When I flew into Brisbane last Friday night it was very much like home but a few degrees warmer. Dani dragged her husband out to meet me at the airport and we spent the rest of the evening dying our hair using the new L’Oreal Sublime Mousse box dye and trying to get baby Violet to go to sleep. The next day we woke up nice and early and headed to the markets with Dani’s grandparents who were also visiting.
The markets were great… if only my suitcase was bigger. Dani scored two super cute dressed for $3 each (one of which she wore to the event), her girls had their very first cake pop and we found a gorgeous white vintage basket for $5 for Zoe to use in her newborn photo shoots, check out her recent shoot, so dreamy. After the markets we headed home to meet up with Zoe and Hayley for our short road trip down to the Gold Coast, stopping in at the airport to pick up Bec along the way.
I don’t have many girlfriends, I have a lot online but not in a localised physical sense. It felt daunting especially as Dani, Hayley and Zoe AKA: “Hot Park Mums” see each other all the time. I also love my time with Dani and hate to share her when I do get the chance so I had to keep reminding myself to play it cool and get to know the others better. Definitely a mild case of social anxiety.
Also spending a concentrated amount of time with a bigger group of women isn’t something I’d experienced since high school. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it but it wasn’t something I slipped easily into. It’s why I love Hello Blogger Events, I get to meet so many great ladies. It’s going to be interesting when I’m co-presenting the Photography Masterclass at Blogopolis… I’ll try not to hide behind my camera too much. Dani knows me so she gave me gentle pushes every now and then to keep me out of my shell, to keep me socialising and I’m glad she did.
We were all starving, chatting and on our iPhones of course. The topic of Instagram pretty much got us to our destination and Zoe and I messed about with our cameras in the car, snapping away like tourists.
Finally we arrived and Mantra Q1 Resort & Spa looked absolutely magnificent. None of us could wait to see the room. Liss arrived shortly after as I was finishing checking us in and I managed to nab free parking for our two cars and late check out… woohoo!
Q1 is so structurally beautiful. I’m still kind of kicking myself that I never made it up to Sky Point right at the top or to the actual beach for that matter but that’s a different story entirely. You can see the Hanazono Teppanyaki restaurant just to the left of this photo, it was SO close and convenient, a great choice for the blog meet later that night.
Cars parked and room keys in hand we headed off to our room, a three bedroom apartment on the 62nd floor. All our ears popped as the lightning-fast elevator took us up and the excitement just kept building!
“First in, best room!”
The apartment was breathtaking, from the moment we walked in I think all our jaws dropped, well I know mine did. The view was spectacular and everyone rushed about flicking on light switches, opening the fridge, looking in cupboards and checking our bathrooms. As you can see it was all open plan, modern and just a beautiful space to be in.
Dani and I scored the main bedroom and that room alone felt bigger than my house. Housekeeping was called to split all the beds up into singles and that was done by the time we’d gotten back from a spot of shopping. It was really nice that all of us got to stay in the same apartment and not split up into groups of two in separate apartments, worth the extra money in my book.
Everyone couldn’t get over our bathroom. There was a giant slick jet tub (which I never got the chance to use *cry*) and the most relaxing rainforest shower I’ve ever had due to the special rooftop head. Dani loved it so much I think she had 2-3 showers!
This was the view from our room, absolutely majestic.
This was the second bedroom with almost wrap around views, I’d even say more stunning than the main bedroom. A third wall had a mirrored wardrobe, reflecting all the lovely views. Bec and Zoe scored this room and I think everyone was jealous. Hayley and Liss ‘s room had the same view as the master bedroom but it was difficult to photograph without a wide angle lens.
Mantra staff were very helpful in getting our reservation sorted and making sure we were comfortable, I mean how could we not be in a place like this! There were even two dishwashers… TWO! There was also several tv’s, washing machine, iron and everything else we might need for a pleasant stay, to be honest no one wanted to leave.
Zoe took this cool shot of me doing what I do, iphones all doing a quick little jolt on the communal charger ready for the night ahead. I was setting up a magic little group shot and I’m totally in love with the result…
We had a big night ahead of us and at this stage we still needed to grab some lunch, get some cash out and hit the bottle-o.
So a quick walk down to the shops was in order and Liss and I shopped up a storm in Factorie as they go up to a size XXL in most styles and the mens range is quite unisex and more generous… there you go, one of my secret shopping tips! Liss left with yet another striped top (addicted / her thing) and I left with a super soft powder blue hoodie.
We were on the hunt for a bargain and headed to the CottonOn sale where Dani tried on what felt like a million hats, gloves and berets. I wasn’t feeling well and had an asthma attack on the way back to the hotel, I was fine in the end but I can tell you now I didn’t let my ventolin inhaler out of my sight after that. I went to the doctors today and was prescribed a preventer again which kind of sucks but I guess it’s far better than needing an ambulance.
Stay tuned for PART TWO where I don’t die, we get dressed up, we eat a lot of yummy food, Stacey talks underwater and I drink a lot of Rekorderlig… good times!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Was a great weekend. You don;t have to be daunted by our little click.. We welcome anyone in! :P
Love your pics of the weekend by the way :D
Naw, great recap so far. I love that you are still a bit shy. Me too. Always. :o)
Thought a slight inaccuracy, our room couldn't be photographed because it was tiny, that's why we claimed the kitchen as ours and threatened to charge a usage fee. Fair deal, I say. You all owe us for time spent making coffee on Sunday. HAHA.
Thanks Zoe xo
Liss, yes the room comment was a little tongue in cheek lol
that place looks absolutely fabulous – no wonder none of you wanted to leave!!
looks and sounds like you all had a brilliant time!
~x~
looks like a fab time was had..all the times i'v visited my sister on GC we have not been to the q1..def on my next visit..cheers
Isn't Q1 gorgeous?
Looks like you had a great time (so far)!
I still can't believe its been and gone. Had such a great time.
thanks heaps for letting me tag along
It was an great weekend made even better that you were there! The photo's were beautiful and I can't wait to do it all again..though I am pretty sure if I share with Liss she will insist on choosing the room lol :)