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!
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 π
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 π
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.
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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 Posts, Friday’s Fab Favourites
congrats that is amazing. You have been my inspiration since the beginning so I am so very happy to see you recognized.
Congratulations. I am glad I didn't vote for nothing. Again: recognition. And right so. I can understand you are happy.
Greetje
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
This is so, no SOOOOO awesome! Well deserved Dear Catherine!!
Love, Ann
SORRY I just spelt your name with a K instead of a C – apologies! x
oh no worries, it's no problem!! It's not like shortening it which I don't like (like Cat or Cathy)…! x
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!!)
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
Woohoo!! Congratulations, dearest Catherine…that Bloggers' Lounge Award is looking pretty darn fabulous on you!! XOXO
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
Hehe thank you Monika – Keith suggested I wear it round my neck like a big pendant… Maybe not?!!!!! xx
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.
Wow Glenka, so many compliments – thank you!!!!! x
congratulations!!! I knew you would win, didn't doubt for a second
Laurie x
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?!
Catherine, Congrats and good luck Monday! Pat S
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)!!!!!
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 π And here's to some older beauty bloggers getting somewhere too!
Heidi x
Thank you so much Heidi – and yes, seeing older bloggers win more awards *would* be fabulous, I agree!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that the judges make the right decision! π
Andrea thank you my lovely, bless you you're such a sweetheart! xx
Yay! Huge congratulations Catherine & so very well deserved. Fingers crossed for the UK Blog Awards π
Jane xx
My Midlife Fashion
Oh Jane that means so much, thank you thank you… I really hope I can do the double!!
AWESOME! So happy and proud of you! We were all happy to keep voting for you, Catherine! Go 40+ bloggers!
And just a friendly reminder to pop by Fun Fashion Friday if you get a chance. I featured some pretty darn fabulous ladies this week. π
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com/2016/01/lnbf-review-giveaway-fun-fashion-friday.html#.VquAa-krfdk
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