You've got to love the shop names in Marrickville. Always straight to the point, with a cute…read moreadjective thrown in for good measure. Yes, the flowers and gifts are sincere...? Well, at least the staff certainly are. They're really helpful with helping you pick something out and have a great range to choose from. From bunches of flowers to plants in pots, it's a pretty good source for a last-minute housewarming or birthday gift. In true Marrickville style, prices are good too. You can get a decent bunch for $5 or $8, but then there are also boxed arrangements from about $18 up to $65. There are plenty of other gifts up the back, but you probably came here for the flowers, right? Lilies, gerberas, birds of paradise - they're all here and they smell amazing!

I live in the US and needed to quickly have an arrangement delivered to an Alexandria address. I…read morefound this florist on line. After a few issues trying to order online (it wouldn't accept a US billing address) I decided to call. I reached Rachel and she took everything in hand very professionally. The flowers were delivered that day and by all accounts were stunning. I would definitely use them again.

I ordered premium peonies for $140 for a birthday delivery in Sydney. They arrived on the 4th of…read moreDecember already almost fully open, which is absolutely not how peonies should be delivered if they're meant to last. By the morning of the 7th, the flowers had already dropped completely - they barely lasted two days. I live far away and ordered them as a special surprise, and instead it turned into an embarrassment. For this price, I expected fresh, long-lasting peonies, not something that dies in 48 hours. Really disappointing - premium quality, right.

I'm so happy with the beautiful bouquet I got from Flowers on Norton today. I needed to get a nice…read morebouquet before meeting my sister for lunch and I wasn't familiar with any of the florists nearby. I asked a friend who they recommended that does beautiful wrapping and they said this shop. It did not disappoint, the ladies were so helpful and made the most stunning bouquet. My sister absolutely loved it, it made a very difficult week all the brighter. Thank you!!

Came here late on a Saturday night, soon after learning that I had to wait over 20 minutes for my…read moretrain home. There is nothing like a bunch of fresh flowers for the home. I really wanted some. Brought a bunch of purple flowers for only $10. This was exactly a week ago. I've changed the water every second day, and these flowers are no flourishing - no dead bits. Awesome value for money with a friendly, social vendor. He is Greek. A lovely place, and the flowers are always well displayed too.

Popped in on a Saturday to buy my grandma some flowers for her birthday and Emmanuel (florist) was…read morelovely and welcoming. I've been coming here for years, since school days 15 years ago, graduation ceremonies and more. The pre-made bouquets were fresh and beautiful however I was looking to create a custom bouquet with pink lilies, snapdragon and kale. He was more than accommodating and whipped up the creation in a few minutes. Like a true professional, he represents a charming addition to the Central area community. Would definitely recommend local city folks to visit :)

Brilliant succulents, amazing fiddles and some of the coolest pots ever. I love this place! The…read moreFleurist is an amazing little florist.

Find the joy and distract yourself this weekend at Octopus Designs, you don't really need an excuse…read moreto wander around this store. The colourful deco is really inspiring and if you are a Kimi Doll fan you have just found your Alladin's Cave. There is a treasure cove of lovely stationary, diary's, notebooks, pens and pencils, all with an ornamental effect. I love the lap top cases available up the back, they are such useful items but here they are quite pricy $70. Wrapping paper is available and I know you will find that special someone something to make them smile from this store it's gleaming with happiness. Fix those Monday blues with a small present for your boss or friend at work and stand on the threshold of a brighter future.

I want a Dancing Sock Monkey and at Octopus Design in Newtown I can get one?…read moreWhat is a Dancing Sock Monkey? You may ask. Well, it is a cute red, white and pink monkey with pom poms and you squeeze his hand and he dances, now you want one too don't you? Octopus Designs has all kind of cool and unusual inventions like those awesome voodoo knife blocks where you stab the knives through a man, so you can vent frustration and keep your kitchen tidy, they have Nasty Note pads, if you have to take phone messages, you can add an aggressive touch (perfect for the office), they have really funky city magnet collections featuring the Eiffel Tower, The Leaning Tower of Pisa and a Windmill and they have bookends which are hands. They have less cool stuff, like mugs, heat bags and phone cases, but people want that stuff too, but the more useful items like The King of Disco washing up sponge are definitely more why you go to this shop.