I should say this outright - I don't like to cook…read more I find it taxing and stressful, so with that in mind, you'd think I would hate the Kitchen Catering Utensils store, but I'm strangely drawn to its mesmerising arts-and-crafts-like setup - rows upons rows of multifarious items I never knew existed but must now have because it'll make my lacklustre attempts at cooking that much easier. Decked out on two expansive floors, the Kitchens store is an emporium dedicated to the culinary art, whose sensual powers appears to have eluded me; but fear not, like I said, even if you hate cooking, I bet you can find something here that piques your interest, whether it's espresso machines or cake decorating paraphernalia. I think it's the largest kitchen supply store of its kind in Cardiff, so if they don't have it, I'd say your best bet is to take your hunt online.

Kitchen's is amazing. It has every gadget for your kitchen you never realised you wanted until you…read moresaw it here. There are 2 floors dedicated to everything from plates to blow torches. I happen to be a bit of a cake making enthusiast and they have a good range of tins as well as lots of decorations to top them off. Me and mum often play the guess the gadget game in here and try and work out what things do. The staff will helpfully explain if you really want to know. I could spend a fortune, I just need a bigger kitchen now!

M and R get my DIY vote. This family-run builders merchant and decorating supplier are well…read morestocked, reasonably priced and open late on a Saturday (most builders merchants close at 12 on a Saturday). I've brought a lintel, some silicone, a lock and lengths of wood from M and R. I've found them chatty and knowledgable. It's very easy to just drive in and load up your van or car, without attempting to find a place to park on the busy and double yellowed Cowbridge road. Two beautiful Alsatians guard the yard after dark and a caravan is tucked in the corner. I'm not sure who lives in it, it may be a fancy kennel for the Alsatians I fancy. M and R is great for both the professional builder and DIY enthusiast alike.

M&R Decorators Supplies is like a builder's arts and crafts store, or like walking into your mate's…read moreunreasonably large garage and digging out the supplies you want to borrow. With brown boxes stacked high, M&R is not your John Lewis of decorators' stores, but the wide selection seems to the main draw here, with massive vats of paint 10-year-old children can pile into, as well as a range of wallpaper, some priced as low as £3.99. They have everything here - Dulux and Johnson and Leyland trade paints, rolls of linoleum flooring, painting supplies, fence coating, poly filler and pretty much anything else you'd need to complete a house project. Early opening hours means you can get started early, but be aware they're closed on Sunday, so you'll have to save your browsing for the weekdays.

Well I know for one fact that IKEA do not allow photos to be taken in less you ask the Human…read moreResources department! Typical or what?! That's the first place that I have told not take pictures of within a long time. I know this because I was told off by the till area for not being able to take pictures without permission, but that was after I had been taking pictures already inside and plenty of staff where around who could have also told me off. Mind you the guy at the entrance did look a bit shifty towards me as I had my camera around my neck, but he did not say anything to me still. It is a very useful and massive shop, based around the Cardiff Bay and it is free to enter. They have several sections of products such as; lights, bed duvets, candles, pictures frames, cloth hangers, plenty of storage items, mirrors, a cafe, a car park, a low deals offer, large lifts, escalators, and a Swedish food market area. Entry is free; the staff do seem a little picky about certain things, but it is a very useful shop and our house and Caravan in Pembrokeshire are both full of IKEA items and products. I would still recommend it as a shop for everyone to attend and buy house items from.

We all know Ikea is a must for furniture hunters on a budget - not just in Cardiff but world wide -…read moredid you know that Ikea is the biggest furniture seller in the world? But this review isn't about the furniture - ohhhhh controversial!!!!! I hear you say. This review is about the food. All I want to say is consider Ikea not just as a furniture store but a quite good cheap restaurant too. Its great value for money. You can get a cooked breakfast for 99p! Where else in the developed world can you get that? Ok the meatballs and the fish and chips are not as cheap but they are as cheap as a chip shop and you have all the sauce you could wish for and a table and chair to sit down and eat it at too! One word of advice I wouldn't take a first date here - I did once and it didn't last long after we left the store - pity really she looked quite nice all dressed up.

Madam McLovely dragged me round here the other day. Really didn't want to go in there, but with a…read moreforced smile I entered the dreaded Lakeland. Oh how my reservations subsided instantly as we walked round. Men, it's essentially a gadgets store! I was held back many a time in the spacious, brightly light wooden floored shop. I'm not quite sure what half the things were I was playing with, but was told by my lovely chops that the store had everything you needed and more for cooking. With great gadgets, come great prices and you won't get your Ikea deals here though. A special mention must go to the super nice staff. Probably feeling sorry for my other half as I bombed around like a child, they spoke extensively to her and seemed genuinely friendly without forcing a sale. So next time your dragged in Lakeland lads, just close your eyes and believe yourself to be a gadget shop to get you through.

Lakeland has long been a slightly guilty pleasure of mine (I'm far too young to be getting excited…read moreover kitchen accessories). Unfortunately I don't think this Lakeland is anywhere near as good as the old one opposite House of Fraser on Wharton Street. Whilst they have a nice selection of Kitchen utensils, and accessories, it's no way near enough. The lay out of the store is rather cramped. So give this a miss!