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.

Nestled comfortably into the very hip and stylish high street is this amazing arty craft store. I…read morelove this store as it reflects the beauty of our country. The shop is not a huge store however has so much selling that you are just spoilt for choice. The owners have put their heart into the foundations and you feel this, as you browse the shelves. If you want to buy an original kiwi gift, this is where you should look. The highlight of this store for me is the Home Textiles Range, really vibrant and creative designs on Table cloths, Table Runners, Tea Towels, and Cushions too, all reflecting creativity, and culture, and it makes me remember that we are living in the largest pacific island city . Worth a look in, even if you can't afford it, step in for some free inspiration.

My first thought when I walk in is always "Are you a tourist shop, or aren't you?". I just can't…read morework it out. But that doesn't mean I don't quite like Pauanesia - it's got a nice range of giftware featuring local designers and makers. I especially love the big stuffed kiwi made from old woolen blankets they have in at the moment. They also have some quite nice jewellery, mostly pendants and rings, and gifty kind of things suitable for, well, tourists? Or maybe people that just quite like New Zealand. Or people overseas who you send gifts to that have a 'kiwi feel' to them. Is it tacky? Is it cute? I think it might be somewhere in between.

Like a moth to a flame, I was drawn into Living Lights. It's a beautiful candle store with a…read moregorgeous assortment of different colours and designs. There are a few things I LOVE about Living Lights. Firstly it's all Kiwi owned and manufactured. There are no 'made in china' stickers to be seen. All the candles are designed and created in Golden Bay. Secondly, the smell! It really is divine. When I mentioned this to the lady in the store she told me that their 'Soy' candle held onto aroma more than usual wax, hence the glorious scents. These candles are big and bright. The bulb shape ones are my favourite and would make a funky centre piece for the table or mantel. For around $40 they also make an excellent gift. Living Lights is really a gorgeous store and I think has given a whole new life to the humble candle.

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!

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!

I don't know what it is about pretty Duvet covers and assorted goodies that seems to have the…read moreeffect of a sirens call on me. You can guarantee that if I'm walking on the other side of the road and I spy out of the corner of my eye something of the above nature in a store window, I will make my way there often with no thought of my own safety or cars passing along the road. I'm surprised I am still in one piece. There is so much pretty full stuff in here, it's really hard to know where to begin. After visiting this stores showroom,I have already sorted out my fantasy bedroom decor in my minds eye, now I just need a random injection of cash to make it a reality. Home Fabrics has been a family owned business for over 52 years and they really have a wealth of experience and knowledge that only comes from being in the business a long time. They are all about quality control here, and are more than happy to come to your home to help you with your vision. The have a team of their own installation people too which gets rid of the worry of dodgy ass contractors.