Normally at this time of year I write a “please vote for me” post, usually for the UK Blog Awards. Not this year, however.
This year I’m doing something different: For a start, I haven’t entered the 2019 UK Blog Awards. I was lucky enough to win the coveted Individual Fashion & Beauty category two years in a row, so I thought it was time I gave something back and apply to be a judge.
And that’s exactly what I’m doing instead: I’m the blogger judge (meaning a judge who’s a blogger, rather than a sponsor!) for the fashion category at UKBA19 (read all about it here). So of course I can’t enter this time around (though if I could it would make the judging process a lot quicker and easier if I decided to be totally biased and just told myself Yes, you won it yet again, girl!!) #kidding
That doesn’t mean I’m not going to support those that DID decide to enter. As many of you may know I couldn’t have been more proud to have been shortlisted four times in a row, let alone win twice. I always said that the representation of a blogger over 40 in a category such as fashion was incredibly important to me as I felt that older women NEED to see other older women doing well in whatever they choose to be a part of. I hoped to inspire other older bloggers to enter to continue that representation – and perhaps even to WIN.
I’m really proud and happy to say that many older bloggers DID enter after all – or were nominated by others and chose to accept the nomination; I hope I had a little part to play in that. The UK Blog Awards are about recognising talent, not rewarding follower numbers. I can’t stress enough that every nominee has an equal chance of being shortlisted. If your blog is really good, it’ll be recognised as such – it’s as simple as that.
Please vote for the over 40 nominees
So what I’m proposing is that you help me get at least one – and hopefully many more than one! – over 40 blogger shortlisted in UKBA19. I couldn’t be prouder of these ladies: they put their neck on the line and thought Damn it, I WILL enter (and kudos to them for going so). They had nothing to lose like I didn’t way back in 2013 when I entered my first awards. And the fact that I didn’t win until my nth time of trying proves that it CAN happen. Hard work, determination and a little sass(!) will get you everywhere, I find.
Here are the bloggers that are nominated and would love your vote. If you don’t know them already I urge you to check out their blogs first.
The voting process COULDN’T BE SIMPLER – one click on their “Vote now” button on their individual page – and that’s it. No forms to fill out, no email addresses to enter. It’s one vote per IP address so if you’re feeling exceptionally generous please vote via your phone, laptop, PC, etc.
WARNING: Please note that you can only vote for ONE blogger in each category, so choose wisely.
Here are the bloggers I’d love you to vote for:
Category: FASHION (you can only vote for one)
Lisa, The Sequinist [Vote here]
Samantha, Fake Fabulous [Vote here]
Ashley, Lazy Daisy Jones [Vote here]
Sharon, Best Before End Date [Vote here]
Emma, The Style Splash [Vote here]
Jacqui, Mumma B Stylish [Vote here]
Helen, When I Grow Up Blog [Vote here]
Category: LIFESTYLE (you can only vote for one)
Ashley, Lazy Daisy Jones [Vote here]
Sharon, Best Before End Date [Vote here]
Suzi, Alternative Ageing [Vote here]
Jacqui, Mumma B Stylish [Vote here]
Susan, Susan Earlam* [Vote here]
Helen, When I Grow Up Blog [Vote here]
Category: BEAUTY
Emma, The Style Splash [Vote here]
Category: PARENT & BABY
Vicki, Honest Mum* [Vote here]
*I’ve made exceptions for Vicki and Susan – they’re both in their mid-late 30s, but they still definitely deserve your vote!
I can’t thank you enough for supporting these women… they’re women like you and me and as someone who knows how a little recognition in the industry can go a long way, simply getting themselves shortlisted could mean the absolute WORLD to them.
ARE YOU HAPPY TO SUPPORT THESE OLDER BLOGGERS – AND DO YOU FEEL THAT WE’RE GETTING RECOGNISED MORE FOR OUR ACHIEVEMENTS? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS!
LIKE THIS POST? YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ…
– The Benefits of Helping Others (in Life and in Business)
– Exciting news: I’m a judge at the UK Blog Awards!
– The Importance of older women’s visibility in fashion
So all that’s left to say is – I’ve shared my thoughts/stories/tuppence-worth this week, now it’s time to share yours… LET’S GET THIS [LINK UP] PARTY STARTED!
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Thank you for joining the #ShareAllLinkUp! Designed to allow you to share anything you like on ANY topic, it goes live every Thursday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. You can share blog posts or Instagram posts, old posts or new posts, and link up as many as you like.
PLEASE be kind and leave a link somewhere on your post, and share your post using the hashtag #ShareAllLinkUp – if you tweet your link with the hashtag and tag me in @notlamb I’ll even retweet it to my followers for you 🙂
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Yes!! Voted!! Go Samanthat!! Ohhh! I hope she wins. She’s so fabulous. Nothin’ fake about that woman!!
A x
I once entered a blogging awards when my blog was just 6mths old (it’s almost 2yrs now) and I never plucked up the courage to do it again… But, as you say, there’s nothing to lose and maybe I just need to go for it! Thank you for sharing these nominations with us. I hope you have fun being a judge this time.
And congratulations because someone enjoyed this post so much, they added it to the BlogCrush linky for you! Hurray! Feel free to pop over and grab your “I’ve been featured” blog badge 🙂 #blogcrush
Author
Oh that’s so lovely that someone linked me up, Lucy! And I hope you DO enter things soon for all the reasons mentioned! Thank you thank you x
Oh- I’ve been voting! How exciting(and daunting) to be a judge this year! I’m looking forward to hearing about this. And I couldn’t agree more that ” older women NEED to see other older women doing well “…..tthanks for being such a big part of that. 🙂
~Melissa
Author
Honestly it’s an honour to feature their blogs and ask for votes for them Melissa – I’m just proud that so many have entered this year, I was just about the only one four years ago!! Thank YOU for supporting them my lovely x
As a 40+ blogger also in the running under fashion and lifestyle, I think this is such a boost for us. Let’s hope we get some winners next year 🙂
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Oh Suzy I thought you were in Portugal…? It’s for UK-based bloggers only…
Very nice. I will have to check out some of those links. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Author
Thanks so much Patrick 🙂
That’s very nice of you to advocate for other women over 40 that you think deserve to win. #BlogCrush
Author
It’s the least I can do seeing as I’ve not entered myself, Alice! x
Thanks so much for featuring me Catherine, I really appreciate it! It’s fantastic to see the over 40s being so well represented 🙂
Emma xxx
Author
It’s no problem at all Emma – I wish you the best of luck!! x
I absolutely had to vote for Sam!!!
Author
Thank you so much for supporting her Sheela 🙂 xx
Oh Sheela!!!
Thank you so much.
XXX
Great list of bloggers.
I am also over 40 and would love some support my site is called Love Pop Ups London. I am all about helping new popped up places and niche places within London gain exposure. Plus for other bloggers to connect and make friends via sending them on opps.
Author
I often do what I can to promote other bloggers but that’s in other posts, Joanne… this time it was specifically to ask for votes for over 40 bloggers who’ve entered the UK Blog Awards. Best thing you can do is to promote yourself by linking up each week! I couldn’t see you in the thumbnails so if you haven’t already, get linking! 🙂
Great I am over 40 and only just came across your site yesterday that is why you have not seen any comments from me in the past
Love your site
What a great group of women! So hard to vote for just one in each category…
Debbie
Author
It IS, Debbie!! I’ve passed on feedback to the UKBA team about it x
Hi Catherine, I have voted, good luck to all these fabulous ladies xxx
Author
Kareema that’s fantastic, thank you so much xx
Voted! So happy to support these wonderful women – thank you so much Katherine for making it so easy! xx
Maria
Author
Maria you’re a star, thank you soooo much xx
Catherine,
I love that you are promoting this group of fabulous women bloggers–some of my favorites! I will have to check out the rest, as your opinion is a good one.
Thanks for sharing, and enjoy the judging!!
xx Darlene
Author
Darlene thank you!! And yes do check them all out, they’re all fabulous. I hope they get the recognition they deserve 😀
You are such a sweetheart!! Thanks darling!
Author
My absolute pleasure, Susan – and good luck!! x
How lovely to support the girls Catherine. I’m with MT the one vote sucks. I’m wishing them all the best of luck. xx
Author
I agree Laurie, it does suck!! Thanks so much for your support x
Hi Catherine.
My votes are in but will they count since I’m in the States? I sure hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Author
Yes Cathe – it doesn’t matter where you’re voting from, it’s just that the nominees had to be UK residents. Thank you so much for voting!!!!!!
Catherine you are super generous and very gracious with your blog and your time.
Thank you for including me with those super ladies.
Being 55 rocks these days, I cant thank you enough…lets hope everyone on this list gets shortlisted eh?
love Ashley x
PS good luck to everyone xx
Author
OMG that would make my day if EVERYONE got shortlisted, Ashley…!! Best of luck, fingers crossed this post helps you all x
Came home from starting my Christmas shopping this evening to your tag on Stories and did a whoop!! You are a bloomin’ star, Catherine, supporting me and many others all the way. I am absolutely delighted to sit in the company of all these amazing women. I truly hope someone goes all the way for our demographic. I’m so proud to be helping in some small way towards tipping those scales as Vikki said. Love everyone’s blogs here … go us!!! xoxo
Author
I’m relying on you all to carry on my legacy, Sharon!! 😉 hehe
Seriously – I really really hope you ALL do well. I’d like to think our community is supportive enough to see at least a couple of you lovely ladies through… best of luck! x
I’ve been out at a parent’s drinks evening at my son’s school and came home to THIS! Thank you so much for putting the vibes and the support behind 40+ bloggers out there. You are such an inspiration and such a buttress (I can’t think of a better word after many glasses of wine 😀 ) to all of us. I love all the ladies in this category, and getting brands to recognize us is so important. xxx
Author
I’ll take buttress, sozzled lady!!! [lol] I’m so pleased I can do this, Lisa… best of luck to you and all the others x
Gosh Catherine…. I’m so touched that you mentioned me here with these amazing ladies.
It feels a bit surreal to be honest!
You’re incredibly generous.
I know you’re going to make an amazing judge and can’t wait to hear all about it.
Thank you so much!
Samantha
XXX
Author
My absolute pleasure, Samantha – I would LOVE to see you and all these ladies reach the finals!! Very best of luck! xo
Only voting for one sucks☹
This is such a wonderful group of Women, they all deserve to win!
Kudos award goes to Lamby for always sticking her neck out to help and support other Women.
Love ya mate xxx
Author
Hmm I think it sucks a bit too, MT – feedback I’ll pass on I think…!I’m only too happy to give these lovelies a leg up – after all, they all supported ME when I needed them the most!
Oh yes, I voted for these fabulous women! Good luck to all of you!
Author
Nancy thank you SOOOOOOOOOO much for your support xoxo
This is exactly why you are so special Catherine. Supporting other women is the best part of blogging and what a great way to do it.
Thanks for making it easy to vote this way!! I voted!!
XOOX
Jodie
Author
Aww that’s nice of you to say, Jodie – but they all gave me support when I needed it: I’m just returning the favour!! Thank you so much for voting x
Wow, so lovely of you to include me in the feature. So excited to see how things go, although against so many fabulous bloggers I don’t think I stand a chance! Many thanks once again Catherine – “go on the over fifties” x
Author
You NEVER know, Jacqui – as I said it’s not about numbers! Very best of luck, and keep badgering readers for votes! x
I voted! Some of my favorite bloggers are featured here, and I’m happy to support them!
Cheryl Shops
Author
Cheryl I really appreciate you voting for them – thank you ever so much!! x
Really honoured for the mention darling, thank you. All amazing women. Representation is vital across all media. Really feel we’re at a tipping point x
Author
Such a pleasure, Vicki – I hope you ask readers for votes!! Yes to the tipping point. Let’s make sure we continue to see older bloggers represented ALWAYS #woopwoop 😀