You know how they say it’s all about the journey? Well, today I agree. Though I’m usually more of a destination-oriented kind of girl. I want results. Give me something to work toward. I want to know the end game and I’ll visualize and focus on the victory.

Today, though, I arrived at a destination and did enjoy the journey. Let me back up. A TV producer at WTTW, the main Chicago PBS station, recently reached out to me to audition to host a local show. I’ve never been on TV in that format, usually just amid the horde of reporters around a corrupt politician or an R&B star accused of child porn.

But I figured I don’t have anything to lose, so why not? First up, what to wear? They say the camera adds 20 pounds and I’m still working on losing a good 20, so I don’t like how those numbers added up. I emailed my friends who work in TV or advise people who do guest appearances. The advice came rolling in: Don’t wear black, no white and no patterns! A belted dress! A wrap dress! Leopard print jacket and pencil skirt!

I then went shopping with reckless abandon. Well, I tried to. I went to the local mall, combing through Macys, Nordstrom, Ann Taylor,  Banana Republic, The Limited, bebe, Akira, Anthropologie and Charlotte Russe (no judgments on the last one please, I was getting desperate.) I noticed something funny in some of the stores, particularly bebe because I used to go there all the time.

I use to walk in with my trim little figure and girls would fawn over me. It worked, I’d buy some overpriced sexy something or other and love it. This time I sauntered in, ready for the fawning to begin, as I needed a pick-me-up since nothing I tried on was “The Dress.”

The 30-something sales woman gave me the elevator look (it starts at the toes and ends at your head), smiled cooly, and didn’t budge or say a word. I nodded, thinking she must have had a long/bad day. I proceeded to the back, nary a sales girl so much whispered at me, not that the store was busy and not that there were any items in there that would have worked for my audition, but it was an interesting contrast for sure.

Anyway, that day I struck out on my clothes hunt, but was renewed to stick with my INSANITY routine. (Yeah, I’m doing it, more on that later.)  Meanwhile Hubby and I were working on the script. They said there would be a teleprompter, but I wanted to memorize it anyway.

On Sunday, I was out running errands with my 2-year-old and so I figured I should just swing into Marshall’s since the higher-end stores didn’t have jack. Maybe there would be a hidden jewel. I tried on 10 dresses while keeping Ethan entertained by singing such hits as The Wheels on the Bus, If You’re Happy and You Know It, and Some Nights by fun. (We’re big fun. fans) Anyway I found one that colored within the lines, deep purple, flare skirt, belt, easy to accessorize with statement jewelry and comfy. Then there was one that wasn’t at all what it was supposed to be. It was form fitting, bright, sleeveless and had a slight pattern.

But it made me feel good. Feel good as in the whole embracing-your-curves good. I looked smoking in it and so I bought it.

I got these killer wedges from GUESS and then bought coral and gold accessories as well as turquoise and old gold accessories.

I texted a pic of the dress to a few of my gal pals, and the response was tepid at best. They liked the dress, but not for a TV audition. I started to fret, but Hubby was like, ignore them, if you feel good in it, just rock it. Another friend of mine sensed my hesitation and echoed Hubby’s sentiments.

By committee, the coral and gold accessories were chosen, though one of my friends recommended wearing studs since everything else was so bright, she also said it would draw more attention to my beautiful face, which I thought was a nice add.

All that was left was to polish off the script…

 

(Stay tuned for Part II)