By far the prettiest bakery in Auckland, Bluebells Cakery is a charming vintage-inspired spot and full of so many delicious cakes and treats you will hard-pressed to decide on which sweet thing to order. High on my list of favourite cake flavours are the banana and salted caramel, which is as amazing as it sounds and the fabulous lemon curd which has just the right amount of sweetness and bite. If classic flavours are more your thing make sure you try the vanilla bean, it's definitely the most perfect vanilla cake in Auckland. Bluebells cakes are addictively good and from your first visit you'll find any excuse to re-visit this suburban treat haven.

I had heard of the amazing baker Jordan Rondel, known as The Caker, long before I tasted her delicious cakes. Such is the way good food news travels in this city. Her beautiful cakes are instantly recognisable by their pretty decorations which include fresh flowers, berries and pistachio pieces. The fact that these cakes taste even more amazing than they look is quite something and make them a treat for the eyes and the palate. I can never go past her flourless dark chocolate cake which is sinfully good and as moist and rich as you would want your chocolate cake to be. Definitely my favourite chocolate cake in Auckland.

Known for their creative recipes and super fresh baking, Delish Cupcakes, are a true cake gem and have built up a loyal following over the past few years. Every single cupcake is baked fresh in store each day and carefully decorated by Delish's clever team, the flavours are all kinds of awesome with everything from classic chocolate with chocolate ganache to Perky Nana and Pinky Bar inspired cupcakes sure to please the kids or your inner child. I find it impossible to order just one with vanilla passionfruit and jersey caramel high on my list of favourites. If you're keen to unleash your inner baker they also offer cupcake making classes for adults and children which are a lot of fun and you leave with tasty treats to take home if they make it that long! They also make custom cakes and cupcakes to order which are definitely worth doing. If you can't make it to the shore you can order from them online too - no excuses not to try some, you'll be glad you did!

Making some of the cutest cupcakes and cakes in Auckland, Icing On The Cake, has perfected their American style cupcakes complete with frosting and sprinkles. Must try flavours are the delicious strawberry, jaffa and my favourite, raspberry lamington with vanilla bean frosting which is a true delight. Icing On The Cake also make full-size cakes to order in their great range of flavours. Make sure you try the fresh frozen yoghurt too, it's a perfect summer treat.

Hidden away on a backstreet in Newmarket is Heart of Flavour, the artisanal bakery that produces some of the tastiest cakes in Auckland. The focus here is on flavour and high quality ingredients with simple but chic decorations, You must try the banana and almond cake with passionfruit curd filling, it's absolutely divine and the perfectly light without being too sweet. Their chocolate buttermilk cake is also incredibly delicious and high on my list of favourite cakes too.

Every amazing thing you've heard about Milse is entirely true. Since its arrival in Britomart it has become a sweet tooth mecca and for many delicious reasons. Let's start with the patisseries which are utterly mouthwatering and comprise so many different kinds of pastries, tarts and creative delicacies you will have great difficulty choosing just one, although do try the roasted pear, apple and frangipane tart - it's a true delight! Milse also has the best selection of fresh macarons in Auckland, incredible handmade chocolates and clever gelato blends on sticks amongst its many other treats. Everything at Milse is presented in a beautiful way and the service is also impeccable, it really is a five star dessert experience and even offers a dessert degustation menu which is out of this world. If you haven't been to Milse yet, find any excuse to go as it's an absolute must.

If you haven't tried the Chocolate Boutique's hot chocolate you really are missing out, it's by far the most divine sweet drink in Auckland and its richness and amazing flavours make it a worthy dessert in its own right. Although that's not all on offer at this Parnell institution, which serves delicious handmade chocolates in so many flavours to list them all would make this the biggest post on Localist. Not to mention tasty sundaes and desserts which are available until late, as the cafe is open until 10pm each day, which makes this the perfect place to get an after dinner treat.

Like a little slice of heaven in West Auckland, Lick Ice Cream & Sweetshop, is a delicious find that will have you coming back for more. With a huge range of heavenly ice creams and sorbets to choose from you will love the great range of flavours on offer. Make sure you try a sundae for a sweet taste of nostalgia, they really are as good as the ones you remember from your childhood. Lick also stocks an impressive selection of American candy to give you something delectable to take home. You will also love the bright and breezy interior and friendly service which adds to the charm of this wonderful store.

What could be better than getting to dip already good food in chocolate? It doesn't really get better than that so Theobroma Chocolate Lounge have run with this idea and offer a a selection of food including fruit, marshmallows and waffles that you can dip into chocolate to your heart's content which is just as delectable as it sounds. They also offer a particularly stellar hot chocolate which comes with its own clever tea-light warmer underneath along with a range of chocolates and cakes that will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.

The perfect place to shop for chocolates then indulge in an amazing dessert, House of Chocolates is the artisan chocolate's arm of the business which complements the Chocolate Drop Dessert Cafe next door. You'll find some truly divine chocolates here and it's no surprise that the dessert menu is one of the most chocolatey in Auckland. High on the list to try are the chocolate mousse and dulce de leche although you will want to order a chocolate tasting plate too to make the most of the experience. Definitely worth a trip to the North Shore and you'll want to make sure you buy your favourite chocolates to take away too.

A true gem of West Auckland, Humbug Cafe is a fave brunch spot for several good reasons. Coffee fiends will love the expertly made Miller's coffee that fans come from several suburbs away for. Brunch is a delight with the eggs benedict an ever popular choice and the cinnamon brioche a delicious treat. The interior is huge and cleverly designed to include a child friendly play area to keep the kids entertained. The relaxed environment and friendly staff make it such a great weekend experience you'll want to go every day of the week!

One of Milford's newest cafes, Little King Cafe has built up a loyal following in just a short time and it's not hard to see why. Perfectly positioned on Milford Village's main strip, it's all to easy to wander in for brunch and stay for a couple of hours. The cabinet is full of delicious baking and the menu includes all the favourites you would expect with a focus on mouth watering waffles. Do try the coffee - which is Supreme and superbly made.

Definitely a Westmere favourite, Catroux is simply superb. From the elegant white interior to the fresh flowers and innovative menu it really is the perfect place to head for brunch. The ham off the bone with a soft gruyere scramble and slow roasted tomatoes is a pleasure and the smashed avocado and toast is sublime. The brunch menu changes seasonally but you will definitely find something delightful to charm your taste buds and don't forget to try the expertly made coffee.

Like a little piece of Europe in East Auckland, The Apothecary Eatery is one of those wonderful little finds that you wish you knew about sooner. Featuring a great menu and extensive drinks list you will be spoilt for choice at this fantastic place as it has all the ingredients for a fantastic time. The vintage-inspired interior is full of curious discoveries and resembles an authentic Apothecary shop, which is certainly a unique concept too.

A sweet addition to Mangere Bridge Village, Ruby Red is a great brunch spot with something to please everyone, including the little ones, which makes it perfect for dads with young kids. Its interior is a cute throwback to old-school NZ with wooden seats and sixties style crockery among its vintage inspired features. The food is fresh, good quality and reasonably priced with mince on toast a favourite chased with stellar coffee. A slice or cake from the cabinet is a must too.

The perfect excuse to visit the North Shore, the Department Store has an enviable mix of local fashion labels including Karen Walker, I Love Ugly, Lonely Hearts, Ruby, Blak and many more in it's cleverly crafted retail space. With an on-site cafe, Stephen Marr salon and Lucy & the Powder Room in the same building, it's a stellar style experience and an enjoyable way to spend a few hours, emerging beautified and relaxed at the end. Even the littlest members of the family will be catered to with an adorable Nature Baby set up on the ground floor. Shopping, beauty, food and great coffee all under one roof, who could ask for anything more?

Moochi excel at creating beautiful clothes that have an effortless feel and casual elegance. Their outfits are modern and oh so easy to wear, there are always great combinations to mix and match each season, too. It also helps that their staff are excellent stylists and great at helping choose just the right look with you. Definitely a great place to shop to update your look for the new season.

Trelise Cooper's little sister label COOP took up residence in Takapuna back in 2013, in a great space which also includes a mix of up and coming designers. Although COOP's collections are the main focus of the store and with good reason, the cool pieces and younger celebrity following including the likes of Jaime Ridge has ensured this label has built up a strong following. Colourful and fresh, The CO-OP has everything from hot party dresses to cute casual wear on its racks. A perfect place to find fun new additions to your wardrobe.

Fans of unique fashion will love Children of Vision, the brainchild of Jimmy D designer James Dobson and his business partner Vicky Chan, which delivers a carefully curated selection of local and international fashion. It's the place to go to find pieces that not everyone else is wearing and includes labels such as JImmy D, Meadowlark, Deadly Ponies and Otsu representing the local market. Children of Vision also stocks amazing Commes des Garcons fragrances and a clever range of accessories. Definitely a gem of K road.

Home to an eclectic mix of New Zealand and international labels, Made has a brilliant collection of menswear, womenswear and accessories that are a wonderful combination of trend pieces and classics. With the likes of Karen Walker, Miss Crabb and Penny Sage sharing racks with A.P.C and Sessun, not to mention footwear from Vivienne Westwood and Beau Coops, you will spoiled for beautiful new season choices. Perfectly complementing their new garments is a carefully selected range of designer vintage items and believe me there are some real treasures to be found there.

Workshop consistently deliver well-cut denim for both men and women in styles that flatter the body. They've been leading the way in denim in New Zealand since the early 80s and it's not hard to see why. As well as delivering fashion forward styles each season their range of classic pieces are always top sellers and wear incredibly well. For high quality, well made denim that lasts you can't go past Workshop.

Denim is Route 66's core business and they have a huge selection of jeans for both men and women. With a great range of brands from cult classics Levis and Lee to designer denim from Neuw and Deus, you'll definitely find a range of options to suit your shape. The staff at Route 66 are experts at advising on denim so make the most of their friendly, knowledgeable service.

Affordable fashion at it's best, Glassons is a mainstay in pretty much every Kiwi female's wardrobe and it's not hard to see why. This great New Zealand brand manages to stay on top of each season's trends while still producing good basics that appeal to a wide range of ages. Their denim is consistently comfortable and has a range of styles from fashion forward pieces to more classic styles. At an accessible price point it's easy enough to stock up and know you'll have some versatile pieces on hand.

Definitely the place to go for cool denim from a range of streetwear and designer labels, Area 51 stocks Huffer, Cheap Monday, Sass & Bide & Ksubi amongst their collection. They also have an awesome selection of menswear and womenswear to complement the denim with everything from tees to accessories available at good prices. The guys and girls at Area 51 are always friendly and if you can't make it into store, their online store also has the same comprehensive range.

For lovers of designer denim Superette is the place to go, they stock a great selection from local and international designers including Sass & Bide, Rag & Bone, Flux and Nudie. As well as brilliant denim they also stock a fashion forward collection of menswear, womenswear and accessories. The perfect place to update your wardrobe for the new season and find favourites to keep for years to come.

Definitely the South Island's go-to skifield, Mt Hutt, really does have great snow runs for everyone, from the new beginner through to advanced. It's family friendly and has great lessons taught by helpful instructors for every level, so no matter your experience you will be up on your feet and enjoying yourself in no time. It also has excellent black runs for the more advanced snowboarders and skiers, and of course the views are out of this world. The perfect place for your winter holiday.

A great place to unwind and have a drink after your adventures on the mountain, The Blue Pub is hard to miss and a hit with visitors all year round. With reasonable prices (especially for a tourist area), tasty food and even hotel rooms upstairs where you can snooze if it gets a bit too late, you will find The Blue Pub a perfect respite from the winter chill.

Just an hour's drive from Christchurch, Porter Heights Skifield, is the closest skifield to the city and is a great choice if you're a bit short of time but still want to get in some snow action. They also have informative and friendly lessons that cater to every ability so you can increase your skills and make the most of your snow time.

Methven is the place you want to stay when visiting Mt Hutt and Brinkley Resort is my first choice of accommodation. It's made up of self-contained apartments so you can look after yourself and enjoy the facilities which are great for the family and include hot tubs, tennis courts and a children's playground. Brinkley's also has a good restaurant with an open fire and a bar for a Central Otago pinot noir afterwards. With easy access to the mountain and even a heli-pad if you're that way inclined, it's a wonderful haven from the snow.

Set in the beautiful historic Post Office building, The Last Post Cafe is a true delight and a must-visit in Methven. With a seasonal menu and fresh produce, the food is delicious and perfectly complemented by a great wine list. The relaxing atmosphere and friendly service make it a lovely place to unwind next to the open fire after a busy day on the mountain.