Sugarboo & Co is a cool, unique and eclectic store with everything imaginable. When I was walking…read moreby I saw that they were selling Dubai chocolates. When I inquired more specifically, I learned that those were not "the Dubai chocolates." I appreciate the sales associate's honesty. They have a plethora of wall hangings. It is quite impressive the sayings they have on some of their wall hangings. If you are looking for some unique hearts for Valentine's day, Sugarboo is your go to place. The staff is southern hospitality friendly. They welcome any questions and if you are looking for something specifically, they will let you know exactly where it is in the store. This store is very affordable. Importantly, it has unique items that you will not find in every store you frequent.

Sugarboo & Co is the cutest store in Austin, Texas! They sell clever and fun items to enhance your…read morehome's vibe. From pillows to placemats to notepads to candles to sweaters and shirts and comforters and pet items. Oh my! This store has so many fun products that are great gift giving ideas at reasonable prices. I visited from California on a work trip and super bummed I didn't bring a bigger suitcase because I would've bought so many gifts to give. I believe this store is female owned, and have store locations throughout the south. Their staff is sweet and accommodating, and every gift comes with a beautiful gift wrapping that's complementary. They have plenty of parking as they are part of a mall and there is tons of parking stalls. Can't wait to come back and visit this store on my next work trip. It will definitely be on my list of things to do when I visit Austin, Texas and in the mood for shopping.

There's not a lot of options around Austin when it comes to sustainable, climate-friendly products…read morefor your home, surprisingly. I was excited to find Parker and Scott during our transition to trying to make our home plastic-free with refillable soaps/detergents/etc and Earth-friendly cosmetics. I hope to never buy another plastic bottle again! The prices are not super marked up from the online prices of these items. They have a really nice set up for a local small business and have opened several similar stores in the area which is a great additional to the Austin community.

This has been a go-to spot for thoughtful and intentional gifts when I want to highlight a gift…read morefrom a local Texan artist or unique cards to accompany anything I'm handing out. I've also had the chance to use this location to pickup some items from Burlap & Twine which has made it super convenient. What I like most is the ample parking!

Alright, so it took me about six years to return to this place because I had some major PTSD from…read morean employee (who still happens to work here unfortunately). However, this time was a lot different and I was able to find the perfect gifts for my friend's birthday as well as fun items for myself. It seems like the selection has remained the same although Atown is keeping up with current and modern trends. For example, there were a lot of ICE based items tucked away as well as current celebrity crushes who are on everybody's minds. The coolest thing I found was a James Talarico candle but other than that, a lot of the items that were for sale were pretty kitschy and I believe they are the same wholesale items I have seen before. I must shoutout the incredibly helpful service from Audrey who went above and beyond to help me find items for my friend's birthday. She was super sweet, and I would've been wandering around the store aimlessly if it wasn't for her direction. Additionally, she even came up with combination gift ideas which was pretty sick. Atown is lucky to have her! I think my PTSD is no longer because of her assistance. Great store, unfortunately high prices. However, no one does it like Atown!

Shopping local for stocking stuffers for the wife and the former teen. Shana was with me so we…read moreseparated, this place has so much stuff, almost too much, it can be overwhelming and you know you missed things. There are 3 or 4 separate areas you can visit and they have things from locally made earrings and art to coasters, desk plates, rubber ducks of famous people, religious candles with random famous people, funny socks, clothes, and so much more. The staff is friendly and outgoing, they even had a woman at the door greeting you and offering you a hand basket if you wanted or needed one. There were 3 or 4 cashiers and at least one lady walking around greeting you and seeing if they could help. It is pricier then your chain store but the products are cooler, unique, and many times locally made. Things you can't get at other stores or amazon. Like so many places, it's one downside is parking. It is a small lot, if you part in front you basically have to back in to spot blocking traffic or back out into traffic. There is a small side lot that is better but you basically have to 3 point turn out of that spot. Always willing to pay a bit more to support local. We don't get out of our area/comfort zone much but we do love this place. #Supportlocal

A few years later and I am still a big fan of Slow North and their candle arrangement and…read moreapothecary needs. I've been coming for a few years now and can't rave enough about their candle scents and store layout. The aromas that touch your nose will tingle your senses and have you ready to find that signature scent for whichever room you're looking to scent. From linen sprays to candles and oils, Slow North has you covered. Don't let the pricing be a deterrant as they are definitely well worth the investment. The burning time on their candles is really good and more of a slow burn. Take an opportunity to do a candle making class or participate in their other workshops!

The Hubs and I came for a midday date and we enjoyed every second of candle making. We learned so…read moremuch and were both wowed by the scents we created.

So many cute Disney, Sanrio items and so much more! Novelties for all ages and for all genders!…read moreThey even have scents and skincare and make up! Not to compare but much better quality items than Daiso.

Came here with some friends and we had a great time!! I love the k beauty selection and they had a…read moregood variety of blind boxes.

Such a helpful staff!!!! Whether in person or over the phone they are SUPER helpful, there's one…read moregentleman in particular (I wish I had gotten his name) very friendly and polite. Despite the fact that they have products up to the brim- everything is very organized. The only problem is trying to decide what to get without breaking the bank!!!

Very expensive. Very crowded…read more But the worst is the smell - it reeks of some kind of air freshener. Yuck. The woman staff member was nice.

Black Pearl Books, a small and quaint bookstore, is located on Burnet Road in Austin, TX. This…read moreBlack‑owned, independent bookstore focuses on books that reflect real lives. They carry fiction and nonfiction children's books, banned books, and thoughtful gifts. Every shelf is curated with intentionality...celebrating diversity, inclusion, culture, and community. Black Pearl Books is a whole vibe. Soft, indicting music is playing the background. Paintings drape the walls - some a part of the decor and others for sale. The book store manager was very friendly and offered to help find me the book that I were looking for. The books are very reasonably priced. Definitely returning...

Fabulous selection of banned books. Used books to choose…read morefrom. You can order online and pick up. Great vibe and fantastic customer service! Buy local.

Greeted when I walked in. I was asked if I needed help. Gladly I said yes. So I have Hallmarks app…read moreand you get a free card every month, but also earn hallmark coupons. Today I had $5.00 off. And the free card for the month of April. The employee helped me to find the cards that are free with the app. And then I picked out a couple other cards for the $5.00 coupon. When I went to cash out she scanned my app for both the free card and helped me to find the bar code for her to scan for the $5.00 off. Great experience. And just love that app. I have some friends out of state that I send cards to. Just basic thinking of you, or birthday. Try to send cards out at least once a month. The art of writing and sending a thinking of you is such a sweet way to stay in touch with miles apart.

I knew it was Valentine's Day this week and I went to the Trudy's Hallmark shop to buy other cards…read more Did I buy any Valentine's Day cards...nope! It was not until I decided to address my Valentine's Day cards that I realized I did not have any. Snappity snap snap!!! Put it in high gear girlie...get thee to Trudy's Hallmark Shop...quick...fast...and in a hurry! Valentine's Day is tomorrow!!! The store manager said you are back again...two times in one week. Don't remind me please. Well buying Valentine's Day cards the day before Valentine's Day was not an original idea as there was a long of folks with Valentine's Day cards along with gifts in their hands as they waited in line. The Hallmark store has cards in all price ranges starting at 99c to over $10. You pick your price level. Cards purchased...exhale!

Excuse the pun, but this place is literally a "hidden gem". It is located along the I35 feeder…read more before you get to Braker Lane hidden behind the Wood Spring Suites. There's about 20,000 ft.² of rock, gem and prehistoric related items here. This is the ultimate place to get your mineral fix with thousands of fossils and gemstones to choose from. But that's not the only thing they sell here. You'll also find singing bowls, gongs, T-shirts, wind chimes, insence and literature on spiritualism. There's an additional area called the rock Depot where you could buy raw unfinished minerals by the ounce. If you have a fossil, rock or gem fetish, this place is second and none to get your metaphysical fix. The photos included should get you through the door.

I was limited on time, but I will most definitely be back for a deeper look. I just scratched the…read moresurface.

last minute order. i came right at closing. the flowers were gorgeous and everyone was so friendly…read moreeven though I was there last minute. highly recommend ordering from here!

Sometimes in life beauty can be associated with sadness. This was the case this week as I went to…read morepurchase a live plant for a funeral. One of our church members passed away at 101 years old. Thus, she lived a long life and had the opportunities to see many United States transformations and transitions. Freytag's had a huge allotment of fern plants and succulents to select from, which is usually not the case. I opted not to buy ferns nor succulents, because I have a black thumb when comes to growing both. I opted for an ivy, which is really difficult for anyone to kill. The thought of giving something alive when someone passes away in your life lends itself to continuing some form of life. Freytag's plants and flowers are always fresh and of high quality. Literally, that's why I keep returning. For plants, cash and carry costs 50% of the original price. From my last visit prices had increased as I have seen elsewhere. The folks at Freytag's are always super nice and accommodating. There were two ivy plants in the main areas of the floral shop. However, the new ivy arrivals were also shown to me to choose from. Hopeful that this plant will bring some level of comfort to the family...