The ordering process did not go smoothly. I had to explain what I wanted to a second person, two…read moredays after I had originally placed the order. I asked for the bouquets to be delivered to a particular place and they were delivered to a different place. But the worst thing was the actual flowers. I asked for brightly coloured flowers. Instead I got a mish-mash of random types of flowers, and most of them in drab and washed-out colours. A lot of them had started curling at the edges of the petals, even though they were still in water and there were lots of stalks of berries for some reason. I asked for flowers, not berries. It looked like I got palmed off with the flowers nobody would choose at the shop.

I don't like red roses, boys/ men. Take note. I do like flowers though. Actual, real flowers in the…read morewild, in plant pots, but mostly in big bright beautiful bouquets given to me, meant for me, from someone quite lovely. What kind of flowers? Orange gerberas. Sunflowers. Crazy exotic creations. Daffodils. Cornflowers. Pretty little posies of wild flowers and sweet peas. I am not alone in this. A lot of people like giving and receiving flowers. They say things we don't know how to otherwise. Things like: 'Sorry' I dumped you/ ran over your cat/ spilt red wine on that dress I borrowed and promised not to spill red wine on... 'I love you' friend/ mum/ tiddles/ Romeo/ Charlotte Church 'Thinking of you' ... I know I've not called for three years but, well I've been busy Gran, and I'm sure you understand. Things like that. If you need to say things like that I'd recommend the Secret Garden because they can say it beautifully. They've got fashion know how to bring to creating bouquets. They offer a sensational selection of seasonal blooms, full of vibrant colours for any occasion - hand-tied bouquets; wedding flowers; corporate contracts; gift ideas and sympathy flowers. Delivery: They have a same day delivery service to surrounding Cardiff, and a next day delivery for nationwide orders placed before 2pm.

We have been buying flowers for all occasions from Covent Garden in Shirley Rd for the passed 8…read moreyears and the standard of flower, presentation and service is second to none. Highly recommended

This is a fabulous shop that is full of possibly all the flowers that you should so ever wish to…read moredesire to own. They have all of the flowers on display, but they do put together a bunch for you with your own ideas. It is on Shirley road which is near Highfields free church and it is on a corner at the end of the street, near to a white, painted in round about in the road. It is a pretty shop and they sell real and fake, dried flowers which can last longer. This florist business is unique and stands out from the crowd of florist shops that are situated in Cardiff. The decoration of the shop alone is what makes it dramatically beautiful. They gift wrap and present your flowers perfectly well, and the flowers come from Dutch flower auctions of the best quality that you could ever find. This Covent Garden flower shop has become unique for the presentation of their flowers and for selling modern, exotic and unusual flowers that you ever did discover. They have a fantastic online delivery as well which has a postage and packing cost, within the UK at £4.95p. Which I think personally is a bit pricey for the delivery cost. Overall I think this company sell wonderful flowers and in a stunning way and the staff are very friendly and cheery, which makes you feel all warmful inside and happy. I recommend this place to all who can afford their prices...

Tooty fruity is a florist in a way but it doesn't sell flowers, it sells edible bouquets mostly…read moremade up of fruits and chocolate. You have to see them to believe how beautiful they are. I was first given one last year and it was so different and tasty that I have sent a couple since. I suffer from hayfever so while I love flowers the pollen can really irritate me. I think this is the perfect alternative and they look so cool they would be amazing to have at a wedding or event if people could keep their hands off them for long enough! They deliver to the whole Cardiff county. They aren't cheap but then they probably don't cost more than sending a bouquet and at least they getting eaten and not just wilt away.

One of my housemates had been ill for a little while and she was just beginning to get better. We…read morewanted to mark her return to our house so we all decided to pitch in and get her some flowers. I happened to find myself up this way, quite a way from where I actually live, and noticed this beautiful florists. Florists are normally beautiful, it's true. But this one caught my eye. As soon as I went in someone asked if I needed help. It took me a moment to answer, overwhelmed as I was by both the great service and the heady scent of pollen. She helped me put together a bouquet, suggesting flowers and foliage to fit in with our colour scheme and budget. She was fantastic. I left only reluctantly.

Isabella's is a beautiful gift shop situated in the ill-fated Morgan Arcade…read more Like The Royal Arcade, it is enclosed under a beautifully ornate Victorian glass ceiling, but where this works to the advantage of The Royal Arcade, intensifying the vibe, with the noises amplifying as they carry down this lovely long mews, it has the opposite effect in The Morgan Arcade. With very little activity, the few sounds that are made tend to echo harshly off the buildings and ceiling, accentuating the fact that it isn't much used. Businesses like Isabella's are staving off the demise at the St Mary Street end of the arcade. Well positioned sandwich boards at the mouth of the arcade are drawing in a steady stream of visitors as far as her shop at least. But even this isn't an entirely successful quest. Isabella's was once an up-market gift shop selling originally designed accessories and ornaments. These days such items sit gathering dust on the shelves, whilst the low cost cheap and cheerful Welsh souvenirs and nick-nacks fly out of the door. And even though these sales keep her busy all day, the average spend is about £1.00 per person, and so when she tots up the take at the end of the day it is depressingly low compared to the volume of custom. This is a tragedy. What's more, if Isabella is lucky enough to sell one of her beautiful handbags or a piece of exquisite jewellery, the money is immediately reinvested in the more gimmicky souvenir stock, instead of the more creditable higher cost items. It's a war of attrition that will eventually culminate in the unique identity of the shop being lost, and a valuable outlet for more creative endeavour will be lost forever. Isabella clearly has taste and flair in abundance. She's a smart woman attempting to do what she loves. I'm not sure whether she can see the transformation through to the bitter end. But with bills to pay, she's there for the meantime at least. And who knows, something may happen to turn around the fortune of this declining arcade? The Cardiff Arts Institute

Located in the Grade II listed Morgan Arcade, Isabella's seems to specialise in two main types of…read moregifts: Murano Glass Jewellery and Welsh Gifts. It's a slightly odd mix, to be honest - with the rather expensive-looking glassware and gifts on the one hand, and the rather brash, touristy, Welsh-themed items on another. It's probably best known for its brightly-coloured range of Antica Murrina handmade Murano glass jewellery, and Simstars - which are some kind of charm beads made of sterling silver or Murano glass, which you can put together in your own design to make up a unique charm bracelet or necklace. They also stock IVV, a range of Italian hand-made decorative glass in all sorts of interesting shapes, vibrant colours and different textures. When it comes to Welsh gifts, you can choose from a fairly predictable range of mugs and kitchen aprons with a Welsh flag design; slate house numbers and name signs; fridge magnets showing the traditional Welsh costume; ornaments of Welsh dragons; and postcards of local scenes and attractions. Although this shop does contain some beautiful objects, it doesn't hold a great deal of appeal for me - but if you're a visitor to Wales, or you're really into glass jewellery, Isabella's is worth a look.

This is quite simply the best Welsh gift shop I have ever been in. They have a huge selection of…read morewelsh gifts available including postcards, love spoons, miners lamps, silver spoons, thimbles, t-shirts, t-towels, magnets, welsh jewellery, sweets, fudge, whiskey, soft toys, coal carvings, watches, baby clothes, toys and so much more. They are right opposite Cardiff castle gates which puts them in a prime spot for visiting tourists. I wanted to find my friend a gift he would really like for his birthday and I wanted to get something useful. He's really patriotic and loves the welsh dragon design so I popped into the store to see what I could find. They staff were really, really helpful and were able to reel off a list of items they stocked that have the welsh dragon on them. After being shown numerous items the assistant showed me a pair of welsh dragon cufflinks which were perfect. They cost less than £20 which was what I told them my budget was and my friend was over the moon with them. If you need a gift for someone and you want it to be welsh then this is the best place to come

Bottom Line: The best place I discovered in Wales with the largest inventory of Welsh gifts,…read moresouvenirs, and hand-crafted art. It is also the home of the World's Largest Handcarved Welsh Lovespoon. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommended!

'The Perfect Gift for your loved ones'…read more If any of you buy me a gift from Keepsakes I shall throttle you, I swear. Their 'sentimental verses personalised to suit your every need, sold in any one of our wide range of elegant frames.' would make any sane human feel peaky, let alone a poetic type like me who has the double cringe of the rhyme scheme to endure. 'We have sentimental verses for Mum, Dad, Daughter, Son, Sister, Brother, Auntie, Uncle, Nan, Nannies, Nana, Granddad, Grampy, Friends, Births, Christenings, Engagements, Weddings, Thanking Mum & Dad, Best Man, Bridesmaid, Retirement, Graduation, Thank You (for Doctors & Nurses) in fact for any person or occasion.' They lie in those last seven words. In their generic bad sentimental mushy poems they are 'happy' to change names throughout at no extra cost, and can also add in 'special' messages like 'Happy Birthday' before they bung it in a frame and charge you upwards of £4-99. They also sell: Baby Gifts (Births & Christenings), Wedding Gifts, Money Boxes, Photo Albums, Birth Certificate Holders, Wedding Cake Knife Set, Keepsake Boxes, Bride and Groom Centre Piece, Baby Photo Albums, Guest Books, Toast Glasses, Musical Moving Babies (Shoot me now), Wedding Ring Cushions and much. much more. My worst nightmare, but then, I have taste, and like to put more thought into gifts for loved ones. Thoughts like 'will they like it or chuck it in the bin?' A lot of people don't. They are the people who make these products 'bestsellers.' They love it.

My first Welsh treat! I was in Wales for a short amount of time. Nonetheless, I was so excited to…read moretry as much Welsh food as I can. First stop - Fabulous Welshcakes. From just walking pass this store, I was instantly pulled in by the sweet smell of freshly made welsh cakes. Initially, my brain instantly thought "Oh these look like mini pancakes - which I love!". After speaking more with the team, they were more similar to a scone. I got their traditional one. It was warm, soft and subtly sweet - so scrumptious! I will say, the dough is thick, much so like a scone. However, not as hard as scone at all, which I was pleased with. Please note - the welshcake I had was FRESH, literally right off the grill. I'm not sure what the texture is like pre packed or if it's been sitting out. All in all, great experience all around - cute shop, nice staff and luscious treats!

This yummy snack was super tasty. I had no idea what they were, but they smelled awesome and the…read morestore had a line long. Welsh Cakes, is a classic griddle-cooked cake that has a texture similar to a scone. Incredible!