Lady in Red: I WON at the UK Blog Awards!! #iwillwearwhatilike

Awards ceremony outfit - Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail crystal embellished box clutch red crystal earrings | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

Winner, winner, chicken dinner…! I couldn’t resist that expression – it just about sums up the craziness of this weekend that was the UK Blog Awards.

What can I say – I’m STILL totally and utterly in shock at the fact that I was the Individual Fashion and Beauty Winner at what is probably the UK’s biggest blogging awards event (you can read more about it in last Friday’s post). I had convinced myself this year that I wasn’t going to win after being shortlisted twice before, so I went simply to have a great evening with the girls from the Over40Collective, celebrate all things about the blogging community and just be proud that I represented the over 40s in what is always a very tough category for older women.

However, not only did I win, but Midlifechic was Highly Commended: So 25% of the category was won by over 40 bloggers. That in itself is an incredible boost for the 40+ blogging community, and I’m immensely proud to be part of that.

Anyway! Today’s post is all about the outfit (I’ll discuss the event and what it was like to win in Friday’s #SaturdayShareLinkUp post) – these photos were taken during the calm before the storm so all I can say is: CHECK OUT THAT DRESS!!

There’s no getting away from it – I had to pour myself into that dress, but boy was it worth it… I won’t lie, and there’s no use being modest here, because I absolutely felt like a MILLION dollars. I can see why celebrities have such confidence on the red carpet: Put on a magnificent red carpet-worthy dress and it changes everything about the way you stand, the way you move, the way you feel. Being somewhat restricted is actually a benefit because there is no slouching, all night long. And mine wasn’t even designer, it was high street – the Abriella red dress from Coast which is currently on sale at Zalando. And also available in black, direct from Coast.

Once I knew I’d been shortlisted I knew I had to find a dress that would top last year’s fairy princess outfit – it seemed like a completely impossible task. That outfit was stunning, it was so pretty and floaty and sparkly… What do you do when you have to beat THAT?

Awards ceremony outfit - Her: Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail Him: Mid blue suit with dark tie and tan brogues | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

There was only one thing for it: WEAR RED. Look at any red carpet and the dresses that stand out are usually a bright colour, and as I did neutrals last year I thought pillarbox red was just about the only option I had. And once I saw this photo of Kate Winslet in Elie Saab at the Emmys a few years ago I knew that was the look I wanted.

I won’t bore you with the details, but after much searching I found the dress from Coast and that was that – all it then needed was the right sparkly box clutch, crystal earrings and red suede heels (they didn’t have to be too high because you really couldn’t see them – comfort FTW, yay)!

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I totally took inspiration from Kate’s hair that night and I’m not ashamed to admit I did a copycat hairstyle. (If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?) The same went for makeup: I kept it simple and saved the red lippie for another time, choosing a pinky nude colour instead, and pink nails that would contrast with the dress (where red ones wouldn’t).

I so, so want to witter on for ages here about how proud I am and how grateful I am to everyone that voted for me to get shortlisted, I want to thank my blogging BFFs for coming to the event to support Nikki and me, I want to thank my Instagram husband Keith… But that’s Friday’s post. But I have to say a quick and mahoosive THANK YOU to all my readers for all the support and congratulations… I’m still trying to catch up with all my thank yous on social media even now – I will reply, I promise!

Today was just about the outfit – I couldn’t have loved it any more if I tried. And as I did on the night, I’ll mention it now and then not again: Yes I KNOW my boobs were “out there”, and they never normally are – I loved the dress too much to reject it on account of it making me too boobilicious. To say that’s out of my comfort zone is a massive understatement, for once I simply had to OWN them. I had no other choice if I wanted to wear that dress.

But don’t get used to it, they’re going back under wraps from now on…!

And in case you’re wondering, we photographed these shots with a tripod and remote in the middle of Chelsea, just off the King’s Road. It’s a popular spot for bloggers to shoot apparently and I can see why: Beautiful trees lining a gravel drive where no one really walks (there are pavements each side so there’s no need to walk on this bit). Yes, we got a lot of stares but as I often say (HAVE to say) now as a blogger:

Stares? Who cares!

A video of the winning moment

Luckily Keith filmed the winning moment and I posted it on Facebook – once Midlifechic was read out as a highly commended I just relaxed because I thought there was NO way I’d win if she was a runner-up… you can see the look of shock on my face:

Come back Friday and read all about the event and what winning means to me…!

Link up: Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!

I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING TO ASK HERE SO I’LL JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!! DO COMMENT BELOW 🙂

Awards ceremony outfit - Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail crystal embellished box clutch red crystal earrings | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Awards ceremony outfit - Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail crystal embellished box clutch red crystal earrings | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Awards ceremony outfit - Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail crystal embellished box clutch red crystal earrings | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Awards ceremony outfit - Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail crystal embellished box clutch red crystal earrings | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Awards ceremony outfit - Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail crystal embellished box clutch red crystal earrings | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Awards ceremony outfit - Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail crystal embellished box clutch red crystal earrings | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Awards ceremony outfit - Long red fitted gown with shoulder detail crystal embellished box clutch red crystal earrings | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Dress: Coast via Zalando (on sale! also available in black) | Clutch: Amazon (US link) | Shoes (not seen!): Marks & Spencer | Earrings: Amazon (US link to very similar ones) | Bracelet: Lizzy O c/o | Fingertip rings: New Look | Lips: Maybelline Nude Flush | Nails: Revlon (similar) | Keith’s suit: Mod Clothin

OTHER RED GOWNS TO TRY:

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(20% off Phase Eight with code SPRING20)

The Over40Collective at the UK Blog Awards 2017 (Individual winner, Fashion & Beauty: Not Dressed As Lamb)
Photo credit above and below: Greetje, No Fear of Fashion

The Over40Collective at the UK Blog Awards 2017 | L-R: Honorary member No Fear of Fashion, RetroChicMama, The Barefaced Chic, Not Dressed As Lamb, The Sequinist, Midlifechic, Lady of Style)
The Over40Collective at the UK Blog Awards 2017 (Individual winner, Fashion & Beauty: Not Dressed As Lamb)
Posing with the girls from the Over40Collective, L-R: Michelle Tyler, The Barefaced Chic, The Sequinist, Me (with my award!), Midlifechic, Lady of Style. Unfortunately What Lizzy Loves couldn’t make it 🙁

91 Comments

  1. 8 May 2017 / 11:56 pm

    You are outrageously gorgeous. I remember when you first started this blog as a side project! Many congrats and for all the haters… keep walking.

  2. 7 May 2017 / 2:30 pm

    Wow, I am late to the party I know but you looked magnifique! And your hubby so dapper to compliment you! Gorgeous dress, you made the right choice letting it do the talking with regards to makeup too – so chic in every way! Congrats again, it was meant to be! Not that last year's look wasn't prefect, too, but it was meant to be that you wore the perfect dress at this moment! So amazing to see so many of the 40+ bloggers killing it and looking fabulous too! xo

  3. 27 April 2017 / 4:40 pm

    You look absolutely stunning! That dress-swoon. It looks identical to the Elie Saab number. I was invited to her show in Paris and couldn't make it btw. Weep! Huge congrats, so well deserved. Love that shot of your husband looking at you with such pride like, 'This gorgeous woman is with me'! x

  4. 26 April 2017 / 8:29 pm

    What can I say? I have already congratulated you in person. Coming over to cheer you two on is very rewarding when you become number two and number one. What a triumph. And how good the Over40Collective women looked. Also compared to the younger women, you were all really outstanding. And a very clever choice this red dress. You looked perfect in it. Well, you are perfect so that figures (pun intended).
    Thanks for including me.
    Greetje

  5. 26 April 2017 / 7:38 pm

    Catherine, all I can say is About blooming time too! You're so deserving of this award that it was surely just a matter of time that you should win. I'm thrilled that our wonderful style guru, mentor and all round blogging oracle has at last been recognised. You looked every inch the Hollywood star and that dress is AMAZING!!! I loved the video – thanks for sharing that great look of surprise with us all. Congratulations and well done xxx

    Anna
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com

  6. 26 April 2017 / 11:02 am

    check out the dress? Is it available through some sort of lending library then or have you lost your understanding of the english language.
    by the way, females over 18 are women not girls

    • 26 April 2017 / 2:59 pm

      Oh gosh Edward it must be so tough being forced to read to read all these terrible blogs when you work for the Dictionary Police… That's a really hard job, my heart goes out to you. And thank you for pointing out that we're not girls – next time we go out together I'll tell my husband "I'm going out with the women", he'll know exactly what I mean. Thank you for correcting me.

      And thank you for the warm wishes of congratulations as well! You're too kind taking time out from your busy job as Chief Inspector English Language to come and visit my blog, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

      Much love to you… C U next Tuesday!! MUAH x

  7. 26 April 2017 / 10:09 am

    You look freaking AMAZING Catherine! The dress is absolutely divine on you. You're right about it being boobilicious lol. Congratulations!!!!!!
    Suzy xxx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

  8. 26 April 2017 / 9:41 am

    Congratulations on your win it was very much deserved. You look absolutely stunning in that dress.

  9. 25 April 2017 / 8:54 pm

    Catherine, we are all so proud of what you have accomplished. Not only that, but you were smokin' hot in that red dress! Congratulations!! – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

  10. 25 April 2017 / 8:43 pm

    Waaahoooo! Congrats Catherine! You deserve it! Fabulous outfit. You and the hubby look amazing!

    Paula
    thatwasthenthisiswow.com

  11. 25 April 2017 / 8:23 pm

    You looked like a total Oscar Winner, never mind a Fashion and Beauty Blog Award Winner! The red dress was crazy-amazing on you, and I truly didn't think that last years was 'toppable' (that glittering frothy perfection of a dress!!!!!).

    I am deeply proud of you and Nikki for representing the 40+ category so strongly. The joy that you take in blogging is palpable, and this award was so well deserved and a bit overdue! xx

  12. 25 April 2017 / 4:56 pm

    Hello there and congratulations. Would you please give us an update on that exercise and diet regimen that you had signed up for a few months ago? Thanks… PS you looked great!

  13. 25 April 2017 / 4:31 pm

    Not surprised at all…you have one of the most well thought out, provoking blogs out here. Congrats all around!-Laurel Bledsoe littleblackdomicile.com

    • 26 April 2017 / 3:53 pm

      oh wow Laurel what a compliment!! Thank you so much! x

  14. 25 April 2017 / 4:16 pm

    Fantastic !! and well deserved. You look fantastic

  15. 25 April 2017 / 2:33 pm

    Congratulations! That's amazing news! Just look at your dress. : ) xxxx

  16. 25 April 2017 / 1:17 pm

    Booblicious, delicious!!!! Yiu look ravishing and the confidence just oozes from you. I love the photo of Keith looking at you too. I'm so sorry I didn't get to see you win, but you know I was there in spirit. Once again, congratulations and thank you for being my inspiration but mostly for being my friend xxxxx Love Lizzy xxx http://www.whatlizzyloves.com

    • 26 April 2017 / 3:29 pm

      Oh Liz we did miss you but it's lovely that you put your son's birthday first, that's soooo much more important!! I *know* you were there in spirit and thank you for all your good wishes and love MUAH xxxxxx

  17. 25 April 2017 / 9:49 am

    So great to see the Over 40 Collective together bar Lizzy. THAT DRESS gorgeous! I almost can't believe its from Coast it looks proper high end and I'd happily assume it had cost lots. Congratulations on winning the award lovely, so well deserved. Lizzie xo

    • 25 April 2017 / 11:12 pm

      Lizzie thank you!!! Yes the Coast dress was amazing, I'd have happily paid full price for it but getting it for less than half price was just sweeeeeeeeeet 😉

  18. 25 April 2017 / 9:37 am

    So incredibly stunning, the pair of you!
    Catherine I have to say you chose an incredible dress & the obvious quality IRL is superb but lady, your figure! Hubba Hubba

    • 25 April 2017 / 11:10 pm

      Well you know how nervous I was about getting THEM out (you know what I mean! 😉 – but as I said on the night I just gotta own it! Thank you my darling friend – your support meant the world to me, I'm just so glad we got to celebrate together!! x

  19. 25 April 2017 / 7:06 am

    Feeling the love in all these comments – well done and congratulations Catherine. Your dress is stunning and again those shots wow!
    P.S all you ladies look divine too. x Jacqui
    http://www.mummabstylish.com

  20. 25 April 2017 / 5:45 am

    Way to go, dearest Catherine!! What an amazing (and VERY well deserved!) honour; you must be up there on Cloud Nine even now!! And I'm going to ride along just a little on your coattails – or should I say the hem of that magnificent ruby gown! WOW! – and tell everyone who will listen, "yep…she's one of my blogger besties!!" ;D

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

    • 25 April 2017 / 11:08 pm

      You ride away, Monika…!! hehe thank you so much my lovely – it's the support of readers like you that give me the boost I need to keep going! Big MUAH to you xx

  21. 25 April 2017 / 12:45 am

    Congratulations Catherine! It seems strange to say I'm proud of you, since I don't know you personally, but that's definitely how I feel! Its amazing to know that good, hard work really can pay off. You are radiant!

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

    • 25 April 2017 / 11:06 pm

      Aww Heidi that's such a sweet thing to say, thank you sooooooo much hon x

  22. 25 April 2017 / 12:26 am

    CONGRATULATIONS!! I can think of no one better to represent over 40 bloggers, Catherine. And I might add that both you and the hubs look absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for choosing me as one of last week's favorites!
    Debbie
    http://www.fashionfairydust.com

    • 25 April 2017 / 11:06 pm

      Debbie thank you – and it was my pleasure! x

  23. 25 April 2017 / 12:15 am

    Congratulations on your win! That dress is stunning

    • 25 April 2017 / 6:21 pm

      that's kind of you, thank you Charlotte xx

  24. Adrienne Shubin
    24 April 2017 / 10:56 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS!! You are a total knock out in red and that gown is gorgeous! I am thrilled for you and your continued success. Bravo!! xo

  25. 24 April 2017 / 10:31 pm

    That dress is to die for and you look amazing. I'm so happy for you! You are a wonderful blogger and deserve this. Yay! Cheryl Tucker

    • 25 April 2017 / 6:20 pm

      Aww Cheryl thank you, that means a lot! C x

  26. 24 April 2017 / 10:07 pm

    It's about time, right?
    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! BRAVA!!!!!!!!! ENCORE!!!!!!!
    Well deserved, my friend.

    • 25 April 2017 / 6:20 pm

      haha third time lucky, Anne..!! thank you MUAH xx

  27. 24 April 2017 / 9:38 pm

    Huge congratulations

  28. 24 April 2017 / 9:05 pm

    A well deserved win, congratulations – you looks so stunning, a la Pretty Woman – gorgeous!! xx

    Yvadney

    Mums That Slay

    • 25 April 2017 / 6:19 pm

      I DID think it was a bit Pretty Woman afterwards, Yvadney – minus *that* necklace…!! Thank you hon x

  29. 24 April 2017 / 8:15 pm

    Wowza you look absolutely stunning! Such a gorgeous dress! Huge congrats on the big award – very well deserved!
    Sophie
    x
    A Story of a Girl

    • 25 April 2017 / 6:08 pm

      Sophie that's so sweet of you, thank you! x

  30. 24 April 2017 / 7:14 pm

    Congratulations, it is well deserved. You look stunning!

  31. 24 April 2017 / 6:45 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Such a stunning dress! You look beyond amazing!!!

    I had just read your post on Friday on my phone when I saw Greetje's video on Instagram!! Your win is so exciting & so VERY well deserved!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

    • 25 April 2017 / 9:59 am

      Andrea thank you so much for those kind words!! x

  32. 24 April 2017 / 6:23 pm

    WOW, WOW, WOW Catherine! For your very well deserved win and for choosing such a stunning gown. Truly you looked radiant. I hope you will take your time to bask in all the glory! Congratulations.

    Cherie
    STYLE NUDGE
    http://www.stylenudge.com

    • 24 April 2017 / 7:01 pm

      Thank you sooooooo much Cherie – I certainly felt great wearing it and the winning was just the cherry on top…!! x

  33. 24 April 2017 / 6:12 pm

    Congratulations Catherine. Well deserved and you were so beautiful on this momentous occasion! You are stunning in red. Every photo sings. Enjoy every minute of this honor!!!

    • 24 April 2017 / 6:56 pm

      I will, Judith – -I hope every woman over 40 sees it as a sign of encouragement that we are not invisible!! Thank you so much xx

  34. 24 April 2017 / 5:57 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS again and again, dear Catherine. I felt I was with you all the time. I couldn´t believe it, and jump of joy when I new, awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
    About the dress, I am still in love with the princess one, hahahha, but I must agree that this dress enhances curved body in the right places. You not only beautiful, but unstopable and powerful.
    So proud !!!
    Ole, ole y ole!!!

    • 24 April 2017 / 6:55 pm

      Oh wow Sacramento what lovely compliments! Thank you my darling friend!! xx

  35. 24 April 2017 / 5:16 pm

    Congrats! All you ladies look fab 🙂
    Nora

  36. 24 April 2017 / 5:10 pm

    Congratulations, Catherine, what a fitting end to a three year wait, yes? 🙂 much deserved, very much deserved.

    p/s that bodice, no, you in that bodice, baby!!! xoxo

    • 24 April 2017 / 5:49 pm

      aww thanks Sheela – I'm glad I won this year now rather than the other two years because all the girls were there to celebrate together…!

  37. 24 April 2017 / 4:45 pm

    Wowza, wowza & triple wowza Catherine!!
    I'm super ecstatic that you won since you are one of the reasons I started blogging…and it's fabulous that the over 40 crowd is making such strides!!
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • 24 April 2017 / 5:48 pm

      Oh Jodie how lovely of you to say, that means a lot – thank you!! x

  38. 24 April 2017 / 4:35 pm

    You're a knockout!! A well deserved win too, what a fantastic success story. You and the rest of the 40+ collective are quite the stylish group aren't you? Enjoy the feeling, it's not everyday you win a major blog award!! xx

    • 24 April 2017 / 5:48 pm

      Aww Sarah honey thank you so much!! And yes we scrub up okay for a bunch of 40+ and 50+ women, haha…! ;))

  39. 24 April 2017 / 4:31 pm

    Okay, I teared up watching your video. I'm getting to be such a sap!! The surprise, the hope, the dreams, the sheer drama… Fantastic clip. You are a knockout in red – the perfect colour choice – and I like how you went with a muted lipstick with it. So great, Catherine. I'm glad all your friends were there offering support. Fantastic photos by Greetje too.

    • 24 April 2017 / 5:47 pm

      hehe it's a great video, isn't it Melanie – normally if you film these things you DON'T win, and you DO win if you don't film it! I'm so glad Keith managed to capture it, the clip makes me so happy and I love the girls' reactions..!!

      Thank you so much sweetie xx

  40. 24 April 2017 / 4:08 pm

    Congrats gal, you rock. You really deserved it!

    • 24 April 2017 / 5:46 pm

      Hurrah for the over 40s, Nicole!! 😉 Thanks hon xx

    • 24 April 2017 / 5:45 pm

      Yvonne you absolute sweetheart, thanks so much!!

  41. 24 April 2017 / 3:52 pm

    Congratulations! I knew it'd be a case of third time lucky for you! You look spectacular in that red dress! Thanks you so much for the feature, mwah 🙂

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • 24 April 2017 / 5:45 pm

      Aww Emma thank you so much – *I* certainly didn't think it would be third time lucky!! I think you can see how shocked I was in the video…!

  42. 24 April 2017 / 3:33 pm

    Congratulations on your win. You look stunning in this gorgeous red dress!

  43. 24 April 2017 / 3:10 pm

    Catherine, as brilliant as the pics are they don't do justice to how gorgeous you looked on the night! You were absolutely radiant.
    I can't tell you how proud I am of you, all your hard work as paid off. Thank you for being an inspiration – not just as a blogger but as a friend.
    Michelle xxx
    http://www.thebarefacedchic.co.uk

    • 24 April 2017 / 5:43 pm

      Aww bless you MLD… We all scrubbed up well, didn't we?!! 😉

      And thank you – I couldn't be prouder to have done it for all the 40+ gals out there! Here's to another 40+ winner next year! x

  44. 24 April 2017 / 3:08 pm

    Congratulations on the win-you deserve it.

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