It is entirely possibly I have found the secret to success for a day at the races. It won’t win you any money, and it won’t win you Fashions on the Field, but after three days of being the door girl at Flemington and endless hours partying on afterwards, this secret might just be the key to making it through the week.

Yesterday morning I started my preparations to frock up for ladies day and faced a shoe dilemma. The nude patent pumps worked with the dress and the fascinator, but I knew from experience I couldn’t go the whole day in them.

Our fabulous Fashions on the Field team, from MiNC Events: L-R, Katie, Emma, Olivia, me, and Bridget.

Meanwhile, I had a lovely pair of flats in the same shade as the headpiece that would work a treat. Was I prepared to break the rules of fashion and go flat to Flemington?

I will say this – once you go flat, you’ll never go back.

Fashions on the Field VIP team: Olivia, Emma and I.
My outfit: Dress by Grazia for Target (belt included), Fascinator by Morgan & Taylor, Shoes by Tony Bianco, earrings by Diva.

Five hours in the sun on the door of the Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure was made all the more enjoyable by my personal comfort and heightened demeanor. Smiles all round.

And when the fashions were over and it was time to play, I traded the flats for the heels and went on my merry way.

Amy Robson, Myer Fashions on the Field National Winner, from NSW (Image thanks to The Age).

NSW took out the National Womens Racewear prize – a gorgeous Lexus among other goodies – and the Millinery Award was hard fought with over 60 entrants working their fingers to the bone to produce amazing creations and the chance to win a trip to London.

Olivia and I were thrilled to pop our heads into the Emirates Marquee for a glass of G.H. Mumm, before we stopped into Lexus for a drink and a dance. Our thanks to PPR Melbourne and Tink PR!) The fabulous were out in force as well, namely Cecylia, Phoebe of Lady Melbourne, Sarah of Style Melbourne, stylist Philip Boon, milliner Kerrie Stanley, Olympian James Tomkins and Grazia Fashion Editor Emma Read – who recognized my dress from the Grazia for Target collection, said it looked fab, and made my day.

With Olympic Rower James Tomkins. James wears a suit by bespoke tailor Adriano Carbone with 124 Shoes. And I’m standing two steps up!

Three days down. I am forever grateful that the weather has been as kind as it has this week, and only hope my back, feet, hair, skin and liver and prepared to put up with one more day of action. 

It may be the race that stops a nation, but nothing stops a party faster than a few drops of rain. The weatherman had predicted showers and shower it did, once in the morning around 11am for ten minutes, and again after the race, sending the capacity crowd at Flemington running for cover. Thunder echoed across the racetrack as many a fashionista huddled under an umbrella, desperate to save a hairdo, suede shoe or white dress.

Watching the race that stops a nation from the Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure.

The fashions of the day called for bright colours and Flemington was awash with neon pink and acid yellow. Design Award winner Craig Braybrook put together a yellow and white look, while the Fashions on the Field winner for Cup Day, Lauren Andrews, was more demure in chartreuse and navy. 

With Fashions on the Field winner, Lauren Andrews

After changing outfits at the eleventh hour on Derby Day (always remember to try on the frock with the right underwear with PLENTY of time to shop if need be), I had played dress ups on Monday with my Cup outfit and discovered the belt I wanted to wear could nearly wrap around me twice. A quick visit to the guy who fixes my shoes and my belt – together with an array of other pink hued accessories – was ready to go.

Cup Day colour: Dress by ASOS (Australian Edit), Shoes by Novo, Fascinator by Morgan & Taylor, Earrings by Diva.

But it wouldn’t be ‘me’ if there wasn’t something amiss and little did I know, I put my Morgan & Taylor headpiece on backwards! How was I supposed to know it had a ‘right’ or a ‘wrong’ way? I laughed it off and figured that with all the crazy and kooky headpieces getting around the track, I doubted anyone would have any the wiser.

Enjoying the high life in the Emirates Marquee! (And remembering the importance of hydration!)

Following a successful morning of fashion, my partner in crime and I headed to the Emirates Marquee in the birdcage where we enjoyed all the wonderful things I had been teased with at the launch. Cocktails, delicious desserts and a sighting of Mischa Barton. Day made!

Rumour has it, Derby Day is notorious for being damp and miserable, however my experience proves that this just isn’t the case. Today, and last year, I have gotten burnt on Derby Day (yes I wore sunscreen but when you DIY you are bound to miss spots!) in the most amusing patterns and shapes. 

Derby Day: Dress by Ojay, Shrug by Temt, Shoes by Tony Bianco, Facinator thanks to Morgan & Taylor.

Today I am sporting a patch of sunburn on my neck, neatly lined with the stripe of my lanyard, and what I feel has to be wind burn based on the tightness of my forehead. The day was indeed spectacular weatherwise (and there will be many a sore bod and head because of it!) but as it so often does, sunshine brings out the silly in many and it was in abundance today. (Take note ladies walking home in bare feet!)

Derby Day in the Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure. Olivia looking super!

Meanwhile, the sensible among us frocked up and hit up Fashions on the Field, where Lisa Welling took out the Derby Day prize in Toni Maticveski. No stranger to Fashions on the Field, Lisa has been in the preliminary finals before. As I have the past two years, I am working at Fashions on the Field again, manning the VIP entrance to the enclosure. As you may have heard, this year we are celebrating 50 years of fashions on the field, which is an amazing achievement! Gorgeous black and white prints adorn the walls in the backstage area this year.

Olivia and I in traditional Black and White.

And once the fashions were over for the day, the exhaustion of two big days caught up with me and I was ready to head home.

Late Mail Luncheon: Olivia and I frocking up on a Friday. Olivia’s dress by Liza Emanuele. My dress is Dion Lee for Cue, Shoes by Toni Maticveski for Siren, headband by Diva.

Two big days? Well, yesterday I went along to the Late Mail Luncheon as a guest of Olivia Nunn, whom I share the Fashions on the Field door girl stage with. Liv is an Adelaide racing celeb in her own right and was a guest of honour at the luncheon – now if that doesn’t call for a few champers, what does?

One day down and three to go. So many more dress dilemmas, picking a winner and the fantastic Peter Rowland raspberry macaroons to come!

Going to the races is a stack of fun. I’ve done it for a few years now (look out for me at Fashions on the Field next week!) but I will confess that after a week of frocks and fascinators, there comes a point where all you want to do is lie on the couch with a cold compress on your head and take a deep breath.

So, is it bad that 4 days before the official race week even starts, I feel that way? There has already been a fair bit of dressing up and donning a hat this year, and I’m just kinda tired. I’m sure you understand. All I want is a cocktail and a beach and a few minutes to myself.

How about one out of three?

Having been introduced to the Flemington Fling cocktail at the Melbourne Cup preview day Schweppes Flemington Fling Bar, I was thrilled when I received a kit to DIY the fling at home. With everything I needed to create my cocktail/couch/compress, I teamed up with girlfriends to create the ultimate stay at home ‘night in’.

Take one part vodka, two parts Schweppes Agrum Blood Orange, some lime juice and mint leaves and hey presto, you have yourself a party.

Of course, I was educated about ‘clapping’ mint leaves on this particular occasion (who knew that was how the aroma was released?) and that two pizzas is never enough when paired with vodka.

If you can’t make it to the races this year (or even if you would just rather stay at home!) try a Flemington Fling in the comfort of your living room. I’ll even send you a copy of the cocktail recipe book, lovingly put together for you by Schweppes. (Seriously, if you would like a cocktail recipe book, please leave me your postal address in the comments!)

Alternatively, win tickets to Melbourne Cup Day here!

Last Saturday I kicked off my Spring Racing Carnival Race Days at Flemington with the Melbourne Cup Carnival Preview Day.

Now, I don’t know what that means for punters – I assume that the horses running on the first Tuesday in November come out to test out the track or something like that – but for those in it for the fashion, its time to break in the shoes, check whether you can eat in that belt and ensure that rain, hail or shine, that fascinator isn’t going anywhere.

Erica from Melbourne Girl Fashion Blog, Phoebe aka Lady Melbourne and I enjoy a Flemington Fling

The weather gods did test us at Flemington on Saturday, presenting a cold and wet day – I hope not a sign of things to come!!

I was invited along by Schweppes, who launched their official cocktail of the Cup Carnival, the Flemington Fling, on the day and we were lucky enough to park ourselves in the Flemington Fling bar which is a beautifully fitted out public space (and dry on such a miserable day!)

In addition to the delicious Flemington Fling, Schweppes have created a number of bespoke cocktails, just for the carnival. Of course we had to try them all.

Delicious! The cocktails are all available during the Spring Racing Carnival at the Schweppes Flemington Fling Bar, located in the Hill Stand on the top floor. The bar is a public space and I hope to see you there!

Me with my dates (yes, two!) Charles and Tom

Erica, Suzy, Charisma and I

There are some days where I cannot believe just how lucky I am. Today, for example, I am sitting in my favourite café, sipping a latte, writing. I didn’t get out of bed until after 8.30, I didn’t get dressed until after 11am and I am working on a shiny new MacBook Air that despite my initial apprehensions is actually pretty spectacular.

And so in the theme of luck, it seems only fitting that I was last week invited to celebrate the launch of the Emirates Marquee at the Spring Racing Carnival – Ireland – where the luck of the Irish was the clearly in abundance.

Held at the Melbourne Town Hall, the event not only launched the theme and the entertainment, but also the food and drinks to be served in the Marquee on the main race days.

The three cocktails – The Molly Malone, Limerick Lane and Golden Fizz – bring together Ciroc Vodka or Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve with a host of ingredients to tantalize the most disconcerting tastebuds. And you know I love a cocktail!

The food too was Irish inspired, and we were presented with just a taste of the delicacies that will be on offer during the Carnival.

There was oysters two ways, a classic Irish stew and a spring chicken salad, followed by shamrock pie (lemon meringue with a touch of green) and gooseberry and elderflower fool (meringue and jelly. YUM.)

As for the entertainment? Brian McFadden crooned U2’s “All I want is you’ and Irish dancers stomped away on the custom built dance floor, sending vibrations across the room and getting everyone tapping their well heeled feet.

For the ladies, Emirates have enlisted the help of Napoleon Perdis make up who will host make up stations in the Marquee for those quick touch ups, and South Yarra stylist Conrad Mace who will be on site to assist with hat hair and scents by Bvlgari.

But with all this amazing food, drink and entertainment at the launch, my favourite moment came when Emirates VP of Australasia, Barry Brown, spoke, declaring that all anyone wants at the end of the day at the races is a party pie and some hot chips.

I for one can’t wait for a bit of Irish action at the races.

The Spring Racing Carnival is a fashion mecca. While girls dress to the nines to impress the judges at Fashions on the Field, others put on half a frock and expect to be taken seriously. The races is not the place to wear your nightclub dress or your ballgown – the races require careful planning, considerable thought and a LOT of effort. But there are still those who are effortlessly gorgeous.

One of these people is my ‘boss’, for all intents and purposes, Emma, at Fashions on the Field. Emma and I go way back – she is a front of house event manager extraordinaire who has managed everything from fashion week to the Logies and I can only dream of being as efficient and fabulous as she is.