It’s taken me a few weeks to come down from cloud number nine to write this post. I’ve enjoyed my time up there in the cloud looking smitten and feeling ohhhh so very freakin grateful. In case you hadn’t heard (where have you been?), I won a blog award! Well, actually two blog awards but I’m not gloating, I promise.
Winning an award (or two) is a funny thing. I’ll be honest, I actually haven’t won too many awards in my life. Well now that I think about it I might have won only one award way back in year five for ‘neatest handwriting’ but it came with a certificate not a trophy. Oh, do you remember the smell of those freshly printed certificates?
A few months back I opened my emails and there in my inbox was a message informing me I was a finalist in the ‘BUPA Blog Awards’, heck I didn’t even know I was nominated! To say I was a bit excited was an understatement! I squealed and called the huz and even shared it on my ‘Friday night live @5’ video with all of you.
Here’s what I really loved, you were just as excited as me!
You guys were excited ‘for’ me and let me tell you, I really felt the love. The power of this little community is strong, we’re a great bunch of cheerleaders and this community is why I choose to jump online every single day and bare just a little more of my soul.
Being a finalist for the awards came at just the right time, self doubt can creep in when you’re in the blogging game and I needed a sign that I was on the right path. You see it’s not always easy to share so much of myself online, to take so much of me away from everyday life. Don’t get me wrong I love it and I’m committed to what I do, but a hi 5 from my peers was a nice touch.
The awards process was fun and seamless, along with all the other finalists I was invited to a Facebook group just for finalists, great way to get to know the others. I was also given the opportunity to attend workshops and listen to Webinars, a little extra training and knowledge is always welcome. Not once did I feel pressure to rock up to ‘all’ the trainings, the team at BUPA ‘get’ bloggers and know we are juggling life with ‘all’ the balls in the air.
Finally it was time to head to Melbourne (oh how I love it there) for the Awards dinner but first a quick visit with my mate Kerry from Harlow. I took in a little show watching Kerry speak on a panel, a quick and yummy dinner and time for some much needed sleep.
In the morning it was time for a little yoga in Federation Square. Uh huh, I got all bendy in my activewear with the BUPA team and Beth from Baby Mac. I’m pretty sure she had no clue who I was but it was a treat to get huffy puffy beside her.
Another workshop done and dusted and before you know it we were all mingling in Vue de monde, frocked up and looking very fancy pants. Oh man do the team at BUPA know how to host a dinner event, so much pretty, stunning views and the food was amazing!!
We were fortunate enough to hear from some guest speakers (major talents) and then onto the first award of the night, announcing the winner of the lifestyle category.
Ummm, excuse moi, but it was me!! Could that smile get any wider?
Holy heck, the adrenaline started pumping through my body and I may have even had a leaky eye as I headed up to accept my award and make a speech. Wow! A real award and look at how pretty it is…
Then at the end of the ceremony the overall ‘Blog of the year’ was announced and far out it was me again! Check out all the winners HERE
I’m not gonna lie, I actually did have a little howl behind my hands. I couldn’t believe it, all those words I have written, all the pieces of my life I have shared and all the hours spent doing ALL the things behind the scenes and here I am right now in a fancy frock heading up to accept my second award…gratitude bursting from me in all directions.
Look how well placed the blondies with a rockin short hairdo are placed 🙂
Look, I wanna be humble and cool about it but the truth is, I am proud as punch. I’ve worked really hard, sometimes I stumbled and I’ve been totally wingin it since I started, but I have kept going because I love blogging so much.
I’ve put in some (loads) long hours and had to learn so much that was foreign to me. My family have become my daily photographers, they know not to touch their meals until mumma has snapped eleventy billion pics, and they have had to get used to me tapping on a screen more often than most mums!
There’s been good, bad and funny times, surreal moments, flat patches, a couple of trolls and then there’s all of you…my community.
When I started blogging it was never for awards, money or fame, it was always about connection and helping others, everything else since has been a natural progression of what is now my business and life all rolled into one package.
Every single day you guys allow me to just be ‘me’, I get to share the good and bad and along the way we have fun and change lives. I get to collaborate with amazing businesses who trust me with their brand or message and I get to share all of that with all of you!
I’m always genuinely excited to jump online and chat with you all, which sometimes leads to over posting but know that my heart is always in the right place.
Awards are a wonderful recognition, and they look very pretty on my dresser but more than the award I also value the whole process. The care and time taken by the BUPA team and all the other bloggers involved was outstanding. To be in a room with ALL that talent feeds a bloggers soul and my heart and soul is still bursting.
So where to from here? Well, now I get to do more of the same plus I am fortunate to collaborate with BUPA to amplify my message, reaching the people who need it most. Life is already busier with more people wanting to connect, I’m working on some great projects and looking forward to sharing this with you all.
My life is good, it’s really good and I’m plugged in enjoying it all because you know, life is short and all. From the bottom of my heart I’d like to say ‘thankyou’ to everyone who is a part of Styling Curvy, you all make me one happy chick.
Til next time,
Jen X
Thanks to photographer Caitlyn Thompson from ‘Porter Novelli’ for some of the pics.
You know how I feel about both you Jenni & Styling Curvy, so I don’t need to say it all here again. What I do want to say is how impressed I am that you did yoga in those sensational earrings!!! Hope Babymac asked you where you got them! 😉 xx
Haha…love you hun! Those earrings always get comments 🙂
I’m SO happy for you Jenni! It’s brilliant to be recognised for all that you do. Thank you from me, all the way over here in little NZ. You and your blog have helped me in significant and life changing ways. I truly appreciate the time you have spent responding to my messages and sharing such consistently positive, soul-cheering stuff. I’m stoked you won!
I still remember your first email to me Rach and have loved watching your journey…nailing life lady xxx
Wow Jen! You are truly an inspiration! I love seeing you everyday…it actually feels like you are my friend as I feel like I know you so well! Congrats on your wins …you deserve it so much! X
Thanks Karen, I feel the same way about all the ladies in my community…you all matter to me x
So well deserved!! And you looked truly awesome on the night ??
Thanks Tania, my dress was from City Chic outlet store. It cost $80 and I felt amazing 😉
Congratulations Jen, I loved reading about your journey to reach this incredible event, how exciting for you and your family. I love your honesty and how you talk with us, not down to us like celebrities can. Yes you are a celebrity! You touch your followers with you knowledge, ideas, words of wisdom, photos and ability to see beauty in everything. Keep shining!
thanks Judith I’m a big believer that no one should look down on someone unless they are helping them up…we are all equals in this game of life Thanks for being a part of it all x
So thrilled for you! You’ve put so much heart into your blog and your community, this is such lovely and well deserved recognition xxx
Thanks Tatum, it’s been an awesome ride and my life is better for blogging x
No one deserves that more than you my lovely friend. Can’t wait to see where you go from here! Much love x x
thanks so much Fleur …. I can’t wait either x
Nawww even I got a bit teary just reading it! Well done Jen, very much deserved and a great recognition for all the work you do. xo
Thanks Caitlyn for your support and friendship xx
Jen Ive never followed a blog before but Im really pleased that Ive begun following yours. I was in a low place in regards to my body & dealing with alot of stress at work which has escalated beyond comprehension when I found you? but reading your blogs is so great…i really love your openness, your vulnerability to share all of you with us and your hilarious vids and posts. Thanks because im not sure that you are fully aware of what you do for US out here in the ether. Thank you
JO…this is why I do what I do! I am so pleased you found me and here’s to better times ahead lady x
So well deserved Jen…your blogs and postings are so informative and your positive messages on life are an inspiration. Enjoy your achievements and this recognition. Can’t wait to see where this takes you. Xx
Thankyou Pam, I’m in this life to leave a mark and make a difference…let’s see what happens 🙂
So Friggin happy for you babe.
Tears of joy welling up for you as I read along!!
You, Your blog and everything else you achieve make you a woman that truly rocks. Blessed to call you a friend, was super lovely having you visit and getting to spend some time & feed our belly’s together.
Well deserved! Keep rocking as you only know how
Love to ya
xxx
and how blessed am I to have you as a friend?1
Thanks Kerry for your support in business and for your friendship. xxx
I JUST CANT WAIT TO MEET YOU. 6 WEEKS AND COUNTING DOWN. x
We are going to have some fun!
Big congratulations & massive thanks for all that you do & say, & for who you are! Just love being connected via your FB page & blogs.
thanks for being a part of it all Desley x
Jenny, you deserve every accolade out there. You are a living, breathing celebration of life and each post has a reach you could never imagine.
I love reading your blog and love, even more, how you give me courage through your words. I love seeing your gorgeous smile on my screen and it always puts a smile on my face as I head out into the world.
I hope you have those sparkly trophies on display in a prominent place so they glimmer at you as you pass, reminding you of the strength of your words and the way you connect with people.
thanks lovely, the trophies are on my dressing table. they make me smile every morning x
Congratulations, they couldn’t have picked a morw worthy winner. Your blog and insta are so inspiring, keep up the amazing work xxx
Thankyou Kaisa, I appreciate your kind words x
Well done, you!
It’s an amazing thing to build a community around you, you’ve excelled at that Jen.
Styling Curvy is a relatable, positive space, you’re right yo be very proud of all you’ve achieved so far.
Thanks Annette, I love what I do
I am truly pleased for you! Love reading your blog and following (aka stalking) you on facebook. Keep up being so real and down to earth. Curvy girls unite 🙂
awww, Thanks Lisa xxx
This makes me so happy! I’m so proud of you, all that you’ve achieved and this wonderful community you have built. Those awards are so well deserved – your future is looking so bright, put your shades on lady! Much love xx
Thanks for all your support Sammie, I might have to pull out my fancy shades xx
Sometimes I wonder how people win awards, but not in your case. As soon as I saw who the finalists were I knew you had to be a winner. So much honesty, so much value. Congratulations again Jenni ?
Oh that’s so lovely Jan, thankyou xxx
So well deserved Jen. You really are a shining light! Xx
thanks Shannon, let’s hope my light shines for a very long time x
I am so proud of you and it was an honour to be there jumping out of my seat when you won the whole bloody thing!! Awesome sauce lady. Completely deserving. xx I am doing the double finger kiss to you that I have seen you do so many times. A signature Jenni move. 😀
Haha, thanks Karin. I had a brilliant time with you and Lisa and am looking forward to a catchup when I’m in Brisvegas next month. I think I am hosting an event while there so book the baby sitters xx
Congratulations Jenni! So proud to have been a part of the night in a small way, and can’t wait to see what the next year (and more) brings for you!
Thankyou Renee and thanks to for being so helpful and accommodating throughout the whole process 😉
WoW!!! Sooo happy for you Jen!!! You’re as warm in person as you are on your blog. Highlight of last years PB was cracking up with you everytime we met up. So well deserved, your voice is strong and so well loved. You rock!!! xx
Thanks gorgeous, I hope you loved PB this year too 🙂
Congratulations, so well deserved Jen! xx
Thanks Kathryn, I’m chuffed ?
Thanks Kathryn, I’m chuffed ?
Well done and well deserved Jenni, you’ve created a wonderful community and I feel blessed just to have come across you and your blog!
Thanks so much Stephanie xx
congratulation jen! that is fantastic!
you deserve it hun! … you keep it so real and honest!
looking gorgeous too! the light shining from you!
much love m:)X
Thanks merilyn, I’m tickled pink x