I rarely have the chance to dust off my glad rags, strap on some difficult to walk in but oh-so-pretty heels and glam myself up so when I received my invite to the #Cosmoblogawards, held in a swanky London venue, I was all over it like a heat rash.
My friend and lifestyle blogger Hannah was also shortlisted, meaning we could share this special night and indulge in the whole getting ready part with shameless selfies and a tipple of prosecco to get us in the party mood.
I know you’re supposed to go to these things thinking you will win, visualising walking onto the podium and making some off-the-cuff speech thanking everyone you’ve ever met but seriously I was just chuffed to be part of it. Making the top ten shortlist of travel bloggers as voted for by you and Cosmopolitan Magazine meant I already felt like I was a winner. I never expected to get that far, especially knowing the tough competition (apparently there were over 64,000 votes!) so I was going to the party excited just to be involved.
Travel blogging is a fierce world of younger, wrinkle free, excited writers who seem to be jetting off every week to exotic locations so it can make you feel like the old teacher at the school prom unable to compete with the class of 2015.
But, as with everything in life, you can’t compare yourself to others. You can only do your best.
The other travel bloggers in my category who I met at the pre-awards dinner at OPSO weren’t out to claw the competition but instead were a bunch of fun, adventurous ladies living their life to the max. A gang of wanderlusters that I wanted to be part of. Charli, Jess, Elle, Mary, Lizzy, Hannah, the twins Laura and Claire and lovely winner Sophie if you’re reading this thanks so much for such a fab night!
It was brill being able to chat with other likeminded women, sharing snaps and tips on everything travel related. On the night of the awards held at One Marylebone we all crowded around one of the tall tables eagerly waiting to hear the news of who would be crowned the winner so we could race to the bar and celebrate together.
I wasn’t disappointed when my name wasn’t read out as just being part of the night, making new friends and walking down the red carpet was more than enough for me. And what a night to be part of. Cosmopolitan Magazine had laid it on and were treating every shortlister like a celeb. It wasn’t just the flash venue that wowed me but also the inventive Belle Blush wine cocktails provided by Blossom Hill, shiny temporary tattoos by Beach So Chic and melt in your mouth cupcakes from Ladida Sweet Treats (chocolate covered Oreos anyone?!).
Women from a whole range of blogging niches such as fitness, beauty, interiors and food were dressed to the max, with sequins and feathers galore. The atmosphere wasn’t the least bit bitchy instead it felt like Girl Power could have been coined in this room as confident and sassy ladies marked out new careers in the blogging world.
I would like to say a huge super mega thank you to everyone who did vote for me. Sorry I couldn’t return your faith in me and this blog by coming back with a piece of silverware but you will never know how much it meant having you give up your time to vote.
*I love you SO much!*
The night ended as all demure and glam events should – dancing in a gay bar in SOHO until 4am with Hannah and new foodie friend and blogger Emily (check out her mouth-watering blog here), the heels long gone, the make-up cried off from laughing so much, the photos decidedly blurrier and deep and meaningful chats with the taxi driver.
The full list of winners can be found here along with a video from the event (spot me dancing v.badly at 02.15). The only downside to the whole amazing event was that they ran out of goody bags so I left empty handed *sad face*. I guess that’s what happens when you stay right to the end. Ah well there is always next year!
Can I get to do it all over again pleeeeessseeee?
