THE BRILLANCE IN BLOGGING AWARDS – MY VOTES AND A PLEA
IN the three or so years that I have been blogging, I am forever amazed at the wealth of blogging talent that I come across.
Day in, day out.
At the ability, determination and creativity of bloggers. Women (and men) just like me – who pour their hearts out, who write ferociously, who share parts of their lives – for all the world to read and see.
So I love this time of year. Why?
Well because it’s time for the Brilliance in Blogging 2015 nominations. A time to celebrate bloggers, show some appreciation and share some blogger love.
The time of year when bloggers ask/ beg / plead for your votes and mine. And let me tell you, it’s a big ol’ thing to us bloggers. It makes us nervous, excited and a little bit crazy as we hope that we may just make the cut this year.
Nominations let us know that we’re doing ok, that we’re achieving something and that we’re touching people’s hearts and minds. Which to us bloggers, is pretty much everything.
So trust me when I say, even though awards are definitely NOT why we do this, your votes and your confidence in us, really does mean the world.
So will you vote for me?
So, first things first, I hate doing this but you know, now that I’m a blogger (and a professional blogger at that!) it’s part of the deal. I have to do this, sooooo, *takes deep breath*…
Lovely readers, if I’ve ever made you think, warmed your cockles or made you feel inspired or entertained, I would absolutely love it (and would bounce off the ceiling in joy!) if you would be kind enough to nominate me for a Brilliance in Blogging Award.
A few super duper people already have nominated me in the INSPIRE category so if you’d like to nominate me for this one too, well then that would be amazing. More than amazing in fact, it would be bloody marvellous!
I bare my soul on this ol’ blog because I’m truly passionate about trying to inspire other women to feel better about themselves. Because I know how hard it is to dig yourself out of a dark hole and seek the light. I’ve been there and my goodness me, let’s just say I’ve worn a few T-shirts over the years.
So if you would like to vote for me – and more importantly – if you think I deserve it, here’s all the info you need.
Open the nomination form by clicking HERE and enter the following underneath the INSPIRE category:
(Alternatively, you may like to nominate me in the writer category instead. But you know, it’s all entirely up to you! Any votes would be incredible.)
Blog name: Pouting In Heels
URL: http://www.poutinginheels.com
Twitter ID: @KateLPortman
Blogger’s email: katie@poutinginheels.com
URL of your favourite post: this one is totally up to you of course but if you need some inspiration, here are five posts I’m particularly proud of:
A letter to women in abusive relationships – from a survivor of one, me
What a woman talking about chips taught me about body image
How to fall in love with your body
We’re failing new mums and it’s NOT good enough
Thank you! x
So who gets my vote?
Good question!
I’ve toyed with this for so long now but I’ve finally made my mind up. Here’s my cream of the crop, my firm favourites that I’ve voted for.
(I just wish there were more categories like fitness, lifestyle, interiors etc so I can include more of my talented blogging pals! Sorry to all those who didn’t quite fit a category or I couldn’t squeeze in. x)
FRESH VOICE
I discovered Amy’s blog a few weeks ago and am already hooked. Amy writes like a dream, takes incredible photographs and her content is superb. Oh and her blog looks very swish too.
Unbelievably, Amy hasn’t been blogging for long at all but my goodness me, from what I can see and from what I have read so far, the blogging world has gained a new vibrant blogging star.
FOOD
Grace’s blog is just brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Like mini pieces of art, her food creations, although healthy are the stuff of kid’s dreams and always make me want to try harder as both a mother and a cook!
The creativity, the passion, the flair and the talent is just something to behold. Really wonderful.
INSPIRE
Yes I am indeed asking for votes for this category but I’m also voting in this category and not for myself but for my marvellous blogging buddy Leigh.
Leigh is the epitome of an inspirational blogger, sharing her soul and using her story to help others and make the world a better place.
As a writer and blogger, I admire anyone who has the courage to share their stories, to talk about their dark places and to reach out, as she does so brilliantly, to others. She and her blog – that she set up in memory of her son Hugo – really are something special.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Whenever I think about what I love about social media, I immediately think about the people who inspire through their feeds and who are generous of spirit, and so Michelle, for me, was the natural choice.
Michelle consistently shares other blogger’s posts (a very generous thing to do) and her social media channels radiate with positivity, joy and thankfulness, as does her rather wonderful blog.
She has also created a super linky which encourages more bloggers to be joyful and to share the blogging love.
WRITER
This was the toughest category for me. The hardest choice to make as I could fill this 100 times over! Argh! How on earth do I pick?!
In the end I’ve gone for the blogger whose writing I admire. Whose writing leaves me in awe and a little green with envy (in the nicest possible way!). Whose posts about motherhood are so beautiful, so poetic, so profound that reading them feels like a real treat. That blogger, that amazing writer, is the incredible Kiran.
PHOTO
Whenever I think of photography, the first blogger that instantly springs to mind is lovely talented Lucy.
Lucy’s images are just heavenly (like seriously) and her blog is a dream. Whenever I want instant visual inspiration or just a pretty online place to hang out, I always head on over to her stunning blog and I am never disappointed.
TRAVEL
My buddy Hannah had to get my vote in this category, because besides being a brilliant blogger and wonderful writer (her writing always makes me smile) she’s also set herself one hell of a travel challenge!
This year she has decided to visit all 45 castles in Northumberland with her little boy Reuben in tow and invites other people to join them! Her features are uplifting, humorous and real and her photography is captivating. Both Hannah and her travel challenge, always warm my cockles.
STYLE
The gorgeous Zaz is my heroine of style in the blogging world. Why? Because although she has style, glamour and beauty in spades, she also has substance in equal measure. There is much ‘more’ to her than meets the eye and this I love.
Her style posts are not the norm, making her stand out from the crowd and her stunning writing oozes with wisdom, wit and intelligence.
FAMILY
Another toughie but my vote has to go to Aby. I’m in awe of Aby if I’m honest. Of how she manages to tackle motherhood and blogging so brilliantly and so successfully. (Because both things are so tough at times!)
Her lovely blog oozes warmth and cosiness and is packed with charming family tales, heart warming images and blogging pearls of wisdom. Kind, clever and wise, Aby is a joy to know and a real ‘motherly’ figure to all bloggers -new and old.
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Good luck to all bloggers entered into the awards and a big thank you to anyone who has voted for me in the BiBs. xxx
With love and fingers crossed,
Kate
Pics: Masque Photography
Oh goodness lovely Kate you’ve got me blubbing into my afternoon coffee! *sob* Thank you so much for your generous words and for your vote. You of course already had my vote as soon as nominations opened darling and I wish you the very best of luck with this year’s nominations xxx
We’re aligned with a fair few of these nominations hon… it’s just a shame we couldn’t pick three blogs per category isn’t it! Very best of luck gorgeous xxx
Ok so now I’m crying, and for once I’m not sure how to express my gratitude, sometimes thank you just isn’t enough. But thank you. Your words have really touched me, blogging saved me when I felt I had nothing to say and was utterly lost and alone. I never thought blogging would become a business or a way of life and it was pretty scary to leave my filmmaking identity behind to embrace being a pro blogger but I love it, with all my heart.
Kate you are such a kind hearted, loving, talented and strong woman who supports other women fearlessly and lights up the room and the blogosphere with your presence. I remember one week you were away or unwell and I was literally down in the dumps not being able to connect with your blog or on social media. That’s how loved you are.
Thank you again. I feel honoured to be mentioned among my favourite bloggers. I’ve voted for you all and even had my husband vote for you guys too! You have the greatest taste!
Blogging is a huge part of my life but without friendships like yours and the others, that camaraderie, and my family of course, it’s soulless, thank you for being a great friend and for being someone who totally gets this brave new world we are in, lots of love and you totally deserve to win hun, you all do, much love xxx
Here here Vicki, second everything you’ve said about friendship, so grateful and blessed to know you all xx
I am so touched to get your vote Katie and I am thrilled to be warmer of your cockles :) I loved what you wrote! Then I read your vote for Outstanding (which btw is the same as mine!!) for Vicki and I got proper goosebumps! I love both you ladies and third Michelle’s second – thank god for you ladies and real friendship!! xxxxxxx
Oh lovely Kate, I hate what has happened to me in the past year, but I love that my blog has meant our paths have crossed, and that they have also crossed with some other kind, wonderful women. You are a kind woman, wonderful inspiring lady and fantastic friend. I’d like to copy and paste everything Vicki has said above! I’m truly honoured, touched and privileged to receive such a mention. Thank you again, it really does mean the world xxx
Oh wow Kate darling, I am so honoured and touched that you would vote for me in the style category – I sometimes feel as though I don’t feel in any particular niche, but then as a person I don’t suppose many of us do or want to either. Most undeniably one of the greatest prizes of blogging must be the friendships that have developed over the last year with you and the girls – I treasure your support, your wisdom, your wit, your words on your own blogs and when you comment on mine. Honestly, I feel so blessed already! I wish you masses of luck, and you are already a blogging hero in my eyes, as well as an amazing woman and wonderful friend xxxx
Some great choices there chick. You have inspired me to do a similar type post. xxx
Oh lovely, I am completely blown away and so incredibly touched by your words. I am constantly amazed anyone reads my blog, and for you to be so kind about my writing means the absolute world.
I’m honoured to be in a post among such wonderful women who are all achieving so much with their own words. You are, my darling, an inspiration. Good luck in the awards, you deserve to go far xxxx
Huni, thank you so much for nominating me, I am so grateful and so touched by your kind words. I love blogging so much and the biggest gift is the friends it has brought into my life. Thank you so much lovely lady. I hope you win, as you are so supportive and talented xxxx
katie, I am honestly so blown away by this nomination and thank you from the bottom of my heart, truly it means so much to me I can’t even! I have so much admiration for you and your blog and I can’t wait to meet you and thank you in person in June. Thank you xxx
A brilliant line-up here! I’m still deciding – it’s so tough to choose, especially in Writer and Family. You totally deserve Inspire nominations, best of luck! xx
Great choices it is hard to choose isnt it, I have submitted my choices but they were not easy to choose, good luck x
Lots of luck in the BiBs – great blogs you have nominated too!
A really fab post; what a treat for all those you’ve nominated and hope you get all the nominations you’re hoping for. It’s really interesting reading nominations’ posts; I’m in the process of sorting mine out. All the best to all of us BIBs hopefuls. I look forward to reading more of your posts. #aNoviceMumPostStumble