Need a break from the throngs of people, traffic and noise? Head to the first floor of the Library to the kids section. Toys, books, small tables to keep them entertained all day. Drop down to Esquires cafe on the ground floor for a fluffy and sandwich.

If you live on the shore or feel like a drive, head to Paint the Earth in Albany. You can join in the fun too. Select a mug plate or something from their extensive range of ceramics to paint- Go crazy and let the inner Picasso come out. 5 days later your creation arrives at your door. Kilned and ready to gift or use.

Parnell Baby Boutique is new on the Auckland baby and kid scene. Opening their doors in July 2013 they have something for your little ones from all ages. 0 to big kid. Toys, clothes, collectables, gifts, small furniture and more.

Milk & cookies. Every kids favourite. Just up from Civic Theatre. All kinds of delicious cookies to wash down with a milk shake or hot chocolate.

A wonderland of endless things to do. 10 pin bowling, video games, dinosaurs, movies, junk food and tonnes more. There's so much going on here and always changing. Go on line and check what's on.

Start off at Ellerslie Organic Meats. The lads there will sort you out with the right hunk of meat to get you going. They can even tell you the best way to cook it. They also have a selection of marinades, pastas, sauces, herbs and spices to get you going.

Then stop off at Ceres Organics Ponsonby or Ellerslie. Organic veges, recipe books if you're stuck for ideas. Get one of the team to whizz you up an organic juice to enjoy while you shop.

Something from France? A baguette or pastries for the breakfast in bed? Tarte Citron or two.

The penultimate gesture is something from Icing on the Cake, Herne Bay. Something rich, sticky, gooey and delicious. Confectionary, cafe, cupcakes and cakes galore. Take your pick.

Finally.... A bouquet of flowers from Wild Poppies Florist, Great North Road. The girls there will talk you through it and help you come up with something befitting your special night. If you don't get some after that then you must be in a coma!

Laundromat cafe and Gallery is a suntrap. Fresh food, hip art for sale and your Supreme fix to get you going.

Just up from the Civic Centre this little jewel in the heart of Auckland serves you freshly made cookies to dip into your Supreme coffee. Shazam the very cool and eclectic music while you wait. Stand at the milk bar and chat with the staff sculpting cookie heaven or sit by the window and watch the city hurry by. Buy a cookie for the bus trip home.

Conch Records and Backyard Cafe. Supreme coffee, vinyl, CD's, DVD's, food, mags, books, clothing, art, figurines and Misc.

Discerning coffee lovers and foodies of the Aucklands north shore.

Simple ideals. Abundantly fresh, free-range and organic produce. Freshly baked goodies. Passionate about food and superlative coffee.

This little beauty is tucked away just off Dominion Rd on Valley rd is Ginger Minx. Ornate decor, sumptuous sofas, nooks to hide in, eclectic edgy art and posters on the wall, fantastic beats and a real log fire to relax in front of. Stop in for a drink. Try a cocktail. Something there to please every palette and ease you into the rest of the week.

Cool modern Chinese 'street' food. Wash it down with something fancy. Something made with freshly squeezed sugar cane. Sit up at the food counter or in at the table and watch Ponsonby buzz by.

Something different. Japanese Chefs will prepare for you fresh sashimi, yakitori skewers, sushi, tempura and much more. complement these with have Japanese tap beer, local beers, a selection of hot and cold sakes as well as the usual wine and drinks.

On top of the world up here, well Auckland maybe, forget about the beginning of the week and toast in the next half with a bottle of bubbles. RAP jump down instead of taking the lift.

Owners Andy and Ant first met over a beer and the rest is history. Bloody good tasty kiwi beer.

The perfect thai and western fusion. Try the Red curry of slow-cooked Beef Rib w/ lemongrass, peanuts, shallots or the Jasmine-Smoked Crispy Salmon, choko, crispy shallots & galangal dressing. The right side of spicy that will have you tingling. Lashings of Uni Eagle HOT chilli sauce will have beads of sweat gathering at the top of your forehead. A place to impress. Stunning menu. Beautiful staff. Gorgeous ambience.

Is exactly that. They specialise in heat. Great service. A menu to try all chilli tolerance levels. Try the pork hock casseroles in spicy soya type sauce. This will have you jiggling in your seat grappling for a sweet drink or hallucinating swimming pools. If spicy isn't your buzz they have mild or non chilli dishes or order a lemonade.

Parking up near you. This gem on wheels pops up all over the place to serve you freshly made tacos. Try the strawberry sauce on your taco...Ariba Ariba!!

The sign on the window- 'Spicy Food Expert'. True. The food is delicious. I shared Spare Ribs with foil , pork hock, spicy (boneless) chicken. Asked for hot. Eye watering. What a fantastic assault on the mouth, I was doing a Louie Armstrong impersonation with an invisible trumpet. You'd have thought we had just climbed out of a sauna or run an ultra marathon in the sahara with all the sweating at the table. You can choose mild if you prefer. The waitress did say or warn us their hot is HOT and we are chilli buffs. She was right. I had a new chapter of Dantes Inferno burning in my gob. Our table a quartet of sweating hummers. Delicious.

Dante's says it all. They can make it as hot as you can handle it. Go all out. Ask them to see if they can set your face alight with the hottest pizza possible. People with a sketchy ticker better ask your GP first.

Kick Start your body's Warrant of fitness with getting your diet back on track. Go and see qualified Naturopath and Medical Herbalist, Wendi for your Naturopathic consultations, Medical herbalism, Massage therapy, Flower Essences.

The iron out those niggling aches, pains and tweaks with a session at Acupuncture and herbology in Ponsonby Grey Lynn.

Claire at Pilates Workshop in Te Atatu has all the gear to get you balanced. Holistic Fitness, Pilates Mat Classes, Pilates Studio Sessions, Private One-On-One Pilates Sessions, Osteopathy and Postural Assessment. Both for men and women.

Inga von Benzon offers naturopathic treatment for chronic and acute conditions such as back/neck/shoulder pain; digestive complaints; respiratory conditions including asthma; stress; fatigue; and hormonal imbalances. Allowing your whole person: body, mind, emotions and spirit through total drug-free pain relief and healing. On your way out stop off at Wise Cicada cafe for something, organic fresh and tasty.