Other women sneak home new shoes, but I sneak home condiments. If you want to try, or take home, some local fare, hit the farmer's markets around town.

Marina Mirage is my personal favourite. Park across the road, have a swim in the surf and then, sandy footed, stock up on groovy chutneys, delicate tofu and a Queensland specialty: Rosella Jam. Mmmm...

The Turf Club on a Sunday morning is also a local hotspot and great for organic veges.

The Ferry Road Markets (not so much a market but a permanent emporium of foodie heaven) are also very yummy — and very expensive. Treat yourself to the most amazing ice-cream for about $15 per litre, but truly worth it. Try the blood orange flavor; double yum! You'll find it up the back of the fresh food section in a deep freezer near the sushi (which is pretty friggin' good, too). Then get out quick before you load up on $40 cheeses and irresistible baby carrots that you will never actually eat!

Or if you are in the Labrador area, stock up on pastries at the Polish Bakery in Ereton Drive. Only open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, this family operation supply numerous exclusive cafes and restaurants — and sells them direct to the public. Dinner plate size apple turnovers for $3!

I recommend shopping at the Lisa Ho, Nike and Mambo outlets at Harbour Town, or snooping around Trade Secret in the Brickworks at Ferry Road (within the same complex as the Ferry Road Markets).

Most of the other shopping centres on the coast are pretty much the same — the bigger ones are just the same in more abundance. So if you like wandering through chains, the big ones such as Pacific Fair, Robina and Australia Fair have lots of them!

Central Park Plaza at Ashmore has a heap of outlet stores, including Billabong and Quiksilver. It's not a shopping centre as such; just a group of factories, starting with Billabong, and others just sprang up!

Aloha Lucy is a very sweet little boutique with something different (yes please!) Very friggin cute. Head to 36 Musgrave Ave Chirn Park, Labrador, ph: (07) 5591 3601.

But for serious shoe and bag shopping, you must try Maryon's, recently moved after a million years in Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise to Tedder Avenue, Main Beach. Run by the classiest lady on the Gold Coast, this shop this shop has been a shining beacon of style in Surfers forever. Dream of the yummiest shoes you will find this side of the equator: Christian Lacroix, Givenchy, Emilio Pucci and so on!

You must go to Sealife Interiors at 1069 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach and 2457 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach (pop into the crazy Wabi Sabi boutique next door too!) Ph: (07) 5525 6563.

The two guys who run the place salvage all kinds of furniture and homewares and then give them a complete makeover. Everything is to die for — and the antithesis of Ikea.

Harbour Town also has this secret little shop tucked around the corner near the Tourism Lounge called La Casa Collections, with the craziest cheap chandeliers ever. We are talking pineapple lighting fixtures, people, and for only a couple of hundred dollars. Love it! A real secret. Ph: (07) 5500 5912.

Century Antiques is pretty cool as well. This store is seriously chock-a-block with all kinds of goodies. Have a cruise and just TRY not to buy something! 33 McLean St, Coolangatta, ph: (07) 5536 8848.