Went here per instruction of my coffee guru friend - coffee was delicious, as expected but didn't appreciate the indie barista looking down his nose at me - granted it was 7.30am, maybe he was just cranky at having to be up that early, who knows. My coffee was on the small side, yet still cost close to $4, but I think for coffee in the CBD, that's the now the rule rather than the exception.

Approximate cost: $4

Went to Earl Canteen on my way to Southern Cross one morning for a hideous train ride back to Albury - wanted one of their famous sandwiches for the train because I didn't want to pay $8 for stale bread and wilted lettuce. Only had the breaky menu available and would have died for some porridge but had to get something on the go - ended up getting the 'green eggs' toasted roll - was yum, but a bit oily for me. Am determined to taste that renowned pork belly, so will have to go back! Good coffee too.

Approximate cost: $9

So yum - best pizza I've had in as long as I can remember. Went there with Mum, so price wasn't an issue then, but as an impoverished university student, I'm hanging out for a special occasion so I can justify taking myself there! The guys who own and run the place are lovely - service was impeccable.

Approximate cost: $18

I LOVE Kebab Arena. Once you have one of these Turkish kebabs, with their soft Turkish bread and homemade dips, you'll find every other kebab pales in comparison. They recently dropped their prices, and now a standard doner/chicken ebab costs less than $10 - so worth it, I have got to be absolutely ravenous to be able to finish it.

In the interests of my weight haha I try and avoid it except when I'm hungover, but I would easily go there every week if I had one of those magical metabolisms. Plus, the owner is possibly the nicest man alive, he remembers my face and always has a chat with us.

Approximate cost: $8-10

Usually have nothing but praise for Liar Liar, my friend and I frequented it A LOT. However, we went there last week for coffee and brunch, and were really let down, it seems to have slipped from it's usual high standards.

We were seated, and ordered coffees, then seemed to be forgotten about. The coffee, usually excellent, was lukewarm, weak and there were coffee grounds at the bottom. Food was pretty yum, which is what we usually expect.

Looks to me like they're under new management, so could be a case of the old teething problems, but the cafe was running so well beforehand I wouldn't have thought you would want to go adjusting much.

Approximate cost: $14-18

My friend and I actually went to the new Oriental Teahouse that's opened up in Melbourne Central. My friend wanted to try it out, and it was a lovely new restaurant, and the dumplings were delicious, especially the ginger prawn. However, when it comes to dumplings, take me to dingy Shanghai Dumplings in Chinatown anyday - you get twice as much for about half the price.

The cost was pretty standard ($6-8 for 3 or 4 dumplings), and because it was really quiet the waiter was very, very attentive, which was good, but almost too much so. It was disconcerting to have to keep telling him I was still drinking my G&T and eating my custard buns. Regardless, very yummy, but probably wouldn't be my first port of call for dumplings in the city.

Approximate cost: $6-8

I've been going to the Last Tangle, probably for almost ten years, and my mum even longer than that. We usually see Karen, if she's available, but have had my hair cut by just about everyone in the salon at one point or another!

Always get a great haircut, with a hairwash, head massage, coffee and friendly chat - I live in Melbourne now, and I still go back to Albury to get my hair cut by Karen. Their quality is evident in how hard it can be to make an appointment, but I can assure you it's worth it. Price is pretty standard for a decent haircut with all the trimmings.

Approximate cost: $40-50 (cut and blow dry)

Wanted a dress for my 21st, had a very specific 50's style in mind, so had spent the day trawling vintage shops in Brunswick. Currency was one of the last ones we looked at, and I found a number of lovely dresses, and I did end up finding a cute dress, but it was the great service from the lady working there that sold it for me.

She suggested a few dresses for me (actually took on board the style I wanted; many shop assistants seemed to have no idea of the style I was talking about) and because I ended up buying 2 dresses, she did me a deal - I got them both for $140, pretty cheap for vintage - usually it is obscenely overpriced for what it is.

Will definitely go back there when I find myself on Brunswick St (which will probably be soon, I simply can't stay away from Vegie Bar.)

Approximate cost: $70 (per dress)

Went to Beauty Resort to get a Brazilian and leg wax - had been there a few times in the past, but had opted to a cheaper place down the road, due to being a stingy uni student!

However, their quality had significantly slipped, so I went back to Beauty Resort, and have now realised am more than prepared to pay more. Paula did a fantastic job and made sure I was comfortable at all times, plus they offer a 10% discount for students!

Approximate cost: $68 (for a Brazilian and half leg)

We went to see Susan as one of our good friends knows her, and was after a specific style of dress for a party. Susan went out of her way to take us through her extensive collection, which includes clothes from the 40's right through to the 80's - so many clothes! The beauty of these places is that the collection is so dynamic - every time you go in there, you find something new! Very much worth making the trip out to Mckinnon, as it is much less pored over than the more well known vintage stores in Brunswick and Fitzroy

Approximate cost: $Varies