A Huge Thank You: I’m an Award-Winning (and UK Blog Awards-Shortlisted) Blogger!

Not Dressed As Lamb | Bloggers' Lounge Best Fashion Blogger 2015

To say this week has been a good week would be a massive understatement: I have won one award and been shortlisted for another – and it’s all thanks to you lovely lot for voting for me!

On Wednesday this week I won the Bloggers’ Lounge award for Best Fashion Blogger at their awards party in London… HOW excited and pleased was I?! Many of you have seen my win on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook this week and have sent the loveliest congratulatory wishes – I’m working my way through them all to say thank you so please bear with me if I haven’t yet said thank you directly! It was a lovely surprise and I couldn’t have been happier to have won something that means I can finally call myself an “award winning” blogger. This award was purely down to your votes (the one-time vote before Christmas), so thank you thank you THANK YOU – from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you for all your support
Top: Me with my award! French Connection dress (nearly 70% off!) | Nails Inc black polish UK site / US site

Which brings me to the second announcement: I have the equally exciting news that I have been shortlisted for the second year in a row for the UK Blog Awards (fashion and beauty category)! This is the one where I had to pester everyone for daily votes up to Monday of this week, and I just want to apologise profusely for it being a daily vote thing (I wasn’t very happy about them deciding to do that). Anyway fingers crossed I come away with a second win this year: Hopefully the judging panel will be swayed by my new blog design, my endless charm and the monetary bribes I am of course going to send them πŸ˜‰

FINGERS CROSSED I COME AWAY WITH A SECOND WIN THIS YEAR: HOPEFULLY THE JUDGING PANEL WILL BE SWAYED BY MY NEW BLOG DESIGN, MY ENDLESS CHARM AND THE MONETARY BRIBES I AM OF COURSE GOING TO SEND THEM πŸ˜‰

Whether or not I win at the UK Blog Awards this year remains to be seen (the awards ceremony is the end of April), but the fact of the matter remains: Neither the win this week nor the shortlisting this morning wouldn’t have happened without the massive support that YOU have shown me. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you voting in your droves with the clicks of your mouses (mice? mices?) and the wonderful words of support and encouragement you constantly give me. What I always want above all else is for this blog (and my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts) to be a positive place where we can discuss topics, get a little style inspiration and generally feel good about ourselves.

It’s not something I can do on my own so your feedback and comments are always greatly appreciated and, of course, enjoyed and read by everyone else as well.

Here’s to many more older (fashion) bloggers winning awards! We all love a bit of diversity and it’s amazing to represent the 40+ community in this way. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again.

Catherine

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | YOUTUBE | NEWSLETTER

P.S. Like this post? You might also want to see what I wore to UK Blog Awards 2015 awards ceremony last year (a vintage 1970s evening dress)!

Linking up to: Let It Shine, Brilliant Blog PostsFriday’s Fab Favourites

30 Comments

  1. 24 February 2016 / 11:24 pm

    congrats that is amazing. You have been my inspiration since the beginning so I am so very happy to see you recognized.

  2. 3 February 2016 / 5:07 pm

    Congratulations. I am glad I didn't vote for nothing. Again: recognition. And right so. I can understand you are happy.
    Greetje

    • 3 February 2016 / 6:18 pm

      It does go to show that every vote really did count, Greetje – I'm blown away by the support everyone showed me! I hated asking for daily votes, but the UK Blog Awards changed that from last year… Wasn't expecting it at all. So yes, recognition is what it's all about – to say you're an award-winning is a great asset to pitch to brands. More work means better content for my readers!

      Let's hope I can "do the double", eh…?!! Thank you SO much!! xx

  3. 3 February 2016 / 5:51 am

    This is so, no SOOOOO awesome! Well deserved Dear Catherine!!

    Love, Ann

  4. 2 February 2016 / 5:37 am

    SORRY I just spelt your name with a K instead of a C – apologies! x

    • 2 February 2016 / 9:40 am

      oh no worries, it's no problem!! It's not like shortening it which I don't like (like Cat or Cathy)…! x

  5. 2 February 2016 / 5:31 am

    Congrats Katherine – I personally think you achieve a true sense of connectedness with your readers and you have managed to create an atmosphere that is positive, warm and a place for many women. The time you spend responding and connecting is huge and it's noticed. Well done you. (and you are stylish and gorgeous, but that goes without saying!!)

    • 2 February 2016 / 9:38 am

      Wow, Miriam – that's such a fantastic thing to say: Can I quote you and email that to the judges?!!! ;)) Seriously, though, that means a lot – I truly appreciate all the support I receive and the blog is only as good as you lovely lot make it, without input feedback and input from my readers there'd BE no blog…!!!

      Thank you so, so much for those kind words xx

    • 2 February 2016 / 9:36 am

      Hehe thank you Monika – Keith suggested I wear it round my neck like a big pendant… Maybe not?!!!!! xx

  6. 31 January 2016 / 9:35 pm

    I only found your blog a little while ago but I can definitely see why you won this award. I have really liked reading your posts and they are always an interesting read. I hope you are successful in the Uk blog awards for which I voted for you.
    I look forward to continue following your blog.

    • 31 January 2016 / 9:46 pm

      Wow Glenka, so many compliments – thank you!!!!! x

  7. 31 January 2016 / 3:39 pm

    congratulations!!! I knew you would win, didn't doubt for a second
    Laurie x

    • 31 January 2016 / 6:27 pm

      Aww Laurie that is sooooo lovely of you to say – I really had no idea myself what to expect, but I am obviously absolutely chuffed. Just one more to get, now, aargh!!! I think winning one makes you even MORE desperate to win another for some reason?!

  8. 30 January 2016 / 9:14 pm

    Catherine, Congrats and good luck Monday! Pat S

    • 31 January 2016 / 6:25 pm

      Patricia thank you so much, though I think I may have confused you a little with mentioning Monday: *Last* Monday was when voting closed to get shortlisted for the UK Blog Awards, so the winners aren't announced till the end of April once we've been judged by a panel. But I'm sure you'll keep your fingers crossed for me…!! x

  9. 30 January 2016 / 7:16 pm

    Congratulations Catherine, you really deserve both of these, and thank goodeness that at least one is in the bag now! I echo everything Samantha has said. Much as you can push the boat out and do glamour big-time, I think you come across as the girl-next-door with a huge dose of style which makes you so approachable. On top of that we mustn't forget your generosity with all of your informative features and bucket loads of advice on all things blogging. I'm still new to this game and you are my go-to fashionista whenever I need to know something about the blogging world. Hurrah for your well earned success and I do hope that you were well enough to party the night away. Bravo! xxxxx

    • 31 January 2016 / 6:24 pm

      Oh Anna – a similar thing to what I said to Samantha, that is What a fabulous compliment!! I guess we can only "do what we can do" and I certainly don't go to lots of parties and get dressed up to the times very often, so it's inevitable that my outfits are going to reflect just everyday dressing. I'm so glad all the tips posts help, thank you thank you for the lovely things you've said: And as you say, one down – one to go!!! xx

  10. 30 January 2016 / 4:00 pm

    Catherine, This award (and place on the short list) is certainly well deserved.
    I could not be happier for you!!

    You have everything I look for in a great blog;

    A natural and friendly writing style.
    Beautiful images.
    You look "real" and relatable.
    You interact with your readers (this is a HUGE one for me) and make us feel valued.
    Your outfits are "doable" for normal people with real lives.
    You always surprise us with articles and outfits….especially colour combinations!
    You work hard and don't "sell out" with inappropriate collaborations….I always feel that your choice of brands to feature is relevant to me.

    All in all a deserved winner!
    Congratulations.
    XXX
    Samantha
    fakefabulous.com

    • 31 January 2016 / 6:21 pm

      Wow, Samantha – I couldn't be more flattered – thank you SO much!!! I think I need a little plaque with that quoted on it on my desk to remind myself when I'm having a rough day or a bit despondent (though that doesn't happen very often, just when I'm tired and a bit overworked)…!! =MUAH= kisses to you xx

  11. 30 January 2016 / 1:47 pm

    I can't think of a blogger who deserves more recognition and success — so excited for you Catherine!! And how stunning is that shot with your trophy? Did Hubby take that? It's brilliantly composed!

    Xoxo,

    Ashley || Sed Bona

    • 31 January 2016 / 6:19 pm

      Oh Ashley what a lovely thing to say – thank you!! And no, the pic is actually a selfie, taken in my hotel room afterwards (I was celebrating on my own by eating all the sweets and edibles from my goody bag, haha)!!!!!

  12. 29 January 2016 / 9:12 pm

    Haha, your little binary statement made me laugh. Congrats on the BL award! I've always thought what a fab blog and the hard work over the years is seemingly paid off. Well done on UKBA shortlist too πŸ™‚ And here's to some older beauty bloggers getting somewhere too!
    Heidi x

    • 31 January 2016 / 6:18 pm

      Thank you so much Heidi – and yes, seeing older bloggers win more awards *would* be fabulous, I agree!!

  13. 29 January 2016 / 7:44 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that the judges make the right decision! πŸ˜‰

    • 29 January 2016 / 8:33 pm

      Andrea thank you my lovely, bless you you're such a sweetheart! xx

  14. 29 January 2016 / 6:22 pm

    Yay! Huge congratulations Catherine & so very well deserved. Fingers crossed for the UK Blog Awards πŸ™‚
    Jane xx
    My Midlife Fashion

    • 29 January 2016 / 8:33 pm

      Oh Jane that means so much, thank you thank you… I really hope I can do the double!!

    • 29 January 2016 / 8:32 pm

      Aww Dawn Lucy thank you!!!!!!!!!! Your support meant so much – I'll have to dedicate my award to you all if I win, hehe!

      And I've now linked up, I got a bit behind with being away #eeep

DISCLOSURE: Items marked* are PR products (I never accept anything I wouldn’t choose for myself) and my opinions are 100% honest. I also use affiliate links where I may earn commission if you click through and buy, at no cost to you.