We popped in to the Helium House looking for decorations for my daughters upcoming Hawaiin theme birthday party. The place looks rather diorganised and it is stuffed with stock that is not displayed to the best effect. The balloon displays that we saw there were really nice and I think that is what their specialty was. We looked around for a good fifteen minutes without anyone asking if they could help us and we ended up buying for a good price a table display from a discount table. Perhaps with a good clean and a little updating the shop would look nicer though they did have a good variety of balloons and party plates etc that were nicely displayed. Costs were on par with other party shops we have visited. Being displayed as they were some things were hard to see and no offer of help was discouraging.

I have passed this op shop often and I like to frequent it as funds raised go to Lyell McEwin Hospital and that is definately a good ause. On my last visit it was a $1 clothing day and I was pleasantly surprised to see they had expanded the shop and have furniture in a different section and the clothes are more spread out which is most bebeficial if you are looking for something in partiular. There is also a great choice of good quality cheap books here that are most enjoyable to browse. I picked up a few beauties for only 50 cents to $2 each. Their second hand Records (LP's) was a large collection on my last visit (mind you I did buy a few). A must for the bargain hunter in the Northern suburbs

We booked a family function here recently in the restaurant and I was pleasantly surprised to see how nicely the table was set up and everything was ready as soon as we arrived. It is a casual dining area but the meals were very nice. I ordered the lamb shanks and they were very tender and delicious. My daughter and son had the schnitzel and one friend the huge mixed grill. Drinks were reasonable and we were able to get jugs of soft drink for the table which kept the prices down. The desserts were nice I had the sticky date pudding and the kids enjoyed the ice cream. It was an enjoyable meal. We will definitely return

Approximate cost: $18 - 28

Could never fault my first two visits for my daughter with this surgeon. Being an oral maxillofacial surgeon he deals with many people with emabressing facial problems and also with oral difficulties. He puts you at ease straight away and makes himself very available to you not hurrying you at all. My daughter was most anxious going in for her first visit and he made her feel at ease in no time. He also made her feel very good about herself while conducting the examination. We had to go back not long after the first visit as he needed to onsult with her orthodontist which he did as he said he would and certainly was very thorough in his delaing with both the orthodontist and with us. We are booked in for surgery later in the year and have no doubts at all that everything will go as planned.

I go to Centrral Grocers quite often and receive their monthly email with their specials on it. Not only do they have party supplies in the way of plastic coloured plates etc they also have bulk party/finger foods available in their large and varied freezer section. I have never shopped for a party there but I do buy many frozen products there including fish produce, large cakes and desserts and large bags of frozen vegetables among many other items that my family and I use. I love the bulk size Jelly crystals these last me a year and the bulk chocolate mousse mix which is suitable for my diabetic daughter. They also have herbs and spices in bulk along with flours, sugars, breadmaking flour and catering size tin fruit and veges and soup mixes. I also get bulk saues whilst I am there they are fantasti and very economical in the long run. I also buy the individual sauce sachets to send with the kids to school. Definately worth a look and make sure you check their website for the monthly specials.

I was pleasantly surprised when visiting Sydney recently to see how much Haberfield had hanged and to find this delightful restaurant in the old Post Office Building. We turned up one afternoon without a booking and the three of us were greeted very pleasantly and invited to take any table we desired. We did not have any starters but ordered staright away. I had kid and my parents shared a pizza. It was delicious and we all enjoyed our meals and the service was very good the gentleman serving us was chatting to us and telling us all about the changes in the area as this was the suburb my parents grew up in. It was very pleasant inside where we ate but there was a large outside dining area as well. We finished off with excellent coffee and a ricotta cake which I thoroughly enjoyed. The prices were not dirt cheap but definately the meals were worth what we paid for and the conversation was wonderful. A very delightful dining experience

I recently visited my family and Sydney and was amazed to see how the local dining precinct has changed for the better. I triedout a few of these restaurants and cafes and was delighted with Trattoraro Pizza. We turned up dueing the Xmas break without a booking and found a nice table outside. The set up was very pleasant. We didn't wait long at all for service and the menu had both the traditional pizzas and a few more exotic as well as pasta and other dishes. My brother and I shared a supreme pizza and garlic bread. We did have to wait a little longer than expected for the pizza though the drinks and the garlic bread (which was delicious) were delivered promptly. The pizza when it ame was lovely and served on a little stand so it stood higher then the table and was easy to pick up slices. For under $30 we had a nice meal for two not including drinks and we were too full to finish it all and had to leave one slice there. A very enjoyable luncheon experience

Approximate cost: $24-$30

During these past school holidays I found myself back at the Museum with my girls it is one of their favourite spots to visit and since it is free it fits in well with the budget. The Egyptian room I always find disappointing as I was a bit of an enthusiast when I was at school but the girls loved it, I suppose I have just seen it so many times but no matter how many times I look at the stuffed animals near the entrance I can never get enough of them. The Indigenous exhibit and the interactive touch screens really enthrals me and my children and I really love the hands on activities held there is the school holidays but they can get very crowded. I do find the gift shop a little pricey but no more so than any tourist place the books are lovely there though as is the indigenous art work for sale. I do enjoy the grounds outside and the fountain we often sit there for a minute before we head off on the team to central markets for lunch. An enjoyable time is always had by all though if it was not free entry we probably would not go very often as the exhibits could do with a little updating.

I have been using a chain store for haircuts but when their prices reached too high I started looking for a local hairdresser and found Esther's locally and have been very happy. I took my daughter there (aged 15) for a good cut having longer hair and needing quite a few inches off and a fringe cut in...they were very nice to her and treated her with respect that you don't always find businesses do with young girls. The hair cut was excellent and I was very happy with the price of only $22. I will certainly be going back there for my next cut and my daughter loved her experience there and will only go there for a haircut from now on.

Approximate cost: $22

I purchased a seasonal fruit and vege box from this online company recently. Being a new customer there was no delivery fee for the first month. I bought the $50 box and it had a good variety of very fresh fruit and veges and it lasted us well for the fortnight. We are a family of three. They also sell other fresh produce such as lovely yogurts and meat produce. If you have trouble with placing an order or want more information they are great to talk to on the phone. The produce was packed in two large styrofoam boxes that kept it very nice and fresh and the delivery was made on time. I highly recommend them.$

Approximate cost: $50