Beauty Bloggers High Coffee

The Facebook invitation sat in my inbox unanswered for ages. I’d keep flicking over to the event page and hovering over the “accept” button, loosing my nerve and clicking “maybe” instead. Was I really prepared to go to a beauty bloggers event at a posh hotel in the city when I only knew two of the attendees? Was I ready to dip my toes into unchartered, impeccably groomed waters? I don’t class myself as a beauty blogger but I talk about it from time to time on my blog and it brings me a lot of joy to share the pieces I do know with you. I’d promised myself I’d branch out and meet new people this year so on Tuesday, just days out from the event I clicked “attending”… and I’m so glad I did.

This handsome looking bunch met up for High Coffee in a private room at the Opera Bar, in the lavish Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney. It was all organised by the lovely Michaela from Lather Rinse Repeat. I’m not a coffee drinker at all but I figured “when in Rome…” and opened my mind and my palette.

I dove in head first when we were greeted with an espresso martini. It blew my mind but after just three sips I had to pass it over to Christina to finish it off. It was at this point when I realised I was out of my depth and that Steve would absolutely LOVE this place. His birthday is in May so I might have to organise a little getaway.

We had the Rotunda Room all to ourselves. The weather outside was rainy and miserable (not that you can tell from this picture) the lighting was soft and the furniture and fabrics were sumptuous and sleek. Velvet, aged mirrors, luxe wallpaper, linen napkins and polished flatware. Can you tell I’m not one for camping? I was in my element.

The food started to come out. Three tiers, plates over flowing with tasty morsels all planned out for us to eat in a particular order, with particular coffee drinks, that would please our palettes and fill our tummies. I should have photographed the menu because it was so intense I can’t even remember half the names of anything that was served. You’ll just have to trust me that it was all amazing… or check out the menu on the website.

Click here to check out my “High Coffee” video on Vine.

Not only was the food great but the conversations were golden. There were moments of serious talk about the ethics and politics of blogging. Discussions about income and how to achieve a healthy work/life balance and then there were the laughs that made our full bellies ache. Just when we thought the food was all done it was time for the desserts.

Click here to check out my “Dessert” video on Vine.

Me and my girls Christina from Hair Romance and Kimmi from The Plastic Diaries. It was so lovely that I got to sit next to them, I felt instantly at ease. Christina and I first met a couple of years ago at an event for FAMOUS magazine and Sensodyne. It’s also where I first met Sally Obermeder but more on that story soon. I wore blue velvet and she wore a turban and we became friends instantly over champagne and free manicures. Kimmi and I bump into each other all the time at events and blogging conferences oh and we talk each others fingers off on twitter. This year I plan to bump into these ladies on purpose more often.

Also, that is the closest you’ll get to an outfit photo, in an epic fail move I totally forgot to take one! I wore my black suede wedges, Torrid skinny jeans, a TS14+ black tank, my favourite Peeptoe Shoes necklace and my “new” Kardashian Kollection hot pink blazer that I got from Nicole in the Plus Size Fashion Weekend Australia Clothes Swap. It’s a size too big but thanks to my big arms and the loose open front design of the jacket I could make it work. As for my make up I used a mix of Dior and Benefit Cosmetics, I wont list them all incase I scare you again.

It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon in the city and even lovelier that Michaela made arrangements with the Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney that we’d only have to pay half price! The High Coffee experience is brand new to the hotel and at $55 per person it is totally worth it, as I said I plan on going back and taking Steve for his birthday. We were there for under three hours and just managed to scrape it all into our mouths so if you do go make sure you leave enough time to really savour it.

Last night, due to being a total coffee virgin, I got the shakes and a few cramps (but that may have been from wearing heels for the first time in ages) and I didn’t get to sleep properly until 5am. As I said, it was an intense and highly crafted menu that serious coffee lovers would appreciate. Next time whilst Steve happily sips his coffee, this pretty petal will stick to the equally posh High Tea.