I have never left Stewart Millers empty handed. I'm not kiddin', honestly. It's like some kind of…read moremagnetic force which leaves me completely helpless and powerless, removing all inhibitions and barriers which prevent me from purchasing extreme numbers of goods from this fave store of mine. Or maybe that's just me shopping normally... Anyhow, Stewart Miller is a bargainous store which is primarily a newsagent and confectioners, but is also a bookshop, cardshop and toyshop. I've found books for peanuts, excellent sweetie deals, and, when I was younger, it was my first stop for TY Beanie Babies (remember those?! I still have an absolute ton of them stashed away in my wardrobe...couldn't bear [excuse the pun] to part with them quite yet). The Holywood store is undoubtedly my favourite. The toy section is huge, and they are genuinely well-priced (not always super cheap), top-quality playthings. The card section is extremely well-stocked, with a huge variety to choose from, and at reasonable prices. The book section is my favourite - I've gotten presents for my mum and dad for next to nothing, and even picked up a football book for £1.99 from £12.99 today, and I've found travel books for a fiver. Oooh, its a good 'un.

I'm lovin it. This gem on the Holywood main street has some of my favourite everyday treats -…read moreglossy mags, cold drinks and chick lit style books at very good prices. It also keeps the kids very happy as it has the best selection of football trading cards I've ever come across. My favourite thing about Stewart Millar is the magazine and comic selection. One whole wall of the front section is given over to mags and comics which means that I can happily browse Marie Claire and 25 Beautiful Homes and the kids can look at the Beano (yes it still exists) and Shoot! before making our choices. And there are none of those shouty 'This is not a library' signs either. At the back of the shop are the toys - good selection of lego- and books. The books are worth a particular mention as the prices are great. Some of the not quite latest releases can be snaffled at Tesco-esque prices which certainly floats my boat. There's a good selection of kids books too, especially quite unusual activity and pop up books which are always good for Christmas presents. All I need to do now is stop accidentally calling it Stuart Little which makes the kids fall about laughing every time as Stuart Little is of course a talking mouse. It's happened, I've become an Embarrassing Mum.

There are not many Eason's stores around these days but this one seems to be thriving, set in a…read morecentral location they've given the interior a real facelift - it's bright and vibrant and seems to be doing the trick when it comes to drawing the Belfast punters in. Eason's are specialist's in stationery and magazines, especially niche ones. I popped in here last week to grab a birthday card and to be honest I was a little disappointed with their selection but I suppose there's dedicated card shops for that sort of thing. One thing I noticed is that Eason's seems to have moved with the times, selling electronic goods and essential office supplies such as printer cartridges. On the lower floor there's a huge book selection that would rival Waterstones. Belfast actually doesn't have that many big book shops so if you still haven't succumb to a Kindle this will be your idea of heaven. This Eason is really well staffed so if you're looking for something in particular I would just ask one of the many attentive assistants (who are also pretty quick on the checkouts). All in all it's nice to see a familiar name in the city centre, I'm sure at some point the majority of Northern Ireland picked up their school stationery and chose that all important pencil case from an Eason's branch.

Easons claims to be a bookstore, but it is not a bookstore in the traditional sense of the word. It…read moreis a corporate store than sells art supplies, stationary, newspapers, chocolate, fizzy drinks etc. I am a fan of old rickety bookshops which you have to bump into people to get past. This is not one of them. Though they do have cheaper priced books than old bookshops, they can still be gotten on the internet so again if all you need is a book, try the internet. If you want the experience, go to an oldfashioned book shop. Not a fan

In! is essentially a Northern Irish version of Ok! / Hello! magazines (what is with all these…read moreexclamation marks?!), specialising in reports on local social activities and gatherings, with plenty of photos to boot. Except, most of these people aren't even famous... In the July / August edition, the focus is on the Down Royal (stunning outfits galore), Miss Northern Ireland (I just looked in the mirror and cried...)., the opening of a new restaurant / bar / lounge in Belfast, the opening of a new salon (also in Belfast), etc etc. It's generally filled with pictures of beautiful girls who are very much 'In!' these social circles, or just so happen to be at a prestigious event and get their photo taken. There are also celeb interviews - Christine Bleakley and her sister Nicola are in the current edition - as well as lifestyle / beauty pages, plenty of plugs for the latest in where to eat, where to visit, where to get that hideous cellulite seen to...you get the picture. After reading, you may feel a slight inferiority complex. Don't worry, you will eventually overcome this problem, though it may take a few days. The overwhelming glamour is enough to make even the best looking person feel a bit paranoid. I assure you...

I'm a big fan of this magazine. Having worked in the media industry in Northern Ireland for a few…read moreyears, I actually think that IN! has taken an original concept for NI and made it a real success. The people who go to the events in Northern Ireland love getting their photograph taken, and hence will love to see it printed in a glossy magazine. I think its a really interesting read as well, and having a local focus is brilliant too - how many times to you see things in OK! Mag that you can't get in Northern Ireland?! At least you know that what you see in this magazine, you'll be able to get on your doorstep. Every interview may not feature a celebrity, but I don't think thats what the essence of this magazine is about - its more about celebrating talent and if they can be the first stepping board for some of these people to let NI know what they're doing, where they're going and why they want to be heard, then why not? I definitely look forward to the latest edition each month and I hope it continues for a long time - it can only get better!

If you're in a rush, heading to get your train and then realise....damn I need a newspaper, soft…read moredrink, sweets or other snacky things then this is your place. I've been using Great Victoria Street station for many a day and I always need to stop by this little newsagent for a coke and the paper. Rail News not only has a clever pun but a solid range of magazines and local/national newspapers. I used to call in and buy a can of proper man coke and Kerrang magazine back in my younger days (I wouldn't read it now if I was paid). These days it's the Time, The Irish News and a bottle of diet coke (See, see how I've grown up) Prices are typical of shops in the area, they are quick and have what you need. They also stock a range of sandwiches if you're in need of a bite and nowhere else is open.

Despite sounding like it could (and should) be me, Local Shopper is actually a free publication…read morethat provides a 'platform' (their words, not mine) for local businesses to advertise and offer deals to prospective clientele. Good idea, eh? Delivered by the Royal Mail once monthly to 207,000 homes and businesses in the Belfast, Bangor, Newtownabbey and Lisburn areas, there are different versions of the Local Shopper for each particular neighbourhood. For example, the one I receive is delivered to 13,500 homes in the Braniel, Tullycarnet, Gilnahirk and Dundonald areas, and is tweaked to suit our area, with adverts from the likes of Papa Johns in Dundonald, Envy tanning and beauty in Ballybeen and Gilnahirk Tyres and Exhausts. Not only do each of these businesses get a decent sized ad in this eight page magazine, but many of these ads double up as coupons / money-off vouchers for that particular company. Fun Works in Glengormley (one of very few businesses which isn't that nearby) are offering 20% off when you produce their ad, whilst the Green Energy Store in Bangor are promoting their business with £200 off selected energy store systems. Local Shopper is a great idea for local businesses, but also for the prospective customers. Good work!

The Local Shopper is a little advertisement free sheet which is popped in the door of of over…read more200,00 Belfast homes every month. It is quite informative and is tailored to suit your area. The businesses are actually quite useful, they'll let you know about skips for hire in your area, great deals on electrical goods and some great deals and vouchers for pizzas. As far as most advertisement free sheets go, this is a quality one worth reading instead of chucking in the bin.

Every single Friday after school. Without fail. For more years that I care to remember. My mum,…read moresister and I. "Did what?", I hear you cry. Visited The Wingrove of course. I mean, what else? It was almost a family tradition, deep rooted in the hearts and minds of my younger sibling and I. We automatically knew Friday meant sweetie day at The Wingrove. Ahh, good times. The Wingrove was one of those newsagents where everyone knew each other, and we were served by the same old wee woman every week. The old-fashioned layout of the confectionery was situated in tiers at the counter, and even though we went for nearly the same packet of sweets every week, many minutes were spent gazing in awe at the sheer variety of these candied goods, packed full of dear only knows what. (I can tell you, not much has changed...I'm probably even more indecisive now. Or maybe not). I honestly have no idea how my mum put up with two sugar saturated young girls, who were practically bouncing off the ceiling. Those 'E' numbers have a lot to answer for. On occasion, ice lollies were permitted, and maybe even a magazine if we were lucky. The Wingrove also supplied a small number of greetings cards (that kept my mum happy), and a few toys (I can't remember how many times we had to prise my sister away from the dolls). Oh, those were the days... The Wingrove has recently undergone a facelift, with a brand spanking new sleek black and white sign, as well as a furniture rearrangement (well, you know what I mean), which was incredibly strange to see when I popped in for the first time in I don't know how many years. I'm so chuffed to see The Wingrove still going strong, feeding and amusing lots of happy school children. Thank goodness for the lack of 'E' numbers these days mind you, that's all I can say...

There's nothing I can add to the previous review except that I cant believe it's closed down…read moretoday,I'm not sure why but I hope it reopens soon, it'll be missed in ballyhackamore.

What could possibly be better than a free magazine? A free magazine all about Belfast, informing us…read moreof up-and-coming events, places to be and be seen, as well as an 'essential' guide to Belfast's best bits. Throw in a few pages of makeup, beauty and fashion, a couple of interviews with stars and the chance to vote for the GO Belfast Awards 2010...and you have GO Belfast! A handy glossy A5 magazine for all those culture vultures out there, GO makes Belfast accessible for locals and tourists alike. It's handy GO listings provide useful info on places to eat, clubs, bars, shops, local attractions and accommodation. Go provides typical prices for restaurants and hotels, as well as identifying if music is played, food is provided or theme nights are a regular occurrence at bars. For me, GO Belfast's unique selling point is that is incredibly helpful in terms of informing the reader of the city's hot spots. As it is published once every two months, it keeps you up-to-date with what's happening over that period, so you don't miss a thing. Did I mention its free?!

Go! Belfast is a freebie A5 glossy magazine which you can pick up in trendy establishments all over…read morethe city centre. I recently spotted it whilst having lunch in Avoca Cafe and was pleasantly suprised. The magazine covers all bases, fashion and beauty, music and culture, nightlife, listings, pics of people out and about and some restaurant reviews. The publishers seem to be clued in and feature interviews with young and upcoming bands, along with visiting musicians. Read Go! Belfast mag if you like to keep up to date with what's going on in the city around you. I was most impressed with the arts corner section and some interesting interviews with Northern Irish producer, Mark Huffman. Ever sitting at home mid-week thinking, great 'I've seen this episode of Come Dine with me before? Then all you gotta do is pick up this nifty lil' mag and find something interesting to do in your city. Go! Belfast is cosmopolitan, trendy and chic. It may be small, but it packs a punch. Northern Ireland's No. 1 lifestyle and entertainment magazine, every issue of GO Belfast features a fabulous mix of fashion, music, culture, exclusive interviews, news, views, and much, much more. And best of all, it's FREE!

I visit this service station at least 3 times a week so I though it was worthy a review. This is…read morethe half way point between Bangor and belfast and a popular stop off point for morning commuters. Inside you will find a subway, a streat coffee making facility and a reasonably large spar, there is also an offy adjacent to it which is more of a wine merchant so don't expect loads of cheap deals. I like this service station, the spar always has good offers on and has tonnes of variety, the coffee machine serves its purpose for that morning caffeine buzz and subway, well you know what your getting with subway. There are plenty of petrol pumps so little queuing and I have always found the staff to be polite and courteous. As far as petrol stations go I would rate this one as above average.

Used the "half-way" station thousands of times over the years for emergency fuel on my way to and…read morefrom Bangor and Belfast due to its' convenience and it has a Spar for some standard groceries and a Subway outlet and very good off-license in it now which is also great...! Fuel prices are standard and staff are generally pleasant and even helped me out one day giving me English bank notes instead of Ulsterbank ones when going on holiday.