The Newtownabbey Times is a local newspaper which has been circulated around the area for over 100…read moreyears. It is published by Johnston Press plc. (One of the top 3 largest local newspaper publishers in the UK) It's sister papers include the Carrickfergus and Larne Times, each with their own offices in the respective areas. Together they have been reporting news stories around the East Antrim area since the 1860s. Focusing mainly on local news, it is a valuable source of community information and news updates. It is currently published every Thursday and coverage includes news, sports, health and education amongst a number of contemporary news stories or reviews. For more information or to contact the newspaper, email susan.gillen@jpress.co.uk or send your letters to Newtownabbey Times, 14 Portland Avenue, Glengormley, Newtownabbey, BT36 5EY. Telephone: 028 9084 3621

Newtownabbey Times includes stories from all across the area - from Ballyduff to Ballyclare, from…read moreCarnmoney to Templepatrick, and from Glengormley to Jordanstown. It's comprehensive coverage mean that it's a) quite an in-depth paper (certainly not on par with The Sun etc), and b) it takes quite a while to read (not such a good idea when on a hot, stuffy bus from Ballyclare to Belfast, with ten screaming teenagers arguing over whether it's a bikelist or a cyclist...). I did, however, come across a few interesting nuggets of information. For example, who knew that there even was a Women's Rugby World Cup, let alone the fact that one of Ireland's players comes from Whiteabbey? Or indeed that there is a singing group known as the Belfast Phoenix Choir? My life has been greatly enhanced thanks to these wonderful pieces of completely useful information. As well as the news section, the Newtownabbey Times has a rather amusing birthday component (one particular vengeful twin used this to her advantage), as well as a jobs section (Primark are looking Christmas staff already?!), business news, a sports section, property news, a careers / training / education insert, and a lengthy motorcar segment. All in all, not a bad paper.

Cue hyperventilation…read more I make no secret of the fact that I adore stationery shops. All those piles of paper, stacks of sharpeners and heaps of highlighters combined with a profusion of pens, a plethora of pencils and a redundance of rubbers fill me with such complete euphoria that I feel the need to immediately purchase one or more of the above. Unfortunately, as my education days are now over, and my uses for such stationery supplies are at an all time low, I no longer require surplus amounts of pens, paper and the like. Thankfully, however, my sister has seemingly followed in my footsteps. Having decided that she likes her school notes colour coordinated (a girl truly after my own heart), she was after a few highlighters to fulfil her need on this particular trip to The Office. And believe you me, it is a need. My upper sixth year was spent swapping from blue to orange to pink to green to yellow highlighter in an attempt to make life much more colourful and easier to understand. It worked. The Office (great name, don't you think?) was bursting at the seams with every stationery supply you could ever need - kiddies felt tips to whiteboard markers, exercise books to coloured ring binders. And a whole lot of highlighters. Ooh goody. We were in luck. Rather than purchasing single highlighters (despite the vast colour choice), I convinced my sister to go for a set of four high-quality ones for £3.15. She didn't need much convincing, mind you. I think she may even have been more excited than I was, if that's at all possible. With so much stock, and all at great prices, I could've spent a) an awful lot longer there and b) an awful lot more money, but I (wisely) decided against it. My wisdom was later acknowledged, as I actually won a stationery set at a treasure hunt later that night. What a great day.

The office is unique in Ballyclare in that I don't believe there is another similar shop like it…read more Ahh however there is a couple of things but I'll get to them in a moment....a "stationary/pen shop" is definitely needed in Ballyclare due to our 2 big grammar schools, but there's much more to this shop at the epicenter of the towns centre like a place you can print photos out from your smartphone with the aid of their VERY helpful staff. Pens, pencils, envelopes, erasers etc, all the norm in a stationary shop. The only 2 things I can pick up on in this much needed establishment are the former computer (PC, tablet, laptop etc) repairs folks. I went to get my laptop a "clearout" or whatever they call it, only to be told that their "specialist" had resigned and moved on to pastures anew. The salesman then I have to admit very kindly directed me to a new shop that had opened in the town where I could get my laptop seen to. The other point I feel I should add without mentioning any names is the owners of "The Office" and their other profitable business opposite it. I have on several occasions witnessed unduly unhelpful relations between very friendly staff and these owners. I wouldn't call it bullying by any means but as an employee myself in such an occupation, I found correspondence from the owners to the staff very unpleasant and unjust! In a nutshell a great wee shop that's owners just need to treat it's likeable employees with a little more respect.

I'm actually surprised by the fact that I enjoyed the Ulster Tatler so much. I'd always had it down…read moreas an older ladies magazine, which is certainly is to an extent, but I did rather appreciate the variety of articles and information covered. Of course, there's the obligatory photos of just about every social event in Northern Ireland (and that includes a few graduation photos...definitely the place to be seen, especially in relation to the style stakes), and the guides to finding the most exorbitantly priced makeup / beauty salon / restaurant in the province, but there are a few interesting articles that I didn't realise would feature in such a publication. A few interviews with local well-to-do people appear, as well as a focus on a certain town in NI, which happens to be Ballyclare in this month's edition, cultural information and travel news. I doubt they could have fitted in much more if they'd tried... Not quite my cup of tea, but you certainly get your money's worth with a well-packed magazine that features the best of Norn Iron.

Auto Trader is Northern Ireland's biggest and best used car directory. It comes out every Thursday…read moreand is reasonably priced at £2.20! Unlike something like the ads for free, where I think the print version is made redundant by its online counterpart, I feel for the Auto Trader both sections are valid and complement each other well. The magazine provides an extensive rage range of every type of vehicle under the sun that will come at a wide variety of ages and prices. The magazine is good be\cause if you get it first thing on a Thursdday morning when it comes out you can hopefully beat off the competition to any bargains. The layout is clear and good, and there is always a great variety on display. Unfortunately the paper can attract a lot of tyre-kickers as my father who regularly advertises in this magazine will profess! Advertising rates are reasonable and the photography teams will come out to you and take pictures of your cars if you don't have the time which is good for a busy bee like my dad!

Every young boy at some point gets bored and has read an Auto Trader from cover to cover... Don't…read morewe? To be honest I looked at the majority of the pictures and decided there and then if they were worth my Dad showing any interest. Turned out he didn't want to buy a car, nor did he want my opinion. Insert sad face. The Auto Trader is the biggest selling car magazine in all of the country and when you buy it you can see why. It is choc-a-block with any number of cars, lorries, quad bikes etc. All used. All Northern Irish. The internet, as Nick rightly said, is having a much more exciting time with buying and selling cars than it used to so the future of Auto Trader may not be as secure as it used to be. However, from working in a part-time job in which we sold this magazine, there was rarely a time any magazines were returned to the supplier. It has everything you need as well as information about the vehicles and a contact number in case you are interested. Perhaps this time next year magazines will be something of a distant memory like VHS, yo-yos and Destiny's Child. But for now Auto Trader is a great magazine and is definitely worth a look if you are interested in buying or selling any vehicles.

Speaking as a male who like to keep himself on the more unkempt side of the hygiene spectrum, I can…read moregladly report that I am able to get my low demand needs well satisfied in this boots in the centre of town! It is the biggest boots around, and the selection of everything is top notch, with all the shower gels, shaving equipment and deodorants under the sun, which fills most of the males requirements in the world of hygiene! The store also has a good range of home electrical items like toothbrushes, epilators hair strengtheners and all other things vain!The downstairs is mainly devoting to all perfumes and makeup, with there being more fake tan and other accessories to keep any amateur May Mc Fetridge wanabee well stocked up! The entire upstairs is devoted to baby products and also has the stores digital imaging section, with a large range of frames and the like up the stairs. They also have a pharmacy on the ground floor and a food section containing sandwiches and snacks for those on the go, so this store really has it all if you are needing to sort you or your family's health and beauty needs in one fell swoop! Add in the fact you can earn advantage card points which can be put against future purchases we are onto a winner!

This glossiest of glossy mags is from the Ulster Tatler publishing house and seems to be just like,…read morewell the Ulster Tatler, but for South Belfast only. It's a totally professional offering and has that delicious smell that only glossy magazines have and at just £2 it's a fab little treat when funds are low. Like its big sister Ulster Tatler, it's jammed with photos from local events like charity balls and school formals. It also covers the opening of new restaurants and shops and so is a good barometer of what's hot and what's not in Malone, the Lisburn Road and the University area. Each issue also has a couple of profiles of South Belfast's most glam movers and shakers. The Spring/Summer 2010 issue for example profiles the lucky owner of Fired Earth Interiors and the owner of the Salamander art gallery. My favourite feature is the 4 page spread each issue on some lucky person's fabulous house. A girl can dream. My advice is to dive in and enjoy the superficial glossiness. Just don't read it on a fat day or when you're broke as you could just end up feeling like the biggest loser in Belfast!

This is actually an advertising vehicle dressed up as a little glossy mag. But, hey it's free and…read moreit is glossy, so what's not to like? It's a dinky handbag size publication which is totally professionally produced and I think it looks pretty darn good, despite its shameless plugs for various businesses. There are plenty of full page ads for upmarket clothes shops and the kind of bathroom and kitchen showrooms which set the husband's nerves on edge just by driving past. He's afraid I'll go getting ideas you see. There are also lots of photos of various glam people at various glam events like restaurant launches and celebrity chef cooking demos. I still can't believe I missed the delectable Gino D A'Campo in the flesh cooking at the Ulster Museum. Doncha just love that accent? What a cheeky chappie he is. I particularly like the recipe pages which have mouth watering ideas from our own local best known chefs, so you can have a go at creating your own version of Belfast's top restaurant food in your own home. In my case, they've got nothing to worry about in terms of competition. I usually find Ulster Life in my hairdressers and snaffle a copy to enjoy later so my advice is to do the same. Set aside the notion that it's a set of glossy ads stapled together and enjoy its compact glossiness.

This relatively new magazine (established 2009) is targeted at both male and female 18+ in Northern…read moreIreland. I only heard of this magazine recently from a friend who had an article published in it (See Light Box @ The Black Box - Aug 2010) and after picking it up I found I rather enjoyed the information contained within. Yes, I know it's a shameful plug for advertising business in the Belfast, but they've got to do it somehow don't they!) I particularly enjoyed Grainne McGarvey's article 'On The Pulse' though I'm not the biggest fan of Cathy Martin and her 'me, me, me' point of view. But all in all the freebie glossy certainly makes for an interesting read. I'll be keeping my eye out for it over the next few months to see how it progresses in content, features and photography. One of the better quality magazines on offer these days in Belfast.