This place sells some funky furnishings to brighten up your home. They also stock some great…read morefurniture, jewellery, and gift ideas. The bright colours and textures of items spilling out around their small entrance is what drew me in for the first time. I have shopped there several times, and although I love their stuff I do have to mention that the service has not always been so great; staff are often too busy socializing, or have little knowledge of their own stock; once I left my phone number, wanting the price on a particular item that they couldn't quite get at, physically, and they never phoned me back.

From the owner: Origin Interiors sells quality gifts, furniture and home decor NZ wide to women and men via an…read moreonline shop, plus at an outlet store in Auckland. Origin's returning customers have commented on the ultimate shopping experience because of the unique collection of gifts and love Origin's regular promotions. Origin's email club is popular and every new member gets a special welcome voucher. For anyone looking to buy a gift for Mothers day, or a birthday present, perhaps a Valentines gift for a partner, Anniversary gift and Christmas present, Origin has a large eclectic range of furniture, décor pieces and gifts with attitude.

When I think of the word exhibitionist, I think of naked people. So it's weird to me that this…read morestore stocks clothes among other things. I don't know, there's just something about this store that really doesn't appeal to me. It may just be all the incense and candles and crap, coupled with some pretty fugly outfits. There was just nothing that really caught my eye and that would set this store apart from millions of other crafty/homewares sorts of shops. Can't say anything about the service because the lady was so engrossed in whatever she was doing that my presence in the store wasn't even acknowledged. Some of the home-ware items are actually alright but not anything that you would go out of your way to come to this mall solely for. It's one of those places that stocks all its nicest stuff in the window to lure you in, and once you are in, you have to wonder, "Is this it?"

Exhibitionist is a great shop that I mainly frequent for gifts, however I have also bought some…read moreunique brightly coloured items for the house and I am tempted to purchase some of the lovely (also brightly coloured) clothing for women and men, such as the long sleeved cotton shirts, that little bit hippy but essentially practical. Actually the jewellery is stunning too, ample silver with encrusted gems, good competition for all the loyal Third Eye customers! The staff have consistently been friendly and helpful when I have been in and always ready to assist if need be, however there may be a slight line up, they do good trade. The prices are reasonable to high end, depending on what you are after. Plus this isn't a 'plastic' shop, (find that next door, literally), the items are quality. Relative to some of the more upper class suburbs in Auckland, the prices are fine. It is easy to find if you are coming in the New Lynn Mall entrance facing Great North Road, they have the prime street window display.

If storage is what you're after then Storage Box is usually a pretty safe bet. I often think to…read moremyself that something should be done about my mess of a floor that I have affectionately entitled 'the floordrobe', so I took matters into my own hand and popped into this store the other day. While I thought that they only sold cheap plastic storage options, I was actually impressed by the range of things on offer. Everything from rolling storage devices, to shoe racks, pretty patterned boxes etc. They even stock a range of furniture; bookshelves and I even found a cute little side table here. While I eventually decided on the cheap option of a large plastic box type thing that I could put clothes into and then stash away in the actual wardrobe, I was initially sidetracked by these pretty laundry hampers, until I looked at the prices and saw that they were $89.00, which was just ridiculously expensive. A lot of the things in here were a lot pricier than I thought they would have been for what they actually are, just things to store other things in.

As far as Hospice Shops so I like to frequent them, I like to donate clothes to them and I like…read morewhere the profits go, to Hospice. More than one family member of my extended family has used the service of Hospice and we appreciate the amazing work this organization does. So as far as Blockhouse Bay Hospice Shop goes, this is a lovely one. Very room inside where the racks aren't too cluttered. I liked the bargain boxes outside and had a good rifle through them on this hot afternoon. Prices are right, cheap, and there is loads of stuff here, clothes, nick nacks, household effects, shoes, pet gear, you name it and the best thing is that there is always a different bargain to find because that's just the ever changing nature of op shops. Thanks to the hard working, really friendly volunteers who man these shops too!

What a beauty little hospice with two areas of home decor stuff, crafty things, a small kids…read moresection, men's women's and kids clothes, frames and pictures and more. Located on the main drag in Blockhouse Bay township it's easy to get to. Parking is out front if you're lucky or nearby. Did I mention the ladies in there are dolls who seem to enjoy volunteering there and are very happy to converse about the weather and life in general. What a wonderful addition to Blockhouse Bay and long it may live. Feel free to donate anytime. :)

Ok, I give them four stars even though I didn't walk out with anything as I couldn't afford their…read moreprices, but, they were lovely and helpful, had a huge range (over 2000 in store!), and gave me an idea at least as to what is around. You see, I love floor rugs and would gladly decorate every room with them if the bank balance allowed, plus I co-run a non-profit organisation that has meditation as a large component - so I was after some traditional prayer rugs. They had a few, the 'small' sizes were 68 x 105 and cost $59.00 each. Ornate beauties. They shop is obscurely tucked close by to New Lynn Mall on Clark Street,number 18.

From the owner: Mats Incredible, Experience the difference! Rugs, runners & carpet squares made to your…read morerequirements, carpet edging ,all sizes. Real service, unreal prices, amazing range. Overlocking while you wait.

This particular Salvation Army is my choice for furniture and home decor second hand. A few weeks…read moreago I saw a gorgeous lounge suite that had cushions that could fold up (great for owners of a furry cat that leaves his fur everywhere he goes). It was also long enough to sleep a guest, still in great condition and had plush dark red fabric. But silly me hesitated and left it for more than 24 hours to think about and of course such a good deal was snapped up by the next day. I have been back in since hoping of another super great find but alas not just yet. I have bought cushions and large pieces of fabric though. Out the back there is several shelves and containers that stock curtains, cushions, bed linen and off cuts of fabric. They also have a room dedicated to books for all the book worms out there. Clothing is on permanent specials it seems, and it is popular, crowds of folk have been in the place when I have visited.

I don't think 'megastore' is a technical term, but nevertheless this is the Salvation Army…read moreequivalent of that. The focus is less on clothes that at some of the other, smaller places, but that's fine considering the wealth of furniture on offer. As someone who lives in a flat the idea of buying new furniture is laughable, and although Trade Me is pretty good there's a lot to be said for seeing an item up close and in person before you buy it. Additionally - or perhaps even primarily, if your values are anything like mine - they have a good selection of books. Salvation Army bookshelves are never expensive but they're often a mixed bag, sometimes leaning a bit heavily towards the Danielle Steel / Marian Keyes end of the spectrum. A place like this is good though because of its scale - there's enough of a range that if you're willing to trawl you'll probably find something.

Do you care where the products you buy come from? Are you a conscious consumer? Are you sick of…read morebuying stuff that lines the pockets of the middle man, and not the makers themselves? Then get yourself to Trade Aid! Where else can you go to find beautifully handmade, handcrafted homewares, where you know its source? Trade Aid is a shop that I continually support, as it's where you can find unique gift that cuts out the middle guy and benefits the artisans and craftspeople directly. The majority of the items sold are beautiful homewares, handmade cards, manchester, kitchen items, delicious coffee and chocolate, toys for children, handwoven rugs, sissal rugs, jewellery and some clothing items. I always think of Trade Aid first if I need a birthday card, a gift, or something for my house. Simply put, Trade Aid has been supporting fair trading practices, well before Fairtrade became trendy. Support them and you support artisans and workers in developing countries. The Henderson branch packs a punch - it may not be as big as the Ponsonby store, but they are SUPER friendly, helpful and always well stocked. Get yourself there! (the chocolate almonds are amazing).