Cue hyperventilation…read more I make no secret of the fact that I adore stationery shops. All those piles of paper, stacks of sharpeners and heaps of highlighters combined with a profusion of pens, a plethora of pencils and a redundance of rubbers fill me with such complete euphoria that I feel the need to immediately purchase one or more of the above. Unfortunately, as my education days are now over, and my uses for such stationery supplies are at an all time low, I no longer require surplus amounts of pens, paper and the like. Thankfully, however, my sister has seemingly followed in my footsteps. Having decided that she likes her school notes colour coordinated (a girl truly after my own heart), she was after a few highlighters to fulfil her need on this particular trip to The Office. And believe you me, it is a need. My upper sixth year was spent swapping from blue to orange to pink to green to yellow highlighter in an attempt to make life much more colourful and easier to understand. It worked. The Office (great name, don't you think?) was bursting at the seams with every stationery supply you could ever need - kiddies felt tips to whiteboard markers, exercise books to coloured ring binders. And a whole lot of highlighters. Ooh goody. We were in luck. Rather than purchasing single highlighters (despite the vast colour choice), I convinced my sister to go for a set of four high-quality ones for £3.15. She didn't need much convincing, mind you. I think she may even have been more excited than I was, if that's at all possible. With so much stock, and all at great prices, I could've spent a) an awful lot longer there and b) an awful lot more money, but I (wisely) decided against it. My wisdom was later acknowledged, as I actually won a stationery set at a treasure hunt later that night. What a great day.

The office is unique in Ballyclare in that I don't believe there is another similar shop like it…read more Ahh however there is a couple of things but I'll get to them in a moment....a "stationary/pen shop" is definitely needed in Ballyclare due to our 2 big grammar schools, but there's much more to this shop at the epicenter of the towns centre like a place you can print photos out from your smartphone with the aid of their VERY helpful staff. Pens, pencils, envelopes, erasers etc, all the norm in a stationary shop. The only 2 things I can pick up on in this much needed establishment are the former computer (PC, tablet, laptop etc) repairs folks. I went to get my laptop a "clearout" or whatever they call it, only to be told that their "specialist" had resigned and moved on to pastures anew. The salesman then I have to admit very kindly directed me to a new shop that had opened in the town where I could get my laptop seen to. The other point I feel I should add without mentioning any names is the owners of "The Office" and their other profitable business opposite it. I have on several occasions witnessed unduly unhelpful relations between very friendly staff and these owners. I wouldn't call it bullying by any means but as an employee myself in such an occupation, I found correspondence from the owners to the staff very unpleasant and unjust! In a nutshell a great wee shop that's owners just need to treat it's likeable employees with a little more respect.

The Newtownabbey Times is a local newspaper which has been circulated around the area for over 100…read moreyears. It is published by Johnston Press plc. (One of the top 3 largest local newspaper publishers in the UK) It's sister papers include the Carrickfergus and Larne Times, each with their own offices in the respective areas. Together they have been reporting news stories around the East Antrim area since the 1860s. Focusing mainly on local news, it is a valuable source of community information and news updates. It is currently published every Thursday and coverage includes news, sports, health and education amongst a number of contemporary news stories or reviews. For more information or to contact the newspaper, email susan.gillen@jpress.co.uk or send your letters to Newtownabbey Times, 14 Portland Avenue, Glengormley, Newtownabbey, BT36 5EY. Telephone: 028 9084 3621

Newtownabbey Times includes stories from all across the area - from Ballyduff to Ballyclare, from…read moreCarnmoney to Templepatrick, and from Glengormley to Jordanstown. It's comprehensive coverage mean that it's a) quite an in-depth paper (certainly not on par with The Sun etc), and b) it takes quite a while to read (not such a good idea when on a hot, stuffy bus from Ballyclare to Belfast, with ten screaming teenagers arguing over whether it's a bikelist or a cyclist...). I did, however, come across a few interesting nuggets of information. For example, who knew that there even was a Women's Rugby World Cup, let alone the fact that one of Ireland's players comes from Whiteabbey? Or indeed that there is a singing group known as the Belfast Phoenix Choir? My life has been greatly enhanced thanks to these wonderful pieces of completely useful information. As well as the news section, the Newtownabbey Times has a rather amusing birthday component (one particular vengeful twin used this to her advantage), as well as a jobs section (Primark are looking Christmas staff already?!), business news, a sports section, property news, a careers / training / education insert, and a lengthy motorcar segment. All in all, not a bad paper.

Somehow I got talked into designing some posters for a surprise party, which is why I found myself…read morein this place in Portview. I was a little nervous heading in, not sure whether my artwork was high res enough, or even if they'd do such a small job. No need to worry, the service was top class. From the cheery receptionist to the very kind designer who took me into the studio to check the artwork and see what I wanted, everything was flawless. They were even so quick I had a call from them before I'd even got home telling me my posters were done. The lovely lady even gave me a diary when I went to collect my prints (which looked brilliant). Sad as it sounds, I loved the experience so much I'm now hunting out other things I need printed!

Don't usually do these review things but the service at Media Design and Print…read more(http://www.mediadesignandprint.com) was so good I feel I have to. I needed 500 A5 leaflets (https://www.mediadesignandprint.com/products/promo/8/leaflets#prices2) for Friday and ordered them on Thursday. Print companies that I have used in the past don't want to know about this sort of turnaround but this company made it all too easy (Michael's the man!) and only charged me £46 into the bargain. The quality of the print was also exceptional. No worries with this crowd, I'll definitely use them again.

Excellent paper shop, does dvd rentals too. The staff are…read morealways friendly and willing to help. Dinky doughnuts, icecream, penny sweets, popcorn and all the treats you would need for a good night in in front of a dvd. Excellent displays at halloween and christmas. Well worth a visit!!!

I'm actually surprised by the fact that I enjoyed the Ulster Tatler so much. I'd always had it down…read moreas an older ladies magazine, which is certainly is to an extent, but I did rather appreciate the variety of articles and information covered. Of course, there's the obligatory photos of just about every social event in Northern Ireland (and that includes a few graduation photos...definitely the place to be seen, especially in relation to the style stakes), and the guides to finding the most exorbitantly priced makeup / beauty salon / restaurant in the province, but there are a few interesting articles that I didn't realise would feature in such a publication. A few interviews with local well-to-do people appear, as well as a focus on a certain town in NI, which happens to be Ballyclare in this month's edition, cultural information and travel news. I doubt they could have fitted in much more if they'd tried... Not quite my cup of tea, but you certainly get your money's worth with a well-packed magazine that features the best of Norn Iron.

Located on Bangor's Main Street the Spectator Offices are sleek and sophisticated, unlike the rest…read moreof the buildings on main street the you do not have to fear perched pigeons overhead. I recently visited the offices to enquire about placing an advertisement and to be frank, I felt under dressed. The staff on the reception did not judge my scruffy appearance, they were helpful and informative. They advised that the best way to continue with my enquiry was to go online. Although this was far from a wasted journey. The offices were a hub of activity, the sense of excitement alone prompted me to buy the latest issue of the County Down Spectator, the peak of local investigative journalism. If you have a scoop for the reporters or just want to buy the latest issue of the paper then my advice is to visit the Spectator offices and see where the local news comes from.

Again, this is quite hard for me to review this place as I have worked here in the past as a…read morereporter and know most of the staff so I can't really be mean about any of them. Not that I could be mean about anyone here because they really are a lovely bunch of folks who made me feel very welcome when I first worked here. The journalistic side of things is professionally run by Paul the editor and they have a real tradition of excellent reporting as well as a welcoming and interested attitude when you ring up about a story. Us hacks are always looking for a scoop so there is no need to feel intimidated or feel that you couldn't ring up. I never worked in the advertising office but always found them helpful and incredibly well informed anytime I had to deal with them. This really is a well established and much loved wee local paper, you can't go bad with it.

This is actually an advertising vehicle dressed up as a little glossy mag. But, hey it's free and…read moreit is glossy, so what's not to like? It's a dinky handbag size publication which is totally professionally produced and I think it looks pretty darn good, despite its shameless plugs for various businesses. There are plenty of full page ads for upmarket clothes shops and the kind of bathroom and kitchen showrooms which set the husband's nerves on edge just by driving past. He's afraid I'll go getting ideas you see. There are also lots of photos of various glam people at various glam events like restaurant launches and celebrity chef cooking demos. I still can't believe I missed the delectable Gino D A'Campo in the flesh cooking at the Ulster Museum. Doncha just love that accent? What a cheeky chappie he is. I particularly like the recipe pages which have mouth watering ideas from our own local best known chefs, so you can have a go at creating your own version of Belfast's top restaurant food in your own home. In my case, they've got nothing to worry about in terms of competition. I usually find Ulster Life in my hairdressers and snaffle a copy to enjoy later so my advice is to do the same. Set aside the notion that it's a set of glossy ads stapled together and enjoy its compact glossiness.

This relatively new magazine (established 2009) is targeted at both male and female 18+ in Northern…read moreIreland. I only heard of this magazine recently from a friend who had an article published in it (See Light Box @ The Black Box - Aug 2010) and after picking it up I found I rather enjoyed the information contained within. Yes, I know it's a shameful plug for advertising business in the Belfast, but they've got to do it somehow don't they!) I particularly enjoyed Grainne McGarvey's article 'On The Pulse' though I'm not the biggest fan of Cathy Martin and her 'me, me, me' point of view. But all in all the freebie glossy certainly makes for an interesting read. I'll be keeping my eye out for it over the next few months to see how it progresses in content, features and photography. One of the better quality magazines on offer these days in Belfast.