I had a birthday party for my little boy and searched the web for some decent entertainment and came across Bobedazzler. Bob has been in the industry for a good twenty five years and it shows in every way. From the service to the professionalism and more importantly, his show.
To be honest, i was a bit sceptical about having someone entertain a big group of four year olds for near an hour. I had nothing to be worried about as Bob had them with their eyes glued to him for the whole time. We had adults at the party too who all had a good chuckle at some of his antics. The show had alot of variety which included magic, ventriloquism, puppets and balloons. I can't emphasise enough what value for money it all was. I will definately be using him again.

Approximate cost: $Minimum $150 (cheap for children's entertainment)

A unisex salon that my father, my brother, my husband and my toddler all go to. A very friendly family run business who provide great service and great cuts and very reasonable prices.

Approximate cost: $From $9

I always thought the Greensborough Cake shop was just somewhere to grab a whole cake and take to someone you're visiting but not so. You can go in and have a wonderful lunch followed by coffee and cake or a biscuit. I had a lovely lunch that i didn't get charged an arm and a leg for. The ambience is really cosy too, i have finally found a favourite local haunt that i can afford. The service was great and the staff were really friendly. For once, i actually have nothing to complain about which is a first:).

Approximate cost: $Varies greatly depending on what you are buying

Well, normally when i get bad service i don't go back. But normally, i'm going out for food and the options are endless as far as places to go. Not so with local 24 hour gyms. Without fail, everytime i go to this place, everyone behind the counter refuses to utter the words "hello" or to upturn the corners of their mouths in case their face will crack. They are like bouncers at nightclubs- expressionless. Why do they do this? Because they can get away with it- they are so cheap and busy that i swallow my pride, hand over my money with my face to the ground and walk through in my attempt to establish my goal and get fit. The whole place needs a good dusting but hey, you get what you pay for........

Approximate cost: $3-$5

Imagine my excitement at discovering a cake shop had opened pretty much at my door step. Walking in, the ambience is great and the service is wonderful. The cakes look spectacular- a little pricey but hey, if they taste as good as they look then i'm more than happy to part with a little cash. But alas, my excitement is short lived after discovering the cakes taste similar to Akland Street, St Kilda. I know most are happy with the cakes on Akland Street, but i think they are absolutely revolting. Anyways, back to 'Sweet Temptations'. I purchased a selection of bite sized cakes (petifores?)- 12 at $17- not cheap, not expensive if they taste half ok. Well, they were awful. Not happy. Might go back there for a drink and a cookie (at least i know i'm safe with a cookie), but not for a cake. Anyways, it's not their fault, turns out 'Sweet Temptations' is actually a franchise. Not another one.....

Approximate cost: $Start at $1.10 for a tiny biscuit

Well, if i could hold a protest against bad service, it would be outside of this shop. I don't know if i simply caught these guys on a bad day (still no excuse but......) or if they always treat their customers like this. I walk in and there's a lady behind the counter doing things on the computer and she doesn't glance at me. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, i smile and give a hello. The response is almost a grunt and she doesn't even look at me. Walking further into the shop, i spot a man who looks like the manager stacking the shelves. "Excuse me", i say and before i can continue, he sloppily stands up and looks at me as if to say, "what could be so important that you would distract me from what i'm doing?". The response from me is, "is anybody in this shop going to smile?". He gives me a sarcastic, smarmy half grin and i continue to ask him to help me find a specific book i'm after. This is when he decides to be helpful. Ah, too late 'Mr Manager i should know better', too late............

The Eiffel Tower cake shop is tucked away on Assembly Drive, not on a main street. Trust me, i have tried cakes eveywhere, from 'The cheesecake shop' to 'Laurent', this shop is the bomb! Don't get me wrong, Laurent is quality but not all of us can afford it. The Eiffel, i have got two cakes from, both for big birthday parties. The pricing is fantastic and the taste is unbelievable. The service is very ordinary as they are so busy. The older ladies are awful, the younger ones are alot friendlier for some reason.
There are folders of past cakes they have made and samples around the shop that you can look at. Personally, i go for the chocolate mud with big chocolate curls on top- scrumptious. And while you're there, you can select from little cakes to take home too or grap a coffee and a bite to eat (savoury or sweet) at the little cafe they have going.

Approximate cost: $30 upwards. I paid $150 to feed 150 people but you can definately get away with paying less

Well, let me start by saying that i had a few bad experiences with Brazilians (at other places) and swore i'd never go again. Then a friend talked to me about her experince at Brazillian Butterfly and she had nothing but good things to say so i thought i'd check them out. They turned out to be a little pricey (but worth it), providing me with half the pain of other brazilians i have had. The girls are experinced and friendly.

Approximate cost: $40 for the full enchilada

JK photography is one of the best value photography businesses i have ever come across. No cheesy props, just real photos at unbeatable prices. Justine takes her time taking photographs of your child and the end result is amazing. Great photos, sevice and pricing- you truly can't go wrong.

Gimme potato in any shape or form. This place sells the best baked pototo ever. You can go in and spend a meagre $8 and then walk out with a full, satisfied tummy. There is a menu up on the wall and you get to choose from any of the offerings providing you with a good variety of delicious (and fattening) toppings- cheese, sour cream, coleslaw, all the good stuff. There are options for the weight conscious also.

Approximate cost: $8