This optician is a small but handy place to come and get your eyes checked. I used this branch for…read morea lot of years until I discovered that Specsavers do contacts for a heck of a lot cheaper. But even still, this optician makes you feel comfortable and at ease while you're getting tested. They also offer some pretty good deals on their glasses such as buy one get one free, or get a pair of free sunglasses etc. It depends on the offer on when you go so make sure to ask a member of staff for some help. As well as glasses they sell a range of accessories such as glass cleaner, contacts, contact drops, solution etc. Most things needed for eye care. So if you're squinting while you read this call in to Boots Opticians and see what they can do for you!

The area around the Abbey Centre has grown over the last few years to become as much of a draw as…read morethe shopping centre itself. My first stop is always the huge branch of TK Maxx. How I love that shop, with its shoes and home wares and clothes and jewellery and stuff, stuff, stuff. Always a bargain to be had - I even lugged a huge chest of drawers out of there once. After paying for it of course. Curse those efficient security guards. There is a branch of every high street shop you can think of - Mothercare, Pets at Home, M&S, Tesco, JJB Sports, Matalan to name a few. I always like a look around Matalan where there are some bargains in ladies and children's clothes and a selection of birthday cards and invitations which has to be seen to be believed. Make a quick pit stop in McDs and you'll be ready for round 2 in the shopping centre itself. The Abbey Centre is pretty big, with several different 'wings' coming off the central point. Highlights for me are River Island, the bargain emporium that is Primark, Top Shop and Wallis. Apart from clothes, I also like going to the Abbey Centre for books - Stewart Miller and Easons always have offers on new releases. Chick lit I'm afraid to admit but someone has to read them.

Ah, my good old friend, the Abbeycentre. How I love it…read more Just a short trip up the road from me, I have been shopping here for as long as I can remember, and take a browse around its' many shops at least once a month. There is a large amount of on site parking, so you can usually get parked with ease (unless you go stright after Christmas when the January Sales are in full swing) then its an absolute free for all! There are many shops here to suit all pockets, from sport shops, to fashion clothing, from banks to mobile phone and gaming shops, from card and gift shops to butchers, you will get pretty much anything you want at the Abbeycentre, without the headache travelling into the city centre can bring. There is even a new Poundland store for some of the old bargain hunting. And long may it continue!

This great wee store sells a wide range of mobile phone cases, covers, screen protectors and other…read moreaccessories, such as spare chargers, headphones, USB cables, you name it, for most phones and tablets on the market. I have bought a couple of phone covers in here and have been really pleased with the quality. The styles of covers on offer vary from the sublime to the ridiculous! :) They also offer mobile phone repair, and phone unlocking services. For many models they can repair the phone within 30 minutes while you wait! They often have offers on, for example tempered glass hone screens for half price, or buy one case get another half price etc. This is advertised on their Facebook page and also on billboards outside the store.

I actually really like Argento - It's an NI company which makes it feel like you're shopping local…read moreeven though they have loads of stores nationwide. The staff, no matter what store you go in to, are always friendly, polite and ready to help and the Abbey Centre branch is no different. We went in yesterday to pick up a birthday present for my seven year old niece who is slightly obsessed with the Nomination range of jewelry. Although you can get Nomination jewelry in various stores Argento probably have the best stock. The Abbey Centre store in one of their bigger branches and you can pick up most of their ranges here including Thomas Sabo, Daniel Wellington and Argento's own brand August Wood. It's a great place to get presents for loved ones. They even accept perks cards for 10% discount but no longer have a loyalty scheme.

This branch of Argento is pretty new to the Abbey Centre. I was going to go in on Saturday when I…read morewas there, but it was packed, so I went last night instead when it was much quieter. I am getting married soon and I wanted to have a look at earrings to wear on the day. I'd been into other Argento stores in the past and thought they may have something suitable for me as I love their jewellery and the ranges they offer. The store is bright and modern with all the goods clearly displayed in glass cabinets. I saw some gorgeous earrings, and other jewellery too, had to get mysefl out of there or I'd have spent a fortune!

I'd like to think we all know who and what Boots is and what they sell but for those of you who…read moredon't, or those who are simply curious, this branch in the Abbey Centre is a convenient chemist which sells the usual buys such as headache tablets, cold/flu aides, deodorant, make up, tanning products, sunglasses, gift sets etc. As well as this there is a section for getting photos developed as well as a dedicated prescription counter. The staff here are helpful (especially Lindsay at the No7 make up counter, if you're after make up make sure and ask for her - she is great at her job.) Boots also offer a great loyalty card which offers customers money off purchases and they send out coupons for deals they are offering. This is a great system which has saved me a pretty penny in the past. I love Boots at Christmas time as they do brilliant gift sets, usually buy two get one free which is always a win!

This is my go-to shop for wedding and anniversary presents…read more They carry a good range of Belleek china (vases, photo frames etc), so you can ususally find something to mark the occasion. It also carries all kinds of figurines, crystal pieces for the home and a bit of jewellery. The stock isn't really anything you wouldn't find somewhere else, but it's the only place in the Abbeycentre where you can get them, so it's a winner just for that. Beware though - it's reaaly small and really packed, so don't go in with a trolley, or a buggy (or probably a child for that matter) unless you want to be known as the bull that wrecked the china shop!

In here, you will find a cornucopia of all things sparkly and pointless, but very nice for a wee…read morebrowse. It sells the lovely Coeur de Lion and Pilgrim Jewellery - always a fan, and always tempted to buy. But along with these they seem to sell an unusual array of anything from Jamie Oliver china mugs, to decorative glass plates and cards and Swarovski crystal figurines. Don't get me wrong, I like this shop, and although I'm always afraid of knocking something over when I'm in here as its full up to the seams with items, it is a good place to shop for a gift for a Mother or sister or friend - not really a place for the blokes, well the straight ones, anyway!