DJ's: an endangered species from the mono-lithic period where shopping for couture pieces and…read morespending 3 hours on a Sunday in one air-conditioned department store was "a done thing." Lost in the wilderness, this department store has quickly dwindled in life and breadth of product thanks to encroaching online shopping and competitive, low cost, reasonable quality department stores capturing their consumers. You can still find the rare brand name watch, pair of shoes on sale or makeup in store at a fair price and I love still wandering through the powder puff girls and clouds of perfume on the ground floor (where else can you get such an experience). However, the range, value and poor internal workings of the place mean that it is becoming a forgotten species. This DJs in particular has lost its way, shutting down their fine dining food court and imported produce section and putting on about 1 staff member for every 100 customers so you can never find a damn sales person when you need one (or they have no interest in serving you). Displays are cluttered and floors have been crammed with so many brands you can get in their original outlets or stores that the quality and health of the David Jones "premium brand department store" is lost. The only way I can see this species being brought back from near extinction is to re-instate and connect a fine dining food court to DJ's, add in fancy change rooms, high quality service, cut half their range so high end brands (that you can't get anywhere else) are available to touch and feel and completely refit the place to feel like one of those luxe shopping centres you get in Harrods, Dubai or HK. I hope to see the "day of old" department store return, but first it has to lift it's game.

Wow, I'm really going to go against the tide of popular opinion here but I just have to say it …read more.. David Jones just ain't what it used to be! While the service is ok and the products are alright, I think it's a sad indictment on what we see as good service these days when we expect dodgy service and are almost surprised when we don't receive it. I will admit the service is better than what you'll get in many places but I have a couple of really bad DJ's experiences. I have stood in the electrical department for longer than 30 minutes on two separate occasions waiting for someone to take my money so I could take home a new plasma tv. One guy approached me and told me he didn't deal with the particular brand I was after so he'd get someone else to help me. No-one came! A tip for you ... David Jones will price match so don't be fooled by the fact they seem more expensive than other places. They are as keen to make a sale as the next guy. Apologies for being a negative Nora but I just felt this page needed some balance.

I really enjoy looking through Maxmix home & gift and all the items that they have for sale…read more Ranging from beautiful photo frames of all sizes, to cute decorations for the kitchen and garden, there is certainly something which will satisfy you. I personally love the water features that they have available. The only problem with this store is that because it has so much stuff in it, it is very crowded with bits and pieces and you feel like you could knock something over at any minute. The prices of these items are good, and there are many things which would make a fantastic gift for someone. Definitely worth a look at.

I'm a newbie when it comes to Maxmix Home & Gifts. My first time was on Boxing Day which means I…read morehad the advantage of going into the store when everything was on sale, which is always a bonus in my books! Maxmix Home & Gifts is definitely the store to visit when you're looking for a gift for that special someone or you want to buy something that will brighten up your house. There's so much home decor to be found in-store (unintentional rhyme). I love the classic gift boxes with hollywood celebrities such as James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, and I absolutely adore the Buddha's! As Rachel has previously mentioned, it can be quite crowded and I'm a naturally clumsy person which makes me feel uneasy when I'm walking around incase I break something. That being said, the store is worth visiting. It would be hard not to find something that you like.

I found a fantastic RC hobby shop right smack along Goodwood Road. Model Flight has been around for…read more30 years and carries an extensive stock of RC models, products and accessories. Take your pick from planes, trucks, cars, boats, helicopters, gliders...this is a haven for the big boys and the little champs! A fan of RC helicopters (thanks to my sons), and having bought one some months back from a toy store, I couldn't help but peruse their collection here. A Twister Micro Ninja Helicopter was priced at $29.99 and the most expensive model, Thunder Tiger, fetched a price of $495. Yikes! Just how we women ponder over rows of shoes, handbags or rack of clothes, I can now relate to how men would salivate over shelves of smooth and curvy steel shaped RC. It's a lot to take really and I would just pick any model and take it immediately to the counter. But I've been told by that cost, maintenance, frequency plus age group plays an important role in buying the models here. Who would have known! I found it hard to leave this shop with my sons in tow. I still think it's a perfect place to leave your men and children here, while you head out and shop and spend an hour ir two in the nearby spa centre.

Freaking awesome kids, this is where you can put your pocket money to good use…read more Flying & boating contraptions of the RC variety!! The great thing about getting your toy from Model Flight is that when you crash it (dont worry, it's inevitable) you can get replacement parts right away. This is good for impatient people such as myself, I don't like waiting a week or so until I can fly my SR 120 Helicopter again. It's fun even for just a browse, Christmas is coming up and there are models to suit every budget and lots of hand advice from the staff there who are just as geeky as any customer. Can be a bad idea to bring the kids in here, the constant nagging is enough to drive anyone another half crazy, especially boys. My brother just bought this crazy big RC Helicopter which can do barrel rolls, oh the joyous fun!!

Yet another successful family business which has been around since 1959 and still going at the same…read morelocation. They offer personalised service and know the meaning of customer service, they would not have survived for so long otherwise. Their showroom on South Rd has not seen a facelift for a very long time and it does appear tired but it's on the inside which counts. (Note: But I do think they need one though as it doesn't stand out very well and really does appear daggy). They carry the whole range of home furnishing for indoor and outdoor, enough to deck out the entire house and the majority is quality furniture. Lounge, dining, bedroom, outdoor is all covered but again it depends on your taste, style and preferences for brand. From extreme to the other, La-Z-Boy is one brand I do like as it's so comfortable but the bedding (not mentioning brands) on the other hand is a complete and utter disaster, each to their own. It's a good shop to come have a look and they do have sales now and again, you might just find what you're looking for. A general piece of advice...Before parting with your hard earned cash or inheritances do your research, just because it's 'new' doesn't mean it's worth it.

I am probably the worst person on the planet to Yelp about a chicks fashion store given the fact…read morethat it is sooooo hard to find a dress that moulds to the shape of my hips, but I do rock a pair of pumps! Fortunately my Girlfriend, oddly enough, does wear womens clothing and spent quite some time in th the Replay Emporium.....which also meant that I spent quite some time there also. Yay for me. As is the case with most of these recycled clothing 'boutiques' the used rags they stock are not on the crap side of the scale. In fact there were a number of items that really made my eyes pop.....I mean my girlfriends eyes.....yeah, thats it. For those out there with a shoe fetish, there are a select few funky examples to drool over (none of them in a mens size 12 unfortunately).

Replay Emporium, ahhh what can I say?…read more I stumbled into this place for the first time when I was showing my visiting relatives around Hahndorf. Little did I know this place would soon capture me with its fashion, trinkets and accessories - not to mention squeeze the life out of my wallet... Walking in, the first things that caught my eye was the cute homeware decor to the right of the entrance. There sat different photo frames, necklace stands, mugs, vintage clothing hooks with such intricate detail, and much more. There were only about three small displays, but I swear I spent about half an hour looking at those alone. They weren't expensive either! I bought a beautiful ballerina jewellery stand and the vintage clothing hooks that are yet to be drilled into my bedroom wall. Next, the fashion. You would never know that this is a recycled clothing boutique. The clothes selected are still intact and of good quality. I bought a minkpink black dress and a cute pantsuit both for under $40. The rings and accessories in the cabinet displays are, however, on the more expensive side. I guess it's because they're hand made, not to mention unique in style. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone who loves shopping, or a boyfriend looking for a gift perhaps..?

Living up to my thrifting nature, I continue my quest to share all my favourite second hand and…read moresalvage destinations. This brings me to share one of my local spots to rummage called Windmill Hill. Windmill Hill is located between Hahndorf and Mount Barker just off Mount Barker Road. It is a transfer, salvage and recycle station. There is a section for rubbish and recyclables, and then there is a salvage store. So, on your way to the dump you can sort through what you think may be able to be reused and save it! I love the idea in having a salvage store next to a waste station. It really makes you think twice about what you are throwing into landfill. The guys that run this store are really creative too and have been restoring old BBQ's into potting stations to sell. Windmill hill store a great selection of wood, tools, records, electrical gear, etc.. There are a heap of items that have been pulled from houses being refurbished. I have seen some cool old sinks and doors here. There is also a great collection of ceramics, glass bottles and items to use for gardening. I have just bought a house and I will be back for wood, fencing and tools. If you need building materials for your house or want some cool vintage ceramic displays, check out this place.

Windmill hill is a great salvage yard with an interior op shop style setup. I've picked up a cool…read more70s fridge, outdoor chairs, cast iron skillet, tools, books and more. Definitely worth a look. The only downside is they need to get rid of non moving stock a bit quicker. I've seen the same George Foreman grills there for about 3 years. I'm not sure if they get everything from the dump next door but I think you can donate too. They also have a great selection of building materials , bikes, outdoor tools and other things that your salvation army/goodwill won't take.

I like my local Target at Unley. It's not as big as the Target stores at Castle Plaza or Marion…read moreshopping centre but the that is precisely what I like about it. You can still get your hands on their great bargains without having to fight your way through the crowds and enormous car parks. If this isn't a contradiction in terms, its almost Target at Unley has more of a community feel about it. I know that may sound strange because I'm talk about a large chain store but what I like about this place is the staff are all approachable and helpful. They appear to stock nearly everything they do in the larger stores - they just have less of it due to being in a smaller space. Lining up at the checkout and paying for your purchases is a much quicker process here and 9 times out of 10 you'll find you're only a stones throw from your car. Let's hear if for local shopping - think of the fuel you'll save by not driving huge distances.

I'll second Kristy's comments - after I found this Target it was a regular visit for things that…read morewere 'end of life' with Target, marked down to clear - I picked up some great bargains in business shirts, pants, and even some electrical products (found an MP3 player marked down to clear at half price, some $70, back when 4gb felt like a lot and a colour screen seemed like a bonus) It is a smaller store - in fact, it feels a lot like a country Target - not the whole product range, and not a huge amount of stock, but the staff are happy to help you find anything if they have it. I still drop in once in a while, but it's not on my way home anymore.

IT AIN'T TARGET, ITS TAR-JAY…read more If your looking for cheap... well actually cheap anything. Target or "Tar-jay" is the place for you. It is on the same level as K-mart or Big W but just a tiny bit more expensive. The Castle Plaza store is pretty much like any other target store, although this one seems to be setup a little better and doesn't seem to be as overstocked. Not sure if that's a bad thing, but I've never had a problem. They have a great selection of clothes, shoes, children's wear and DVD's, Not a bad place to shop if you want to pay $10.00 instead of $5.00 for a pair of jeans... but i'm sure the quality is just a little bit better. :) ADDED BONUS All targets are now open til 9pm Monday - Friday! and they stock DINOSAUR TRAIN.. Which makes my son happy! :)

This Target is one of the better ones I think. It's not huge, but it's really well-laid out and…read morealways looks extra clean & neat. As a bonus, if you're a housey person they have a big Target Home section with all the homewares you and your living quarters could ever wish for. Lucky I'm not keen on cheap shoes, otherwise I'd be in there doing battle with the other women over the latest catwalk knock-offs they have in spades. In a nutshell - a good Tarjay!