Finger Licking good….

   TWO QUESTIONS….

What is sensuous, sexy, absolutely delicious and mostly unavoidable????

What does Lady Gaga & Kim Kadashian have in common with everyone around the world???

FOOD, I tell’s ya!   They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE FOOD!!!!

So, let’s go on a discovery of Brisbane’s best kept “foodie” secrets that shouldn’t be a secret anymore!

GOLDEN PIG – sounds a little nasty however it very TASTY!!!  Experience the exquisite pleasures of preparing your own restaurant quality feast….minus the cleaning up!! http://www.goldenpig.com.au cooking school, Newstead.

 Little Pig, Little pig……Chop Chop Chop……

  Stirring up trouble and not spilling a drop (of wine that is)

  Short discussion with a wine expert, then two, four six eight…..

  One whole fish on the plate!

Get of the couch and onto the wagon – get yourself and your office, clients, friends to a cooking school!

  IRRESISTIBLE FUN!!!

Not forgetting…..www.jamesstcookingschool.com.au and  http://taste-online.com.au/

  FYI, it’s not just for Adults Only 🙂

SGI is all brand new!

Exciting news here at Simply Great Ideas – we have launched a new website, newsletter and a new blog!!

So, for all of you who are following the blog  – we’ve moved, come along with me!

   Click my new logo to check it out!

See you on the other side! xxx

 

QT or not to QT

There’s no question about it, QT has another SEXY hotel in it’s Bow !

January 27, 2006 – After 138 years of selling Sydney its socks, shirts and undies, the iconic Gowings department store closed its doors.  It’s old barber shop opened in 1930, offering no-nonsense short back and sides to generations of Sydney men, with solicitors, judges, actors and high-flyers waiting their turn along with the less famous.

QT Sydney then reopened the old Gowings & Iconic Theatre

  

It is a delicious blend of Gothic, Art Deco, and Italianate influenced architecture that form the dazzling exterior of the building.

 

Every step is a journey, the old horse hair plaster ceilings and feature wall of wireless (that’s a radio for those younger ones).  

  WELCOME TO YOUR ROOM….the hand becons…

  It is just like your bed at home (NOT)! dreamy!

 Bedside lamp – I’ll take my hat off (or just leave it on with my stilettos).

  First, a drink.. Patrone & Grey Goose Espresso Martini!

 what can I say….

It is much more than a place to lay your head, it is a creative space to dine, drink and live (together with the good looking people).

  Exclamation, full stop, awesome.

  Actually, the only way is up!

Big Boys Toys….

That’s not a truck….

  THIS IS A TRUCK!! 

Boys with their BIG BOY toys, hi-vis shirts and dancing girls……all in a days work!

       

To be “Tonka Tuff” is NOT that EASY!   watch out!!

Hold me back….guess who’s coming to dinner? ……John Stevens and a big truck!

VENUE: Sunshine Coast Quarry….

HOW IS IT DONE….very well…with all the bells and whistles of course!

  

   120 guests for mind blowing dinner

From a backdrop of dirt, aggregate and rocks….to VIP, 5 star facility!

   She’s a beauty!

All work and no play….bring on the bubbles and food please chef!

   yep, that’s me protecting the VIP!

Until next time always remember, a truck is simply not just a truck!

Welcome to….Viva Las Vegas!!

 

What “goes on” at conference, stays on conference??  YOU BETCHA IT DOES!!

LET’s get serious……Vegas is a playground for BIG KIDS with wads of $$$ and a iron liver to match.

IT is the Conference Capital OF THE WORLD!    YES….the WORLD!!!

In 2012, Vegas hosted 21,615 conventions which included 4,944,014 attendees!  That’s a TRUCK LOAD of people full of booze and bulls*#t in one place.

 

Caution for young inexperienced players…it’s located in the NEVADA desert….it’s dry dry dry!!  Booze at night + walking around in 115 degree heat during the day = hospital and getting strapped to an IV.

By day a shopping, gambling, conferencing, MECA!!!

BY NIGHT……      

DRINKING in the street, GAMBLING with money you don’t have, NEON to make your eyes bleed AND MACCAS to soak up the drink!

ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL….

 

Post cards of Tacky Texans,  Pink Flamingos, Parisian towers, Venetian boats…..

You know you’ve made it when your crowned the first ever Australian “Miss Las Vegas” !! It’s true however, that’s another story……

Two “Heads” are better!

MY APOLOGIES TASMANIA, we all know you don’t have two heads ?#!???

What you do have is a record breaking eleven accolades at the 2012 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards!! Woo Hoo !!!

That’s nothing to be sneezed at…there’s more!!!!

Apples so shiny you can check your complexion in them.  Cherries the size of golf balls are exported to Japan. On any given day Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, blue eye trevalla, scallops, abalone and Tasmanian oysters are delighting discerning tastebuds in fine dining restaurants far and wide.

Tasmanian wines are being celebrated at wine shows and cellared by connoisseurs. Tasmanian beer makers are widely regarded as the authority on all that is cold and gold. Our peat and perfect water make the finest whisky.

STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!!

The real essence of Tasmania lies in their ultimate secret …. very funny Tassie…

  CLICK image (awesome short film winner)

Tasmania is truly a place to indulge.   From 5-star luxury in waterfront boutique hotels to 5-star experiences with little more than a backpack; Tasmania will energise your soul and inspire your spirit.

Note to self….. Pack my stretchy pants.

Susiepops x

Finger on the “Pulse” in BALI!

NO “finger pointing” because the “W” is on THE PULSE of fashion, art, sophisticated dining and nightlife escape!

  SEMINYAK, IT IS A STYLISH PLAYGROUND ON THE CAPTIVATING ISLAND OF GODS (BALI)!!!!!

The “W” is typically a playful twist of bold designs that stimulate (yes, I said stimulate) your senses…

  STARFISH BLOO – Designed to reflect the fishing culture and converting it into a gigantic dining cage.

   WOOBAR – Sip, play, and flirt. 3 levels of fun in the sun or under the stars. A giant wave ‘frozen’ on the beach and where the main bar’s silhouette outlines a coral reef.

FIRE – This is where the action heats up and where you become part of the drama.  Sizzling at sunset!

  

AWAY Spa is an escape within an escape – Inspired by Bali’s most sacred elements: wind and water – a “windswept” wall plays with the senses.

Intimate “Strategy Room” for meetings with the unique Sensory® Set Up,  flowing with mood music, signature scents and more.

SECRET whispers….The “W” can provide guests with VIP access to celebrated fashion showcases and parties – whenever and whatever YOU want, as long as its legal.

 

http://www.whotels.com/baliseminyak.  Let the fairy tale begin!

Flock off for the Winter!

QUESTION:   What’s the “bulls eye” destination off the East coast of Aussie?

OK THEN, now ask yourself, am I “into”……

1. Mulled wine, boutique beers, cocktails, bars in little laneways, quirky stone buildings with bars & mini bars?

 

2. Do I crave earthy produce enhanced by “alchemy”, cooked by some of the world’s best chefs and offered by a plethora of restaurants?

   

3. Have you ever seen weird hobbit landscapes and flightless birds the size of chickens… WHAT THE?

  

4.  Can I cope with fresh winds, crisp water, skyscraper mountains, white snow, old churches and more wineries?

 

5. Can I do EXTREME anything, skiing, jumping, diving, speeding, flying, rafting, riding, climbing, sailing, driving and drinking (no, not, never!).

 

FORGET all of the above.  Here’s what’s cool about the land of the long white cloud…

    

Amazing spaces, places and things to experience when you have a LARGE and I mean LARGE group to play with….They do it sooo well!!

    Funny buggers too….

Have you guessed already?????  One last clue….

KNOCK, KNOCK  ….who’s there?  Statue…..Statue who?  Stat you bro?

Another video clue!

 

  CLICK ON THE PLANE – HOBBIT FLIGHT AHEAD!!

     Mauri ora! Kia ora!

Welcome back you gorgeous thing!

Here’s CHEERS to the re-opening of Brisbane’s City Hall!

I’m Susiepops and what a privilege it was to host & co-ordinate one of the last events to be held at City Hall before she closed for renovations in  December 2009.  The Centenary Classic Mercedes Benz MSquerade Ball was a perfect finale with over 600 guests in attendance to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis.

   Yes, that’s me together with 8 of my closest (and awesomeness) clients.  Needless to say, with “access all areas” engraved on my tiara, I was a typical groupie hanging out in the green room with Kate Ceberano!

  Look at her now….let’s take a peak inside…

She may no longer be the tallest building in Brisbane (that was back in 1957), in my opinion she is certainly the most stunning.

  

AND…she has been joined by the famous, the original Shingle Inn!!   The heritage listed Single Inn was dismantled and closed in August 2002.  All the wood, booths, display cabinets etc were locked away for 15 years and then painstakingly put back together piece by piece.  Fantastic, yummy, decadent, oldie worldly and awesome!    I know right!!

Be still my beating heart…..

      THAT SEXY DOME CEILING!   ALL CHOCOLATY AND COPPER ON TOP!

The Main Auditorium is such a “glamour girl”. She’s all polished and brand spanking new. Lights, Camera, Action……Action, she wants some ACTION!!   Every wood panel, floor board, stage and walls were lovingly restored.  OK, so what would you expect if you were spending 20 billion dollars.

  The Grand Organ (only two in the world) is an ENORMOUS instrument and boasts of 4332 pipes! NO backdrop has ever looked so good.  Still to be tuned by experts (in 6 months time).

   

The foyer, the function rooms, the catering, the possibilities!!!!

 

LEVEL 3, Brisbane’s Museum.  Recognize the Expo 88 characters?  Clock tower tours FREE, Museum FREE.  Stop it, your killing me!!  CHECK OUT THE SHORT MUSEUM VIDEO.

Let’s get in there – plan an event – bring the people (and they will come) to Brisbane’s beautiful City Hall.

  King George Square you’ve got it going on now don’t ya!

It’s NOT what you think!

Hi I’m Susiepops from Simply Great Ideas and I am OBSESSED with Hotels!!

More importantly, I am super impressed by a hotel that has something to say.  The Hotel that has my attention at the moment and is saying EVERYTHING is the QT Hotel Surfers Paradise.

If you haven’t heard about it, well DO NOT WORRY…I’m here to show you the highlights of this amazing hotel and share some hidden little secrets that only those in “the know” know!!

Be greeted by a Holden Classic car!.  It’s not just any old Holden, it’s a shagging wagon!! You know, the one that’s got the bench seats. Perfect for getting up close and personal with the column shift.

Who can resist the gorgeous (and I mean cute as well) concierge!  They are stylishly clad and await the arrival of all guests.  Ask about what they can do with their i-paid..weather report, restaurant booking or organising a sneaky trip on a Harley to the hinterland.  Take my luggage gorgeous and i’ll check in!

Girls, girls, GIRLS!!!……did you have to look that amazing in a 1970’s onezie?

 

You tell me….are mirrors in lifts supposed to distract people??  COME-ON QT, give me a break, I love a little lift action, without the audience (very clever I admit).

Ok….now we’re talking.  Little extras in the hotel rooms that blow my mind….

1.  two pairs of rubber thongs hanging outside the bathroom – a must for the pool

2.  Black paper desk pad and white pencil for writing important messages like…. “don’t call me, I’ll call you”….

Welcome, we love you, and we LOVE Lemonade!!  Make your own, you know you want too!

Bathroom, yes!  Colorful, yes!  Rainshower head, yes!  Awesome, YES!

Minibar – typical of all usual stuff???? Of course NOT,  QT forces you to have fun. NO excuses.  Pick up sticks! Jaks game! Plus a few other essentials that you may not need but you will definitely WANT!

Pool action..HELLO…cocktails…sleep…read…dream…snore…burn and do it all over again the next day.

Just a simple “Chill Out” zone overlooking the pool and perfectly situated beside the famous “Stingray” Bar!

STING RAY….it’s the “new kid” in town.  The coasties (slang for GC locals) cannot get enough! Most nights it’s full of the young and not so young,  gorgeous crowd enjoying cocktails and the like.  DJ plays tunes into the night however NOT into the dawn.  Bar closes at midnight ON THE DOT!

  

Cocktails, shots, conversation….say no more BOYS!

Never too much fun can be had however, it’s time for bed – please do not disturb!  I am VERY busy being tied up!

That’s all there is to it…..get with it already!   GET THE APP, QT Hotels.

http://www.qt.com.au