It’s been nearly 4 months since my blog was announced as one of the 10 individual finalists in the wedding category of the UK Blog Awards 2016. After voting and then judging, we’ve had a long time to wait. Now finally we get to hear the winners announced this Friday at an awards ceremony in London.
I’m proud to be a finalist and, honestly, I’m so honoured to just be counted alongside my fellow nominees. I’m going along really for a great night out, the delicious bowl food and a brilliant chance to network with some amazing bloggers. I feel like I’ve won already (yes, I know that sounds cliche and cheesy!) as the process has given me such a sense of achievement.
Win or lose, the awards have changed the focus of Hanami Dream. It has given me more confidence and the opportunity to promote my blog more.
For me, blogging has put me back on a level playing field again. After being on maternity leave, I found that there weren’t many flexible options available for women with experience, knowledge and great skills. But no one knows if I’m writing a blog post in my pyjamas late at night, or if I’ve just returned from the school run, or I’m covered in snot from one or more of my offspring. I feel on an equal footing again and blogging means I can still use all my skill set but at a convenient time to me.
The UK Blog Awards have been the catalyst for me to open my mind up to different opportunities and it has given my blog a new lease of life. Since I was announced as a finalist in January my blog has evolved considerably and I now feel that I’ve honed it and progressed it to the next level.
I look forward to hearing the winners announced on Friday night. But more importantly I look forward to the next chapter in the journey of my blog.
I am absolutely thrilled with the exciting week I’ve had to round off January.
Firstly on Wednesday I was picked by Jacqueline Gold CBE (CEO of Ann Summers and Knickerbox) to be one of her weekly #WOW winners. What an honour to now be counted as one of her Women on Wednesday that she thinks have potential to grow and succeed in their industry. I’m very proud to be joining the prestigious #WOW club.
Then if that wasn’t enough excitement, I’ve also found out today that my blog has been shortlisted in the UK Blog Awards 2016!
Thank you so much to everyone for all your votes. I really appreciate your support and it has ensured the blog has made it to the final round in the wedding and event categories!
Now it’s all down to the judges and getting ready for a spangly awards ceremony in April.
I’m alongside some other amazing blogs so the judges are going to have a tricky task ahead. I’m just really chuffed to have made it this far.
Congratulations to all my fellow individual finalists in the UK Blog Awards wedding category. I’m proud to be a finalist alongside you.
So there we are – what a week! First a very proud Jacqueline Gold #WOWwinner and now a finalist in the #UKBA16. Can’t wait to see what on earth will February will bring!
“Fiesta is bold, bright, exciting, and a total party color, which is why Nicola Jackson’s energetically red mood board was the winner for me. Indian weddings are big, colorful, (often) week-long events with a multitude of parties and red is a beautiful color for that amount of enthusiasm. Plus look at that cake – it’s fit for a queen!”
