I recently attended the Sex and the City 2 Premiere fundraiser for Raise The Gong charity and wanted to look my best. I headed to Flawless make-up studio in Flinders, owned by Olivia Clee. With her utility belt holding an array of brushes and tools she expertly transformed me in under half an hour. The result was fresh and natural and I felt like a million dollars.

Flawless provides a make-up service for events, weddings, glamour photography photoshoots. Whether in her studio in Flinders or travelling to your location. Servicing the east coast of Australia from Newcastle to Bega.

Olivia owns and operates Flawless, she is Qualified and experienced in Bridal, Photographic, Formal and Glamour, as well as Theatre, Costume and Creative Makeup and Hairstyling. She has worked on events such as the Miss World Competition, Mardi Gras and Fashion Shows, as well as many photoshoots with various Photographers and Models. Her work has also been published in Magazines such as Digital Photography Magazine Australia.

Book with Olivia for your next big event and try the Flawless experience.

Approximate cost: $70

I have been a patron of this restaurant since a teenager. As a family we would head down to Shellharbour Village for the Ocean Beach Hotel and enjoy the view of Shellharbour Beach from the deck.

When I got married I hired the restaurant and had a buffet of hot and cold food. It was the most relaxing wedding reception I've ever been to and everyone loved the fact that it was just across the road from where the ceremony was held in the pagoda in Little Park near the boat harbour.

We keep coming back to this wonderful restaurant for family events (birthdays, special occasions) and can see doing so for many years to come. Their seafood is always fresh and cooked to perfection. You can choose to eat in the dining room or out on the deck with the water view. Be sure to book ahead if you have a large party as this is one very popular location.

Top 5 recommendations:

1. seafood platter for one ($70) includes fresh and cooked prawns, several oysters, two scallops, several varieties of fish, smoked salmon, spring rolls stuffed with king prawns, fresh crab and half a lobster. The addition of summer fruits to cleanse the palate. The dipping sauces were very tasty and we left feeling very full and sated.
2. a mixed dozen of oysters. Raw, Kilpatrick and Gremolata ($32.90)
3. Lamb roast with beans, asparagus and creamed potatoes with a garnish of seaweed salad and tomatoes
4. Crispy pork belly with fresh queensland sea scallops, confit of garlic and honey glaze ($18.90)
5. Children's menu: Chicken nuggets with chips, fruit and ice cream for dessert

Approximate cost: $18

Mitchell's Fruit for Less is a local fresh fruit and vegetable providore that has a large deli range and stocks gluten-free items. Two locations, Warilla Grove shopping centre (south of Wollongong) plus a store in Dapto Mall

One of the best kept secrets of the Illawarra. This little bakery in Warilla keeps winning awards locally and interstate for their tasty pies, pastries, cakes and bread. They now also stock gluten-free bread at half the price that you find it in the shops.

My favourites:
1. Lemon meringue pies
2. Pecan pies
3. Individual cheesecakes
4. Mud cake
5. Anzac Biscuits

Approximate cost: $2