What I Wore Wednesday: The Mad Blog Awards

This past Thursday I went down south for a half day in the office and to attend The MAD Blog Awards. I wore my polka dot dress, skull scarf and leopard heels to the office like I said I would--who ever thought I'd do pattern mixing--and met up with the lovely Lizzie and Jacqui again for an AMAZING dinner and lots of chatting. I'm really enjoying our meet-ups when I'm in town for work and I'm holding Lizzie to her promise of having us to hers for dinner next time!

The next day I had breakfast in bed (the hotel only charges a £5 upgrade so I always splurge) while doing some work and took the train from Marlow to London. Boots was having a 3 for 2 sale so while getting shampoo/conditioner I threw in a "bun thingy" so I could attempt a high messy bun in more chic and less hungover hipster style.

I think it worked pretty well and since it is blonde coloured it means it doesn't show through my fine hair. The girl across from me on the tube was giving me weird looks but that might have just been because I was taking pictures of myself and on the tube and not because she didn't like my hair. 

The evening of the awards we had the opportunity to have our hair and make up done and I jumped at the chance. I'm going to be honest and say the hair did not work for me; I wasn't the only one as poor Dorky Mum wound up looking like Justin Bieber before she took her hair in her own hands. Luckily the lovely Alice from More Than Toast let me borrow her curling wand and I was able to remedy my hair situation.

My make up however, I loved. I told the lovely Sue from Arbonne that I liked a strong eye and to "think of a Rock of Love reject and then take it down one notch." She didn't know what Rock of Love was but she made it work. I added a bit more eyeliner and mascara, I'm addicted what can I say, but I especially loved how she did my overall complexion.

Notice my hair is not anywhere near "loose, beachy waves" at this point but my face is fabulous! Also yes I did roll up in a hotel robe and leggings; I forgot a wide neck shirt and I wasn't about to risk messing up my face. At least no one confused me for a hooker; at my sister's wedding I also wore a robe and a guy in the elevator basically inferred I was a prostitute. I don't know what prostitutes roam hotel hallways in robes but that isn't how they act on Police Women of Cincinnati that is for sure. Anyway I digress....

I was on double duty both up for an award (thanks to you lovely readers!) and presenting an award for work. I wanted to look fabulous but not too over the top so after trying on more than my fair share of dresses and then a dozen or so pairs of shoes this is what I wore:

I loved the shape and colours of this dress from TK Maxx and the patent bow belt that emphasised my waist just sold me on it. You can't tell but the skirt is the slightest bit see-through. The best part--the dress was £29.99! I'm serious. Don't you just love TK Maxx?

I paired it with accessories from New Look:

I fell in love with these Black Fold Over Chain Trim Ankle boots and they were so comfortable. I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of these so I'm glad I got them!

My sister made me promise I wouldn't wear "those damn feather earrings" again so I got these Gold and Silver Spike Cluster Drop Earrings because I thought they brought a bit of edge to the sweet dress and helped tie in this amazing Silver Wrap Around Cuff (which is much cooler in person than the picture) and the boots. I like a bit of edge and I think my accessories helped bring that.

Probably my favourite thing had to be hanging out with my good friend Susan who's bump looked amazing in her green dress. She wasn't sure about her hair but I thought it looked vintage inspired and really suited her! The next day the two of us bummed around Covent Garden and went to China Town for Dim Sum and it was just a really lovely afternoon. We both live in Glasgow but with children and work we usually are only able to catch a movie now and then so it was great to have a fun day out. Also we met the Green M who coincidentally poses exactly the same as I do.

Maybe it is time to rethink my signature pose? I want to give a big thanks to Helen and Evelyn at TK Maxx for providing my outfit and really just for being lovely. It was great to see Evelyn again on the night (who looked amazing in a one shoulder blue TK Maxx dress) and even though I didn't win (the very deserving Baby Wears Prada won) I'm still ridiculously honoured to have been a finalist. I love fashion, but I'm not a fashionista and I have no delusions of this being a fashion blog. What I Wore Wednesday is coming up on it's 1st birthday and it still amazes me that you all link up every week. So most of all thank you to all of you who voted for me and sent me to the awards.

Also thank you to Lexi from Mammy Woo who when I said after dinner "I think we should mount a reindeer" didn't bat a pretty eyelash but hopped straight on. My kind of gal.

Now enough of my waffling on and we'll get down to business! I really do love all your comments and unless I'm travelling I comment on every post linked so please do take the time to check out other posts linked up and find some new inspiration!