Probably one of the best ways to start a new year is finding out you’re a finalist in a major national competition!
Thank You for Your Vote!
Out of 4000 entries and nominations, I am one of 8 to have gone through for my category.
If you’re reading this, you probably saw my many Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts asking you to vote for me. Your vote has made all the difference! I am extremely grateful for your support, it really does mean the world, THANK YOU!
While winning this competition would be a dream come true, my goal was just to make it into the shortlist. This alone is an incredible achievement and recognition boost! I have big plans for this coming year as I focus on turning my passion into a career, something I can hardly believe is becoming possible.
MISS PORTMANTEAU is a shortlisted finalist for the Lifestyle Category!
I could hardly believe it when I opened my emails and saw CONGRATULATIONS in the subject line from the UK Blog Awards Team. For a minute there I thought it might be junk that slipped into my inbox.
Even now I still can’t look at my junk mail without remembering the first time I opened spam. I was 11 or 12 years old and had clicked on an email that said I’d won hundreds of thousands of dollars. I literally thought I had won the lottery. Little me, just a kid, was going to be rich!
In the short space of time between opening the email and my dad explaining it was fake, I had already dreamt of around-the-world trips, luxury hotel stays and a Mariah Carey-worthy wardrobe that was nothing but a cruel mirage. The onset of gold fever was immediate. I became convinced that my dad must be trying to con me out of the money, anything to keep the possibility alive, but no. It was just stupid spam.
What is a Lifestyle Blog?
Lifestyle is probably the broadest category in the sense that it encompasses any range of topics according to the bloggers own personal interests rather than focusing on a specific niche. They typically reflect the blogger’s personality and evolve over time as the blogger’s views, interests and activities change.
A lifestyle blogger creates content inspired and curated by their personal interests and daily activities. – Mediakix
I picked the name MISS PORTMANTEAU to reflect my personality and later chose the tagline everything I know about the good life to tie it all together. You can read more on this on my About page and recent post One Year of Blogging.
What attracted me most to lifestyle blogging is how dynamic the category can be. Some of my favourite Lifestyle bloggers include Rosie of The Londoner (who inspired me to start blogging!) Angie of Silver Spoon London and Peony Lim. These are my personal blog role models that have each been blogging for a few years now and are great examples of where I want my blog to be in time.
What’s Next?
Now that the finalists have been selected by public vote, the winners will be chosen by judging panels. The judges will be reviewing all the finalists at the end of this month, with final decisions made in February. All finalists are invited to the UK Blog Awards ceremony and party (which I am beyond excited to attend) on April 20th where the winners will be announced!
The UK Blog Awards is only in its fifth year – that’s how new and exciting this industry is! Considered to be one of the most influential UK Blogging Awards, I cannot say enough times how excited and honoured I am to be taking part! I look forward to keeping you posted with any updates until then. In the meantime, please continue to support my blog by subscribing to my newsletter and following my social media profiles. Happy New Year!
Photo Credit: Toyboy Warehouse
