Our Night At The UK Blog Awards!
Home » Blogging »Friday 25th April 2014 was a big night for many bloggers across lots of different industries – it was the UK Blog Awards, and my blog, The Purple Pumpkin Blog was a finalist in the Individual Lifestyle category!
The awards ceremony was being held in a rather posh hotel – The Grange, St. Pauls, and I bought tickets for hubs and I to attend. We also treated ourselves to a nights stay in the hotel (review in another post!) and donned our glad rags (again, another post!) to join the other finalists and guests at the first UK Blog Awards!
We got to the hotel and checked in around 4pm – enough time to chill out in our room before getting ready and going down to The Wren Suite where the event was taking place. It was very exciting to see the huge column lit up telling everyone in the hotel about the awards, and I didn’t stop sharing everything about my experience across my social media – thanks to Instagram, I’m able to link it with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr and FourSquare – that’s killing 6 birds with one stone!!
It was exciting to receive an upgrade on our room which was gorgeous and had a view of St. Paul’s Cathedral too!
I was a mixture of excitement and nerves as the start time drew nearer, and thankfully there was a mini bar to help with those! I’m not much of a drinker, but a little tipple to calm me down did no harm!
Hubs hired a tuxedo from Couture Pour Homme in Hornchurch, Essex (the same place where we hired his wedding suit), I bought myself some new shoes, but wore one of my favourite black dresses (both from Evans) which I’ve had for many years! We took an obligatory mirror selfie before catching the lift all the way down (we were on the 7th floor, the ceremony was on the -2 floor!) to the UK Blog Awards 2014!
I do wish that there had been photographer to take photographs as we walked in past the huge banner, but hubs took one of me for the album!
We took a glass of bubbly each and then signed in. We were given lanyards to wear, although I didn’t want to wear mine and ruin the outfit, but seeing everyone else with theirs on, I thought I’d best comply!
Walking into the massive function room I spotted Helen from KiddyCharts who was up for an award in the Organisation Most Innovative category, we had a little chat before going off to do the mingling networking thing, which I’m not very good at! I think I only gave out a handful of business cards! I was so glad to have hubs by my side as my wingman haha.
There was canapes being served and of course glasses of bubbles! There was skewers of chicken and lamb – very nice, mini pizzas and lots and lots and lots of pakoras! Oh my, they were never ending! Little cupcakes followed with a topper showing the logo of one of the award sponsors, Content Click. The hubster took full advantage of the free bubbles! There was also a cash bar and luckily we’d brought a few of your British pounds down from the hotel room to pay for drinks!
The stage was set up like it was the Oscars – very fitting since these awards were dubbed as The Oscars of the Blogging World and of course had to have a photo in front of one of the statues! It was all very exciting, and as the back of the room filled up with more bloggers and guests, before long it was time to take our seats for the awards ceremony!
Our host for the evening, Alan Stevens took to the stage and introduced Gemma and Becki, the founders and organisers of the UK Blog Awards. Then the big event began to commence. There were 14 categories in all, with 2 awards in each – one for organisation blogs and one for individual blogs, so that was a huge 28 awards to give out!
It was done in alphabetical order, so there was a while before the Lifestyle award (for me) and Most Innovative (for Helen, who had somehow managed to find us amongst the crowd and sat with the hubs and me) We of course had to do an Oscar style selfie!
Each category had all the finalists blog names read out, before two were given a “Highly Commended” nod before the winner was announced and invited up to the stage. Because there were so many categories and blogs to read out, as well as all those highly commended and winner announcements, the awards flew by. Not that either Helen nor I expected to win, but we breathed a sigh of relief when it wasn’t required to make an acceptance speech. Although, to be fair, it’s a shame that winners couldn’t make a little speech, something for UKBA15 perhaps?
As each winner was announced, it was drawing ever closer to ‘my’ category and the nerves hit – what if I did actually win? Would I trip and fall flat on my face? Would I scream like so many other winners before me had done?! As the soundtrack for the Lifestyle category played – quite apt that it was ‘It’s My Life’ by Bon Jovi (choon from one of my fave bands ever), I crossed my fingers.
The blog names appeared on the screen and were read out. I did a double take – The Purple Pumpkin Blog wasn’t listed…nor was it read out…it was like my blog was completely ignored. Hubs and I looked at each other and said WTF? Helen looked puzzled and through the award programme and yup, I was listed in there. As each blog was read out, there was a round of applause from the audience and a little cheer as people heard their blog names being read out…but not for me. Not a single clap for The Purple Pumpkin Blog :(
As the highly commended were read out, followed by the winner, I just sat stunned. I never went to the UK Blog Awards expecting to win (but oh how amazing would that have been!) but to not have any recognition on the night or promotion by way of huge screen with my blog’s name on it, along with the other finalists in my category – well, I’m gutted. After that, I switched off. I was really quite upset, but I cheered for Helen as Kiddy Charts was read out, sadly, she didn’t win in her category either.
As the ceremony came to an end, Helen and I said our goodbyes as she had a long journey home and wouldn’t be staying for the after party. As the chairs were cleared away to make a dance floor, I saw Gemma, the UK Blog Awards founder and introduced myself and explained that my blog wasn’t read out in my category. She apologised profusely and didn’t know what had happened. I will confess to holding back the tears – I wasn’t upset that I didn’t win, but upset because there was no recognition for my blog on the night – unlike everyone else.
We grabbed a couple of cocktails and tried to enjoy ourselves, but to be honest, but now I’d gotten so deflated I just wanted to go. We thought we’d try the hotel restaurant, but it was now shutting up shop for the night, so we headed back up to our room and made use of the mini-bar and room service ;)
I took one final selfie of my man and me, but how I wish we had a full length one of us in all our finery!
What started out as a night full of excitement and nerves, ended on a downer because of a technical error. I know that I’ve done really well to get into the finals, and the lifestyle category is a hard one because it is so varied and different, so I consoled myself on that and a few more drinks! Will it stop me from entering my blog for awards? Nope! See you next year at UKBA15!!! *fingers crossed*
The next day I thought to myself, maybe I’m not a lifestyle blog, maybe I just don’t fit into any specific category, so I came to the conclusion…
I’m not a food blog, or a craft blog or a travel blog or a photo blog – I’m The Purple Pumpkin Blog! http://t.co/xcl2iJKHVG
— Purple Pumpkin Blog (@cherry_o) April 26, 2014
*Update 29/4/14* Since writing this post I have heard back from Becki and Gemma who have again apologised, as they did on the night, and are very sad that my blog’s name wasn’t mentioned at the awards ceremony. By way of apology I’ve been given tickets to the Blog Journey Conference which is being held in October (date TBC) and will be writing a guest blog post over on the UK Blog Awards website.
The best news of all for me, is that tonight during #BlogHour (every Tuesday on Twitter) I’ll be receiving a “virtual round of applause” to make up for what I didn’t get the chance to receive at the awards ceremony! So, if you’re around on Twitter this evening, then do feel free to join in and give me a clap!
Claire Toplis
May 2, 2014 @ 8:42 am
love your quote.
fab hotel.
fabulous you
Wild & Grizzly
May 1, 2014 @ 9:05 pm
Oh no that’s crap that they didn’t mention your blog. At least they have tired to make up for it by giving you the guest blog post but still. you should feel super proud though that you got to the finals x
fritha strickland
May 1, 2014 @ 3:19 pm
oh no what a shame!! Like others said you should be so proud to be up there just unfortunate it ended that way x
Jo Clarke
April 30, 2014 @ 10:37 pm
Oh no, what a shame you got missed off. It sounds like the organisers feel terrible and have tried hard to make it up to you though. x
Kirsty Phillipson-Lowe
April 30, 2014 @ 10:23 pm
Oh no sorry you didn’t get the recognition that you deserved, you should feel so proud that you got that far, it’s amazing! x
Laura @ Kneadwhine
April 30, 2014 @ 9:40 pm
What a shame to have a bump to an otherwise lovely evening. At least they are trying to rectify it now though. x
Andrea Dodd
April 30, 2014 @ 9:29 pm
That must have been gutting. Well done for getting so far though :)
Bex Smith
April 30, 2014 @ 9:10 pm
Aww what a shame but at least they have tried to rectify the situation. xx
The Go To Mum
April 30, 2014 @ 1:32 pm
What a shame but glad they apologised and what a great night to be involved in
Keri-Anne
April 30, 2014 @ 12:46 pm
Oh. thats really sad that it wasn’t read out. x
Victoria MyLittleLBlog
April 30, 2014 @ 11:30 am
oh wow, I wish one day I can go to some kind of awards (parenting ideally) :-)
Helen
April 30, 2014 @ 10:24 am
Looks like you had a wonderful time. You may have not won but you still did very well! You should be proud of everything you have managed to achieve. x
lisa prince
April 30, 2014 @ 9:33 am
firstly lady, you look beautiful loving your outfit and that smile your carrying, weldone and glad you had a great time x
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 9:38 am
Ahh, thanks chick! We did have a great time, was nice to get the glad rags on!! xx
Kerry Louise
April 30, 2014 @ 9:31 am
So sorry to hear your name wasn’t read out, i think anyone would have been upset but you held it together really well. Sounds like an overall great evening though!
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 9:38 am
Overall it was fab – a really nice experience! Can only look forward to next year! x
You Baby Me Mummy
April 30, 2014 @ 8:48 am
That is awful, poor you. I would have felt exactly the same, but I would probably have cried #VirtualClapForYourBlog xx
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:51 am
I nearly did!! I got a #VirtualApplause last night during the UK Blog Awards #BlogHour on Twitter, it made up for it! xx And thank you for yours!
bericebaby
April 30, 2014 @ 6:48 am
Gosh, you are such a trooper! I know I’m not as tough skinned and would have cried my eyeballs out. Love your blog its amazing! The tweet you sent out was perfect too.
Congratulations for becoming a finalist, you totally deserve it.
Lotte xo
Berice Baby – London Lifestyle & Kids Fashion Blog
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:52 am
I’m normally quite a cry baby, but I think I was more shocked than anything – thank you for loving my blog hun! Hope to see you again soon xx
Helen Peakle Pie
April 30, 2014 @ 12:09 am
What a shame that you were missed off in error but WOW what an opportunity they have given you (so they should!) Thought you and hubby looked very dapper for the evening too! :)
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:52 am
It was a shame, but it was nice to get a #VirtualApplause last night on Twitter! Plus the other things I’m getting the chance to do! xx
Emily Tealady
April 29, 2014 @ 11:59 pm
Oh no! What a shame a technical error caused you to feel disappointed – I would have too. I am glad you have had an apology. Im clapping for you now! Such an achievement to get to finals and I love your tweet sums it up nicely x
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:53 am
Thank you so much for your claps :D I’m very proud to have got to the finals, will try again next year lol x
Debbie Johnson
April 29, 2014 @ 9:40 pm
I am really gutted for you as it’s such a shame to make such an effort and, well, ’nuff said’.
Awards what they are- it’s big up time- I love your blog, your tutorials, and the support you offer to everyone else by visiting their blogs and leaving lovely comments- so hopefully, and I truly hope, you don’t need an Award to know that.
Not only, as Sara-Jayne says are you bloody gorgeous- but you’re a proper blogger too (and that’s ‘proper’ in the Welsh sense of the word, proper.) xx
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:54 am
I know – tell me about it! Thank you for loving my blog, I really appreciate your kind comments! I read this last night on my phone so couldn’t reply, but it made me so happy and I cried! Thank you!! xx
KeepUpJonesFamily
April 29, 2014 @ 9:25 pm
So sorry they made that error! I would have felt the same. You looked beautiful though :)
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:55 am
I’m glad that my voice was heard when I apologised! Ah, thank you! xx
Kara
April 29, 2014 @ 9:04 pm
I would be gutted I wasn’t mentioned too, but it does sound like a fab night otherwise. I have never heard of these awards either
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:55 am
I can’t remember how I found out about them now – must have popped up somewhere for me to see them!! x
Globalmouse
April 29, 2014 @ 8:40 pm
Oh no that’s terrible…I read this willing you to be a winner or highly commended but how sad not to have been read out at all :( Well done for picking yourself up though and you both look great!
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:55 am
I think I’m more gutted at not being read out on the night than not winning!! Thank you xx
Polly Davies
April 29, 2014 @ 8:26 pm
that’s such a shame you didn’t get a shout out, hope you enjoyed the rest of the evening though x
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:56 am
It was a good evening all in all! x
Vikki Holness
April 29, 2014 @ 7:53 pm
Such a shame you were not included in the shout outs on the night, must have been very disappointing and upsetting for you but congratulations on making it as a finalist anyway! xxx
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:56 am
Thank you! It was a shame, but a few days later and I’m over it – I just keep looking forward! xx
Californian Mum
April 29, 2014 @ 7:45 pm
Shame they missed you out on the night, but looks like you had a fun evening. Well done for being a finalist!
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:56 am
Thank you! It was a fun evening despite the tech error! x
Healthier Mummy
April 29, 2014 @ 6:19 pm
Sounds like a lovely evening, but so sorry that your blog wasn’t called out. I would have been really gutted too. But you looked gorgeous in your finery!
Michelle Ordever
April 30, 2014 @ 8:57 am
Ah, thank you! I thought we scrubbed up pretty well!! xx
Jen Walshaw
April 29, 2014 @ 3:42 pm
Well done for getting shortlisted, but I would have been sad not to have seen my blog on the wall too
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 3:47 pm
I was gutted! And glad to hear I wouldn’t have been the only one if it had happened to them! x
RollercoasterMum
April 29, 2014 @ 2:47 pm
Well done for getting nominated and it certainly sounded like an amazing night (until the technical cock up!) At least they’re making up for it!
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 3:47 pm
Up until that point it was fab! I have to keep reminding myself I was a finalist and that in itself is a huge achievement! x
Jenny
April 29, 2014 @ 2:45 pm
Such a shame your name wasn’t read out but well done for making the shortlist!
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 3:44 pm
It was a shame, but I’m so proud for getting to those finals! x
Mellissa Williams
April 29, 2014 @ 2:36 pm
That’s a shame you weren’t mentioned! I wonder what happened there?
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 3:44 pm
I don’t know :( Probably will never know either! x
lisa H
April 29, 2014 @ 1:38 pm
what a shame your name wasn’t mentioned, I would have been gutted too having got yourself all worked up towards it! I’m glad that they have been so good about it to you though x
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 3:44 pm
I was a finalist and that in itself was a huge achievement of which I’m so proud of! x
Lindy Hamilton
April 29, 2014 @ 12:53 pm
It’s a really shame what happened but it looks like overall you had a lovely night and it’s nice that you got the round of applause on Twitter!
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 3:43 pm
They’ve been so apologetic and I’m so grateful for that x
Foz
April 29, 2014 @ 12:33 pm
Sounds like an amazing evening…but so sorry your blog was missed out! I probably would have cried after all that!! Hopefully you are in the awards next year! x
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 3:43 pm
I did have to hold them back – I’m such a cry baby! x
Louisa
April 29, 2014 @ 12:08 pm
I’m so sorry that a tech glitch put such a downer on your night. You should rightly be very proud of your nomination. Well done x
mummyoftwo
April 29, 2014 @ 11:48 am
It sounds like an amazing night up until the moment you were missed out! Such a shame as I bet it really ruined what should have been an amazing night for you.
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 11:53 am
Oh my gosh – I was deflated…it wasn’t even upset about the not winning, because I didn’t expect to win, but it was the nothing that made me wilt! x
Emily Shepperson
April 29, 2014 @ 11:09 am
Fingers firmly crossed for you for next year. I do enjoy your blog.
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 11:11 am
Thank you for reading and enjoying my blog – it makes the “job” worthwhile when I hear comments like that! x
Mumbling Wildly
April 29, 2014 @ 11:00 am
I’m really sorry that a silly admin failure spoiled your night, which from the first half of your post had obviously been amazing up until that point. You look extremely glamorous and would have made a great winner!
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 11:10 am
It was so much fun up until that point – I can’t convey in words how deflated I was! Thank you – I felt quite glam!! And hubs scrubbed up well too! x
sonya
April 29, 2014 @ 9:58 am
Awww sorry you missed out on your big moment, but congrats on being a finalist!
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 11:09 am
Thank you! x
savvywendy
April 29, 2014 @ 9:33 am
Well done for getting in the final and it sounded an amazing night. I am so sorry to hear they didn’t read your blog out, such a shame . x
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 9:45 am
It was a great night, it was nice to be out and dressed in our glad rags for a change! I was gutted but have had lots of apologies from the organisers – onward and upwards for my blog and me! x
Stephs Two Girls
April 28, 2014 @ 10:03 pm
Such a shame that they messed up, no excuses for that really. Hope they send an apology/compensation! Well done you for even being there in the first place though – and of course you know you’re a super blog :)
Michelle Ordever
April 29, 2014 @ 9:46 am
I’ve updated the post since you commented xx