I called in here basically because I wanted to have a nosy at the stock. I have no gala events or…read morepremiers coming up so I didn't need to hire a dress or a bag or a hat but it was nice to look at what was on offer in case I ever do. The outfits are very revealing and very glitzy - the kind of thing young girls wear to their formals now-a-days - there really wasn't much that I would choose to wear myself as a lot are very low cut at the front. The lady who works there is very nice and she told me that they will be getting new stock in in a few weeks and that I could try anything I wanted. The hire prices range from about £35 to £55 depending on whether you choose a ball gown or a formal dress. I fell sorry for the owners as I don't think this shop will do well purely because of its location - it is at the back of the arcade mall which is a very old office block part of Newtownards and I don't think it would get much passing trade. Dress hire is a good idea but it might do better in a busier, younger town or in Belfast itself.

i love fresh garbage a lot but the queue to get in is long and you have to wait 20-30 mins it's…read morebefore even getting into the shop itself, whenever you get in you can't even move because there is so little space, if you spend a lot of time in the shop you feel guilty of holding up the line outside. it's also really hard to let people past you because of the small space, you have to stand in a spot for a long time in order to let people pay and your just wasting time there. not to mention the overpriced clothing!! most are cringey as-well, most of the skirts there are around £60 and yes, are nice but wayy too pricey. good shop for alternative people but also not because there isn't a large variety. you cant even try clothes on aswell which is stupid staff are nice and will help :) i think that fresh garbage could do with an upgrade in a shop as in space because it's super hard to move around, and you cannot even look at clothes because you feel like you holding up a line or room for people to get past. bigger shop is definitely needed!! overall it's a good shop but very small. i'd say come during week days when you have the chance because it isn't as crowded.

Word of Advice; Do not under any circumstances try and go into Fresh Garbage at around 4.30pm on a…read moreFriday afternoon during term time. The reason I say this is it will be packed full of geeky emo's looking for their next quirky crazy purchase. I could not even walk into the shop to do a decent review, so I left and am now spreading what I have learnt toy the good people of Yelp.

Really nice art store with a wide selection of items. Unfortunately, I was only searching for a new…read morejournal, but the journal selection was also quite extensive. 3-4 racks. Massive collection of Leuchtturms and Moleskins if that's what you're into. Would recommend. I grabbed one for a friend from a brand I didn't immediately recognize in a niche color. Staff seemed quite friendly additionally.

Absolutely delighted with my Bradbury Art Store delivery; was able to order over the phone and my…read moreWinsor & Newton art supplies were delivered to me the next working day. Canvas and oil paints - looking forward to using them. Excellent quick service, very helpful staff and great selection of quality art materials. This will help me carry on painting during the Coronavirus lockdown - thank you Bradbury Art, much appreciated.

Oh, the places you find yourself in because of Yelp!…read more With this place it does what is says on the tin- sells stuff with the union jack on in. If you can think of it, they'll put a union jack on it. I didn't feel very welcome on entering, and was basically just stared at by the imposing man behind the counter. I scurried towards the back, out of his glare. As well as all the red, white and blue there was some 'historical' memorabilia, but I'll never be one for a big UDA wall hanging, and visual mentions of pretty dodgy loyalist groups shall we say, even as a local, did make me feel uncomfortable. Tourists may like it, but it is far from the image of a future Belfast I would like to show off as you can get.

As it is both tacky and intriguing, this is the mother of all souvenir shops that sells a…read moremesmerising array of flags and choice accessories such as bibs with a picture of Prince William of Orange, teatowels, keyrings, mugs, Rangers stuff piled high - scarves and tops along with pictures and mirrors. There are a number of other flags and loyalist band materials, CDs and DVDs. Amongst all this paraphernilia can be found serious minded historical pamphlets penned by local history groups that have been funded to write on subjects like the Ulster Volunteers gunrunning in 1914, a significant episode that has been less aired than others in Northern Ireland as well at the Battle of the Somme, plus accompanying souvenirs. Excuse the pun but the colours are pinned well up to the mast in here and for the information of passing tourists it's a good complement to an excursion to the Belfast murals..

It's happened to all of us- you realise it is Auntie Joan's birthday, or a mate has a baby or the…read morekids announce there is an unexpected party to go to and the thought of trailing into town fills you with dread. Well fear no more, problems always solved here. They have a great selection of cards and gifts for all occasions and little nic naks like picture frames and mugs, bags and books to cover most emergency gift situations. You can park outside and it won't break the bank, bingo! They also have additional space upstairs with seasonal stuff and party requirements, as you probably think you have birthday candles somewhere, but you don't. ;-)

Just For You has been on the Belmont Road for absolute donkeys (since 1985 apparently), and is…read morestill going strong. It's wide variety of cards, gifts and stationery make it an invaluable outlet for birthdays / Christmas / other occasions. I have fond memories of coming in when I was a kid, and my mum searching through the masses of cards 'til she found the perfect one. Now I've started doing the same thing (yikes), and find Just For You a wonderfully tranquil setting for doing so. The staff are friendly and laid-back, and you can really take your time gazing at the vast array of beautiful gifts. Among my favourites are the cute mini novel clocks which come in the form of pianos, golf bags, animals and the like, as well as the Bridgewater Candles which smell simply delicious. The best bit, however, is the hidden section upstairs, containing Fiorelli handbags, Disney figurines, gorgeous furniture, tapestries and luxurious scarves. At Christmas time, this area is buzzing with Christmas gifts, ornaments and decorations...it really is like Santa's grotto, exuding such a lovely cosy atmosphere. In fact, the whole shop really is very comfortable and intimate all year round, making for a truly lovely shopping experience. Just For You of course...

First of all, why aren't there more reviews for this fabulous florist?! Frankly I don't think the…read moreIrish post many reviews if at all! Well I am over the moon finding Norah Mitchell's Flowers! They exceeded my expectations in every way! My daughter and I have a very dear cousin in Belfast. We wanted to send her a bouquet of flowers, from each of us, for her birthday. I couldn't find my usual go-to florist and picked Norah Mitchell's due to their photographs, and price. I live in California and my daughter and her family live on the east coast. Vicki was wonderful to deal with on email and Carolyn was very kind and helpful on the phone. Flower arrangements were lovely and very affordable. Even my daughter remarked how beautiful and affordable her arrangement was. We highly recommend them and will be using them again during the upcoming Christmas holiday! I am attaching photos of the flowers we sent.

The front of the shop doesn't really let you in on the secret that this is a really great florists…read more I came in to pick up a little wreath and left with my wedding flowers planned and organised. They were extremely knowledgeable, knew how to deliver my vision and suggested great cost saving alternatives, when I went over the budget. On my wedding day they delivered everything on time and as promised. It was soo hassle free and one less thing to worry about. I still go back for a lovely bunch of flowers every so often, but if you've got a wedding or big event, they are a safe pair of hands!

Do you remember those Halifax songs with good old Harvey? He sang the following to Tom Jones' 'Sex…read moreBomb'... "Extra, extra, I know you want more, I'll give you something extra when you walk through my door". Every time I think of this wee shop, I have an uncontrollable urge to burst into song, namely Harvey's 'Extra' song. Oh, it's not good... The question is, and one which I have often asked - does Extras really offer extra? Well, this is really yes and no answer. Extras mainly sells those extra accessories women are in dire need of - umbrellas, bags, purses and the like, as well as cheap makeup, false lashes and nail varnish. My purpose in going into Extras was to purchase one of those large, see-through umbrellas for my sister (they're a must have ladies, seriously), but I wanted the smaller version rather than the full size. Unfortunately, none were available, and the shop assistant informed me, "Just those there love, sure that's them opened out there [points to window]". Huh, fair enough. No umbrella for me then. Extras did not entirely fulfil it's self-referential name, but it does have a few additional accessories. Worth a look.

First Class is a little bit out of place on Bloomfield Avenue, both for its prices and its stock…read more While it's in between fabulous boutiques where dresses by Marc Cain can be £400, First Class sells pieces which are much more affordable and more - and let's be tactful here - ordinary. Although I am the wrong side of 40, I like to keep vaguely on trend and for me, the clothes in First Class are just too - and again let's be tactful - mature. They do lots of long cardigans and dresses which I am sure I'll love in 10 years time, but not for now. Just that little bit too nylony. What I do like is the jewellery and the handbags. I confess to an inner Wag streak and the bags in First Class scratch that itch perfectly. Lots of bling, lots of animal print; sounds bad but with jeans a certain amount of bling is perfect. Bags are around £30 and most of them are big and blinging so I'm happy with the prices. The jewellery is the chunky silver (coloured) kind; big necklaces and jingly bracelets with coins and stuff hanging off. Again prices are good, around £10-£15 for a bracelet and £25 for a necklace. I've seen the same things else where for £5-£10 more and I always love to save money. It makes me feel like I can buy an extra bracelet. Or two.

Here is a shop that brings out the inner magpie in me - it must be that display of bright pink,…read moreturquoise and white crocodile effect handbags with sparkly bits in them that always seems to be in the window. There is also a lot of costume type jewellery too, of a similar ilk to that in Claire Accessories. It's tempting at first sight but despite all the perky bright colours and glittery things there is terrible dowdiness about everything in here. The clothes and bags are inexpensive, certainly, but that shows I am afraid, as the overall effect is cheap, albeit cheerful.

There was a Post Office in Greenisland for as long as I can remember. Over the last number of…read moreyears, Post Offices have been closing their doors left, right, and centre, and sadly, this was one of them. This is of course, where they got the name from! :) This is a beautiful little cafe/tearoom/gift shop, and it makes the perfect addition to the little row of shops in Glassillan Court, and was just what the area needed. The interior is beautifully decorated, with full length windows, allowing loads of natural light to come in. Th shop itself is a treasure trove of wonderful gifts and accessories, such as pictures, bath bombs, jewellery, scarves and many more ,all beautifully presented. The food served here is beautiful ,you get get a massive slab of lasagne with salad and coleslaw for only £4.00, which is absolutely beautiful. They also offer toasties, sandwiches and paninis with a huge variety of fillings, french toast, fries, shepherds pie, and some of the most beautiful cakes and cupcakes ever. (Massive fan of the bannoffee!!)

Staff here are so pleasant and the food they serve is excellent, I am a repeat customer and always…read morehave a good experience in here. Would award a fifth star for more vegetarian options on the menu, but as a whole this place is perfect for a bite to eat.