A couple of Fridays ago I was lucky enough to go to the MADS Awards 2015.
A real case of –
‘Yes Cinderella — you shall go to the ball!’
The finalists were announced earlier in the year. And when I saw my blog’s name in that list — I absolutely couldn’t believe my eyes. Such a shock (in a good way).
Although I’ve been writing my blog for almost 3 years, I only recently made the move to a self hosted site. I decided to start taking the whole thing a bit more seriously — at the start of this year.
So on January 9th, my new self-hosted site was purchased.
I’m not entirely sure how long it took me to make it look presentable! And switch from the free WordPress to the one you see today. But it’s been a lot of hard work over the last few months, that’s for sure.
Instead of posting every few weeks, I’ve been posting 3 or 4 times a week. Been taking on lots of crafty projects that require ridiculous amounts of time and effort.
Like the birdhouse upcycle I posted last week or the little shoe-rack that I turned into a bench-seat.
I’ve learned to create movies. No mean feat either; to begin with there was much swearing as I couldn’t work out how to use the editing software!! ;) I’m really proud of the little film I made for Camp Bestival and I’m learning how to vlog too. Here’s my latest attempt :)
I’ve been made an ambassador for some fabulous brands and reviewed some fantastic products along the way too.
All in all, the last 8 months have been a whirlwind.
Juggling the blog. Working part time for my design business. Looking after twin toddlers. Plus everything else that life throws at us has been pretty tricky. Some days most days I feel like a hamster on a wheel. I love my blog — and I take everything about it pretty seriously. The writing, photography, content but, boy, it’s time consuming. And when you’re already short on time, it can be pretty exhausting at times.
So to make that final was awesome.
A real treat and a lovely reward for all the hard work.
Some of my blogging bests — Julia, Karen and Sarah — and I, got to stay in a lovely apartment in Kensington for the night, courtesy of the lovely folk at Citybase Apartments.
I got to have my hair done by the amazing Powder Puff Girls — and drink Prosecco. Very spoiling and very much appreciated!! :)
Plus I met some really lovely bloggers for the first time; some that I’ve commented on their blogs regularly plus some new faces.
I also got to catch up with some lovely folk who I’d previously met at Britmums or BlogCamp, earlier in the year.
And whilst I didn’t win a prize, it really was a big enough treat just to be there.
I seem to have found myself in a sub-culture that I never knew existed! A lovely industry — with lovely people — and I feel so proud to be a part of it.
Congratulations to all the prizewinners — particularly my friend Karen who’s blog Mini Travellers scooped the prize for Best Travel Blog and Hayley, who won the award for Outstanding Contribution, with her blog Downside Up. She’s been instrumental in bringing awareness — and changing people’s perceptions — to Down’s Syndrome.
All in all it was a fabulous event.
Finger’s crossed I’ll be lucky enough to go again next year! :)
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Ah it was an amazing night wasn’t it? and such a pleasure to spend time with all you lovely ladies xxx
Hanging out with you girls was the best bit for me!!! I would have felt a little bit shy if I’d been there on my own. Being with my blogging buddies made it feel like a proper party!! :) x
It did look like an amazing night. Congratulations on making the final – such a great achievement especially as you’ve only been doing it all seriously for eight months. Is that really all it is?! X #twinklytuesday
Thanks so much Claire!! Yes! Crazy isn’t it? It’s been a lot of hard work but SO worth it :)
Congratulations on making the finals! Sounds like you all had a fab night :) You’ve achieved so much in under a year, well done! Thanks for hosting #TwinklyTuesday
Debbie
Thanks so much Debbie!! It was a real ‘pinch me ‘ moment!! Couldn’t actually believe I was really there — and up for an award!! Crazy!
Ah this looks like such a fab event and a lovely recognition of all your hard work! Congratulations on making it to the final, that is a great achievement. I’m very interested in the story of how you went self hosted – it’s something I want to do but don’t have the guts just yet! Becky xx #TwinklyTuesday
Thanks so much lovely!! It was really, really easy. I have a fab company who look after the hosting. It was really straightforward — I’m so, so happy I went for it :) If ever you need help, just let me know. Am happy to pass on any info xx
What a fab night! You deserve to celebrate with your bloggie mates, as you say, blogging takes a serious amount of time and hard-work! Congrats on getting to the final, your blog is amazing and I love it :-D Sabrina xx #twinklytuesday
Aaah thanks so much lovely — that’s so nice of you xxxx
Such completely deserved success and you would have been a worthy winner, but I am so glad you had a fabulous time at the MADS x x x
Thanks SO much pet — that means such a lot :) Wish we’d all been there!! ;)
It was so fab to spend the weekend with you and thanks so much for the mention! xxxx
It was SO fun wasn’t it?!! So looking forward to seeing you again at BlogCamp :) xx
That looks fun! Glad you had a wonderful evening :) Thank you for hosting each week #twinklytuesday
Aah thanks so much — that’s really lovely of you xx
Soooo glad you got to go!! Looks like a wonderful time. Thanks for putting up with my rejiggering my routine for #TwinklyTuesday with the new job.
Aah thanks so much pet! And it’s been no bother at all – so glad you’ve found a job that you love x
Well done on making the finals luv, looks like you had a great night loving the dress and the hair :) too. A real achievement xx #TwinklyTuesday
Thanks so much pet — that’s lovely of you :) xx