Last weekend was the fifth annual MAD Blog Awards, the UK’s largest and (almost certainly) most exciting awards for Mum and Dad bloggers.
You’d think after five years, we’d have this thing down pat. That the evening would run like a finely oiled machine, with no surprises whatsoever. But you would be wrong.
Thanks to an excellent team, some fabulous sponsors and an absolute dream of a venue in the Royal Garden Hotel Kensington, we had a fabulous night. But there’s always the Blogger Factor. By which I mean, you can never predict exactly what a group of bloggers on a night out will get up to. But it’s almost never the thing you expected.
So what really happened that night in Kensington?
There was a lot of hugging. Big, squeezy bear hugs. Not by me, I hasten to add. *shakes head emphatically*
Lindy danced with Pikachu. There are a lot of reasons why Lindy is one of my very favourite people in the world, but these photos? I think they come pretty high on the list.
Some people might have done some things that look extremely questionable with hindsight. Some of those people might be called Colette.
There was a lot of smooching. The guy in blue seems to have been involved in most of it.
We proved that there is simply no such thing as “old enough to know better”.
And everyone, without exception, looked gorgeous.
But most of all, we laughed.
What I love about the MAD Blog Awards is it’s always such a fun-filled occasion.
And that’s how it should be, maybe.
Because blogging – even when it’s very serious and emotional and powerful – is something most of us do because it brings us enjoyment. It brings us a creative spark, and friendship, and achievement and all of those things deserve to be celebrated. So thanks as ever go to everyone who helped make it such a very fun night, and to all of my amazing team who not only help pull together these events so brilliantly, but also make my job so much more fun than it would be otherwise. To Becky, Lindy, Liz, Victoria, Kiran, Alison and Victoria – my endless gratitude and see you all in 2015, right?
(all photos courtesy of the awesomely brilliant Tom Arber, and I’m not only saying that because he let me hide behind him as Dr Ranj’s jokes got progressively less and less family-friendly as the night wore on…)
Such lovely photos! Can’t believe I missed it this year 🙁 Gutted!
Congratulations in the lovely event Sally!
Next year for sure!
Belting night Sally, even for us shy retiring types….
Oh yes. Shy. *cough*
*snorts coffee*
He is a star that Tom, isn’t he? Awesome pictures. Thanks for a brilliant night x
He’s such a lovely photographer, I think he always captures the mood of the event. Glad you had fun, it was brilliant to have you there. congrats again!
Great post, I love the photos, especially the ones of Colette. Looks like a fantastic night and sorry that I couldn’t get the time off work for it. Hoping to be there next year! x
Thanks Donna, we had a lot of fun, and (in my case) a few minor heart attacks.
Your minor heart attacks *might* have added to the humour for some of us 😉 x
*hangs head*
Anything for a laugh right 😉 x
Absolutely. Besides, the Ranj? Totally loved it.
It was awesome fun. Laughed SO much x
It was a fantastic night. You looked lovely too Sally. So great to have an event where we can just chat and mingle and laugh whilst at the same time giving a massive pat on the back and recognition to some of the best inspiring, entertaining and amazing blogs. Winner, all round 🙂
Thanks Kerrie, it was fab to have you there and dancing!
Ah, love this, and LOVED the night itself. You guys are so amazing for pulling it all off (excuse the DR.Ranj joke there) and what struck me about the night was how happy everyone was – no complaints, no tears, no moaning, just lots of laughs, like you said. Thank you.
Looks like you all had a blast without me. #notatalljealous #nopenotme
Next year, DG, next year…
What a lovely post 😉 it was full of laughter wasn’t it! I love that despite the fact you hardly know people, you all laugh and chat as if you’re old friends! It’s an amazing thing 😉 I don’t think we got to meet properly ! I was the giant red pregnant one who did quite a lot of sitting down… lol x glad you had a lovely time :))) x
Thanks, it is so nice to hear people say they had fun, it’s what it’s all about!
great photos & looked like a great night – sad that I couldn’t be there in the end.
We missed you! Next year, hopefully 🙂
I was watching all the instagram and twitter feeds avidly, it looked as though you all had a fabulous night, great photos too.
Superb post, incredible night, so many inspirational bloggers and, oh, seems like I hug a lot…
Thank you Sally
Hayley
x