The staff at Shoes & Socks Kids Shoes put their priorities where as a parent you want them to - the kids first. They are all incredibly friendly and engaging with my children and they are more than happy - in fact they suggest - for any one to come in and just get the kids feet size checked. I have been in a few times with an existing pair of shoes for my son and they have fitted him, checked the shoes i have brought in and told me that his fit is fine, he has not grown out of the shoes and that i do not have to get him a new pair.

They are not about the hard sell, they are genuinely interesting in making sure that the shoes my children have are the right ones for their feet.

The range of shoes is also very extensive and the staff have a good knowledge of the quality of each brand they stock. They also often have a table of shoes that are on special for one reason or another. They also have from time to time a buy one, get a second pair half off promotion. I have found the staff are quite happy to search their stock for the right pair of shoes to meet my budget.

I have never felt pressured to buy shoes there or buy a more expensive shoe than i feel is needed or than i can afford.

This Pumpkin Patch store is an outlet store so they tend to have clothes that the regular stores had 12 months ago. I have found that their new stock is for the current season, but the styles are just last years - but babies still look cute in last years fashion!

The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful and they know their stock. I have often gone in there looking for something in particular and if it has been on the floor they have been more than happy to go looking either in their stock room or even opening boxes of unpacked stock and gone searching for me!

It is really easy to find a bargain, being a clearance store - and most of the time you get things that are least 50% the regular price or even more! Plus there is often a "buy one get ...% off the second item" or "2 for $...." and these offers are off the already discounted price - not the original full price.

Pumpkin Patch can be a little bit pricey, but their quality is great, their styles are original and if you go looking you can get great clothes that won't brake the budget.

Every week I go to the Knox City Library with my (now 5 month old) daughter to join in the "Story Time For Tiny Tots" session. The half an hour session is free and run by the children's librarian - Pia. At each session parents and their babies will sing songs and read stories and Pia encourages everyone to say a little bit about what their baby has been doing for the past week.

Pia is very knowledgeable about the activities that she does, and how they can help stimulate our babies senses. She is an incredibly engaging person and week to week has such a genuine attitude. She conducts each session with enthusiasm and never seems to get bored with the reparation of singing the same songs each week (and over multiple sessions).

Plus as a stay at home mum on a budget it is a fantastic reason to get out of the house, spend some quality time with bubs and get to have a bit of a conversation with other adults.

Approximate cost: $Free!!!

I wanted another piercing in my ear and a friend of mine took me to the piercing urge. She wanted to get one of her earrings replaced with a banana bar and she had previously had a couple good experiences there.

I found the staff there where very professional and they knew there products. They helped me pick out the best earring for the position in my ear i was getting done, and also had a great range of colours to choose from.

I was also very impressed with their level of hygiene, the comfort of their piercing rooms, and the after care advise they were able to give me.

My friend also managed to get her earring changed over for a banana bar - and because the jewelry was for an existing piercing they put it in for free.

Approximate cost: $80???

The only thing better than a delicious Krispy Kreme donut (sorry - doughnut) is a box of a dozen donuts. On their own the donuts are a bit expensive at $2.00 to $2.50 each, but when you get them by the dozen they work out a whole lot cheaper.

They also have a great deal with a cup of coffee called "sweet buzz" where you can get a coffee or hot chocolate (and maybe other hot drinks, but i have not gotten that far yet) and two donuts for $5.95.

Something nice for dinner is ideal for busy people who love a good home cooked meal but don't have the time to put to into it. It is also great for people (like me) who like a bit of home cooking and are just no good at it.

They sell a great range of meals that can be taken home for simple heating and serving. Most meals of course can do with some vegies on the side - but you can purchase a side of vegies if need be!!! Their menu is ever changing (nearly everyday!) so you will never get bored with the options.

Approximate cost: $10 for 2 people

My husband and I have been going to the Starbucks in Knox City for years now and we are yet to have a bad experience.

The staff have taken their time to get to know us and what our favourite drink orders are. They are also happy to give to advise on any new drink they have on their menu and to give their opinion if they think we will like them.

Approximate cost: $5

Having two birthdays and a wedding anniversary to celebrate my hunsband and i and a couple of friends thought we would give Misty's Diner a try. We had been to American themed places before and found them alright at best.

Well Misty's Diner is far better than we had ever from any other America style resturant!!!

The menu had a great varity of dishes but was NOT so over crowded that it took half an hour to read. And when we had picked our meals (with a bit of help from Misty) the food was sensational. Misty even gave us some of her to-die-for home-made chilli sauce to help the more game members of our party spice things up a bit.

There is no question in my mind about whether we go back there, WE DEFINITELY WILL!!!

Approximate cost: $15.00