This is my fave place for good outdoor gear - merinos, tough trousers and quality rainwear. They also have a good range of footwear for men and women. Their gear is always well made, comfortable and reliable, which is important when you are out in the elements at this time of year

One of Nelson’s best ladies fashion stores in town. Kimberley’s always has something on their rack that I can’t live without! Great range of designer labels, nice spacious store and quality clothing. Always a pleasure to shop here.

A Nelson Icon - where the style mavens of our little town go to shop. The owner, Jane Palm, will remember you bought a pair of black pants three years ago, and will help you put together an outfit that you’ll be wearing for another three years. She has a great understanding of what clothes suit different body types and makes sure you com out looking good.

Go for a wander around the back of the Cathedral and you might discover this little gem. Tula and Niles is a clothing/jewellery/things you didn’t know you needed aladdin’s cave located in an old restored villa on Nile St. They sell vintage collectable clothing and jewellery, plus some new stuff as well. Always something different here - good place to shop for a stunning winter gown, maybe a faux fur coat or a gorgeous wrap to keep the chills at bay.

Colour colour colour. Even in winter it’s ok to wear colour - and Mariposa has the best selection of bright, cheery colourrful clothes for men and women. The style is hippy chic, with a touch of Golden Bay practicality thrown in. Their clothes are wearable, fun and unique - bound to brighten up any winter’s day.

My perfect Mother’s Day would feature a large bunch of flowers, from Willow Floral Design. Delivered to the door with a message from my kids, they would brighten my kitchen for the week to come. Willow’s bouquets and arrangements are always high quality flowers, stunning designs and last for ages. And sometimes they have chocolates in them!

This is my pick for the best breakfast in town. I would take my mother here, and I’d love my kids to take me here (hint hint) on Mother’s Day for breakfast, morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea. Any or all of the above would suffice!

After my delicious breakfast and the arrival of a lovely bunch of flowers, I’d like a massage. Jamila at Turning Point NZ offers the most relaxing Ayurvedic hot oil massage that promotes relaxation and soothes muscle fatigue while opening the pores and softening the skin. All designed to make you feel good, look good and be nice to your children.

Replete and relaxed from my massage, I’d like to head to Red Art Gallery to see an exhibition and browse in their delightful gallery and store. I always find something nice for myself or a friend here, and they have one of the best selections of gift cards here. In fact I’ll probably get my own mother a card here this year.And then there is the cafe for coffee and a light lunch. Perfect!

After all that eating and shopping, my perfect Mother’s Day would end with a visit to Kimi Ora Spa Resort out at Kaiteriteri. I’d like to drive out here with my family, walk on the beach (might be a bit cold for swimming) and maybe bike part of the Great Taste Trail or catch a water taxi out to the Abel Tasman National Park. Then stay the night at the resort and enjoy its spa facilities and restaurant - it’s a wonderfully relaxing place.

Located on the edge of town (Eastern end of Bridge Street) this bar is the place to go for sushi or sashimi with a glass of wine. The mains are all at restaurant prices but the sushi, & sashimi (eight pieces per serving), tsunami (appetisers) and deep fried dishes all come in under $15 – or order a mixed sushi platter for two for around $25. A great option for a cheap and tasty night out.

The symbiotic relationship between the Milton Street Takeaway and the Milton Street Sprig and Fern is a thing of beauty. Order your takeaway from Milton Street then sidle next door to the Sprig and Fern and choose a delicious beer from their range. The takeaway staff deliver the food to you in the pub as you sit back and relax and enjoy high quality fish and chips, with a beer, all at takeaway prices. Bonafide beer and chips experience

Everybody’s favourite pizzeria – upstairs at the State Cinema, but you don’t have to go to the movies to enjoy a Stefano’s crispy pizza. You can get a basic small pizza for as little as $6 – gotta be the best value dinner in town – and there are plenty of options under $15. The pizzas have a beautiful thin base so the topping takes priority and they offer gluten free base options.

A little slice of Paris here on Nelson’s Hardy Street. La Gourmandise is proof that it’s not expensive to go a little bit French. Savoury galettes (like the Provencale: cheese, goats cheese, tomatoes, thyme, $13.50) are made with buckwheat flour to give them an earthy, authentic flavour and texture. Or you can enjoy the sweetness of crepes starting at $4.50 with butter and sugar – simple is good, ooh la la.

I couldn’t believe this place when I found it in the old cellars of a backpackers on East Street, just by the beautiful Nelson Cathedral. The East Street Café is a hidden gem with simple, fresh and inexpensive vegetarian food and a drinkable house wine. Probably originally aimed at the penniless backpacker it now caters for a wider clientele but the food is still inexpensive, unpretentious and very well suited to the atmosphere of underground bar meets hippy eatery.

Prokarts at Tahunanui has just set up a new activity - Laser Tag Combat . Great family activity - divide into teams, plaster your face with camo war paint, grab a laser gun and head gear and head in to the course. It’s all about ducking and diving, sneaking up on the enemy and belly crawling through the long grass. Wonderful way to wear off some of that extra holiday energy!

I love catching this little boat from the wharf in Nelson out to the Boulderbank for a walk and a picnic lunch. Walk along the Boulderbank, explore the lighthouse (The Ferry Captain has a key for the lighthouse - such a cool place to go and explore), and enjoy your lunch on the warm stones. If the sun is out and the tide is in you can go for a swim in the Haven. Look out for seals, dolphins, dive bombing gannets and terns. A great family day out that gets you out on the water and has history, wildlife and an interesting place to explore.

The Giggling Pony runs school holiday programmes that are ideal for pony mad children, or those that need a little extra confidence with animals. After their five hour ‘hands-on’ programme, my friend’s daughter was able to get on and off her pony confidently and had learned to saddle and unsaddle and groom her pony. She learned there is more to riding than just sitting on the horse! And it was lots of fun, with quiet well trained animals and safe, helpful instruction from qualified instructors. I can highly recommend this for a great School Holiday day out.

If its raining (and lets face it there’s strong chance it might be…) this is one of the indoor options I take my family and friends to. What’s good about it? Even though it’s an indoors activity (so you stay dry) the kids (and their parents) can still let off a fair amount of steam. It’s also pretty cheap ($8 entry), open to the public Saturday and Sunday 1-3pm. Get your skates on..

This one’s out of town - a good destination for a drive. The best thing about Jester House (apart from the fact it won Cafe of the Year last year) is the relaxed atmosphere and space for children to run around. Oh and the eels. When I’ve been here with anyone under the age of about twelve they have magically disappeared down to the creek to feed the little monsters while the adults amongst us enjoy a relaxing coffee. Perfect school holiday distraction.

Love this bakery - tucked away in a little corner of town they make the best European pastries, tasty treats and of course they will have yummy traditionally hand made hot cross buns for Easter.

I bought flowers for my friend, a gift box for an auntie and some special treats for my daughter. Willow Floral Design has a great online store for gifts and flowers - the perfect way to wish someone a happy Easter!

Chocolate Velvet is the best chocolate maker in Nelson. It’s where we go for cakes, hand made chocolate and all sorts of other yummy goodies. They will have the nicest hand made chocolates in town for Easter - their bakery and shop on Nayland Road is a dangerous place at this time of year.

I’ve got two people to buy Easter gifts for that don’t like chocolate. Hmm where to go? Ah yes Red Gallery and café. Excellent hand picked gift selection, beautiful paintings, interesting cards and friendly staff. Coffee shop in the corner might be handy for later….

Best found in Nelson’s Saturday Market - this is where I’m going for my sour dough Easter baking. I bet they will have hot cross buns but they also make excellent sour dough ciabatta, bagels, croissants and chunk wholemeal sourdough that you can really get your teeth into. Delish.