School Holidays are here, finally!

This school term seems to have lasted a lifetime. I'm so happy to have the school holidays to bring my girl back to normal.

My first attempt at giving Rose an interesting school lunch failed miserably.

If anything I did discover, that she will eat plain salmon on a croissant, but it looks like I was a little to ambitious to add the chopped spring onion, capsicum, lemon & mayonnaise. I really should have known better.



I served it up for lunch myself on the same day, and it was delicious. Just not what my little poppet is looking for in a yummy lunch.

So with the school holidays here, things are a lot less stressful and we can relax a little.

So what better way to kick of the holidays, than with an early morning walk. It's such a lovely time of year in Queensland. We hit the park at 6:30am and it was glorious. Hope you enjoy the images.
Of course we had to take the four legged members of the family. They love to get out for a walk.

The little one, thinks she is as big as her shadow here in the photo. She thinks she can take on any challenger. Austin is a lot wiser, and happy to greet other puppies in the park.

Its a lovely park, and was busy with cyclists, walkers, and plenty of dog lovers.


Here's our little guy sporting his favourite Pretapawte collar. You can find these collars at the Boutique Market Portside, on the second Sunday of every month.

What's in Peg & Kate's Lunch Bag?

(above Lunch bag by Peg & Kate. Lunchbag is lined with wool to keep
lunches cool or hot all day, great news is they are machine washable.
So no more trying to reach into the depths of a dirty lunchbox with a chux.
Just put straight into the washing machine on cold, gentle cycle. )

Well, up till now, it hasn't been very exciting.

I've hit a wall as a parent. Tired of seeing my hard work
wasted when uneaten lunches return home from school.

I haven't always felt this way. When my daughter first started
school, I was very excited about the whole process, of packing
for a day of school. Making sure my little treasure had all the
right food to make her strong, happy and healthy.

But I'm blessed, huh, with a fussy eater, (god love her).
That coupled with other children's lunches looking more enticing
with crisps, chocolate's and processed cheese's.
I am doomed to half eaten lunches.
Even taunted by the evidence of crisp packets in the returned
lunch bag. That I assure you, did not make their way to
school in my daughter's lunch bag.

Well, in the spirit of the new movie Julie & Julia,
I have decided to document my journey through the
"School Day Lunches" cookbook by Company's Coming
Kitchen Workbooks. Determined to find some healthy,
exciting school lunches for my daughter.

And you, my avid Boutique Market blog readers,
are going to be subjected to every success and failure Monday's,
here on the Boutique Markets Blog.

So first up next Monday, I will bring you

Little Lunch;
Iced Apple Tea & Orange Melon Salad

and

Big Lunch;
Salmon Croissants.

Wish me luck. I can feel the heart ache already!
But I'm up for the challenge.

School Holiday Fun

(Rose Skinner working on Wonderland)


If you are looking for something fun and cultural to entertain the kids
whilst on school holidays, then head out to the Ipswich Art Gallery.

Artist, Rose Skinner of Perth, is currently creating her artwork on
location as a part of the "I wish I lived in Wonderland" Exhibit.

Rose will be on site installing her artwork from June 27 to July 26.

My daughter and I had a wonderful time creating our own "Wacky Hats"
with Artist Velvet Pesu before making our way up to the Children's Gallery to view the
" I wish I lived in Wonderland" exhibit.

(my Rose wearing her Wacky Hat)

We were lucky enough to meet Rose busy at work, creating her
wonderland. Rose says "she pays particular attention to her work
from a child's perspective." The affect from any angle is inspiring, although
for a child wandering through the exhibit, it really is a Wonderland.

Help Rose to create Wonderland by contributing your own paper flower
to the garden. Children are so inspiring, its amazing
to see the different designs they come up with.

(Rose and the children creating flowers for Rose Skinners Garden)

With plenty of activities for the kids, the Ipswich Art Gallery
is the perfect place to spend these holidays.

I can't send you to the Art Gallery without giving you
my tip for the best coffee in town, so here it is.

Head to the Top of Town, and check out the Cactus Espresso Bar, 173 Brisbane St.

With some lovely boutique stores opening up, the Top of Town
is definitely the place to grab a Coffee and browse the stores.

My tips are; Province Modern Country
197 Brisbane St

Vintage Advantage
185 Brisbane St

The Old Flour Mill Arcade
231 Brisbane St

Val Haala
174 Brisbane St

Gallery Newtown
176 Brisbane St

If your looking for some art supplies after a little inspiration from the gallery, then
try Art Time, 203 Brisbane St, Ipswich


See you at the Boutique Market Portside this Sunday, for the
Market and Coffee and Chocolate Affair.

Please stop in at the Peg and Kate stall, and say hello.
I look forward to hearing about the fabulous hats you have made at the
Ipswich Art Gallery. See you there, Kate.

Peg and Kate - DS Pouches

Just in time for this Sunday's market, Peg and Kate has whipped up a fabulous new range of Nintendo DS Pouches for the kiddies, and we are loving them! Selling for $19.95, and available in an assortment of gorgeous colours, they can store 3 games and your DS comfortably

In the Press....

image - Peg and Kate

Many thanks to Living Creatively mag for our mention in their picks of Australia's best markets. We are chuffed! A wrap up of all the best markets can be found in their latest issue, as well as heaps of other fabulous and inspirational stories.