As a wee lass, I played Netball (only Saturday comp) until I was about 14, and always regretted giving it up. In my head, I was always destined to go pro – it just never happened. Okay, okay, maybe I might be suffering from delusions of grandeur. A girl can dream, can’t she?

Thanks to the folks at San Remo (http://www NULL.sanremo NULL.com NULL.au/) I was lucky enough to be invited along to break bread (well, eat pasta) with the Australian Netball team, The Diamonds. The dinner was held in Radelaide, one of my favourite places to visit. If you’re ever in that neck of the woods – make sure you stop by the Thali Room, (http://www NULL.britishindia NULL.net NULL.au/) but more on that in another post. What is it with me and food? Don’t answer that Possum.

ANOTHER SILVERFOX. REOW!

Anyway, you can imagine that I was absolutely thrilled to bits to get up close and personal with the team. Lucky for me, I scored a seat next to Amy Steel – who FYI is an absolute sweet’eart. Just lovely!

I was equally chuffed when she was the first one to dive into the bread basket (usually I’m the bread bandit!) and even managed to devour every last mouthful of her meal – might’ve had something to do with the fine fare that Celebrity Chef Adam Swanson put on for us. Another SilverFox. REOW!

We didn’t just talk ball, we talked food – namely San Remo’s (http://www NULL.sanremo NULL.com NULL.au/) newest additions to their range. And boys. And organic skincare. All in all, it was a fabulous evening! Thank you very much San Remo. The 14-year old in me was completely starstruck. Like wet-my-pants-starstruck. Ridiculous, huh? I know, I know, you can’t take me anywhere, can you?  Happy Hump Day y’all. MC

// The fabulous location.

// Very cosy dining room.

// Nom.

// Erm, hello!

// With Amy Steel.

// Adam Swanson. SilverFoxes, they’re everywhere.

// Adam and Amy.

It’s all about the details Darling:

All flights, transfers and accommodation were complimentary – but like all things on MsCritique I always endeavour to bring you honest and (hopefully) entertaining reviews. To read more about the MsCritique philosophy, take a gander at my manifesto here. As always, you’re the boss, boss. Over and out.

Anyone would’ve thought Justin Bieber (http://www NULL.justinbiebermusic NULL.com/) (or as my 4 year-old cousin calls him – Justin Beaver) entered the building from all the squealing. Okay, okay, I’ll give you more street-cred than that.

Those squeals were at least Alexander Skarsgard (http://www NULL.imdb NULL.com/name/nm0002907/) worthy. As a wolf-pack of 85 beauty bloggers made their way to the Maxted Thomas PR Gala Dinner, the excitement in the room was palpable. Electric even!

Y’see we’re a passionate lot; bloggers. We get excited over things that other people just find…peculiar. From the audible squeals when Sam Martin showed us the density of sparkle and shimmer in Orly’s Sweet Peacock (http://www NULL.orlybeauty NULL.com/); listening to Ken Lee demonstrate the lightness of Nivea’s Light Feel Every Day Sun Lotion (http://www NULL.nivea NULL.com NULL.au/); to Helen van Nooten laughing at me picking my jaw up off the ground after seeing Sebastian Professional’s Foaming Conditioner (http://www NULL.sebastianprofessional NULL.com/en_US/). Not so strange after all. Fascinating even.

I left out being completely enthralled watching Maxted’s very own Amreeta demonstrating Remington’s Perfect Curls (http://www NULL.remington-products NULL.com NULL.au/) on the fly and waxing lyrical with Emma Sykes on the seductive powers of Burt’s Bees Cranberry and Pomegranate Butter. (http://www NULL.burtsbees NULL.com NULL.au/) Sorry SilverFox! I swear, I could’ve stood all night long – in heels – talking ‘fume to Coty’s Erika Hall about Balenciaga’s Paris (http://www NULL.balenciagafragrance NULL.com/). Or just Paris. Either. Or.

THOSE SQUEALS WERE AT LEAST ALEXANDER SKARSGARD WORTHY.

And lastly, my fellow-cleansing-wipe-sister, Robyn Hutch (http://www NULL.nivea NULL.com NULL.au/) who I shared a bonding moment with over Nivea’s Vital Soft Cleansing Wipes. (http://www NULL.nivea NULL.com NULL.au/) Those babies really are amazing. Review coming soon.

Afterwards, we ate some marvelous food (naturally extra points were awarded for those phenom caramelized walnuts. In a word: amazing!) The best part of the night? The caramelized walnuts. I jest.

Hands down, it was the camaraderie. Finally, we were out from behind the screen, with a justifiable excuse to talk B.S (that’s beauty and science) without anyone doing ‘The Eye Roll.’ And nope, that’s not a new dance floor move. Although Iantha (http://bimbhoe NULL.blogspot NULL.com/) did bust out The Running Man at some point in the night. Props, my friend. Props.

… IANTHA DID BUST OUT THE RUNNING MAN AT SOME POINT IN THE NIGHT.

I guess the night confirmed what I already knew deep down: bloggers really do have a language of their very own. YHTTMHTDTSE. Y’see, that’s blogger-speak for, ‘You’ll have to teach me how to do that smokey eye.’ Or, one of my faves; SBJISMFBFTLENC. Which translates to: ‘Sweet baby Jesus, I’d sell my first born for that limited edition nail colour.’ ‘Nuff said.

Of course, we wouldn’t have been privy to all this insider, one-on-one, behind-the-scenes wonderment without leaders of the pack, Kimmy (http://theplasticdiaries NULL.com/)and Jacie (http://www NULL.youvegotnail NULL.com/) who co-founded the inaugural Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend. Thank you.

Call me strange, (oh, come on, I thought I just disproved that) but I’m already counting down to the next one – now that’s a reason to howl squeal. Unless of course…the ladies can arrange Alexander Skarsgard to make a special guest appearance next year? Double squeal! Fangs out, er, I mean, pouts out ladies. See y’all at ABBW2012! MC

// It was a full house.

// Nom.

// My partner in crime.