It has been a long time coming and with a huge sense of anticipation the UK Blog Awards 2017 have been and gone in a blink of an eye. The whole process of the Blog Awards has been incredibly detailed and a bit exhausting, especially in February when we were being judged. This being said I wouldn’t go back and not have been involved. I am still honoured that someone nominated me (Who are you? Who nominated me? I still don’t know?). During February and the end of January (for prep) I worked my socks off to have the bestest of the restest content up on my blog that I have ever had. I upped my photography and writing skills. I loved every second of it and enjoyed having purpose and reason to my blogging. When February came to a close I surprisingly didn’t feel deflated, I felt powerful and ready to smash the blogging world with my new sense of determination. Keep on reading to find out more behind the scenes gossip from the event, who we hung out with and what I wore.
WHAT WE ATE AND DRANK
Food and drink were flowing…possibly a little too much for one Liam Gallagher-esque fella who hilariously made a fool of himself when “trying” to accept his award. Waiters and waitresses were always beside you when you wanted them bearing trays filled with wine, Prosecco and bottles of beer or the softer option of orange juice. Fish and chips, sliders, pizza and bags of popcorn were dutifully being passed around to help soak up the alcohol. The Prosecco stopped after the award ceremony which is pretty standard for any event but for a fussy drinker like myself it means I stop drinking (I stopped drinking wine after university when I came to realise it gave me spots and dark under eyes). This was actually a blessing in disguise as it meant I didn’t make a drunk fool of myself hehe.
WHO WAS THERE?
The event was a who’s who of bloggers that are ruling the blogosphere right now. Bloggers ranging from fashion to food to parenting mingled all night long. Liam and I spent most of the evening with our friends Sara (The 4 of Us) & Ben and Tess (Tess Montgomery) & Garth. Ben, Liam and Garth discussed their InstaHusband common ground while us girls discussed the ins and outs of the blogging world.
WHAT I WORE
I was kindly sent some dresses to wear by PR companies but however gorgeous they were, they just didn’t feel perfect for this particular event. I wanted to feel special. I wanted to look dressed up and stand out by not wearing black. I ended up wearing a bright orange dress by Karen Millen, it is the dress that I wore for my hen do a few years ago and got so many compliments for it. Made from a silk chiffon it floats like a dream. I am a sucker for a softly pleated skirt as they drape perfectly without making you feel too hippy. Although Karen Millen no longer sell my dress, they have a similar one which I have linked at the bottom of this post along with some other floated pleated numbers they currently have in stock which I have been swooning over.
WHO WON?
Although I didn’t win the top prize of Fashion & Beauty blogger, I did in fact win the title of Fashion & Beauty Highly Commended!! Of course I would have loved to have won (who doesn’t love winning!?) but coming joint second with Highly Commended is insane, especially as I have only been blogging since August 2015, under two years! The lovely winner messaged me yesterday saying to never give up as this was her 3rd time in the finals. The finalists in our category were all so lovely, many of us have made friends through the process. In fact fellow finalist, James Vincent and I have a collaboration in talks right now so keep an eye out for that.
OVER & OUT
This whole process has allowed me to make some lovely new blogger friends and led to some incredible opportunities by opening doors that I didn’t even know existed. On top of all of this, it has made me seriously UP MY GAME and I am more determined than ever to push my way further into the blogosphere. Thank you ever so much to everyone who has supported me throughout this and helped vote for me. A HUGE thank you to my gorgeous InstaHubby Liam who has been my rock whilst I have been, at times, grumpy and stressy trying to get the perfect shots for the perfect blog posts ?
Go and get what you want…anything is possible ✨
Well done! I was there and I did spot you in that rather wonderful dress. Like Nikki said, I’d had a few glasses so probably best we didn’t meet – hic! Hope you get through next year and hopefully I’ll see you then.
Michelle x
http://www.thebarefacedchic.co.uk
Author
Thank you ever so much Michelle 🙂
Michelle, Nikki and Catherine…please can you make the 40+ bloggers the 30+ group instead…You’re all the kindest and most supportive bloggers!! xxxx
As we’ve been saying in our chat across various channels, it was an honour to be highly commended along with you Megan. I can feel the vivacity that jumps out of your blog. I really hope we have the chance to meet up some time. Unlike you, I was drinking wine on the night so maybe it’s a blessing that our paths didn’t cross! xx
Author
Wow thank you so much Nikki. hehe the wine was flowing readily wasn’t it 😉 xx
Megan I loved reading how you really upped your game when you’d been shortlisted… Having entered three years in a year row made me do exactly the same!! It was lovely to read how much the evening meant to you – I know only too well how much work goes into writing and producing a blog, so a massive WELL DONE on your highly commended. I didn’t even get highly commended in my first two years, and a year ago at the awards I said I wouldn’t enter again but a fellow friend/nominee last year made me pinky swear I would (I blame her, she blames the Prosecco, lol)!!
Anyway DO keep trying, I honestly thought there was no way I’d win this year but somehow I did. To reach the finals each year is a massive achievement, especially considering they reduced the number of finalists in each category from 10 to 8 this year. Let it always be a positive thing that encourages you keep upping your game…!! ?
Keep in touch!
Much love
Catherine x
and oh POO I forgot to say in my wittering on that you looked stunning – I adore the orange pleats, I’m a sucker for anything in that tomato red/orange colour…!!
Author
Thank you. It is the most brave item of clothing I own and I love it. I really need to branch out into colour more x
Author
Awww thank you ever so much Catherine. You are so kind. I didn’t realise there used to be 10 in each category. I am so surprised I made it to the finals!! Well done for doing so well and continually pushing, you really deserved it xxx