You know that old Ferrero Rocher advert where the Ambassador gets off his face on Champers and starts dishing out the choccy to ‘really spoil’ his guests? Well think of the past few days of my life being like that advert. Now take that tall debonair Ambassador chap and replace him with the less-tall-but-twice-as-debonair Sally Whittle…
Sally has organised some really special treats for the MADs finalists this year (and if your are sat wondering what the holy mother of moley ‘the MADs’ are then check out the bottom of this post). This year I’m a finalist, which feel really cool but odd at the same time as this time last year I was quite new to blogging and was wondering the MADs was.
Being a finalist comes with privileges. There are the obvious ones like being able flounce about the house whilst humming The Eye of the Tiger and dropping the phrase ‘Oh Friday? No I’m busy Friday because I’ll be attending a blogging awards ceremony then… <insert smug face here> oh didn’t I mention it – I’m a finalist, one of 77 narrowed down from 3,000 nominated ” But for Love Squirrel that’s not enough, not enough by far… this year as a finalist in the ‘Most Helpful MAD Blog’ category I was given a John Lewis Personal Shopper experience with £250 to spend on an outfit to wear to the Awards Ceremony. I know, how freaking jammy is that?!
Now there have been many images on me on this blog over the past year, some well … um and others… errr yes. But never any of me looking even remotely glamorous or smartly dressed. I’m going to hold my hands up now and admit that once I spent £80 on a dress – and that was by far the most I had ever paid for one. Walking in to my local branch of John Lewis in West Quay, Southampton to meet my own Personal Shopper I admit I felt awkward, clumsy and really out of place…
But only for the minute it took me to walk to the Fashion Advisor’s area for there, waiting for me with a bottle of water and a big smile was my personal shopping advisor!
John Lewis, West Quay – Fashion Advisor’s reception area
Within 30 seconds my mind was put completely at rest and after a few minutes we were nattering about all sorts. I was asked what I like and don’t like fashion wise and if I’d be open to suggestions and then I sat, sipping chilled water and reading magazines (I know, reading magazines…without any children near me… opulence) whilst the lovely lady went off to find me an array of dresses to try on. Giving me a chance to whip out my phone for a ‘before’ shot…
(note the ENORMOUS room that you use with a personal shopper, someone on Twitter summed it up eloquently with ‘OMG that’s not a changing room it looks more like a giant bedroom’ )
I tried on a long pink dress with a fluffy bolero, a slinky black sequin number and numerous full length and cocktail dresses, shoes and jemellry. There had been one dress caught my eye from the moment I saw it, I tried it on and LOVED it but … it also happened to be the most expensive dress, with a price tag of £249. I didn’t know what to do, could I really justify spending all that money on one dress? In a moment of indecision I turned to Instagram where I had posted a photo of myself wearing the dress. That photo had the most number of ‘loves’ I had ever received on Instagram and some smashing comments and at that point I decided that yes, it was the dress for me. I could share that photo now but I think I’ll save the photo of it until I’m suitably pruned and preened on Friday, but you can see the fancy bag it came in…
From the exclusive to John Lewis Somerset collection by Alice Temperley this dress is an absolute bargain when you consider that the evening dresses from Alice Temperleys on-line shop are priced from £450 up to £3,750. Now I’m no fashionista but I think that the Alice Temperley range at John Lewis is a real chance to own a ‘high-end’ dress at a really good price.
And as if that wasn’t enough of a treat John Lewis offered to invite me back for a facial from their beauty department. (You can’t actually see me now but I am fist pumping with vigour)
Thank you to John Lewis, Southampton for their excellent service and for opening my eyes to personal shopping and how it is a really valuable service to suit all price ranges, and to Sally, The MAD Awards and The MAD Awards Sponsors.
For those who don’t have the foggiest what I am talking about, the MAD Awards are blogging awards run by Sally Whittle / Tots100. A two tier nominations process see’s people vote for bloggers in an array of categories. This year there are 20 categories, each with 5 finalists. You can check out all the finalists here.
I'm Annie and I live in the depths of the New Forest. Mother to many, wife to one, blogger, creative type, lover of real books and a bit of a lush.
But I can’t see the dress – cheeky! I look forward to seeing you and it in all your glory on Friday…can’t wait – though I am nervous, and a wee bit scared, I am sure it will all be fine. And we will have a great time. Good luck as well, Annie. You deserve it!
Heh heh heh – I’m nothing if not a cheeky monkey
Looking forward to seeing you again on Friday night and if it helps I am SO nervous too x
What a treat! I bet you will look stunning. x
Thanks Cat – it’ll certainly be a step up from me spending my usual Friday night in my PJs blogging !
Hello!!! I love that range from John Lewis and you are right, it is really well priced for a high end item. You will look STUNNING when you collect your award on Friday night
Look forward to seeing you and the dress on Friday x
Oh you are too kind missus! I’ll be the one trying to walk in heels!
Ooh that so sounds so exciting . I can’t wait to see it on you Fri. Have won a ticket so will be keeping a low profile and shying away from all you people who have a proper right to be there! You thoroughly deserve your nom XXX
Ooo I can’t wait to see you – it’s been too long. I love that they have given away tickets – especially to you! Now we can drink gin and make merry!
At the risk of sounds like a huge brown-noser (but you DO know I’m not-so-secretly in love with you, right?!) I happen to adore your before outfit, I think you look awesome and I WANT your cardi/dress/shoes! Can’t wait for the big reveal and I hope you wiiiiiiin on the night
Oh beeeeeehave! Now meet me round the back of the bike sheds in 10
Ooh can’t wait to see a pic of the dress! Love Alice Temperley
Oh Annie, what a fab experience! And I can’t wait to see the dress.
I’ve been on a little shopping spree courtesy of Sally and the MADs too, and have a lovely little bag of goodies waiting to be revealed on Friday. it’s felt like such a treat I can’t tell you. Can’t wait to wear it!!
See you Friday x
That’s what I love about it so much Jen – the feeling of being treated. I don;t know about you but most days I run round after little people in my jeans, rarely do I dress up and I has never worn a proper grown up ‘long’ dress in my life!
Who needs to win when the taking part is this fun? !
Ah, can’t wait to see a pic! Wish I was going, good luck
x
I wish you were going too – next time Gadget…thank you x
Oh I can’t wait to see the dolled up photo. I loved the dress you posted on Instagram the other day x
That’s the one – only on Friday I’ll look a lot more tipsy in it
Can’t wait to see the dress! I love Alice Temperley and have heard great things about her gorgeous Somerset range – bet you’ll look great! x
Why thank you Liz – I’ll see on Friday night! And for those reading through these comments who don’t know, Liz and I are in the one of the categories together at the MADs x
Can’t wait to see pictures – sounds fantastic – you look amazing in the one you didn’t choose too! Best of Luck xx
Many thanks my dear , that is much appreciated x
RAWR you sexy tiger! I like the before photo so lord knows what the after photo will look like
sounds like a right nice treat, you bloody deserve is you blogging superforce you x
*crawls on knees seductively*
*back goes*
HELP ME UP!
(thank you xxx)
dress sounds amazing, can’t wait to see it…have a great time on Friday xx
Many thanks – it feels somewhat bizarre for someone like me to have such a fancy dress but I’ll be sure to make the most of the experience! x
(that’s code for wine and gossip)
oooh sounds lovely. Not long to go now..
I know! I have been counting down the sleeps!
I haven’t seen your dress yet… ooo go on lemme have a peek !
Can’t wait to see you in your gorgeous dress! Sometimes you just have to treat yourself (with someone else’s money!) x