Great story, great dress.

One year Karen Walker was having a $150 sale. Everything in the store was $150 or under. I went in, probably the first time I had been in there, and spotted this dress from across the room. I was determined it would fit and that I would buy it. I tried it on and walked out to the bigger mirror. Well, you should have seen the look on the girl's face. Oh, she said, that wasn't meant to be out. Someone else came out of the changing room and said, that looks great, jealous I didn't see it. I looked back at the shop-girl and honestly thought she was going to vomit. I took the dress off, took it up to the counter and as the girl took it over the counter I saw the original tag. The dress was originally $957. I don't think it was meant to be sold in the sale.

For ages I didn't know where to wear this dress and as it's silk I was a little too afraid to wear it. I think I wore it once before I got a boyfriend who hated the dress, for years it hung, never to be worn. After a while I decided it had to be sold on, so I put it one last time and came down the stairs to where my new (and current) boyfriend sat. He gasped and said, how come I have never seen this dress?! You look amazing. And that was that. It quickly became the go to party dress and has had some pretty good outings. Every time I wear it someone says how much they love it. I can't believe I just about got rid of it. Here's some pictures of me and my Karen Walker dress. 

Me being interviewed as the 2010 Rose of Tralee

The dress loving boyfriend, Buck Shelford (former All Black with one testicle) and me at Government House.

The beautiful 2010 Auckland Rose of Tralee, Mrs Brown and me.

50th Anniversary of the Irish Club. Me & Jo

Chilling in the garden at my Uncle Jerry's (the Governor-General)