for a juice cleanse

When travelling for some reason all sense when it comes to food go out the window. There's something about being in a foreign country that makes me think I can eat what I want, when I want and it not have any impact.

There's also the added pressure to try new things and indulge on goodness not available back home. Eating out is done more often than not and so it's hard to try and stick to any sort of diet. For some reason I thought it perfectly ok to come home almost every day after volunteering in Cambodia to have an ice cream and a can of soft drink! Something I never do at home. 

for First Coat Toowoomba

Last weekend drab and boring lane ways and buildings began to come to life around my home town of Toowoomba when artists from all over the country descended on the city to bring life and colour to town. 

We headed out on foot Sunday morning to see some of the amazing murals taking shape.

for a $50 outfit challenge

So this weekend I got a jump start on the event planning by seeing the 10 things to do this weekend on Friday night via a link on Facebook and was a little disappointed to find little there that interested me! Three of the 10 suggestions were markets and I really couldn't do that to you again (I swear there are more to do in Toowoomba on a weekend then go to Markets!)

Sunday morning my sister and I did head down to the Margaret Street Markets to visit Scarf Girl to pick up a few Christmas gifts. 

Afterwards we headed to the main shopping centre in Toowoomba, Grand Central, as I had decided that this weekend we would complete the Ms Mystery Case $50 outfit challenge! 

 

The challenge set by Ms Mystery Case is to buy a complete outfit under $50 and I decided to rope my sister in and make it a challenge within ourselves. 

I set the rules that all items had to be bought from within Grand Central and that we only had an hour to do it. 

So we synchronised watches and headed our separate ways in search of the perfect (aka bargain) outfit! 

We had discussed tactics first and thought the bottom half of the outfit would be the most expensive and difficult to find. I headed straight for Temt. Dresses are very difficult to find when you have a body shape like mine and I knew that would take way too long so I opted for some pants and a skirt, and I was shocked to find that a skirt I never thought I would ever wear fit perfectly and, if I do say so myself, looks pretty darn good! But this took me a good half hour to discover leaving my just another half hour to find the whole rest of the outfit! 

I decided my next biggest expense would be shoes so I bolted to the opposite end of the centre to Target as a friend had mentioned they were having a shoe sale. What I didn't calculate into the one hour time limit plan was the queues at the checkouts which were a bit crazy.

After getting some shoes I went on the hunt for a top! I had just 15 minutes left! I couldn't believe how hard and under pressure I felt! 

I dashed in and out of shoes but ended up back at Temt grabbing a top and some bracelets and before I knew it time was up, actually, I confess I went 5 minutes over time as Linda was already back at our meeting spot waiting for me! 

She did however let me go and grab some earrings as I still had $8 left! 

We hid our bags from each other, dropped them in the car and then went to a new cafe that has opened across the road from the shopping centre.

Primal Pantry is a new health food cafe with a full Paleo menu and we were keen to check it out! 

We both opted for the Monkey Fuel Smoothie (banana, cinnamon, nutmeg and almond milk), I grabbed the choc caramel slice and Linda chose the banana bread. It was so good!! 

After morning tea we headed home to compare outfits......

Linda used Derby Day as her inspiration after spotting this gorgeous skirt and I think she did a fab job! 

The breakdown: 

- Top from Valleygirl $14.95

- Skirt from Paper Scissors $16

- Shoes from Target $10

- Earrings from Target $2.50

- Head chain from Equip $5

Total = $48.45

My outfit:

The breakdown:

- Top from Temt $9.95

- Skirt from Temt $14.95

- Shoes from Target $7.00

- Bangles from Temt $9.95

- Ring and Earrings from Equip $2 & $5.99

(The earrings actually came in a set of 3 pairs and were the only things not on sale)

Total = $49.85

We were both pretty chuffed with our outfits and impressed with our bargain buys! It really was a lot of fun! I was especially chuffed at how good I felt in a high waisted figure hugging skirt!!

What do you think? Who wins your vote? 

Head over to Ms Mystery Case to check out other people who have attempted the $50 outfit challenge and link up your own attempt!

Also linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT! 

to check out Toowoomba - Part II

I eagerly flicked the paper to Page 2 as soon as my sister arrived home from work with it on Saturday morning. That's where they list the 10 things to do on the weekend and I was searching for something a little different this weekend. 

I was immediately drawn to number 4 - Airport Fun Run... Toowoomba is gaining a new airport just out if town which is very exciting as it will eliminate the 2hr drive to Brisbane to fly anywhere. It advised that this weekend there was the opportunity to run the runway Sunday morning to raise money for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and it provided the link to register. I was so disappointed (and more than a little annoyed) to find the registration had closed Friday afternoon 😟 

Then I saw number 3 - Bull Riding. I had seen this advertised during the week but it was Saturday night which clashed with an Engagement Party so it was automatically off the list.

The next one to catch my eye was number 5, Fashion Parade. Fashion blogger Nikki Parkinson was in town! "Awesome!" I thought, but again it was too late to organise and get tickets (and it was at this point I was starting to see a flaw in this  whole idea!) 

So once again I went with Number 10 - Markets in the Park (I promise there are more things to do here!)

Queens Park is just a stones throw from the centre of town and hosts many of the city's major events. The 26.3ha land was gazetted a reserve in 1884, and is now the home to Park Run each Saturday morning, the venue for Easterfest, which is getting bigger and bigger each year. It is also the main attraction each Carnival of Flowers Festival which is held in the last full week in September and the location for Christmas Carols in December. But it is because on the third Sunday of each month it hosts some art and craft markets that sent me there on the weekend.

These markets are great for those unique art and craft goodies, one off pieces, great gift ideas and home made goodies! 

I cannot walk past this fudge at these markets!

My sister and I live about 3 blocks from the main intersection of the CBD so it's only about a 20 minute walk from our house to the park.

This billboard in the park shows the different displays put on during the Carnival of Flowers

Some of the floral displays from the Carnival still remain and the smell is beautiful

What did you get up to on the weekend??

Linking up with Jess from Essentially Jess for IBOT

to check out Toowoomba

Most weekends my sister and I sit around the house, watching TV, playing on our iPads, chatting away and often complaining that there is nothing to do.

And that's a lie, there's plenty to do, we just choose not to do most of it most of the time. 

Each weekend in our local newspaper they advertise 10 things on around the region and I put it to my sister that each weekend that we are home, we pick something from the list to do and I would blog about it as a way of 'advertising' Toowoomba for all of you who have never been to our fine city!

So we decided to go with number 9 on the list which was Markets at Black Forrest Hill. This lies between Highfields and Cabarlah about 20 minutes drive north of Toowoomba. Driving through Highfields reminds me a lot of the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast as the main strip through town is dotted with a variety of quirky gift shops, cafés and arts and craft places. 

The markets were held on the grounds of the Black Forrest Cuckoo Clock Centre, which houses some of the most magnificent Cuckoo and Grandfather Clocks I've seen. 

I think this was the first time these particular markets were held and unfortunately it showed. 

We meandered around the dozen or so stores which took all of about half an hour, before settling on some flavoured macadamia nuts and some local wine.

We headed back to Toowoomba but not before stopping off at a favourite cafe, The Chocolate Cottage for morning tea. The food is always a little different and delicious and it has amazing views of the valley below.

My coconut bread with lime marmalade.

I enjoy the view on the drive back into Toowoomba from Highfields as it is one of the few places you can get a glimpse of the size of Toowoomba.

The photo does not do it justice! 

What did you get up to on the weekend? Stay tuned next week to see what we get up to!

Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT!

for a free dinner!

A few weeks ago a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go to this 'place' with her where we would have a tour and free dinner...now it may have just been the free dinner that sucked me in and I probably should have gotten more information before agreeing but I didn't! I had a vague idea, surely that was enough.. lol....

So on Saturday she picked me up and along we went to the Pure Land Learning Centre here in Toowoomba. It was established here in 2001 and on their webpage they say their goal is "to provide a good learning environment for students who aspire to learn and practise Pure Land Buddhism and the teachings of the sages, and to train and nurture successors to continue the propagation of Buddhism." But I quickly learnt it was much more than that....

Now people who know me will be surprised to read this about me, people who don't know me should know that religion and religious faith is something that escapes me.... I never set foot in a church until I went to boarding school and the only time I have been in one since has been for a wedding :) or a funeral :(

I wouldn't say that I am an atheist, probably more agnostic (and yes I had to look them up and I could possibly still be confused...perhaps I'm both!)... I would like to believe that there is something good in stall for us after we pass but I'm not convinced of the whole pearly gates and God thing.... I also believe that these are my beliefs and my opinions and while I won't push them on you I also don't like when people try and push their beliefs on me...everyone has the right to believe what they like. 

A few years ago a friend (who doesn't know about this blog so I think I am pretty safe) gave me this book.....

Now I will admit I was taken aback a bit especially when I read the letter she wrote on the inside cover.... and I quote "When it comes to Judgement Day, and it will, I want to see you beside me choosing eternal life...." we had many discussions about her concern that I would be going to hell..... Now don't get me wrong, I am totally and utterly appreciative that I have someone in my life that loves and cares about me but I did have to tell her to back off before it started to affect our friendship. I don't believe anyone should push their beliefs on someone like that and I told her that IF it was something I wanted to know more about then I knew she would be there to ask but in the meantime don't judge me for not believing and I won't judge you for believing....

So going along to this Pure Land Learning Centre certainly wasn't something I would normally do but I must admit I found it very interesting and surprising. We arrived at 4pm and were given a tour of their grounds which included a vegetable garden where they grow everything they need and are trying to gain organic status and are starting to sell their veggies to the public (every Saturday if you are in Toowoomba and interested), we saw their Study Hall where they do their lessons in Buddhism and once a month (I think it was) they invite someone from another faith to come and share a lesson with them as they believe that to live in the community harmoniously they need to understand the beliefs of others. We saw their meditation hall where we observed some people doing sitting and walking meditations. The walkers were chanting a very majestic chant as they walked around and around the perimeter of the room. The Venerable that took us on the tour explained that people can walking meditate until they feel at peace and sometimes this can go on for up to 5 hours!

We were given a beautiful bracelet and some books, all free, and the kindness and generosity was overwhelming. The books, whilst written by a Venerable, do not push the Buddhist faith but rather talk about living the best life you can and showing courage and compassion towards others. Now THAT I do believe in...  

After our tour we were special guests at their weekly "Friendship Dinner". Every Saturday they put on a free dinner for the community, anyone and everyone is invited and the dining hall was PACKED. Some of their students had to leave and eat in the other hall to make room. We were served a vegetarian meal with everything coming from their own garden. Whilst I was a little apprehensive to try everything, what I did try was amazing! And they don't keep any of the food for themselves, if you wanted seconds, thirds, fourths, you were welcome to it and then given a take away container full as well if you wanted it. Each Saturday they invite a group from the community to perform or a guest speaker to talk to the masses. We were entertained by Sing Australia, a lovely group of oldies who sang a few songs for us. 

Throughout the whole experience our tour guide and Venerable kept telling us that Toowoomba was chosen by their Master as he believed it was the place that could be used as a Model City for Peace and Harmony for the rest of the world. The work they do in our community probably goes unnoticed by most but it was so lovely to hear them say how much they love it here and how they think the people of Toowoomba are so welcoming and accepting and the faith they have in the Toowoomba community was inspiring.

It's good to know that it's not only Miss America contestants that are wanting and working towards World Peace!


Linking up this Tuesday of course with Essentially Jess for IBOT!