Thanks Katiepea, we did get out of Melbourne but we are now stuck overnight at Singapore Airport cos we missed our connecting flight:). So I'm making the most of it here on my iPad with YLF. I think either of those dates should be fine for me. I probably favor the sept date tho

Weeelllll I've been checking out flights for those 2 dates, price wise they're both the same for me the only difference being the arrival times into Melbourne. So I'm on the fence at the moment, might have to do some serious sweet talking to the hubby!

Does anyone know what the bus service is like from the Airport to the City or what the Taxi prices are like?

KatiePea, I'm more than happy for a veteran to take initiative here Please go ahead!

I'm YAY to both days. And could probably do others.

Sharon, Mumm2Jess&Lu, and Afterism, would be great if you can come as well. Sorry I didn't acknowledge your posts earlier Sharon!

Puffenstuff, I don't know how it is from Airport to City. I hope someone else can chime in. I'd love to offer to pick you up but at this stage I'll err on the side of caution (I may have to drive the opposite direction across town to take the children to grandparents and fear I may be unreliable).

Wow, it's great to hear from you everyone! Deborah, I'm not sure whether to be happy for you or not. Still, I guess you can put it down to an adventure, right?!

Karen, I know from the early noughties when I used to do interstate travel for work that it would cost approximately $50 each way from the airport to the city via taxi (so I assume it would be more now). I'll try and ask my hubby when he gets home, I vaguely recall he travelled to Melbourne last year for a more recent fare. Unless someone here knows?

I can recall taking Skybus a couple of years ago. I've just looked it up and it appears to be $26 return. http://www.skybus.com.au/ That isn't too bad, considering the airport is quite a distance from the city.

I'm planning on looking at Virgin's happy hour fares once we have a date as I'm sure something will come up (she says hopefully!).

Oh thanks Fruitful that's so kind of you! But really I know that unless you live around the airport it's out of the way for most people so taxi/bus is fine.

Kirstie the prices arent too bad now - Virgin is $99 and Jetstar is $69 and I think Tiger is cheaper again. Skybus does sound like a good option too. Think I'm doing a good job of talking myself into it

Karen, just think of all the extra variety Melbourne will have over Brisneyland. Zara for starters... Think of it as an adventure! Plus, you'll already (sort of) know me and Tam, and hopefully Sharon (*hint- hint* Sharon!) so it will almost be like a reunion!

Has anyone ever flown Jetstar? Would you be game to fly with them Bris-Mel? I'm not sure to be honest, I've only ever flown Virgin/Qantas.

Yep i've flown with Jetstar, not a problem at all. I think they're flights are $69 well the times I'm looking at are anyway.

I am 90% sure I'll be coming after some talking to hubby who said "Sure go for it honey sounds like fun" and I might also bring a friend along too as long as everyone doesnt mind?

I wish I could come but I'm off to go to Hawaii in August (until the 15th) and don't think I could afford another trip so soon

Count me in! I would prefer the September date for weather reasons (confirmed member of Team Cold!), but I will fit in with the will of the majority. Will have to start saving for my spring wardrobe shopping!

BuMpInG

Righto, after reading your replies I'm now assuming the September 10 date is the number 1 preference for everyone.

What about you, Tam? Afterism? Belinda?

Megan, you sure there isn't enough time for a cheap flight?

Tara and Theresa, if you also happen to see this of course you are invited as well!

I hope I haven't missed anyone in a foggy brained moment. If so, forgive me.

Melbourne, September 10 attendees as of 26/6/11:
Sharon
Fruitful
Deborah
Puffenstuff (I'm assuming you'd want a bit more space after your holiday!)
KP
<insert your name here! :-)>

This is brilliant! I'm so excited!

There might be a NYC YLF meet on that same Saturday

Wish I could come from California! Melbourne is one of my favorite cities and so fashionable!

Bumpity Bump!

For out of towners, Virgin is now having a $99 "Sale" until 4 July. I'm getting excited!

Sooooo... are we definately on for Saturday, 10 September ladies?

Tam, Afterism, Belinda, everyone?

(Sorry for all the bumping, it's just that I'm scared that I'll book the tickets for hubby and me for this date and then it will turn out no one will be able to meet. And that would mean I'd then have to go to the footy instead of Zara. Please, don't do that to me ladies! ;-))

I will book a ticket tonight! If worst comes to worst at least we can go shopping together.

ETA: ticket booked. Arriving Melbourne 0825 on the 10th.

Yay Sharon, I'm so glad you have booked.

I don't feel quite so worried about travelling all this way now. (I had images of me standing at Central all on my lonesome with only the pigeons as my companions. I worried that they wouldn't understand. :-))

Hubby has been very sweet and as predicted said just this morning "It's OK Kate, if you book tickets and it isn't on, you can just come to the footy with me instead." (Gosh, you know you've been together a while when you can predict what they'll say! :-))

OK, I will book my and hubby's ticket tonight when he is here to consult. I think I'll aim for us to fly down on the afternoon of the 9th. How exciting!

Anyone else? Come on..... You know you want to.....

So we're going for the 10th September Ladies? Might be just us Brissy gals hey! I hope you all dont mind but I am bringing a friend with me, she had a stroke before Christmas and has an almost 12 month old and she needs to get away from it all for a weekend.

Havent seen Tara & Theresa around for a while?

Yay, I'm glad you are coming!

It is looking like it may very well be a Brissy invasion. I am worried I'm going to freeze though!

And yes please bring your friend with you - the more the merrier! She has gone through a rough time and I can completely understand wanting to have some light fun and laughter.

Better still, get her to join the forum so she can get to "know" us beforehand. <Hellooo? Puff's friend and fellow Aussie who also loves clothes and style? Big wave from me to you!!>

I forgot to book the tickets last night, but I promise I will within the next 24 hours. I am absolutely, positively coming!

I'd love to come and meet you all - September 10 is good for me!

Yay - How wonderful you are going to come, Imogen. I'm looking forward to meeting you as well.

I am busy awaiting confirmation from my in-laws (currently overseas) that they will mind the kidlets, so I know whether to book jus for two or three nights away. Hubby sent a text last night and we are praying they notice the message sometime over the next 24 hours and reply!

***********Next bit is rather important************

What time should we plan to meet? Do you think a mid/late morning meeting time would be about right? Say 10.30am(ish)? Or..... are we planning a lunch/afternoon affair? I don't mind - either suits me. I must confess that I got incredibly grumpy and terse with hubby last night when suggested I book a plane that will have us arrive at melbourne airport around`11.25am. Phooey to that idea!

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Ooh how exciting to have you coming along as well Imogen - it will be lovely to meet you I've been reading your blog for ages

KP I dont mind either mid morning or lunchtime, whatever suits the majority. I may be flying in either Friday or Saturday morning 8.25am. Havent booked anything yet so hopefully the cheap flites are gone yet!

Thanks for the arrival time Karen - It's good to know that I wasn't being grumpy without good reason! Have managed to get in contact with in-laws who are happy to mind kidlets so am wanting to book tickets tonight.

Any update on people's preferred times for the catch up?

Guys I am so excited this is happening!!! 10 Sep is great for me and its officially in my calendar. I don't mind what time we meetup - mid morning works for me. Happy to sort it around everyones flight times. Where are you guys staying? Am also happy to meet and escort people from their hotel if you're worried about getting lost. If you're staying in city skybus is one of the easiest ways to get in from the airport, and can even drop you off at the hotel (after connecting with a smaller bus at spencer st station).

Any more questions or anything just ask. Best to PM me since I'm jumping on a plane to Turkey tomorrow and won't be back till early August. I'll check ylf sporadically I'm sure, but can't guarantee when or how often!!

Yay Tam! I am *so* very glad that you are coming too - it simply wouldn't have been the same without you. Have a fabulous time in Turkey, you lucky thing!

How about I suggest tentatively we meet at 10.30am, that way we can shop or get to shopping location, then have some lunch and do a little more shopping in the afternoon? Is that a good plan?

(Personally, I have no idea where we will stay yet, but I'm thinking somewhere relatively nice and probably central - a weekend away with hubby without the kids is a very rare treat. :-))

I'll leave meeting location and lunch shopping itinerary up to Melbournians. I have honestly no idea about where to go and what to see - I'm just so excited about catching up!

Sept 10 sounds great. Will check with hubby's commitments when when we get back from holidays later this week. I will probably drive to Melbourne on the Friday afternoon. If I can assist by picking any one up, etc please let me know.

That is wonderful Deborah - I hope that your holiday has gone fabulously after an interesting start!

OK, at last I can say all booked! Flying in Friday lunchtime and out on Sunday morning.

[Was excited about flying home Sunday until I realised 10 year anniversary of September 11. Erk. Oh well. Guess I'll just have to hold hubby's hand a bit tighter than usual! ;-)]

Yay for flight bookings!!! And good work with the Fri too - did you realise its late night shopping in Melbs on Fri nights? (maybe it is for qld too but in NSW it's Thurs night, so that's still a novelty for me!!) How about we start with coffee at 10:30, that should fuel us up for some serious shopping!!

Yep I'm all booked in too, coming in on Friday night to catch up with family and flying out Sunday arvo. 10.30 meet up sounds great, been years since I've been to Melbourne but I would think Bourke St Mall or Fed Sqaure is probably the most prominent to notice everyone?

I just wanted to jump in and say that it is just so exciting - I am really looking forward to meeting everyone!

You just tell me where and when and I'll be there!

[Am very glad that my fear of standing all alone with only pigeons for company has amounted to nought.]

How exciting - I'm keen too!! I'll need to check hubby's work schedule before I can be definate though.

Yay An, that would be wonderful if you could come too! It would be so nice to actually meet you in person. Crossing fingers, because I hope that you can make it...