I go into Finishing Touches to dream. To dream that one day I will be able to afford the gorgeously…read moreluxurious curtains and furnishings inside. The fabrics are beautiful and, I'm told, sourced from all over Europe. You definitely get that feeling when you're in the store; that you're in some decedent manor in the south of France. It's not just curtains though; there are striking mirrors, candle holders, vases and other home wares. Perhaps my favourite (and definitely more in my price range) is the large table they have at the front of the store loaded with lush creams and aromatherapy. There are plenty of testers to delve into, and on a Saturday morning this is one of the busiest places in the village

"Run a mile or have your solicitor check the invoice fine print before you part with your money!!!!…read more I am 50 years old. The after-sales service I experience from Melisa Davies MD of Finishing Touches Matakana is probably the worst and most shocking that I have experienced in my life. Reneging on a hand written refund promise, many telephonic excuses and broken appointments is all that I received after I parted with my money. It was only after a lengthy bank- intervention process that Finishing Touches were forced to refund my monies. " - Cary

Mooi mooi is a gorgeous little store tucked away at the back of Matakana. It was originally an…read moreonline shop and they sell a variety of things for the home. The children's section is very cute. Most of the clothing is the Sticky Fudge range; littler hipster hoodies for boys and floral prints for girls. It's good quality all-natural fabrics and averages about $30 an item. There are a few bits of furniture and the Wonki Ware kitchen range which I love. They also do a nice rage of bird and flower jewellery. Mooi Mooi has a natural but contemporary feel to it; lovely for gift buying or to pop into and have a browse

Coast and Country is a gorgeous little gift and home store, perfectly themed for the area. It's a…read moregood place to go shopping for Mum or Nana; think candles, soaps, ornaments, vases and jewellery. They also have a few really nice pieces of furniture (but are unfortunately out of my price range). I always love the cushion covers (for when I one day buy a couch). The back part of the store has high quality kitchenware and funky utensils. They also have a few cool (but thankfully not tacky) Kiwiana items. They have loads in there (I've not even really begun to cover it) it's definitely worth a browse.

If money was no object, Weekend Trader would be my number one stop for furniture and home decor…read more The new location looks like it's come straight of the pages of Architectural Digest. Lots of clean lines, raw metal, marble and rich fabrics. I am particularly taken with their brass anglepoise lamp, which I am saving my pennies for. I'm also a fan of their horse prints, which, dare I say it, are similar to the ones in St Clements. Slowly, as I start to buy pieces for the new house that I plan to cherish for a long time, I predict there trips to Weekend Trader will become more frequent, even if it's only to dream...

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.

I am kind of over the affirmation wall art but if you were into them they have loads at Island gift…read moreshop on Waiheke Island. What they also have is a neat selection of other gifts with a beachy bachy theme befitting of island life, hence the name I guess. We'll have a nosey every time we visit Oneroa village, which is where this shop's located. New Zealand made is big here. There are lots of local and Kiwi artists on display here and needless to say plenty of Kiwiana gifts. The surfboard on the toy car, the mirror in the shape of the north and south island to name a couple. We love the jewellery range, there is so much to choose from and it is really reasonably priced. In all, don't miss a visit to Island on the Island if you are after a little window shopping or some purchases you won't come away disappointed. Opposite the coffee Kiosk you won't miss them.

I recently visited the Design Store in Wairau Park looking for some stylish pieces to spruce up the…read moreliving area. This fabulous contemporary furniture and accessories store has really top quality furniture and items that make your home look a million dollars. If you can spare a bit of change the items at the Design Store do not come cheap, it's the price you pay for elegance and character. Stunning mirrors, paintings, leather couches, ottomans, coffee tables. You name it; they can spruce up any home or office. Sometimes, like me you're just looking for that signature piece to place on a table and emphasize colour, I found exactly what I was looking for in the form of a lime green bamboo place mat! Just perfect and matched up with the colour theme throughout the house. The staff are very approachable, which is wonderful as sometimes in expensive stores you can feel a bit ignored. They will give you tips and choices if you explain exactly what you're after. If just browsing however, you can do so with leisure.

I very often pop in here for a wander. There is a shitload of stuff to look at and it can take a…read morewhile to make your way around the entire store to take in all the cool stuff in it's entirety. Because of this I'm very thankful that the staff aren't the kind to be breathing down your neck and constantly asking if you need a hand! There's a wide range of home decor things in here. mirrors, candles, kitchen things, furniture. A bit of everything really. If you're buying you mother or your grandmother or your aunt a present pop in here and there will almost certainly be something appropriate. Some things can be a bit pricey but there are other smaller things to take away too. Pretty much something to please whoever I'd say.

Walking into this store off the street, I was immediately assaulted by an amalgamation of bright…read morecolors and neons, wood and rustic pieces of furniture and home-wares that really tickled my fancy, I must say. If I had a sunny little villa in the Bahamas or something, this is the stuff I would like to fill it with, as it was I already have a few wish list pieces for my inner city apartment. There is this hot pink paper mâché stags head that I may have just given my heart too! I am such a hussy, whenever the next great little furniture store comes along, I just can't help myself. While the prices in here are a little out of my price range, it is the perfect antidote for a little daytime dreaming! Not just furniture there are also island like clothing items, tog coverups and poncho like things ( alright I'm not really sure what they are) and awesome accessories, like a skull bracelet I saw, and a matching neon necklace, which weren't actually as expensive as the other things in the shop (think like $39ish)

Bright pink table, hot pink stool, coloured skull ornaments and candles. That's what I saw from…read moreoutside and that's why I shot straight in! This is such a funky furniture shop I think if you decked your whole house out with purchases from here your place would be magazine photo shoot worthy! The furniture wasn't really in my price range I was disappointed to discover. But I will keep the shop in mind and I know I will be in for the odd piece when I can afford it! There were also some funky clothes down the back. I got particularly excited by a gorgeous full length playsuit before I discovered its sale price was still in the hundreds. What a pity... I was eager to see myself wearing it!

This newly opened boutique in the Britomart Precinct by the cult Italian lifestyle brand is…read moreexceptional. Nothing is ordinary but everything is extraordinary. A curated collection of glassware, tableware, ceramics, furniture, jewelery and clothing. Seletti boutique has an ever changing collection covet worthy pieces that are so fantastic, impossible to ignore and they'll make your home more interesting. You don't quite know where to start when you first walk in, the store is tiny but stocks furniture, they also have beautiful bikes and and some stunning jewellery and scarves. One of my favourite jean brands Current Elliot is stocked here (super soft denim) and you can also find Australian label Bassike hanging amongst the superbly edited collection of fashion available in store. For gifts for others or yourself, this is a store to pay a visit too.