I pinch myself because I know I'm not on K-Road but today I'm intrigued so I step inside to take a…read morecloser look. First thought, is this stuff legal? What an eye-opener this place is, here's just some of what they have on offer at this specialty tobacconist store. If you are a smoker then this might be a place you'd frequent. They have a whole medley of herbal smokes and the grinders, vaporizers, tobacco flavouring and pipes to go with it. DIY tobacco can be found here and if you haven't already heard of electronic cigarettes, I suggest it's THE answer to the nicotine user who really wants to quit. Incense, jewellery, lighter accessories and, wait for it, contact lenses, what an eclectic collection of products but I still haven't found anything I am likely to purchase. I guess this place just isn't for me.

Do not, I repeat DO NOT go to this place to buy your eliquids or any other products. They are…read morerancid and disgusting. Definitely expired and dangerous to use. went not long ago to buy some eliquid and after a week of using it I noticed 3 of my teeth began to ache. I take great care of my teeth with regular checks to my dentist and find it too much of a coincidence that after using this awful tasting eliquid (vomited twice when using it) I find all of a sudden I have severe tooth ache in nearly half of my teeth. Obviously havent used it since and thinking of throwing my vape away. DISGUSTING TASTE. DONT SAY I DIDNT WARN YOU!!!

My mom offered to make a quilt to celebrate the birth of my son, and we were going to incorporate…read morefamily photos on the quilt, so we needed the correct materials for the whole process. We stopped by at Smart Dress Fabrics, and we hoped to get all our quilting goods, and they appeared to stock everything we needed. In fact they appeared to stock almost everything in New Zealand. What a painful shopping experience, not because the service was bad or the products poor, in fact it was quite the contrary. There was just too much, I couldn't get my mother to leave. Next time, I'll go the the pub, and I'll let my mom shop at her own leisure...

If you want fabric, whatever texture, colour, or size I am pretty sure these guys will have it!…read moreThey have filled every nook and cranny with rolls and rolls of fabric possible in such a little store (although I say 'little' it is actually bigger than it looks from the outside). I have been into a few fabric shops lately and although the famous Newmarket Centrepoint Fabrics boast to be the largest around, I think this one would do sufficiently for anyone living West of Auckland, plus parking would be far less of a hassle and free! Smart Dress Fabrics also have some patterns available that I noticed some nearby women going through (I have only just bought myself a machine, so I haven't quite got to that stage yet, soon!).

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.

First Scene was my first point of call recently to help deck me out for my first trip to the famous…read moreArt Deco Fesitval in Napier. I did however head to the First Scene on 334a Rosebank Road, Avondale, not this one closer to the city. The Rosebank Road location has a props department, accessories you can buy, and loads and loads of clothes to hire. The lovely Miranda was our special helper (finding attire for four of us), she has worked for the company for well over a decade in several departments and is totally the go-to person! If you can't find what you want at First Scene, you are unlikely to find it anywhere in Auckland.

First Scene is New Zealand's biggest prop and costume hire company and is the first and only place…read moreyou ever need to go to get a great costume, complete with appropriate accessories, face paint and shoes. You can find everything from nurse and soldier outfits, to Mariachi costumes, Big Bird bodysuits to Seashell mermaid bustiers - First Scene is the one stop shop to a brilliant outfit and a good time! It is also possible to hire larger props such as statues, marquees and the like, be it for a themed party or to dress the set of a film. The staff are a heap of fun and love getting involved in sorting you out with the perfect get up. Prices are also pretty reasonable, with the amount depending on how intense the garments you're hiring are. One word of warning - avoid parking in the carpark. It's very small and the angles of the parks are not particularly car friendly. When possible, park on the street or around the block - save yourself the aggravation and embarrassment!

Our family members include a fish, cat and dog so it goes without saying we are regular patrons of…read morea pet shop and supply store. A trip to Glen Eden's Pet Shop Boyz generally includes the children as they can't resist taking a look at the pets that are for sale, kittens, puppies, guinea pigs, mice, fish, etc. And that's a "no" again to the child who wants to increase our family by another one member. Meanwhile I stock up with the required pet necessities and accessories like food, toys, collars, beds or flea treatment options.

Good petshop recommend going the lady that owns it is very nice and she gave me a free fishread more

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.

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.

Surman's is a menswear store near the more well stocked mall in New Lynn. With a mall almost…read moreentirely composed of well stocked fashion stores it begs the question of why I should go out of my way to this shop? The majority of clothes on stock are made for the larger sized male. The price is not reflective of the quality of ugly baroque patterned shirts and white suit combinations. The staff sat clearly in sight, smacking their lips during a lunchtime meal and ungraciously ignoring me. So I couldn't think of a good reason why you would want to go out of your way to visit this rather poorly organized store. Stick to the more mundane mall stores where at least you are guaranteed service.

I'm not usually in the market for buying men's clothes, but I have been in here a few times and am…read morea fan. The first time I was looking for the post office, which is theoretically on Great North Road but in reality isn't, and the kind chap who is the proprietor here gave me very good directions. I've also been in here with someone who did want to buy men's clothes, and again, the owner was very gracious and helpful. This is the sort of clothes shop where everything is good quality; most of it isn't absolutely cutting-edge fashion, but if you dressed exclusively from here, you'd be bound to be classically well turned out all the time. They can also tailor clothes here as well, and I'd bet that they do a good job at that too. I wish there were woman's clothes shops that were more like this place.