This place is AWESOME. Recommended to me by a fellow sewing friend, I decided to check it out…read moretoday. Walked in the door and thought wow, this place is a bit...crappy. But then I walked in further, through the narrow door and into a huge space, filled with all manner of crafty supplies! I was there to buy interfacing, and buy it I did - 5m for $5! Incredible prices. I also got a zip for $1.05 and a belt buckle kit for $1. The prices are insane, even cheaper than what I paid living in the US. I saw some gorgeous fabrics in there, too, but I'm trying to watch my fabric budget right now so I sadly left it behind...for now. The woman who served me was really friendly, carefully rolled up my interfacing and asked about my projects. I can't wait to go back and browse their fabrics some more, and they will definitely be my go-to place for notions, too! I didn't explore the rest of the shop too closely, as I had a sick husband in tow, but they have a huge range of paint/art supplies, party supplies, incense and other trinkets, and heaps of other stuff too.

Geoff's is no longer the in-the-know Auckland hipster's secret. Go here on Halloween and you will…read moresee what I mean. Luckily, Halloween only happens once a year but year round Geoff's is the place that truly does have everything. I am most often here for random products like baby oil ($6 for a small bottle of branded petroleum by-product at a supermarket? $2 here), fabric dye, art supplies, sewing stuff and what must be Auckland's cheapest fabric. No offence to Spotlight, but go here first if you need anthing crafty. There's ribbon, cotton, buttons, sparkly bits, belt buckles, bra pads, googly eyes, appliques, patches.... on and on and on. The fabric selection is no small part of the shop and the pricing fairly freakin ridiculous. You'll also find toys, costume jewellery, probably Auckland's biggest range of wigs and "ready-costumes" for adults and kids, as well as such essential props as tiaras, plastic swords, feather boas, cowboys hats, gloves, face paint and garters. There are paints, brushes, canvases, dyes, sketch books...... You can even buy paperbacks, hardware, kitchen equipment, candles and it just goes on. What I love most about Geoff's is that it has been around as long as I can remember and as far as I know, Geoff himself is still around too. My kids love coming here with a handful of coins and leaving with treasures and so do I. The staff are awesome and Geoff's is such a wonderful reminder to me that some things don't ever change, they just get better with age.

One of the most useful and chaotic stores I've ever been in, Look Sharp Store does what other…read moredollar stores try (and fail) to do. It's clean, well laid out and easy to find whatever you're in the market for - from costumes to dress socks, candles to key rings, Look Sharp has it all... and it's cheap! Many times I've rushed to this store for that last minute item that will make a costume or decorated room really pop - I can't even count the number of times I've flipped on the hazard lights, parked in a place that really annoys the taxi drivers and run in to grab streamers, beer-drinking hats, striped armbands or paint. Seriously, anything silly and frivolous you could ever want is under this roof.

Look Sharp is the kind of shop that makes me want to cry. It's stuffed with impulse-buys and…read moreplastic, plastic, plastic junk as far as the eye can see. I can understand why people get excited about it though- there's so much cheap stuff and it does all have a purpose...it's just that the purpose is usually one day of being a St Paddy's day costume or a party decoration, and then being chucked. I get even more moralistic when I think of the wages the people are paid who make this stuff that. But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I never buy anything plastic or made in a developing country. I just don't want to see a whole shop full of the stuff. It brings me down.

Celebrations is a wholesale party supplies store. Floor to ceiling of tinsel, sparkles and plastic…read more Personally, I find it a bit depressing but each to their own... Celebrations also have a tonne of themed stuff for kids parties - party favour bags, birthday hats, paper plates, cups and the like. If you're throwing a Frozen themed party then this is most definitely your jam. They also sell and fill helium balloons.

I've seen these lovely ladies painting everyone in their team colours at the Eden Park rugby games…read more They paint you in whatever teams stripes and the added glitter option, makes them really popular. This is all free at the rugby games which is awesome as it really helps you get into the spirit. No one trick pony however, Rainbow Rascals and their team of staff are also able to do full body paining, balloon twisting, offer magicians, clowns and other entertainment, and sell face painting supplies. A talented team, give Jane a call and she'll ensure that you or the kids at your childs birthday party / event look the best!

This is seriously one of the best professional face painting service around. Such lovely people…read moreaswell. No job to small or big. Jane (artist and owner of RR) did a belly paint on me while I was pregnant and it was such a relaxing experience did me and the painting was beautiful. I know they also does children's parties and corprate events and does a lot of event planning aswell. They are your one stop shop!

Carlton is a big player in the party hire business. They have lots of stock, but have become…read moreobnoxious to deal with. Our most recent order was very large, worth several hundred dollars. After returning everything carefully cleaned, counted, and in good order, they alleged one fork was missing -- and sent us an additional invoice for $6.32 for that single fork. This plainly overstates the replacement value and will strike most people as petty in the circumstances. In the end, we decided to pay up to avoid further unpleasantness. Although we have used this company often in the past we will not do so again.

My mummy friends, kids and I recently decided on meeting at The Fairy Shop for a coffee and a bite…read moreto eat recently as we hadn't tried out the new cafe in the revamped store. What a place to be sitting in the fairy shop sipping on coffee and nibbling on sweet cakes and treats. You order in the Fairy Shop, where you can browse the stands of toys for the kids, they even had little boy options too which impressed me. The pretty pink decor is happy and playful and this would be any little girl/boys dream come true. I hear they also do fairy birthday parties, now that would be fun! They have a lot of tutus for sale in different shades, plus accessories and fairy related toys. My coffee was creamy and chocolate layered, accompanied with yummy chocolate fish, and the cheese scone was also cheesy and tasty. I bought my nephew a chocolate brownie and he demolished this within seconds. Overall I enjoyed my afternoon at the cafe, and so did my friends.

As a little girl the Fairy Shop was my all-time favourite place. Wands, tutus, glitter, mushroom…read morestools, candles - it was a dream come true. I don't know how many birthday parties I went to at the Fairy Shop, and each time my stomach would be churning with excitement and wonder. Though I am now in my twenties, I still feel that same rush of excitement whenever I pass the Shop. And no, I'm not embarrassed to admit it. The fairy Shop may have moved location - it's a little further down Ponsonby Road than it used to be, however the amazing costumes and fantastical supplies you can buy there have only improved. If you want good quality, beautiful outfits that will make your child feel like a feel fairy princess then this is the one-stop shop for you! The new Fairy Shop still hosts birthday parties, so ring and book in advance and be prepared to rock your little girls' world. A new addition to the Shop is a fairy themed cafe, so parents you can relax over a delicious cup of coffee while your children marvel at the wonder that is the Fairy Shop. Bonus: You don't have to have kids to enjoy a sweet treat from the cafe and oggle at the delightfully beautiful, glittery costumes. I do it frequently!