Another fantastic Wellington bookstore. It’s a beautifully laid-out shop, with the books lining the walls and just waiting for you to pick them up and take them home. Particularly good is the CD collection here, including Goons shows and classical music. I’ve ordered books here before and they always arrive promptly. Just a great store!

Great brunches and a lovely spacious outdoor area next to the rose garden where you can enjoy them! They’ve also got a top notch barista - a really friendly guy and the coffee’s ace too. All in all, a yum place to enjoy the sun.

Got to be one of the best bookshops in Welly! My favourite are the launches they have for fantastic New Zealand literature - most recently, the launch for Eleanor Catton’s "The Luminaries", short-listed for the Man Booker Prize. I’ve also seen Jan Wagner speak here, a showcase of exciting new poetry. The travel section is also excellent. A great place to pick up a gift for to impress.

Great books at great prices. Last time I was in Arty Bee’s I got talking to the very interesting guy on the front desk - we discussed chess, a conversation that got started when I picked up a book about chess on the counter. He was super friendly. The staff here love to read and are keen to help you out. I’m always in this shop with my partner and we’ve picked up all manner of interesting reads at great prices. I also love the foreign languages section upstairs. Check it out!

Midnight Espresso do a spectacular hot chocolate and the best fresh counter food in Welly with a huge range of vege/vegan/gluten free options using heaps of fresh veges. Impress a guest to Wellington or bring your friends for a late night coffee stop. Great variety on the menu and funky, friendly staff.

It may look like any other $2 shop, but this place has a huge variety of stock. If you can think of it, chances are they've got it, or something similar. I've got some super bargains here over the years. Once I needed a pair of aviators for a costume party (I went as a cop!) and I got a pair for about $4 here. Also I bought noise-reducing earphones for my iPod for $5 and they're great, and also photo frames and photo albums, cheap but good quality for the price. Recommended.

My best experience at this great pharmacy was getting passport photos - the shop assistant was v. helpful and took a lot of shots to make sure my head was on the right angle/the light was reflecting in the right way. Very professional. You can also print your own photos here at the handy machines. Highly recommended.

I'm a Farmers Club member and I collect points on a nifty wallet card - every $10 you spend = 1 point and at 200 points you get a $20 reward card. Your club card also gives you discounts in the regular Farmers sales (you can sign up for the newsletter to be sent to you at home, which is what I've done). Today I got a MaXFactor colour correcting cream (like a tinted moisturiser) for $20 with my club card (good deal, right?). Farmers is also good for homeware, clothes and underwear and I even bought a new bed there last year which was good quality but didn't break the bank. If you're looking for something, chances are Farmers has it.

Pak N Save is our local and it's never let us down. Excellent range of fresh produce and they've always got specials so you can pick up a real bargain. This week it was kiwifruit and I nabbed about ten for only 60 cents! You just have to keep an eye out for what's on offer throughout the store. Always great bargains to be had and your groceries won't break the bank.

Calvin the Pharmacist at Hataitai Pharmacy is one of a kind - friendly, organised and efficient, he always fills scripts in short turn-around time and is always free to answer any queries on the phone. The pharmacy has good opening hours and even has a postal service. Excellent customer service and a pleasure to be a customer of his.

Great place to mix and mingle and make some new friends. A chilled out vibe, grab a game of pool and a drink with mates. Right next to Electric Avenue if you want to make your night a little longer.

What can I say? There's a lot of meat on the premises at Steer & Beer and all of it delicious in classy, laid-back bar surroundings. You can check out their website if you want to choose your eats before you dine there. They've got a lunch and dinner menu, all very meat-laden, as well as an extensive beverage selection and a kids' menu - so very family-friendly. They also run regular special deals and offers such as the current Sunday Roast Pork Special for $14.50 - 100% NZ pork! Yum.

Great place to watch the rugga - you'll be surrounded by sports fanatics and just good old mates out for a beer to watch the game. A really good vibe, a great range of beers and open till the wee hours when the rugby has faded away.

These guys know how to show you a good time. Always excellent shows and a great night out - I’ve seen burlesque here, phenomenal, and I’m seeing Amanda Palmer in September, can’t wait! It’s a fun vibe, there are drinks and food specials including pizza and bar snacks - and they even have a coat check! Great spot.

If you’re after excellent tunes and a great night of head-banging, Bodega’s your go-to. I reckon it’s a great place for rock acts. Chilled out, relaxed - and they take care of you with excellent service and staff who look out for you. Fun times to be had at Bodega for sure.

Pak N Save is our local and it's never let us down. Excellent range of fresh produce and they've always got specials so you can pick up a real bargain. This week it was kiwifruit and I nabbed about ten for only 60 cents! You just have to keep an eye out for what's on offer throughout the store. Always great bargains to be had and your groceries won't break the bank.

I'm a Farmers Club member and I collect points on a nifty wallet card - every $10 you spend = 1 point and at 200 points you get a $20 reward card. Your club card also gives you discounts in the regular Farmers sales (you can sign up for the newsletter to be sent to you at home, which is what I've done). Today I got a MaXFactor colour correcting cream (like a tinted moisturiser) for $20 with my club card (good deal, right?). Farmers is also good for homeware, clothes and underwear and I even bought a new bed there last year which was good quality but didn't break the bank. If you're looking for something, chances are Farmers has it.

It may look like any other $2 shop, but this place has a huge variety of stock. If you can think of it, chances are they've got it, or something similar. I've got some super bargains here over the years. Once I needed a pair of aviators for a costume party (I went as a cop!) and I got a pair for about $4 here. Also I bought noise-reducing earphones for my iPod for $5 and they're great, and also photo frames and photo albums, cheap but good quality for the price. Recommended.

Cheap eats and great produce bargains - the perfect place to pick up fresh fruit and veg and I also love to pick up fresh flowers here which are always on special. Check out their new 'Feed 4 for $15' menu ideas instore.

These guys are in Lower Hutt and it's worth the trip - or perhaps you live close - for the freshest fruit and veg and amazing prices. Highly recommended. And they go the extra mile in customer service!

I've been going to Readings for years and years, ever since I was a young teenager hanging out in the food court with mates waiting for our movie to begin! It's a quality entertainment establishment; I've always been satisfied and had a lot of fun checking out the latest movies here.

For the best model soldiers in the world - head to Games Workshop. You'll find a real community of gamers of all ages and stages. Fear not, gaming is cool! Get involved. They're super friendly and really know their stuff.

Chill out before your movie and grab a delicious ice-cream - no end of flavours, cool staff in funky hats who like to chat and lots of seating beside the cabinets. Delish!

Great books at great prices. Last time I was in Arty Bee’s I got talking to the very interesting guy on the front desk - we discussed chess, a conversation that got started when I picked up a book about chess on the counter. He was super friendly. The staff here love to read and are keen to help you out. I’m always in this shop with my partner and we’ve picked up all manner of interesting reads at great prices. I also love the foreign languages section upstairs. Check it out!

So Freyberg has a spa, a sauna and a steamroom for $4.80ea but there are deals if you want a swim too, check out the prices board above the counter as you go in. Excellent spa facilities, always clean and they play some chill out pop music so you can relax to some sounds when you're having a soak! My favourite hotpools in town.

Great place to watch the rugga - you'll be surrounded by sports fanatics and just good old mates out for a beer to watch the game. A really good vibe, a great range of beers and open till the wee hours when the rugby has faded away.

All your sporting needs in one big, fat sporting store! They've got everything. I've bought trainers for myself and my partner, from aisles and aisles of the latest styles with expert advice from friendly staff if you ask for it, they're keen to help you out. I've also got assorted sports equipment including balls, bats, netball gear, togs, caps, Adidas gear and Canterbury Clothing Company gear for a German friend who was after something uniquely Kiwi as a gift. A great, well-stocked store. Get your sport on!

Top quality suits and expert advice when you’re trying it on. They make you feel like a valued customer and they have the goods to match.

Bunnings has everything you want when you're looking for hardware and home supplies. I've bought, in the past: a pitcher plant, a venus flytrap (for $4!), a drill and drill bits, doorstops, plastic storage containers - and most recently, a desk lamp for just $9! (See photo for the range of desk lamps...). I was so impressed at the service. The staff are young, super well-trained and smiley and they know their stuff when you have questions. It's just a great store.

For the best model soldiers in the world - head to Games Workshop. You'll find a real community of gamers of all ages and stages. Fear not, gaming is cool! Get involved. They're super friendly and really know their stuff.