You know when you’re just itching to get out of your head and need to break the old routine of your day to day? The best way to do that is to spend a day outside your normal surroundings.
This weekend, I decided to find a cheap and cheerful way to totally unwind so I planned a trip to Port Hope, only an hour east of Toronto.
First stop was at Haute Goat to buy some of their delectable natural skincare products made with their own goat’s milk. I’ve been using their goodies for over a year and, I swear, it’s the first line of products to actually show improvement in my skin.

The product line is very small but super high quality, in particular the best Hand, Foot & Cuticle cream I’ve ever used, “Get Your Goat On” facial milk cleanser and face cream, and a multitude of Raw Goat Milk Soap bars. The deliciousness doesn’t stop there: you can’t leave without getting some of their hand-made Goat Cheese Chocolates, fudge, and spicy caramel corn!
Haute Goat is owned and operated by Debbie and Shain who gave up their executive jobs in the big city in 2007 to make their dream come true. They settled in a gorgeous farm house In the picturesque rolling hills of Northumberland County and started with only four adorable Nigerian Dwarf Goats.
They are two of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet. I was in my glory when Debbie let me go say hello to ‘the kids” in the barn. I was grinning from ear to ear.

I can’t wait to go back when the season officially opens. They’ll have goat tours every Saturday and I hear they’re partnering with a great local restaurant to serve lunch on the premises!

Our second stop was Primitive Designs, an 8,000-square-foot flea market-style venue that’s been dubbed one of the top places to visit in Northumberland County (although no one I know has ever heard of it!). It’s a true hidden gem, a place where you can lose yourself for hours and see artefacts from some of the most remote corners of the world, from India to Nepal, Morocco to Indonesia and everywhere in between.
As a collector of tin toy robots, my husband drooled over the 26-feet tall freestanding robot made out of recycled auto parts at the front entrance. Weighing over 2 tonnes, we were told this giant was brought in from Southeast Asia and has become a media darling, with appearances on MTV, SPACE Channel, Cottage Life TV, Canada AM, and CBC. It also made an appearance at the CNE.



Their latest outdoor addition is a gigantic T-Rex, brought in for the release of Jurassic World, which stands over 20 feet high and over 40 feet long. Also made out of recycled parts, the size of this piece is just mind-boggling!
You won’t want to leave empty-handed. You can find anything here, from tie-dyed scarves and dresses to beautifully crafted AND TOTALLY AFFORDABLE jewelry. You can even pick up a Buddha for as little as $15. There is something here for everyone.
Watch on Youtube.

Our last stop was Dreamers’ Cafe, home of the one-of-a-kind “Crazy Cookie”! The only cookie that I’ve heard of to have been trademarked, its caramel pecan goodness with a gooey centre is the ultimate decadence. The story goes that owner Roger Bernard was approached years ago by President’s Choice to buy out his recipe but he turned down the opportunity, concerned that PC would not keep the integrity and quality of the cookie. Smart move, for he’s sold almost 3 million cookies!

We had a great day exploring this beautiful area just an hour outside of the city, which just goes to show you don’t have to go too far or spend too much to enjoy some of the simple pleasures life has to offer. A perfect and effortless day that helped me clear and yet stimulate my mind and recharge my batteries.
Posted by: Maria