Oops, I forgot my dress.

Here are some of the things I forgot to bring when I came to Melbourne for the launch of the new Range Rover Evoque for which I am a City Shaper Ambassador:

– Toothpaste
– One earring
– A bra
– Loose powder
– Mascara
– MY DRESS.

I realized this when I opened my suitcase in the hotel room. It was a slow dawning realization because the dress was black and so was the inside of my bag. This is why I could be found clawing around the lining of my bag desperately hoping my dress was merely camouflaged not FORGOTTEN. Nice try.

I’d been so organized. Everything was laid out the night before, all my make-up, skincare, my clothes for the plane, the next day, the launch party. It had been liberating to decide not to limit myself to a carry-on bag. A treat. Usually I have no patience for waiting for my luggage but I had plenty of time so I thought stuff it, I’m splashing out and giving myself some room.

There was indeed plenty of room in my bag when I unzipped it in Melbourne BECAUSE MY DRESS WAS STILL HANGING IN MY CUPBOARD IN A DIFFERENT STATE.

Fuck.

Naturally, I tweeted my dilemma before raiding the hotel minibar for a packet of Maltesers and some Gummi bears. A few minutes later, I felt ill but I had some very supportive and helpful replies on Twitter suggesting I go shopping or perhaps craft a dress from the hotel curtains.

Top ideas, both, BUT I WAS GETTING PICKED UP IN 20 MINUTES.

That will teach me to have a power nap.

The good news was that I remembered my jacket – a sparkly Willow number that I picked up at the warehouse sale. The bad news was that I was going to have to wear it with my jeans or my leather pants. Leather and sequins were a bit…much so I opted for jeans.

I texted Range Rover’s head of PR “I’m sorry but I forgot my dress! I’m going to have to wear ripped jeans and be a disgrace. Forgive me….”

In my jeans and my sparkles, I went to work on my face and soon began swearing again when I realized I’d forgotten half my make-up. Tick, tick, tick, tick. I had about 3 minutes before I had to meet my fellow City Shaper Ambassadors in the hotel lobby – oh, and did I mention they were Heidi Middleton, Sarah-Jane Clarke (Sass & Bide) and Jennifer Hawkins? Great time to be wearing jeans, one earring and only half your make-up. By some extraordinary twist of fate, I remembered that one Zoe Foster was on her book tour and staying in the same hotel. We’d made half-plans to have dinner together with a couple of my other girlfriends.

I texted her something unintelligible about mascara and no dress. “Come down to my room! Have make-up and dress!” God Bless You Zoe Foster.

I bolted out the door and to her room where she thoroughly confused me with a hot dress and black jacket that she insisted would look great.

Except that I was already 10 minutes late and only had time to grab her mascara.

Now I’ll fast forward to the bit where Sarah-Jane, Heidi and Jennifer arrived in the lobby. You want to know how they looked, right? Incredible. I wont’ bother to describe what they were wearing because you can see it in the photos. But I will tell you that I’d never met Jennifer before and I fell in love instantly. S-J and Heidi I already know and they are also two of the nicest, warmest most genuine non-hoity-toity women you could meet.

Sorry. No goss there. Just an hilarious car ride to the venue where, as we pulled up, Jen thoughtfully said “Camera! Skirt alert!” I didn’t know what she meant at first and then I realized she has people waiting outside cars to try and take a photo up her skirt.

Thankfully, this was not an issue for me BECAUSE I WAS WEARING JEANS.

Fun was had by all, the car is awesome (I got in and beeped the horn because I am immature) and even though there was not another soul wearing any form of denim, I’m hoping most of the shots will be cropped at the waist.

Next time? I’m writing a packing list.

Have you ever forgotten to pack something? How did you improvise?

UPDATE: Since arriving home from my surreal 24hrs of silly glamour and mishap, I’ve returned to normal life and been vomitted on twice by two different children in 4 hours. So it’s business as usual then.