Let’s just say that this post was supposed to be up and published earlier this morning. In my head I thought I’d be racing home yesterday after an afternoon at the local track, downloading the photos and getting it all ready to publish today.
Wrong.
Turns out a Melbourne Cup event can prove a little *tiring*. I may, or may not, have gone to bed before my six-year-old. As my girlfriend said on Facebook this morning, “at what point yesterday did I start thinking it was Friday night?”.
And that’s just it, isn’t it? It’s so quintessentially Australian to take a Tuesday off work, whack on a hat and frock, go to a lunch that celebrates a two-minute horse race and drink champagne like it’s a Friday night.
In my defence, it was also a girlfriend’s birthday. Champagne is mandatory.
Here’s how the day unfolded:
Melbourne Cup outfit: Country Road dress; Eve Boutique silk flower; Salita Matthews necklace; The Sak clutch; Samantha Wills ring; Zizi for Florsheim shoes. Hair by Suite Three.
Sometimes the perfect background for a Cup Day photo just “presents” itself. Thanks Dunnies with Dignity.
Photography tip: don’t try and take a “selfie” of yourself and a girlfriend with a spectacular flying saucer-sized hat.
When you go trackside for Cup Day it always feels great to look out at the passing parade from the cool of your marquee. Apparently horses went round that track.
It’s particularly handy to have a former sports journo as a husband. Apparently he knows about this betting stuff … according to the contents of my wallet this morning.
No matter how glamourous it is inside the marquee, there is always a queue for the ladies’ port-a-loos to keep things real.
Only on the first Tuesday in November would you find grown women dancing in packs to a live band. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
And lastly. The best sights of the day are seen on the way to the cab rank. Bet that sweet young thing is wishing she had a pair of fold-up flats in her handbag.
Did you celebrate the Melbourne Cup yesterday? Did you have a win? Importantly, what did you wear? And can someone come round and take out all the pins from my hair?
You know the funny thing is that if you had just taken a pic of you and your girlfriend in a really nice area…you probably would not have remembered the pic, but you’ll always remember the one with the loo’s in the background and the fact that you couldnt fit her hat into the self portrait! lol
Congratulations on the win. Perhaps Mr StylingYou could do a tips post next year. Maybe you have too many readers and it would skew the odds. It was a work day for me, although I did put on a frock, nude fishnets and heels for the occasion. I’m presently making a 50 before 50 list and I think I will put Going to the races/Cup function on it. I haven’t been in about 20 years, and the last time was to Corbould Park as my father had a horse running in the Caloundra Cup (I think). I’m sure it has changed a lot since then. I used to love the fashions and of course the horses.
Thanks Kel! I didn’t actually see any horses on the day (except on the screen) – left that to my husband. I was too busy checking out everyone else’s outfits!
You look absolutely gorgeous Nikki. Love that orange. I wore royal blue with black hatinator, shoes and pearl drop earrings and a pearl bracelet. I so love getting dressed up! And to top it off I backed the winner of the Cup! Yee-hah!
Oh Nikki, you look beautiful! Love that colour on you.
Your friends’ hat is very flying saucer-ish.. but unique.:-) Have to laugh at that photo with the police behind you, covering her face completely and your face too.. Very funny. Hope you had a fabulous day.
Love your combination of orange/yellow/teal !!
Fabulous to see colour being embrassed by so many.
I wore my work clothes… I took a day off last week. Oh well, got to enjoy the race via the many updates.
Looks like fun was had and fun in true style! I celebrated Melb. Cup BIG last year and had a lot of work yesterday so couldn’t get up to much mischief. Next year!
Hahaha.
Oh Nikki, you look stunning. I know I said so yesterday, but you really do.
I have NEVER been to a horse track. I don’t feel like i’m missing out too badly…yet. One day i’ll get there.
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Stunning Nikki! I love those colours on you. Especially the orange! Great pics and love that you’ve captured the portaloos.
Reality check!
xx
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Thanks Kymmie … credit on spotting the dunnies goes to my husband!
Nikki – what a great outfit!
I love the colour of your frock and how you’ve boldly accessorised with contrasting colours like that SW ring – wow!
And I love your sense of humour with the portaloos and self-pic; hilarious and I love a lady who keeps it real! X
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Thanks Cheryl! Was a fun day – in every way!
You look so glam! Haha at the selfie and portaloos 🙂
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My husband positioned us in front of the port-a-loos – we’d just got out of the car and hadn’t noticed. He had, though!
Nikki, you look absolutely fabulous. I’m loving that shade of orange too! x
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Thanks so much Rhi …orange has become my new black!
Nikki you look fantastic!
You know the funny thing is that if you had just taken a pic of you and your girlfriend in a really nice area…you probably would not have remembered the pic, but you’ll always remember the one with the loo’s in the background and the fact that you couldnt fit her hat into the self portrait! lol
x
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I know, it’s a classic!
Nikki you look gorgeous!!
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Thanks Casey x
Congratulations on the win. Perhaps Mr StylingYou could do a tips post next year. Maybe you have too many readers and it would skew the odds. It was a work day for me, although I did put on a frock, nude fishnets and heels for the occasion. I’m presently making a 50 before 50 list and I think I will put Going to the races/Cup function on it. I haven’t been in about 20 years, and the last time was to Corbould Park as my father had a horse running in the Caloundra Cup (I think). I’m sure it has changed a lot since then. I used to love the fashions and of course the horses.
Author
Love the idea of that list! And I would put a trip to Flemington on mine!
I’m going to Oaks Day today. It’s Friday isn’t it?
xox
p.s. love the flower in your hair – so pretty
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Absolutely! Enjoy.
LOVE this post so much and your outfit is PERFECT!
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Thanks Danielle, I had a great day – still getting over it 😉
Nikki! That dress. You look amazing! I’m not really intro horse racing but I have a huge weakness for the fashion. LOVE!!!
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Thanks Kel! I didn’t actually see any horses on the day (except on the screen) – left that to my husband. I was too busy checking out everyone else’s outfits!
my goodness, you look amazing! the dress, the accessories, your hair, everything!
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Thanks so much, Tegan … I do love an occasion to frock up!
You look absolutely gorgeous Nikki. Love that orange. I wore royal blue with black hatinator, shoes and pearl drop earrings and a pearl bracelet. I so love getting dressed up! And to top it off I backed the winner of the Cup! Yee-hah!
Author
Oh that sounds like a winning outfit – to match a win! Well done.
Oh Nikki, you look beautiful! Love that colour on you.
Your friends’ hat is very flying saucer-ish.. but unique.:-) Have to laugh at that photo with the police behind you, covering her face completely and your face too.. Very funny. Hope you had a fabulous day.
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Thanks Toni! And, it is a funny photo, isn’t it?
You look gorgeous Nikki! Love the colour combo. xx
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Oh, Ms Critique thanks so much. For someone like me who’s best wardrobe friend has always been black, this colour thing has been a revelation!
Love your combination of orange/yellow/teal !!
Fabulous to see colour being embrassed by so many.
I wore my work clothes… I took a day off last week. Oh well, got to enjoy the race via the many updates.
Author
Thanks – very different for me this season but I had a lot of fun wearing colour!
Looks like fun was had and fun in true style! I celebrated Melb. Cup BIG last year and had a lot of work yesterday so couldn’t get up to much mischief. Next year!
Author
It was the first year in many years that I wasn’t on the mic, MCing a Melbourne Cup function. Fun to be relaxing!
Love the dress Nikki! Is it current season?
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Yes, but I bought it early September from Country Road so not sure if any still around.
Love the pic with the cops in the background – were they keeping a watching brief on your behaviour ?
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Hehee, not mine, of course … but it was the end of the day. Lots of *sights*.
A lot of the girls in that loo queue should have taken our Crash Challenge Nikki – not much colour there!
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No, there’s not, is there?! A lot in the marquee I was in though.
Hahaha.
Oh Nikki, you look stunning. I know I said so yesterday, but you really do.
I have NEVER been to a horse track. I don’t feel like i’m missing out too badly…yet. One day i’ll get there.
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Ahh, thanks Miss Pink. And yes, you should do it one day with a group of girlfriends. So much fun.
Found several pins in my hair this morning too – they boy and I were asleep in bed by 4pm!! Big day…..
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You SO win, Cait … I made it 8pm … just.