Pinch me, I’m a Lifestyle Finalist!
Since starting Miss Portmanteau a year and a half ago, I really never expected to be a finalist in the UK Blog Awards! I remember finding out on New Years Day and having to read the email over several times as I just couldn’t believe it. So thank you again to each and every one of you who voted for me and support what I do.
Whereas finalists were selected by public vote, the winners and runners-up were chosen by one person per category. I didn’t make it this year but still had a wonderful time attending the event. I got glammed up to the nines and took the opportunity to meet some incredible bloggers, make new friends, and drink copious amounts of prosecco. For those of you who were told the prosecco ran out, I do apologise! 😉 You can check out the other finalists and winners on the UK Blog Awards website here.
Hollywood Hair by Blow Ltd
I teamed up with Blow Ltd to style my hair for the night. It’s the first time I use their services and I couldn’t be happier. They have a few salons but also do home visits, which is amazingly convenient to help get you ready for a big event. To make things even simpler, they have 9 different blow dry looks to choose from, or you can create your own bespoke look.
The talented lady who did my hair was called Tunda, who did my glamorous “Starlet” look. In order to prepare for her visit, I washed my hair and did half my make-up before she arrived so that my hair was still damp to work with. However, for my particular look, this wasn’t needed. Clean, dry hair would also do.
After drying my hair, she used a curling iron to curl and pin it up, before releasing and brushing through to create my look. I felt like a million dollars and will definitely be using their services again before any big event or party! In addition to hair, Blow also do make-up and nails. For £12 off any home visit, use my code MISSP12.
Is there an Award for Best-Dressed?
The only other time I’ve received that many compliments on my dress was at my wedding! I wasn’t going to buy a new dress for the event but then this dress on ASOS by Australian brand Forever New caught my eye. I love how easy it is to shop from ASOS. Anything that doesn’t fit or you don’t like they will come and pick it up for free, it’s amazing. So I decided it wouldn’t hurt to try it on.
From the moment I put it on, I fell in love with everything about the dress. The colour, the fabric, and how it made me feel. It was by far more comfortable than anything else I own so the decision was made. Because it had sleeves, I also wouldn’t need to bring (and carry) a cardigan or blazer jacket with me. I also bought this Maidenform U-plunge bra to wear with it and these shoes from Carvela that were both super comfortable. Shop the dress here or scroll to the end of this post to shop my look.
This Big and Beautiful Blogosphere
So one of the really cool things about the Blog Awards, is that it recognises both individual and company blogs in the UK. By chance, I was sitting next to last year’s two-time Lifestyle winner Bella Coco, who was up for the Vlogger category. Behind me were the team from Graze, who I want to thank for cheering loudly when they announced my name in the nominees! You guys were awesome.
But the coolest thing, has to be simply the opportunity for bloggers to get together and celebrate our achievements. Of course we all love to win, but blogging isn’t competitive in that way. Many of my biggest supporters are bloggers, and likewise, I’m a huge supporter too. I guess “we in the bizz” understand the importance of those likes and follows better than anyone else, as well as all the hard work that goes into creating our content. It was an honour to meet some of the other finalists (shoutout to Grandma Williams!) and get to know more of my peers in this big and beautiful world of blogging.
Shop My Look
XO Lara Olivia
