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Being shortlisted for awards and a very big thank you

Thank you!

Thank you!

If you follow my blog on Facebook then you might, just might remember hearing me mention something about some blog awards being open for nominations. You might, just might have given me your vote – and if you did, then I just want to say thank you so much, as I’ve only gone and made the shortlist not only for the Bibs, but for the Mads too!

If you’re now thinking Bibs? Mads? What on earth is she talking about? Then they are the main awards of the parenting blogger world, a world which I’ve found in my two years of blogging to be a really supportive, creative community full of inspiring people who all quite frankly deserve an award for putting so much love into their little spaces on the internet.

You see it may look like we whip up these posts in our spare time, but being parents we don’t have much of that, so (in my case anyway) most of our writing is done on the hop. I’m a single working parent with two lively kids, a bit of a running habit and a love of gin and slim. So fitting all this in and writing a blog is no mean feat!

Me and Mine April 2016

My blog is a total mixture and I just want to say a huge thank you for sticking with it! I sometimes wonder who my posts appeal to as one day I can be writing about my life as a widow, days out with my family, things I’ve bought, clothes I love or food I’ve cooked. It’s a slice of my life and it means so much when people actually read it! I’ve been doing this for two years now and can’t see myself stopping anytime soon, it really is an addictive kind of therapy.

The voting is now open on the shortlist of these awards, and I would love it so much if you would give me a little helping hand. I know it’s all a bit cringe to say it, but it really would mean so much to me to win and I can’t do it without you. I was lucky enough to be in the finals for the Mads last year, and it was such an amazing night this year’s event has a lot to live up to!

Me and the Mads 2015

I might not have won, but I did get to celebrate with Karen, get star struck over Katie, Katie and Sarah, gatecrash a little room party with Heledd and Bonita, share a table with Megan and Lori, get mistaken for my hair twin Steph, drink far too much sambuca and roll home giggling with Caro and Sarah.

Of course it’s not all about the party, it really is about meeting up with like-minded people (kind of like my ‘second job’ colleagues) and cheering on some really talented souls. Blogging for me really is a labour of love, an outlet and I see it as my ‘me time’ where I can selfishly sit and type out my thoughts… usually at the beginning or end of the day, whenever I can squeeze in a bit of time to write, be it on the train, on the sofa, or on my lunch break.

If you would like to vote for me in the Brilliance in Blogging awards (Bibs) then just click on this link and scroll down to the Readers’ Choice category, where you will be able to find little old me amongst some other brill blogs.

Sam walking over the golf course

Flo and Me at Easter

In the Mads, I am a finalist in the best writer category, which would absolutely make my year if I were to win. The Mads voting form only takes a second to fill in!

Now I’m getting a bit of pro at being invited to awards dos, as last week I was invited to the NSPCC Cheshire Woman of the Year awards at Eaton Park near Chester.

I couldn’t believe it when a letter dropped through my door saying I’d been nominated (yes, an actual letter, it isn’t all online voting and tweets like the blogging world, it’s good old fashioned paper!). I took my friend Clare along as my guest for the awards day and we had such a great day. We got dressed up and set off for the venue, which is set in the grounds of the Duke of Devonshire’s sprawling estate. Words like ‘who has an actual church in their garden?’ came out of our mouths as we made our way in. It was absolutely breathtaking, and it felt really special to be invited.

After a quick stop to take a few photos (posing in the rain, see below) we went into a champagne reception in a hall where photographs were off limits. No pictures! What about my instagram habit, I asked my friend Rach, who was helping to organise the day. We sneaked back into the courtyard for a few snaps before heading back in for more drinks.

Cheshire Woman of the Year

We were treated to a really lovely lunch and really loved chatting to the other guests and nominees, like Pat who had done decades of volunteer work in her hometown, and Cathy Lewis-Jones, who I know from her work at Wirral St John’s Hospice and for being such an amazing force in my husband’s care.

I was honoured to be in a room full of inspiring women, and to cheer on the winner, Kate Spall, who has worked so hard to fight for new treatments for cancer patients.

So that was a few weeks in my life all about awards, which I haven’t won, but which I’m really hoping that I can one day!

You can click the badges below to vote – thank you!

x Julia

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Portrait - May

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11 Comments

  • Reply
    sarah christie
    May 4, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Julia you are amazing and I love you, the best of luck my beautiful friend you so deserve this, I know you will say you have just dealt with a rubbish situation, but you have done it with a dignity that has inspired others xxx
    sarah christie recently posted…Cool Kids, Shopping Trips and KURT GEIGERMy Profile

  • Reply
    Flossy and Jim
    May 4, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    Wahey! Go Julia! We will of course be voting for you…very proud of you and your blog! Xx

  • Reply
    Emma
    May 4, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    Well done lovely lady! I love your blog and the mixture of posts that you have, it is just such a fantastic blog and so well written. I am in awe of your writing! Also you are a lovely reminder of home! I am visiting Ilkley over the summer and staying for a week. I can’t wait!! 🙂
    Emma recently posted…Radio Ga GaMy Profile

  • Reply
    Hayley @hayleyfromhome
    May 4, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    Ah Julia you should be so proud of this blog, it really is amazing and always a lovely read whatever you are talking about. These nominations are so well deserved and I would love to see you come anyway a winner this year. Good luck beautiful lady, you have my vote xxx
    Hayley @hayleyfromhome recently posted…Stylish Trainers with Kurt GeigerMy Profile

  • Reply
    Beth @ Twinderelmo
    May 4, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    Best of luck Mrs xx
    Beth @ Twinderelmo recently posted…The Downside of Losing WeightMy Profile

  • Reply
    Donna
    May 4, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    I’ve said it all before. You have my vote and I have everything crossed x
    Donna recently posted…A Family Games Night with Pork FarmsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely
    May 4, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    Paul and I have both clicked and voted!!!! Don’t forget, I’m your date for the MADs not matter what riches others offer you!!! 🙂 xxx
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely recently posted…#UKexplore in AprilMy Profile

  • Reply
    Everything Mummy
    May 4, 2016 at 7:58 pm

    I cant think of anyone who deserves it more Julia, you get my vote everyday! xx
    Everything Mummy recently posted…TheCharmWorks – Review & GiveawayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Jess Paterson
    May 5, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    Huge congrats, Julia! So pleased for you – very well deserved. Finalist last year – surely a win this year! Best of luck xx
    Jess Paterson recently posted…How To Speak To A New Mum, When You’re A MumMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tracey Williams
    May 9, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    What a lovely few weeks you have had Julia, and there was never any doubt for me that your name would be on the short list. I really hope you win love as you are an inspiration. I was out with my mum for lunch the other week and she started talking about you. She said she had been reading a few of your posts, and she talked about how much she admired you for talking so openly about Roger. Fingers crossed for you hun x
    Tracey Williams recently posted…Sunday Photo – A Greek ChurchMy Profile

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    My boy's room styling with a comic book cushion from Coconutgrass - Rainbeaubelle
    October 3, 2016 at 10:38 pm

    […] been shortlisted in the Bibs awards as Readers’ Choice, and in the Mads as Best Writer. If you’d like to […]

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