Placemakers is basically a delux hardware store. They've got everything you could possibly need to…read moremake your DIY dream come true... Personally, i'm more of a Bunnings girl. The staff are waaaay nicer and definitely efficient. Don't expect any sort of hello when you enter Placemakers. Need assistance? The 10 staff on the floor are suddenly no where to be found. We came in recently to buy outdoor rubbish bins. We found them (sans lids, which were missing) and headed to the check-out counter, which was manned by one lone ranger. After watching them struggle to process the transaction of the lady in front of us we gave up and drove down the road to Bunnings! Pick up your game Placemakers!

Honestly if i can give it 0 star, I will. Ordered curtains and tracks for more than 3000 bucks, and…read moreasked them to do a measurements on all of the windows and siding doors. Then got a phone call from there head office that said the appointment will be at 8:30am at Thursday. However, the guy came at 9:00am and only measured two windows! After this, I wrote an email to complaint. Then I got another appointment at Saturday 12:00 supposedly, I arrived there at 12:00 and waited until 14:00, no one showed up! I think i need to ask for a refund and ask them to cover the salary that I lost because ask for leave. Really bad impression they gave me!

Not sure what happened here. Initially went for a look and was met with much help from the…read moresalesperson. I returned the following week and was met by an older salesperson. I asked for a quote which the lady took ages to do. Also very sarcastic tone throughout. Then she got something confused and I was asked to return to the shop the next day to collect a new quote. She called the next day and gave me a verbal quote. I said I would come in and collect the quote. I did not go in due to unforeseen circumstances then proceeded to receive 3 phone messages and an email over Sat and Sun asking me to come in and pay ?!?!? A quote does not obligate me to buy....unless this is Curtain Studio's hard sell approach. Not a good experience. Will buy elsewhere.

A new addition to the shopping scene in Mairangi Bay, Gus & Fannie is the first storefront for a…read moreclothing label that began its journey at Matakana Markets. Along with the clothing range, there's also a mix of home decor, baby wear and jewellery. So nice to be able to shop local. I came in for a quick look and left with the perfect gift for a friend, job done!

Arazzo is Mum & I's go to for gifts. They stock a beautiful range of candles, gorgeous body…read morelotions, silk scarves, jewellery, cookbooks and more. But the best thing about this small shop is that they turn over their stock at lightning speed, which means for a regular like me there's always something new to fawn over. It's obviously as popular with the other Milford locs as it is with our family. The other fabulous thing about Arazzo is that, compared to many other independent home decor stores, it's affordable. I love candles and so they have become somewhat of a price indicator for me and at $40 (they have quite a range), Arazzo's are an absolute steal! Try their beautiful handmade ones from Devonport. I forget the brand name but they come in a stylish black and white box and are stunning. They also currently have some fabulous christmas decorations, which the owner tell me are flying out the door. Cute wee reindeer and fairy lights galore - it certainly put me in a festive mood!

If I had to name my happy place, I think Living and Giving would be fairly high on the list. I…read morecould spend hours in this store pondering over the amazing products they have in there. There's so much I could happily get my credit card out and splurge on. Yes, it is a little bit more expensive than your average Briscoes but that's what I like about it. It's high quality, different but classic products that I know will one day be in my children's flats - it's that good. There's also loads of gift ideas in there. I did most of my Christmas shopping there because there's something for everyone. And they gift wrap, win! The staff are always really onto it and helpful if you're stuck with what to get. And every now and again (if you're lucky) they do a huge sale.

If you need to buy gifts for anyone, then this is the place to go. You can browse around, and there…read moreis nobody looking over your shoulder. The store is laid out for a quick stock turn around, leaving one item on show and the rest packed in boxes ready to become much loved gifts. I have yet to enter this store and not find a suitable gift for anyone and everyone. They stock vases, bowls and home decor pieces. During the Christmas period, they were selling the most beautiful decorations you could find, and they were cheap as chips. Initially I thought they were just opening up to cash in on the Christmas gift rush, but this outlet store's popularity is making them it the one stop gift shop on the Shore. The lady that served me offered to wrap my gift, a service that adds to the five stars they've already achieved.