#DBNbloggermeet

Saturday 5 April dawned sunny, partly cloudy with a bit of a breeze.  This was the day that the 25 ladies bloggers had been excitedly waiting for.  After years of planning (really felt like it!) okay! months of planning it was D day.

I firstly had to make an early morning trip over to the Shongweni Farmers Market to pick up the beautiful washi tape from Washi Bug.  Then it was home to do make-up, hair and get dressed.  My sweet hubby and kids loaded the car with all the prizes and the delicious cupcakes from Smith’s Bakeshop (how they were all there was a miracle!)

Hubby drove me down to Hashtag (18 Windermere Road) and we parked just down from the restaurant.  Michelle was already there and Hashtag staff had just opened up and were busily sweeping, washing floors and moving furniture.  Okay I just have to tell you a bit about the history of this gorgeous building : it is known as Little Chelsea and it is a Victorian double-storey building with a cast-iron verandah. It was designed by architects Reed & Hurst in 1897 and was built for L Evans.  It was declared a National Monument on the 9 May 1986.  Hashtag have a lovely outdoor seating area with white couches.  The inside is very spacious with a nice amount of seating and you can even sit at the bar.  Lots of ladies were raving about the quirky “selfie” zone bathrooms and many pictures were taken there.

Verushka also arrived while the staff were busy and once they were done we all went into high gear unpacking cars, putting the last items in the goodie bags, setting the tables and generally running around like mad women.

Prizes

Table Setting

It was lovely to watch all the ladies arrive, take a seat and immediately start chatting.  Faeema was the last to arrive in a beautiful silver Mercedes and then it was time to start.  Verushka welcomed everyone and then I introduced Mandy from Kitten Action.  She explained to us what Kitten Action does and told us how blessed she was with our donation (R1250-00 and LOTS of kitten food).

Mandy from Kitten Action

Then it was onto the Lenovo ladies who created huge excitement with their review of the Yoga tablet and saying one lady would win it.  We had to tweet what we would give up and it was so funny seeing what ladies were willing to do.  We all continued tweeting for Lenovo even while Brett from Fry’s spoke to us about flatulent cows and how just by giving up meat for one day a week helps with the cow problem 🙂 Fry’s were the ones who started the Meat Free Mondays that we now see people tweeting about every Monday.  The next talk was from Karen of Philosophia Botanica (skin and body care) who passed around amazing products for us to try.  She is in the process of opening up a spa where these products will be used.  I just love this quote from the Philosophia Botanica website

” Beauty comes from within. Make time for rest, reflection and meditation before you worry about how you look. Deep internal rest nourishes better health which, all by itself, nourishes radiant Beauty. “

Lenovo Tweeting

Brett from Fry’s

Michelle explained to us all about Hashtag’s pizzas and how three ladies would be able to build their own pizza on the restaurants three tablets.  We could order ANY toppings on our individual pizzas!  Hashtag also supplied us with soft drinks and cappuccinos.  Hashtag were INCREDIBLY generous to us and we had amazing service.  I am not exaggerating!!  I ordered the Lamb & Mint pizza and was blown away by its deliciousness.  Lovely thin crust and just the right amount of topping. 

My mouth is drooling just thinking of it.  All the ladies were making appreciative noises about their pizzas.  Guaranteed that many will be back to experience their divine pizzas and other dishes on their menu.  I must commend our waitress “Mush” on her service.  She managed to take orders and deliver drinks to all the ladies calmly and competently. 

Deciding

The blessed winner of the Lenovo tablet was Kerry and then it was announced that because the ladies had been so incredible with their tweeting they would give a second one away.  The second one was won by Nazneen.  Two very thrilled ladies!!

Oh yes!  During all the things that were happening draws were taking place for the prizes.  Every single lady received a prize!!

Finally the time had arrived to hand out the goodie bags.  I must say that it was one of my favourite parts of the day.  The look on all the ladies faces as the bags came out and the excited chatter as they started to look through their bags.  It really blessed me.

Goodie Bag Excitement

A few ladies had to leave and could not stay for dessert (I must say that we were already passed the time of the end of the meet).  We placed our orders for dessert and I had the banana fudge spring roll mmmm mmmmm mmmmm.

Sorry no dessert before picture 🙂

Then it was really time to wrap up and pack up.  Faeema used the Uber app on her phone to order a car and Michelle and I acted like the paparazzi when her luxury car arrived to whisk her home with all her loot.  Michelle and I did some sorting out, had a photo with Mush and Ronaldo (the masterful chef) and then it was time to say our goodbyes to the incredible Hashtag.  Thank you for all the love and attention.  It was the most amazing meeting venue.

Ssifiso from Uber



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