Weekend Trader is one of the new kids in the Ponsonby Central and further enhances the homewares side of the complex. It has an industrial flavour and they specialise in vintage style lighting, stocking a wide variety of pendant lights and metal lampshades. They also have the ever popular terrarium in attractive geometric cases, reindeer hides, framed vintage motorcycle prints, large glass fronted cabinets, rustic sideboards and much more. 

Webb’s auctions are many and varied and run the gamut from vintage motorcycles and modern design classics to fine wine and African art. Thursdays at Webb’s provides a more varied and eclectic selection than the more curated auctions but could provide just the intangible thing you’ve been looking for.

White Elephant has everything and the kitchen sink! Vintage bric a brac, crockery, furniture, old computers, clothing and even pre-loved houseplants. Enter with an open mind and you’ll leave with something you never knew you needed.

Beggar's Banquet is the most recent addition to the shops in St Kevin's Arcade. It fills a small corner space with it's eclectic treasures and is superbly curated. Named for the large table in the center, currently laden with mirrors, candles and an astronomy globe, the store has a distinctly mystical, slightly spooky, vibe. Dolls heads and plaster busts reside under glass domes and old wooden handled kitchen utensils and large pots hang from a perfectly weathered ladder in the window. There are character signs galore and interesting books to browse.

Aunty Mavis is a must visit for those looking for Crown Lynn, NZ kitsch and kitchenalia. The shop will remind you of your grandmothers house, in the best way.

If you can’t find inspiration in Farro Fresh then you might as well give up. First up are the fantastic fruit and vegetables with a notably great herb selection and some fine cherry tomatoes - I picked up an Italian selection which had a dark red, orange and classic red cherry. The fish is fresh and the friendly fishmonger is eager to help you with your choice. There are cheeses to satisfy the most fussy tastes, shelves full of chocolate, a great dairy section, fresh cuts of meat as well as cured, spreads, dips, olives, pickles, biscuits and crackers, wine and even cooking utensils, equipment and cookbooks. If you were desperately lacking inspiration you could make a beeline for the cookbooks then work your way back around Farro and you would have a successful meal in a jiffy.

The Dairy does a couple of sandwich options, one being a very tasty classic cheese toastie with filling options. I like a simple cheese and gherkin which comes with a tasty relish. They also do a superb open sandwich with roasted eggplant and peppers, rocket, polenta crusted labne and honeycomb.

  This unassuming shop in Henderson has a mouth watering selection of Dutch goudas and cheeses, from plain unadulterated to aged cumin, herb flecked, smoked and pesto. There are also goats cheeses, a massive range of licorice, Dutch cookies and many other specialty items. 

Little Bread and Butter in Ponsonby are dishing out the finest organic breads in the neighbourhood. They use all natural unbleached flours, nuts and seeds and do a wide range of loaves including more-ish Walnut Loaf, Pumpkin Rye, wheat free Swiss Loaf and some unique breads such as a Fitness Bread containing wholemeal flour, carrots and seeds and a gluten free buckwheat loaf which is good news to the coeliacs and gluten intolerant bread lovers out there. Traditional white bread lovers are well catered for with the crunchy Tuscan Country, Parisian and Batard loaves. For the sweet tooth there are buttery pastries, cinnamon rolls and madeleines and Five Elements coffee to wash it down.

Have you ever wondered where Toru and Teed Street Larder get their superb baking from? Scratch Bakers are the source and now you too can go straight to it. They have opened a small but perfectly formed cafe in the City Works Depot and you can sit down to mouth watering fish korma or braised goat, harissa and yoghurt pies and follow up with a ginger creme brulee tart or twisted cinnamon dusted churro among many other sweet and savoury delights. They serve malty Three Beans Espresso and the decor is raw industrial in keeping with the rest of CWD but warmed up by a red painted wall.

Best Ugly Bagels is my new addiction. I have only been once and had the King - lox, capers, red onion and cream cheese - it's a classic and my favourite combination. It was glorious. A woodfired, crunchy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside, bagel with the salty/creamy/tangy topping - heaven. I will be back in tomorrow to see if I can persuade them to do a non-meat version of the Yodi but if not will be happy to try the TAB with tomato, avocado and basil. It's a buzzing atmosphere with the open kitchen and service is friendly and snappy - in the best way.

It doesn't take much to lure me into Little & Friday - the cream donuts are a real weakness as are the caramelised onion and feta tarts, savoury brioche and pot of tea alongside is a heavenly accompaniment . But one of the most divine things I have eaten there is a chocolate eclair and boy are these things are elusive! If anyone sees them in the cabinet please alert me a.s.a.p.

If I need a quick bite Mamata is the place I head to for a lentil roll or cheesy vege pie. Both delicious and sustaining, I follow it with an organic coffee which they always make to perfection. For the sweet tooth the huge ginger and walnut cookies are out of this world!

Bendon Lingerie has a great selection of the Stella McCartney line which has some fabulous styles. Her use of leopard print is particularly good and every woman should own a set.

Smith & Caughey's lingerie department caters for everyone. From simple cotton knickers to knockout French lace balcony bras. My favourite range is the Calvin Klein underwear - from the simple to the sublime with just the right amount of lace.

Ingrid Starnes floral and silk pieces sit perfectly in this store among luxury cashmere blankets and cushions from Missoni, delicate offerings from jeweller Charlotte Penman and pretty pastel ceramics by Rachel Carley.

You can always count on Miss Crabb for something just right with a twist. From drapey rompers, diaphanous sheer tunics to perfectly cut slip dresses. Also stocked is a great selection of shoes from Papershoes and the olfactory delights of Curio Noir candles.

Zoo Warehouse is worth a visit for the tightly edited selection of beautiful Moroccan rugs. My favourite are the textural boucherouite rag rugs.

I’m obsessed with the kilims at House of Haghi. There is a huge range and plenty of beautiful Turkish rugs too.

There are lots of wonderful things on offer at the Trade Aid stores. I love the highly decorative quilts and cushions. The tea sets are delightful and there is many a basket for practical yet pretty storage.

This is the best place in the city to get slippers and sheepskins at a great price. They have a huge variety of warm footwear and I am coveting a pair of the possum slip ons,  so incredibly warm even though they look like a furry tissue box holder. They have a massive stack of sheepskins and a huge range of undyed, natural skins in alluring shades of brown. You can also get seat covers and goatskins and the cutest calfskin baby booties.

Stepping into Madder and Rouge is like a small slice of France, Morocco and Istanbul all at once. Great for gifts or just to browse and dream of exotic locales.

Best Ugly Bagels is my new addiction. I have only been once and had the King - lox, capers, red onion and cream cheese - it's a classic and my favourite combination. It was glorious. A woodfired, crunchy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside, bagel with the salty/creamy/tangy topping - heaven. I will be back in tomorrow to see if I can persuade them to do a non-meat version of the Yodi but if not will be happy to try the TAB with tomato, avocado and basil. It's a buzzing atmosphere with the open kitchen and service is friendly and snappy - in the best way.

Be prepared for a bit of a wait on a busy night but Mexico in Britomart is well worth it. The food is incredibly tasty and you will want to try several dishes. The fried chicken is a favourite as are the fresh and innovative salads. Wait in the small bar out the back and enjoy a sangria and bowl of house made corn chips.

I love this place - it has such a fresh look and great service and the food is amazing. ‘The Fed’ is a homage to the traditional New York Deli so you will find bagels, matzo ball soup, pastrami on rye, latkes, pickles, hotdogs(mini versions) and Montreal poutine on the menu. There is also NY Cheesecake, which is incredible, and the choc cherry pie with pretzel crunch is ridiculously good. Chase with a bottomless cup of filter coffee and you will have had one of the most satisfying, and fun to boot, lunches in a while.

If you are hankering for a meal of fish and ships late then head to Late Night Diner for their beer battered version with skinny cut fries.

Epolito’s is run by the enigmatic Chicky and she makes the best pizza in Auckland. Authentic New York style, the Eastside with artichoke, lemon and Parmesan and Sonino with pesto, olives and feta are taste sensations.