Middle Aged Mama

Blogging about my Midlife Adventures

And the Winner is …

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Well, this is awkward.

I wish this post was celebrating a win at the Redlands Business and Retail Awards held on Saturday night, but alas, this year I missed out (last year, I won the Redland Woman in Business Award).

Still, I’m a “look on the bright side” and “the glass is always full” kinda gal, so let’s just appreciate the following instead:

  • I’m in an industry which HAS awards. As the hubster noted, there is no such thing as awards or recognition for millions of workers – even thought they may deserve it!
  • Not only that, I was a FINALIST!
  • I got to dress up as a golden girl;
  • And, we had a great night out 🙂 .

cropped Icarus

What I Wore to the Awards Gala

Would you believe, my entire outfit come in at just over $100.

The Dress: I picked up this knee length gold dress on special at Millers for $10 (reduced from about $50 or $60), and made one simple alteration to style it to suit me. Can you guess what I did?

The neckline was straight across and a bit blah, so I added a bit of gentle ruching to make it more flattering.

The Bag: I picked up my Olga Berg patent clutch from the op shop, for $18. It’s pretty expensive for an op shop buy, but when you consider the same bag sells for over $100 new … it’s a pretty good deal.

The Shoes: My Diana Ferrari heels were the most expensive item. Miss 20 and I both bought a pair in a “buy one, get one half price” special earlier this year, which worked out to $75 each.

shoes

The Necklace: I must confess, I’ve had the necklace for so long I don’t even remember where or when I bought it, let alone how much it cost. So let’s just say it was free!

Back to the matter at hand …

I don’t know what else I could have done to secure a win. I thought my interview for judging went well, but obviously somebody else managed to do a better job.

Truly, I’m stoked to be a finalist.

Finalist

And you know what?

I have more clients than I did this time last year, I’m making more money, still love what I do AND I’m alive to enjoy it … so that’s gotta be a win in anybody’s book!

What are you celebrating or trying to make the best of today?!

Linking up with Kylie Purtell for IBOT.

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Comments

  1. Well, that outfit is a winner for a start! I can’t believe that dress was only $10 – what a steal! You may not have won an award but with a successful business, work that you love, and a happy, healthy you, I’d say you’re winning at life!

    • Thanks Sammie! Winning would have been the icing on the cake, but cake is pretty darn good even without icing 😉

  3. It’s still amazing to be a finalist!! And that’s a bargain night out outfit. Out out ? Hmm. Anyway, sounds like you had a great time and looked great – that’s a pretty big win!

    • Thanks, I was nervous as I’m not very good at sewing, so am really pleased with how it turned out.

  7. I love that dress on you! I have an awards lunch on Friday, I am very much looking forward too. I love that there are opportunities for us to be recogonised for our hard work. Sorry you didn’t take out the main prize this year.

    • Having won an award once (last year), at least I can now say I’m an award winning business woman 🙂

    • Thanks Melissa, it’s not often I get the opportunity to dress up so that was a major benefit!

  9. Congratulations, Janet! Finalist is pretty darn awesome. You look stunning too. Clever you with the ruching and for nabbing such a bargain!!

    • Thanks Renee! I was nervous the ruching wouldn’t work but it was done in such a way I could easily remove it if need be 🙂

    • Thanks Bron, I felt like a golden girl even if I didn’t take home the trophy 🙂

  11. Gosh how clever you are to alter an outfit..and it looks stunning on you. I am sorry you did not win but making finalist is good too!