Dressed Like a Fairy Princess in a Sparkly Crop Top and Maxi Tulle Skirt (The UK Blog Awards)

Have I ever been more excited about an outfit I have ready waiting to wear to an event? Probably not.

Last Friday I channelled my inner fairy princess in a sparkly crop top and maxi tulle skirt for the UK Blog Awards – I was nominated for Best Fashion/Beauty Blog which was down to your endless daily votes around Christmas time.

And I can’t thank you all enough for voting for me which was what helped me get shortlisted: Alas I didn’t win – for the second year in a row. But you know what? Getting in the top 10 from all the fashion blogs in the UK is pretty phenomenal, and we had such an amazing night that not winning didn’t really matter all that much.

What did matter is that I received an endless stream of good luck wishes on my social media coverage of the event (I’m so sorry I haven’t yet thanked everyone, I’m so behind!) which means that I have an incredible support system of both loyal readers and fellow bloggers, and that means the world to me.

So THANK YOU for voting for me you lovely lot, I’m sorry I didn’t bring home the trophy but it’s all good…!!

The fairy princess outfit

As I wore a vintage 70s gown last year that drew a ton of admiration, I knew I had to up the ante this year – and to be honest I was really feeling the pressure. I saw this blush maxi tulle skirt temporarily reduced on ASOS before Christmas, and in a moment of madness I bought it even though I hadn’t actually been shortlisted at that stage… I took a chance that thankfully paid off in the end! I loved the skirt so much – and was rather enjoying prancing about the house like a fairy princess in it – that I set out to get a top to go with it once [my sensible head had kicked in and] I knew I’d been shortlisted and was definitely going to the awards ceremony.

SHOP THE LOOK:

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I ordered top after top after top… Nothing seemed quite right and was beginning to despair when this long-sleeved, crystal crop top in one remaining size popped up on ASOS: I think it must have completely sold out over Christmas and then this single one was returned and back in stock. And would you believe it – it was my size.

Oh, the joy! You know sometimes you just know something’s going to be perfect? I just knew it was the perfect top for my skirt. I knew it.

So when it arrived and I tried it on with the skirt I actually felt my heart flutter a little: I stood in the mirror and felt like a flippin’ fairy princess in my sparkles and tulle. I think the combination of watching too many episodes of Say Yes to the Dress combined with getting married in trousers (not that I regret that) meant I was totally up for looking like (to quote Kit De Luca in Pretty Woman) Cinderf*ckinrella.

There are some times when it’s hard to contain your excitement about how fabulous you feel in an outfit, and this was one of those times. In fact the best (indirect) compliment I had on the night was when I walked past a girl who was overheard saying “She looks like Cinderella!”, which of course absolutely made my night.

 

The awards ceremony

The UK Blog Awards really pulled out all the stops this year and put on a fantastic event. My husband and I spent most of the evening with one of my blogging besties Michelle of The Barefaced Chic – both that and her wedding blog A Very Curious Wedding were nominated, how proud was I? Neither of us won but a couple of other girls I knew there did, so it’s always nice when you can share someone’s well-deserved win.

We were one of a handful of nominees to have a brand new 7 series BMW (one of the sponsors) laid on for us for the night with our very own driver (massaging seats, champagne and DVD players) – together with flowing Prosecco and delicious food at the event it was all pretty incredible.

I must also say a big thank you to another blogging bestie Lisa of The Sequinist who let us stay at her place in London (where these pictures were taken): Your hospitality was incredible, I can’t tell you how much we appreciated your generosity!

So before this gets too much like an acceptance speech for something I didn’t win I’ll leave it there – and just say that despite my earlier declaration to not enter again next year, I was made to pinky-swear on the night [by someone that shall remain nameless =cough= Michelle] to enter again in 2017. We did collar the organiser on the night and made her promise not to make it a daily vote though – there’s no way I’d ask people to vote every day for three weeks again, that was too much (and I apologise unreservedly for that, it was unexpected). I’m pretty sure she’ll change that next year to one vote per IP address thank goodness.

It was such a great night that I fancy going every year to be honest – and if I win an award one year then that would just be the cherry on top. If all it means is a chance to get told you look like Cinderf*ckinrella then I’ll take it 😉

I CAN’T THINK OF A QUESTION TO ASK AS I’VE WITTERED ON SO MUCH – I’LL SIMPLY SAY DO PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!

 

 

Above, L-R: Inside our chauffeur-driven 7 Series BMW | Getting papped outside the awards | With my gorgeous blogger friend Michelle of The Barefaced Chic (and below)

 

Photo credits for above, left: Caron of Caron Cares; right: Michelle of The Barefaced Chic