Hi everyone!

At the weekend I received the most amazing self esteem boost whilst wearing PUG and I realised I hadn't updated everyone after my last blog post which can be read here, so I thought I would take the opportunity!

The last two months have been incredibly turbulent, I don't really know how this post is going to turn out so you may have to bear with me a little. If you read my first blog post I explained how I have evolved a great deal in the last 2 years, and how PUG and this community has been a part of that. 

So in January I took on the challenge of completing a 15km charity run for a local children's charity, I trained hard but was stopped in my tracks when I parted ways with my boyfriend 4 days before our 4 year anniversary. This is a decision I had been trying to make for over a year, battling mild depression and utter misery, I realised that this couldn't continue and I took the brave move to end things. To walk away from the person who would give you the world, and treats you like a princess every single day just because something isn't quite right is torturous. He was everything I thought I wanted, until I began to question what I actually wanted! I still don't know if I will regret this decision but it's just something I will have to live with.

So, training in the back seat, I moved my life into a brand new little apartment. The start of more problems! Long story short - lots of flooding and me cleaning up, mixed in with some very angry phone calls!

Moving into my new area, I have a wonderful opportunity to ride my bike more or less everywhere, including work. So 3 days after moving into my apartment (the day after all the floods! 10 days before the big charity run) I decided to ride to work for the first time. Quick, easy and way better for my soul. Awesome. Until....

The time comes for me to leave work and as I begin cycling home, I have an accident, breaking my fall with my elbows and face. Being wrapped up and taken away in an ambulance and being subjected to 9 hours in emergency, CT scans, X-Rays.... Pure misery.

My spine and neck were a huge concern and also a possible fracture in my elbow. I am pleased to report that aside from grazes, and a hell of a lot of bruising to my ribs, hips and collarbones I was OK. Phew. 

In the following 10 days, a lot of people advised me to not go ahead with the run, I could barely get out of bed for 4 days! Unfortunately, I am incredibly stubborn and I had totally set my heart on completing it, and no matter how long it took me I was going to finish it.

On race day, the atmosphere pulled me across the finish line, looking at 30,000 people all fighting for the same cause was inspiring, especially as many people were running in memory of children that had sadly lost their fight with illness. I finished and am proud that I could be part of such a fantastic cause.

Needless to say the bruised ribs and hips were joined by incredibly sore feet!

So, since race day I have taken things day by day, physically I'm now OK, but emotionally....well, you know. Break up's suck. To feel better I have taken to cracking out my PUG finest, brushing off the 'You're dressed up' comments and slapping on that red lipstick.  

Now finally I get to my self esteem boost! I arranged to meet up with my siblings for cocktails and was leaving my apartment building, which faces a very busy road. As I tottered down the stairs in my Deadly Dames Polka dot wiggle dress, I had my head down, trying to be inconspicuous (not really possible as a 6ft tall, pin curled  red lipsticked walking PUG model!!) when 2 ladies in their car waiting at the traffic lights, wind down their window and shout 'YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL!'... Embarrassed but happy I thanked them profusively, just as 2 gentlemen in their car, wind down their window, and shout 'WE AGREE!!'.

I only ever get this attention when wearing PUG, but that certainly topped my list! 

Above I am wearing The Kelly dress in nautical anchor print, which has been discontinued. Then the wonderful Deadly dames Polka dot wiggle and then my old faithful Vamp top all in a size medium. 

So I think the moral of the story is, where ever life takes you, whatever journey you may take, take a breath, put on your PUG best and face the world. You can't not smile when everyone looks great in PUG! 

xxx