MY NIGHT AT THE ASTRAS 2011

What a night!!!!!!! Being able to do a job I love, walk the red carpet and win awards is mind blowing.  But like any good renovation on a house, getting ready for the Astras is not effortless.  I literally had a 'team' helping me get ready.
Getting there for a start was an effort. Charlie and I were working for 3 days on our first make-over for the new series 5 of Selling Houses Australia and the weather 'gods' were against us.  Freezing temperatures, howling winds, constant rain and we were under the pump to get this makeover done.

I flew out of the house barking orders of all the last minute things so I could try and get to the red carpet on time!  By the time I got to the hotel room the 'miracle' worker Peita Gregory, disguised as a make-up lady, was knocking on my door and I hadnt even got in there yet.  A quick and very hot shower to try and warm up my bones and it was time for the 'renovation' of Shaynna.

To take a few steps back, the week before I was at Sophie Harts studio to try on a dress for the night.  The second dress on and we knew that was the one. BUT it was a tiny fit and it took 3 girls to do up the zip! Yes, I could not breath or even bend over to put my shoes on but in the words of Sophie, from now it is 'Nil by Mouth'. And so for the next 7 days I thought of that dress and deleted carbs from my life.  (Except for an amazing dinner with family where we had 4 courses, but dont tell anyone!).   Sophie sent pictures of what type of hair style I should have, what accessories and I was excited and terrified at the same time.  It better fit by red carpet time!

My outfit and accessories were all on loan and I want to thank these companies for letting me wear their items and hope I did them justice.  I know I would wear every piece again as I literally felt amazing!

The Dress
The stunning Midnight Blue dress was by George Gross.  The cut on this dress really hugged my curves.  Yes I have boobs and yes I have hips but most of all it sucked in my waist and I totally felt sexy. Every woman should have a dress that makes them feel like this.


The Accessories:

Clutch Bag -  by Oroton (can I say this is my favourite bag ever, it had a beautiful weight to it and didnt catch on anything. You know when you have a bag with stones and details and it always catches on something, well this one didnt.  I highly recommend this bag and it is from their new collection).
Shoes - Peep toe - look at the detail on the heels - Grrrrrrr
Earrings - Mimco - I felt like I was channeling Penelope Cruz with these beauties.  Elegant and sophisticated.  Sophie Harts eye for detail is incredible and she knew these would stand on their own with out needing a necklace.
Ring - Diva - just a simple bit of shimmer to finish it all off.

Peita did an incredible job to make my eyes smokey, my skin shimmer and the relaxed 'bed hair' hairstyle was by her associate Luke Davis

But the best thing on my arm was my husband.  His support through all my travel, time away from the family and lack of cooking and cleaning anymore (I do love that one!) has let me not only do this amazing job but enjoy it.  Thank you Steve for never making me feel guilty chasing my dreams.

Now for the fun bit.  The after party is the time for us to celebrity spot and gush at each others clothes and say a bit congrats!!
EVERY girl looked stunning and the guys looked incredible. There really is something incredible about dressing up to make you feel fantastic.
Here are some of my shots of the night

 

Jane Gazzo & Sarah Wilson  (Jane you were my 'favourite' for the award - next year!!)

 The sexiest weather girl around - Magdalena Rose

Charlie and his stunning wife Juliet

 

The incredibly popular!!! Andrew Winter, LifeStyle Channels amazing Head of Publicity Sharyn & Andrew's 'wind beneath his wings', his gorgeous wife, Caroline. 

One of my big squeals of the night was meeting Geoff Morrell who played Lester Lamb in the fantastic mini series Cloudstreet.   I loved watching that series so much and his character and acting was brilliant.  But what blew me away was after I gushed about his show, he started talking about episodes of Selling Houses Australia and how he loved our show. WOW!!!

Thank you again to everyone for your votes, support and most of all watching our show.  We love making it so it is brilliant to know you love watching it to!!!!!

And our hot General Manager at XYZ accepting the award for 

Channel of the year for The LifeStyle Channel.

(no wonder we are a little weary.......)

EATING AT THE OFFICE

I am back on the crazy whirlwind of traveling around the country with my clients and for the filming of Series 5 (can you believe it!) of Selling Houses Australia.
What comes with that is not only long hours of sitting on your behind in taxis, cars, and planes but trying to eat well the whole day.  Trouble is I am gluten free and no red meat and they are challenges of their own.  So today I had the wonderful pleasure of cooking myself a gourmet breakfast at home.  I did have to get up at 5.30am and do 3hrs of work first but this way a very nice reward.

Do you start your day properly or do you struggle to keep a healthy diet with your work hours.  Would love to hear how you 'eat at the office' whether it is at home, at a work office or on the run.  Any tips for us to share would be great.
One of my tips is I take a small glad bag of protein powder to put in a glass of water for between meals while I am on the run.  It doesnt fill me (as I love to eat rather than drink my food) but it takes the edge off the hunger till I can get a proper meal.  And of course have a couple of pieces of fruit and a water bottle handy.  Your tips??