individuals. There are some real outside the square gift ideas and is one of the better retail offerings along this stretch of High street. The store is inviting and owner/staff is friendly, not pushy. I did miss their opening hours a few times but eventually found my way in. The majority of the stock is eco-friendly and every sale over $90 is rewarded with the planting of a tree

I walked in here for the first time on my 15 minuet break, tried on three T-Shirt, brought them,…read moreand had time to get a favourite muffin in Centre Place. I am a big fan of little boutique Melbourne clothes shop, especially those that have cute designs. I am always getting little comments about the clothes that I buy from here. Conveniently you can buy their products online which means that I don't even need to be on my break the next time I want a shirt as I now know what size fits me.

A funky boutique filled with a mix of fashion, accessories, knick knacks and specialty items that…read moreyou find yourself buying because of its "oh my gosh thats so cute/cool/funky" appeal. The fashion aspect of the store mainly focuses on print tees that catch the eye with bright volours and statement images. If you're a t-shirt kinda gal or guy, you'll find some unique designs that arent available elsewhere. Otherwise, they also supply some great jewellery and fashion accessories, including bags and head wear. Im personally more interested in the bits and pieces you'l find around the store - I've seen everything from fake non disposable coffee cups and homemade cards, to funky kitchen utensils and table decor items. Its worth a look in at the store, and even though its small you dont feel like the sales attendant is eyeing you off the whole time.Its quite comfortable to just browe.And you never know what you could find.

If you live in Carlton North, Brunswick or Fitzroy North, then Barkly Square Shopping Centre is an…read moreabsolute godsend if you want to shop frugally for your weekly/big shop. It pretty much has everything you need irrespective of what you are after. There are a few supermarkets with a Coles and a Woollies. There is also a butchers and a seafood place that often have higher quality and better value fresh meat and seafood than the supermarkets have to offer. That solves the problem where you are usually let down by supermarkets. The KMart is absolutely massive, so you can just about find everything you need. Did I mention a liquor land too?The only thing it is really missing is a Bunnings. Nevertheless with so much parking and fairly late opening hours, this is a winner. Way cheaper than shopping at Piedemonte's.

Oh how I love Sparkly Bear! It's the little suburban shopping centre that has everything you need -…read moremultiple supermarkets, Kmart, grocers, butchers, a baker, pharmacy, bottle shops, a $2 shop and even a massage parlor. Personally, I think Sparkly Bear is one of Melbourne's ultimate hangover destinations - you can stuff yourself with McDonalds and then get a head massage before popping into one of Sydney Road's many pubs for a hair of the dog. But it's also good for doing extra big shops, preferably hangover free. As a Carlton resident, Barkly Square is the easiest place to get life's dull essentials like buckets or shower curtains (don't even mention the QV BigW - it's a nightmare!). The car park is big and not too anger-inducing because it is easily accessed without having to deal with the Sydney Road traffic. First hour parking is free!

Honestly, I probably shouldn't do tram stops because in many ways they are like bus stops - there…read moreare just way too many of them, and they are generally pretty boring. This one isn't though because it is the terminus of the tram that heads to St Kilda, and they have really done the stop up quite well. They even has a nice plaza next to it. They have plenty of shade, and of course it is also surrounded by shops, but it's St Kilda, so that shouldn't be all that surprising.

It's not a street...it's iconic, atmospheric, it's a destination. It's the playground of St Kilda!…read more Acland st is one of the most well known streets in Melbourne, due to its close proximity to the beach, the vast amount of cafes, bars, bakeries and restaurants, and great mix of high end, high street and unique fashion stores. It's more than what businesses are here though. The very heart and culture of St Kilda exists more in Acland and Fitzroy streets than anywhere else. Acland pays homage to the cultural, avante guarde quirkiness that makes St Kilda one of the greatest places in the world. Whenever I plan on going for a walk along the beach, Acland street is included in that. Actors, models, sportstars all congregate here, so you never know what you might find or who you may meet! Food, beauty, fashion, atmosphere. Oh yeah - there's a Coles and Woolies along here too, just in case you need them!