Angela T.'s
Where to get good firewood
- 11West E WoodHendersonI first heard about these guys from a friend who called them ‘wood aficionados’. He wasn’t wrong! These guys are wood experts and offered a great range of wood and prompt delivery for an excellent price. Although based out west they will deliver Auckland wide at no extra cost. Great guys and great wood!
- 21Auckland FirewoodGrey LynnThis is a great place to get 20kg bags of firewood and kindling. They are open 7 days a week and located at 259 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. They even have a choice of wood from Manuka through to Puriri. Puriri is a premium wood to burn and is their most expensive type. I was so grateful to find these guys. I normally get wood delivered but these guys are great to tide you over between deliveries or keep you going towards the end of winter when you don’t want another big wood delivery.
- 33The FirewoodBirkdaleThese guys are high tech for a wood company! You can even order online. They deliver in all sizes from bags to cubic metres. You can also get coal, matches and firestarters. They have a great range of wood and proudly state they have the best firewood in Auckland!
- 41Cypress SawmillKaukapakapaI love that you buy wood direct from this sawmill in Silverdale. You can buy any amount you like which is great. I particulary like the fact I can drive away with a boot full of wood for only $40! it is mostly macrocarpa or pine and if you’re really organised you can buy it green a season early and let it age. I don’t have the space to do this but for those of you who do it’s a great way to save money on firewood.
- 51Dry Firewood AucklandKaukapakapaThese guys specialise in dry wood. The prices are very reasonable and they really do have bone dry wood delivered to your door. You can only order a minimum of 2 cubic metres so a good delivery for the beginning of the winter. And Lois and Newt who own the orchard are lovely people to deal with. A great place to get a bulk delivery of wood.
Angela T.'s
Where to get a great cocktail
- 15Montage BarPoint ChevalierI love everything about this place. It is a cool building that used to be a movie theatre. The bar staff are top notch and the cocktails exquisite! It is one of my favourite places to have a cocktail. Great bar!
- 257A great place for a meal and a great place for a cocktail. I think some of my best cocktails of all time have been from Cocos. A watermelon cocktail one hot summer night and more recently an espresso cocktail on a winters evening…. it was so good we had 3!
- 335ClooneyFreemans BayClooney has an excellent restaurant and a great cocktail bar. If you don’t feel like the degustation but you’d like a bit of luxury pop in for a cocktail or 2. The bar staff are excellent and the cocktail list is extensive and everything I’ve tried was delicious. A stand out cocktail was a a champage one with a whipped lemon merinque egg white topping that was as much a dessert as a cocktail.
- 422Andiamo Restaurant & BarHerne BayThe bar at Andiamo is equally as good as the restaurant. A friend recently had birthday drinks here and I was reminded how good it is. We sat around the large table at the front of the bar and had a selection of cocktails and nibbles. The bar staff are excellent and even better we got table service so never had to leave the comfort of our seats!
- 55Shanghai Lil's Bar & LoungePonsonbyRecently re-opened in Ponsonby, Shanghai Lil’s is one of my all-time favourite places for a great cocktail. I love the opium den-feel of the interior and the fact that this is where global superstars come when they are in town in Auckland to drink. Their cocktails are second-to-none and every drink on the menu has the same opulent feel as the rest of Shanghai Lil’s regality.
Angela T.'s
Where to buy kid's presents
- 18PresentzGrey LynnThis is where I go to get most of my Christmas presents particularly for the kids. They have a great range of well prices stocking fillers and the gift wrap too! The staff are friendly and helpful and if you need something for the grown up too, you’ll definitely be able to find something. A gorgeous little store filled with beautiful, quirky, and useful things.
- 226Nature Baby LimitedGrey LynnIf you have a very small child to buy for aka a baby, you can’t go past Nature Baby. They have a great range from newborn through to bigger kids.
- 338Unity Books LimitedAuckland CentralI LOVE this bookstore! I could lose hours in this place. It is also one of the best bookstores to get books for children. They have an interesting and varied range for kids. I often find books I’ve never seen or heard of here. Happy times!
- 49ToycoMt AlbertThis place is epic! If you are bring lego fans, do your best to keep them calm. There is a lego model of the Sky Tower among other things that will get them pretty excited! Whatever you want in the latest toy range you will find here. It is a super sized Aladdins Cave of kid treasure.
- 518The Fairy ShopAuckland CentralWelcome to fairy heaven! This delightful shop has beautiful dress ups, ballet shoes, wands and wonderful things. You can even book a kids party here hosted by your very own fairy. I love visiting here and am always tempted to buy my very own set of wings….
Angela T.'s
Summer body workout
- 112TK Store PonsonbyPonsonbyTK is my favourite store to buy a summer dress. I’ve got a sarong from a few years ago that can be worn as a dress. It’s a gorgeous silk print and I love it. I’ve also got two great cotton dresses one in grey marle and one in aubergine that are backless. I get compliments on them all the time. This will be my first port of call when their summer range is in!
- 21Spray Tan PonsonbyPonsonbyJavanna is the owner of Ponsonby Spray Tan and the technician who will apply your tan to perfection. She is fantastic! Couldn’t recommend her more highly for turning your white body into a gorgeous bronzed one.
- 331East Day SpaAuckland CentralThe best place to get your eyebrows done is East Day Spa. Instead of waxing they thread which much better!It leaves a crisper more defined eyebrow. I’ve tried a few cheaper places but East Day Spa is the best in my opinion.
- 40This is the first gym I’ve been in New Zealand that is what I’d call a gym and health club. It really is the best gym I’ve been to. The facilities are outstanding, from the tennis courts to the cafe that serves great healthy food. I love going here!
- 51Number 18 Hair & BeautyHerne BayI’ve been going to Number 18 for years to have my legs and more delicate areas waxed. Their technicians are very experienced and make the whole experience as painless as possible. From leg waxing to brazilians you’ll be looked after and hair free at Number 18.
Angela T.'s
Get your cross stitch on
- 16The Ribbon RoseMount WellingtonThis great needlecraft store is in Mt Wellington and is a treasure trove of all things crafty. My mother is an avid stitcher and loved her visit here. She did not leave empty handed!
- 21Stitch & Craft LtdPapatoetoeStitch & craft has a great selection of cross stitch patterns, knitting and crochet, I couldn’t go past a little Peter Rabbit design for my twin nephew and niece. Well worth the drive to East Tamaki.
- 32The Embroiderer LtdBirkenheadA treasure trove of cross stitch, needle work and embroidery. I thought I’d died and gone to haberdashery heaven! They also run embroidery classes and drop in knitting classes. And the ladies who work here are lovely and really helpful.
Angela T.'s
Top Bike Trails
- 123Woodhill Mountain Bike ParkWoodhill ForestThis is a great place for mountain bikers of all abilities. Only a 40 min drive from central Auckland, you can bring your own bike or hire one. They supply helmuts too. I love cycling through the forest and find it fun and relaxing. After a good hard ride I like to have a Jesters Pie from Pie van or a hot chocolate at the cafe. The staff here are really nice and helpful too. A great place for the whole family.
- 21Riverhead ForestWaitakereClose to Woodhill and possibly the muddiest place I’ve ever been on a bike! These trails are best in summer and they are everywhere. A great place for an intermediate to advanced mountain biker.
- 37Shakespear Regional ParkArmy BayFor some mountain biking fun for the whole family check out the Lookout Track at Shakespear Regional Park. It has great views and is only 3kms long. Certainly worth the drive from Auckland. Bring a picnic lunch and have it on the trail.
- 42Sanders ReserveParemoremoThe council have invested in some great infrastructure here. And at only 30 min drive from central Auckland this is some of the best mountain biking close to the city. There is trail for kids of you want to bring the family. Otherwise there is plenty fun for the grown ups with 20kms of trail and best of all you can have a shower at the end! It's also an awesome spot for dogs because there's lots of space for them to run.
- 510Totara ParkThe GardensOne of Auckland’s newest bike trails and close to the city centre. The trails are perfect for a beginner to intermediate. You’ll be able to enjoy patches of beautiful native bush and a little bit of creek action. Some of the tracks aren’t as well thought out as other parks but you can’t beat the close proximity to Auckland and the surroundings.