A beautiful shop that I don't mind gushing about, Coming Up…read moreRoses is one of the most charming boutiques I've visited. What I initially thought was another florist shop, this store proffered up some really unique fashion and home ware treasures. Coming inside I was immediately charmed by both the friendly owner and the laboriously decorated and detailed interiors. This store is quite big, with three rooms bursting with products. A mecca of children's toys and baubles, CUR also offers a range of home wares from tea cloths, napkins, cake stands, cards, fun outdoor games and all sorts of crafty kits to a plethora of fat glossy art tomes, bake sets, japanese ceramics, candles, fabrics and much much more. (My favourite section is the jewellery, be sure to check out the chunky wooden offerings from ELK.) This place is PERFECT for gifts, and I guarantee anything here would please even the most discerning human. Coming up Roses is in a bit of an isolated location, but it is definitely worth a trek out.

Easily one of my favorite local gift shops. If you're seeking quirky and whimsical gifts for…read moreanyone in your life or to treat yourself, Coming Up Roses is a great spot to find it. It's also one of those places that have so many different options and a changing window display, so one would not get bored with this spot. Some of the things they carry: Jonathan Adler homewares and stationery goods, Mr Men & Little Miss mugs, various greeting cards, gardening gift items, spa treatment products, yummy candles and soaps, fun toys, baby and kiddie gifts, "treasure boxes", Frankie magazine, and much more! Gift wrapping is available here. Who knows, you may even have the owner do it for you (she's someone quite special!) Friendly service too!

A gift shop in Camp Hill's Martha Street hub, Kim + Judi provides unique gifts at a price that's…read moreunlikely to break your budget. It's perfect for those last minute gifts, whether it's for a secret santa or a partner you're about to celebrate an anniversary with. The quality of the products is top notch and the interesting way the gifts are wrapped make it seem like you have put in a lot of effort. After my first visit to Kim + Judi led to a well received present for my brother on his thirtieth birthday (a clock in a clear spherical glass which allowed you to see the inner workings) I have made a habit of stopping in when stumped of present ideas. The mother and daughter team who own it (not sure who is Kim and who is Judy) have been nothing but helpful and gave reliable advice to this very confused shopper. It didn't escape my attention, either, that on each separate visit there have been new products which is always a good sign for a gifts store such as this. Being a bit of a novice with stores like this one I am always sure to bring a girl along with me as they tend to love the place and are better at separating the wheat from the chaff than myself.

There are some magical stores that draw women in like moths to a flame. This is one of those…read morestores. Full of beautiful things to wear and for around the home, this shop is always crowded with women of all ages, lost in a daydream as they stroll through the store imagining which dress would go with that stunning necklace and bargaining that they deserve a reward for sticking to their diet, and those earrings would do just fine in that capacity. Don't be fooled by my tendency to focus on their jewellery, they have a lot more than that here, but that seems to be the main attraction and it's certainly what distracted me from hurrying home in order to beat traffic.

This store has so much cute, hand-made jewellery, I was OOOHing and AHHHing the whole time I was in…read morethe store. I've been to the Paddington store a number of times, but personally like the Oxford Street store better. It's small but filled to the brim with beautiful things. The first thing that caught my eye were the Poetry Bangles - $19 for a silver bangle with a lovely inspirational message on it. SING ... as though no one can hear you. DANCE ... as though no one is watching you. LOVE ... as though you have never been hurt. LIVE ... as though heaven is on earth. I think it would be nice to have the complete set of 4 bangles, worn all at once. Thousand Island Dressing also stocks earrings by Scrumptious Productions, which is a Melbourne based jewellery maker - her earring are made with vintage buttons, beads or retro fabrics. Very cute. There is just so much jewellery - whether you like silver, gold or coloured, they have a huge range to suit your style.

Having recently attended a huge sale at Green Grass, I can…read moreattest to the cuteness of this boutique. Bird head cookie canisters, cute babushka glasses (that stacked into each other!) cookbooks, coffee keep cups (that are handy for Park Bench Expresso next door) dreamy wooden bowls, perfumes, colourful and sweet leather bags, aroma Diffusers, T2 containers and oddles of cute children's paraphernalia. ...All this AND more are available at this winsome Oxford St Store. I'd dedicate some time to peruse the shelves as there is a lot of stock to process, but this scrutiny is well worth it when you walk out with that highly coveted item.

I don't think gift shops can get more cute and whimsical than Green Grass Home & Body. They have…read morebunting hanging in their store for goodness' sake. Bunting. This place is the definition of quaint. They sell a really lovely range of homewares and gifts that you can't pass over. The shop itself gives off an aura of freshness and sweetness, but I'm probably biased because I like bunting and tea, of which they had a lot sitting in a corner. There are cooking utensils and cards and a slew of books appropriate to sit in your home, whether you actually want to read them or you just want people to think you read them. I was particularly impressed with a book of miscellaneous facts about everything and nothing. Grab a coffee around the corner and pick an appropriate gift for a friend or for yourself in this delightful little shop.

Once upon a time this place used to be a bit too "tie-dye and incense" for me. Put it this way,…read moreI'm about as likely to become a hippy as Kim Kardashian is to shave her head, join the Hare Krishnas and wear an orange robe for the rest of her life. But that all changed when, a couple of years ago, I bought myself the most gorgeous floral maxi here to wear to a party and spent the day basking in the warmth of all the compliments I got. So naturally, Tree of Life is now on my list of regulars - the shops I visit pretty much on a weekly basis. Although it still smells of incense (which I still don't like), it's also full of the most delicious colours, fabrics and Indian style jewellery. There's maxi and mini dresses, long skirts, kids clothes and Indian-style homewares. And the odd random piece that stands out like J-Lo's bum. For instance, the most divine, white tulle ballerina style midi-skirt I saw the other day. If it hadn't cost $110 it'd now be in my wardrobe. If you're a festival bunny, or just want to float around a summer BBQ feeling like a bit of boho princess, then head here.

I'm not really a fan of some of their clothes (tie dyed, hippy-ish), but I do love a couple of…read moretheir lightweight, India made 100% Rayon top and dresses which I recently bought and wore several times in the past couple weeks. Perfect for Queensland weather. It is a colourful and wonderfully smelly shop (thanks to incense) which often takes me on a mental trip to India - not that I have actually been there but I recognise the smell from my best friend's gorgeous wedding invitations (handmade in India). Pursue the clearance/sale racks and ask the salesperson if there is a sale going on. I quickly purchased my items as soon as I heard the sales person mention a 20% off discount on all clothing - and this wasn't advertised anywhere.