I won an award this week – a CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) Achiever of the Year award. I was so surprised when they contacted me that I actually had a small cry! I’ve spent the last couple of years with my head down, just ploughing through my work and trying to stay focused, and so it’s incredibly humbling to think that there are people out there who deem me award-worthy… It’s one thing winning a prize or award for your work, but when it’s you personally, it feels very special. I was honestly quite blown away.

I’m the sort of person who only thinks about what still needs to be done and I rarely take stock and look back at what I’ve managed to already do; it’s something I’m really trying to change. Especially because now I’m a Mum, it feels like an achievement if I manage to put my knickers on the right way around and put proper clothes on by lunchtime! Having a baby has meant that on many days, the “off” days, I have to focus on very small achievements – getting some fresh air, cooking a nice meal – rather than ticking off the bigger things I’d have managed to do in the past.

I’m rambling a little, but I suppose what I’m trying to get across is that it’s easy to slip into the habit of always seeing a glass that’s half-empty, in terms of reaching your goals or ticking things from your to-do list. Sometimes, you need to take a step back and write down all of the things that you have managed to do – I find that it helps, too, if you dramatically shorten your to-do list. Ha! If there’s no way you can get five work tasks done in a day, why have them on the list? Make it one and anything else will feel like a bonus.

PS: yes that is a Chanel gift bag I’m holding in the photo, along with my lovely flowers. Gorgeous perfumed things – I was thoroughly spoiled. I’ve got a framed certificate too, I just couldn’t hold all three things at once!

PPS: my lace maternity evening dress was kindly sent by Tiffany Rose – you can see it online here.