Village markets have always been a meeting hub for a community, catching up with friends, meeting new faces and picking up a few treats. More and more, village markets are popping up, more regularly and of higher quality. It’s a great way to spend a morning or afternoon, trying new foods, picking up some fruit and veggies, or even choosing a new outfit. There is a large of variety of products for sale, you just never know what you’ll find, and this, of course is part of the appeal.

Food, glorious food

One of the biggest trends of late are farmers markets. The produce available is usually sourced from local farms. It’s a great way to support local producers and buy fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the grower. The bonus is being able to ask the farmer questions such as where and how they grow their food, and ask tips on how to store your purchases. You might even score some great recipes. But, it’s not just fruit and veggies, many of the growers make other foodstuffs such as cakes, breads and preserves. I love buying seasonal produce and it’s quite exciting smelling, tasting and touching before buying in a relaxed, outdoor atmosphere. No neon lights and sterile supermarket vibes here! The fruit may not look perfect, but what in nature is? I love getting to know the sellers by name and also being greeted in a warm and friendly manner.

Jewellery, clothes and more

There’s always an eclectic mix of items available. Handmade clothes are often unique and often you’ll find beautiful pieces that you’ll not find in any shop. I’ve found many a treasure for friends with young children, delightful pieces made with love.

You’ll also invariably find a jewellery stall where again you probably find an item that is unusual and just right for you. Think handmade necklaces with your favourite semi-precious stone with matching earrings. They are usually inexpensive and nice treat to buy yourself.

But, one thing I really get excited about (no surprise to my regular readers) is the art stalls. So many times, I’ve stumbled across undiscovered artists with their creations. I can’t tell you how thrilling it is to come across something new and fresh. Different mediums from painting, sculptures, photography and more.These markets are an inexpensive platform for hungry artists who may not have the network or funds to promote themselves. Even if it’s only for a few moments, stop and admire their work. It might just make their day!

Remain balanced

I can’t sing the praises of village market enough, but remember there is a balance. Obviously, markets are only on limited times (usually weekends) and they can’t fulfil all your shopping needs. It’s still important to stay loyal to your local retailers, whether it’s your local green grocer, newsagent, supermarket or real estate agent!

Life moves at such a speedy pace. By the time Monday comes around again, most times it feels as if you haven’t even had a weekend off! There is a solution (and I don’t mean warping the space-time continuum). WEEKEND AWAY!

A break is as good as a holiday – especially if you’re time-poor. But, scrimping on time does not have to mean scrimping on quality, or experience! Recently, I rented a house through Contemporary Hotels and had two BLISSFUL days away. It was great to have some ‘me’ time, and it honestly felt as if I’d had two weeks away. And, it’s super easy to choose and book the right escape for you. Just browse and click and you’re on your way.

But you’re not really going anywhere?

Many people only go away on a break once or twice a year. You save up all your holiday hours and your pennies and plan it to the umpteenth degree. Sometimes, the whole process of planning can be exhausting in itself! Having a weekend away is quite a simple process. If you stay local, you can drive. If you’re going interstate, flights are cheap, fast and reliable. The beauty is you can get away with just a simple overnight bag, so no packing or unpacking. One of the luxuries about a quick getaway is that while you may be staying indoors, (albeit probably in much fancier digs than your own) you are NOT at home. This means no housework, no chores, no cooking, no ferrying around the family, no unexpected visitors and no temptation to pop into work.

Make it special

If it’s alone time you need, then by all mean do it solo, BUT if there’s an occasion to celebrated then make it a weekend rather than just one night. Think anniversaries, birthdays, or, my favourite, the Friends Weekend. I find, like myself, my closest friends are just a busy as I am during the week with family and work commitments and it’s almost impossible to catch up for a good chinwag. Gather your closest friends, rent a super snazzy house and have 48hrs of bonding, sans kids and partners. You’ll come back relaxed and a lot happier. If romance is on the cards, and you’ve not spent any quality time with your partner lately, a few days in each other’s hair will sure rekindle the spark. For those pregnant mums-to-be, a baby moon is the perfect way to take stock and prepare for life with a newborn.

The best reason of all

While you don’t need an excuse to have take a short break, I’ll give you the most important reason of all; mental health and wellbeing. Taking care of your needs (which you may only prioritise as a ‘want’) is crucial for a balanced life. If you don’t look after yourself, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and exhausted. So, check your calendars, mark out two days and book a few days of relaxation. You deserve it!

There is an incredible range of home windows available to suit nearly any function and personal aesthetic choice. In addition to traditional sliding and hinged styles, you can choose to install a skylight to increase natural light into your home or louvres to maximise ventilation.

Different styles of windows provide different opening areas, which will vary in importance for individual needs. Larger opening areas will increase ventilation opportunities while smaller openings will provide improved security.

It’s also useful to consider energy-efficient styles and maintenance needs when making your home window selection. Hinged windows generally have lower air leakage rates than sliding windows, therefore increasing their energy efficiency. In contrast, sliding windows are an ‘easy to maintain’ option only requiring an occasional clean of the tracks and glass.

You may find that you need different window styles throughout your home depending on design preferences, the direction that your windows face and your local climate. New window styles are being developed all the time, however below is some useful information on common window styles.

According to the investment bank Credit Suisse, Australians are the richest people in the world. So it’s no wonder we have a love affair with our properties. Take a look at some more damning evidence to prove that our true love this Valentine’s Day is in fact our own bricks and mortar.