The Amber Palace is a shop full of all things beautiful for the home. There are great vases and I…read morefound a lovely paperweight that would have suited my desk perfectly. I also found some really cute baby toys but they were quite expensive at $36 for a stuffed, albeit hand made, rabbit. It was pretty cute but as I don't have a baby and I would have no use for it, I kept looking. There were some cardigans made out of high quality fabric, which were quite nice. Again though they were a bit too expensive considering how plain they were. The store had a nice design and the staff member behind the counter was very helpful when answering my questions. This would be a good place to go to get some new accessories to impress some guests to your home. Or to buy your baby a designer rabbit toy. There are plenty more reasons to visit of course, but those seem like the most mainstream.

My Range located near the corner of Bourke and Queen Street in Melbourne City is a narrow little…read moregift store with a big heart. Whenever I am last minute gift hunting (hope my friends don't see this) in the city, this is my go-to place. But be warned, there are heaps of gimmicks and clever little things so try and stick to your cause and buy you gift. I have to admit, I've been side tracked before and ended up buying some cheeky baby rompers for my nephew and a scarf for myself. That's the good thing about this store, it's stocked well enough to offer a wide range of products for all sorts of characters - from funky alternative sorts to mainstream lovers to those that appreciate a little humour. I'm a sucker for bird-motif items so this gets me everytime.

Pretty cool gift shop with a really adorable range of babywear. I bought my expecting best friend…read morean "as seen on Facebook" little baby jumpsuit thing. It seemed appropriate, as she's documented the entire process online. They've also got a range of rubber duckies in all sizes, colours and patterns, so you can have your very own Ernie impersonation party in your very own bath. Service is friendly and helpful, and the prices are definitely in the "gift" range rather than the "practical purchase" range. As I said, pretty cool, and worth a look around if you're after a gift for someone who already has all the practical things.

Every suburb needs a knick-knack/gift store that isn't naff. For Port Melbourne, Mister White is…read moreit. This designer homewares store offers the usual suspects of small furniture items, mantelpiece adornments, scarves, bags, cushions, giftcards, saltwater sandals, happy socks. If you've seen one, you've seen them all, but that doesn't mean that Mister White is not worth the trip in - it means there's a good chance if you know the type of gift or item you're after, you know that you'll find it here. Nice layout, quality products and good range across price ranges makes Mister White a cut above the competition on Bay St.

Mister White has a really lovely range of gifts and homewares and I used to shop here whenever I…read morehad to find a unique birthday present. I purchased a homeware product for myself though and when I got it home it just wasn't right for the space. I had spoken with the assistant when I was purchasing and she had said that I could bring it back if it wasn't right. I returned the product the next day, expecting that I could get a refund. I was told however that they won't refund any products - only a store credit. Whilst the woman I spoke to when I purchased it did not specifically say I could have a refund, it definitely wasn't made clear that it would only be a store credit. The assistant I spoke to when I was trying to return the product was also quite rude during our entire interaction. Given they are a homewares store and that some of their products really need to be placed in situ to see if they are really right, their store policy seems quite unfair. In any case, if that is the store policy they wish to enforce then they could make it a lot clearer before purchase. A small sign near the register doesn't really suffice. For this reason I won't personally be shopping there again as it's a deal breaker for me. It is a real shame though as they have the potential to be great.

This is a fantastic little boutique - the clothing is by a local designer and her family runs the…read moreshop. Their dresses will flatter any figure, plus they will do free alterations on your purchases (if needed) The staff is genuinely helpful without being pushy - I originally overlooked a couple dresses that wound up looking the best on me! They have many fun girlie accessories, too - jewelry, fascinators, patterned tights, etc. Prices are very reasonable - definitely go in if you need a new dress (for pretty much any occasion).

I f I didn't NEED a new kettle this would have been returned immediately. The kettle is very…read morecheaply put together and very poor quality. Admittedly it boils water well and pours quite well but that is not what decor is about.... The pattern is cute and pretty but not as bright as the photos. The print job is VERY rough with scratches and unfinished edges. I can provide a photo taken the day it was delivered. I am not expecting this Mozi product to last in a presentable condition for more than 3 months. Shame because the Mozi concept is a great idea. I wouldn't go for this brand again. Purchased from Harris Scarfe Online Feb 2022 Poh design electric kettle

When two entrepreneurial sisters decided to take over their parent's garage and start a homeware…read morebrand, no one would have anticipated the success of MOZI. Today, the brand is sold throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the US and the UK. MOZI's latest stand alone store in hip Brunswick Street is testament to the sisters' foresight and ability to dream big and translate that into real products that now have a cult following. (The first MOZI store was located in Hawthorn) Step inside this dreamy oasis of print and colour and you'll see various interpretations of childhood memories, iconic figures like their beloved pets (Peter Rabbit, Max the poodle and Pepper the blackbird) and inspiration from their trips around the world. I fell in love with MOZI years ago because of the endearing prints that characterise the brand. I am a huge fan of anything polka dotted, striped and adore animal silhouettes and bold prints of any kind, so it's no wonder I love this little shop. Check out the excellent array of bedding, lamps, candles, doorstops, aprons, tea towels, cushions and stationery - perfect for those who love pretty attention to detail.

C and I went to see the Australian Tapestry Workshop. C. is more interested in textile arts than I…read moream but I still enjoyed my visit. There is a small entrance fee to see the workshop but it is well worth it. An observation deck allows visitors to watch the tapestries being made on the four large looms on the main floor. When C and I visited they were working on John Young's "The Navigator" (2.3 x3.02m.) for the National Library of Australia. The weavers work in teams across large tapestries. Watching the one of the weavers mixing strands from half a dozen colors to create exactly the right blend of color. The observation deck also allows the visitor to observe the yarn dyed in the small color laboratory safely from behind glass. The workshop produces a 366 standard color range of wools for sale at their shop and also dye their own wool specifically for certain projects. The Australian Tapestry Workshop was formerly the Victorian Tapestry Workshop. It is still located in the same 19th century building in South Melbourne that once held a knitting mill. The large work floor has become the tapestry workshop. Lace ironwork pillars support a saw tooth roof over the main floor. There is also a shop selling tapestry wool and two gallery spaces exhibiting work for sale. Over the 30 years of its operation, the Victorian Tapestry Workshop has made most of the large tapestries that currently hang in Australian public buildings.

Although I last visited the actual Workshop a couple of years ago, I frequenty order their yarn…read moreonline. Their customer service is excellent, and their in-house dyed yarn is beautiful quality (which is why it isn't cheap!). Formerly mail-order only, you can now buy their yarns via their online shop ... not as personal, but much more convenient ;) I use them for my cross stitch kits, as well as woven tapestry. They are currently transitioning from Corriedale wool to a higher-twist Merino - good to know if (like me) you purchase wool for particular projects.

Gorgeous little homewares and gift shop on Grey Street. They always have lovely, locally made…read moreitems. There's beautiful baby clothes and toys. Scarves, jewelry, candles, ornaments and the list goes on. The ladies who work here are nice and will wrap gifts up nicely for you. Be careful, you'll want it all!

This place is slick and quick. Garments are altered and returned the next day, although if you have…read morea sewing emergency, they seem to be able to accommodate same-day without a fuss. I had two dresses altered here, both returned by the next afternoon and without showing a hint of the work they had done. It wasn't long before I was eyeing off the rest of my wardrobe to see what could fit a little better with some nip tuck work. The prices seem to be fairly standard for the industry, $18-$30 seems to be the standard for alterations that involve unpicking and restitching. $5.50 to fix buttons on the spot. That might seem pricey to people that can do it themselves, but if you don't want your garment to look like a dog's breakfast (I am referring to my own button sewing abilities here) then it's not too much to baulk at.

Alter It is like a swish version of your local tailor. However, there's nothing even remotely old…read moreschool about this place. The interior is sleek and the service is super fast. Hop straight into the changing rooms, try on your wares and stand on the store's elevated podium as you are pinned and altered to perfection. Everything is done to an expert standard and pick-ups are quick and convenient. A great reliable place to have in your repertoire if, like myself, you are constantly in need of alterations.