You may think that Farmers are always the same, but there is something about this one that makes it…read moremy favourite. Maybe it's because it's been my local since I was born, I'm not sure. It is situated on the bottom level at the main entrance of Westfield Shore City in the middle of Takapuna. Because of this, you pretty much have to walk through it to get anywhere in the mall. I don't mind this though. There are always perfume and underwear specials and other dangerous things to distract me from what I was doing. The girls behind the makeup places are really friendly and don't push me to buy anything which I appreciate. There kids, men and womens clothing, make up, perfume, homewares and toys. I do like Farmers when shopping for dad because they have nice t-shirts and hoodies that aren't expensive. Farmers has been around for as long as it has for a reason - it is reliable, affordable and caters to many people.

Does it get anymore adorable?!!!!…read more I don't even have kids, yet every time I'm in The Deparment Store I find myself browsing the clothes at Nature Baby and creating excuses to buy something. I mean who can resist baby pink sheepskin booties? Not me, that's for sure. Today I bought some for my friend who only 20weeks pregnant. Although it's called Nature Baby, they also have another line called Nature Kids, which they stock at this store too. The sizes go up to 4yo but it's a pretty small range. On top of this there's a small selection of toys and beauty products too. I love that everything is natural and made from sustainable materials where ever possible. They do have bigger stores over the other side but this one is my favourite - any excise to go to The Dept Store really...

My girlfriend is a wonderful contradiction in terms - she's the ubiquitous blonde in some ways…read more(pretty, loves shoes, nail polish and pampering etc)...and she's also a TREKKIE!! What's more, her whole family are nerds too, with a particular love for Star Trek and Dr Who. Over the course of the relationship, she's made me into a bit of a nerd too. So imagine my delight on discovering this little store on Hurstmere Road! It has a life-size dalek in the doorway - nuff said. I don't know whether it yells out "EXTERMINATE!!", but there is a bit of paper attached to it with a link to a website where you too can build your own. I think I will. Anyway, dalek obsession aside, this place has everything collectible your inner nerd could possibly want - it's a bit pricey, but hey it's collectible. Awesome awesome awesome!

The best nerd shop in Auckland! Retrospace is on par with the best websites in New Zealand to sate…read moreyour secret nerdy desires, but they now have a physical store where you can get your calloused XBOX thumbs and square eyes all over the merchandise without having to wait or without leaving a credit card trail your significant other could follow. The "significant other of a nerd" may sound like a contradiction but this is the 21st Century. BBC sci-fi like Dr Who, TV series remakes like BSG and books turned into series, like Game of Thrones, are all becoming that little bit more mainstream than they used to be. That means posters, novelty toys, die-cast figures, fan fiction, knickknacks and thingamajigs and flummery- most of these can be found here. Staff also stay up to date with events like Armageddon Expo and gaming events in the Auckland Area. A great place for gifts- or a least that's what you can tell your self when you're in there. (They have a life-sized Dalek in-store).

Besides the fact that it's very dark inside and a bit of a mysterious maze, I quite like Gift…read moreEmotion. I thought despite the gloominess, the wonderfully friendly shop man brightened up the place with his laughter and attitude. While I was finding my way around the ins and outs of the isles, I could hear him having a happy chat to his customers and being extremely helpful. There is pretty much everything you can imagine here. There's toiletry supplies like cotton buds and dress up outfits. Toys and books too. I thought the books were great. They seemed to be great quality reads for kids and they were very affordable. There were also hats and fake flowers and pots and wrapping paper... so much stuff. I think this would be a great option to visit if you were after a kids birthday present! You couldn't go wrong.

Sunnynook is ten minutes from my house and yet I very seldom go there for some reason - it's one of…read morethose little centres where you only really go for the supermarket and everything else is a bonus. Still, the place does have a couple of wee gems, and Gift Emotion fits this category. Imagine a typical $2 shop mixed with Looksharp with a smaller floor area than either, and with an owner that gives a shit. There, you have Gift Emotion! This is a place I like to come for those little kiddie presents where you need something quick and can't splash big bucks but you still want something cute - think toys and books. Also they sell cheap tennis balls which I seem to be constantly purchasing.

In the interest of full disclosure and transparency, I feel I should let you know that I once…read moreworked at WC many moons ago, however it was only for 3 months during my University holidays and now I have little association. Right, so now we've got that out of the way, Wallace Cotton was started by a lovely husband & wife team Bill & Paula. Their aim was to provide affordable but high quality cotton products (mainly bedlinen) and I reckon they are nailing it. Easily my favourite product in their range is their mattress topper. It's totally indulgent but it's seriously like sleeping on a cloud. Basically, it's a thick layer of pure softness (white duck feathers and down) that you put between your mattress and your sheet for extra cushioning. I'm getting schleepy just writing about it! The only downside is that, depending on your mattress, you may have to by extra deep fitted to sheet to accommodate the extra padding. If i'm being honest, some of the fabrics and colour schemes are my cup of tea... a bit too pretty & floral but their waffle duvet is hard to beat. Wallace Cotton also stock towels, aprons, teatowls as well as other goodies like The Aromotherapy Co candles and The Casual Foodie relishes. They also have a good range of products for kids too - duvet sets, pjs, toys etc. Well worth a looksie if you;re after some high-quality organic cotton that won't break the bank!

Hatchlings Nz is a home grown company that creates your child's very own soft toy, which is…read moredesigned by your child themselves. I love the fact that you are guaranteed a toy that your child will love as they have drawn a picture of it, and helped start the creation project of a gift to themselves or another child that will be loved for years to come. I have a child with their very own Hatchling toy here at home, and her Leopard is super special and always will be as it's her mind that created this wonder, and Hatchlings NZ brought Leopard to life. If you have a child who loves to draw, give them an amazing surprise with a very personal hatchling toy- they will be over the moon!

I remember walking past this store many a time whist pregnant and promising myself I had to pop in…read moreand see what they had. It took nine months a week before I walked through those doors and purchased my babies first ever baby sling wrap. Why had I not been in earlier, this is such a cool shop, its small, but filled to the bring with goodies for the kiddies. I have purchased since then, clothes, my babies first pair of soft shoes once he started walking, lots of second hand top quality books, a Jolly Jumper front sling, and a few beach items. I really love the range of choice, you name it, its probably here, just ask the super friendly lady working and you will be off with a spring in your step.

This place is literally teeming with baby gear. If there's something in particular you're looking…read morefor its bound to be here somewhere...its just a matter of sifting through the piles! At the rate babies grow and develop its so useful to have somewhere like this to pick up odds and ends without having to pay a fortune. As a consignment store its probably much better for the buyer than the seller - everything is so reasonably priced that after the selling fee I doubt you'd make much money however at least its a useful way of passing things on and something is better than nothing.