Clockwise from top left:
1. The room in the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Bloomsbury Street, with much tweeting going on.
2. My buddies on Table 12: Leanna (Diary of a Premmy Mum) and Lucy (Lulastic and the Hippyshake)
3. Emma (Adventures of an Unfit Mother) with her award for Best Family Life Blog
4. Me with Lisa (Mummy Whisperer) – thanks to Jen for the Instagram photo.
5. Emma with Myleene Klass who was at the ceremony representing Start-rite, one of the sponsors.
6. Lisa and Jen (Jenography) with blingy bag.
The 2012 MAD (Mum and Dad) Blog Awards was held on Friday night at a rather swanky ceremony at the Radisson hotel, Bloomsbury Street. I had decided to drive to Cockfosters station and tube it from there, rather than go by train, which meant I was a little more in control of timings and was able to stop off en route and visit my elderly Aunt in Hertfordshire. Brownie points gained, I arrived about 3.30pm and, because they couldn’t seem to find, or have readily available, my booked standard double, I was upgraded to a rather lovely deluxe with king size bed. Having no husband with me to share this opulence, I settled on the next best thing: a bag of crisps, cup of tea and my feet up watching Countdown and Deal or No Deal. Classy.
More lazing about, a bubble bath, another cuppa, and it really was time I came out of my hidey-hole and meet up with the others at the reception. Thankfully I met Jen Howze in the lift so I had a pal to accompany me. I needn’t have worried – there were plenty of familiar faces, some I’d met on the yacht party (how braggy does that sound!?) and some bloggers I’d never met but knew instantly from their Twitter avatars or from photos on their blogs. The noise level was pretty intense with the babble from dozens of excitable females and a few bemused chaps filling the lobby of the hotel. The standard of dress was at Oscar level: seriously gorgeous frocks, vertiginous heels and hair-dos (including Lucy’s retro up-do, showing us what you can create with a loofah and plenty of hairspray – see photo top right).
Photographs were taken by the official photographer as groups of bloggers draped themselves willingly over the sofa, fizz was sipped or swigged, and nervous chatter continued until we were ushered into the main room for dinner. Tempura squid, chicken, warm pear and chocolate tart were on the menu, all beautifully cooked. Wine went down a treat, though I spilled mine over Phillipa, the Skoda Lady’s, phone whilst speaking too much with my hands. She was remarkably relaxed about it and thankfully didn’t set the yeti mascot onto me as punishment.
There was a lot of excitement when we discovered Myleene Klass was attending the event. She was very tiny, very beautiful and very friendly: she was more than happy to be photographed with everyone and I’d like to think she enjoyed our company as much as we did hers.
The award ceremony had plenty of whoops, laughs, tears and applause. The most poignant moment was the announcement that Kerry from Multiple Mummy, who is very ill at the moment, had won two awards: her husband was there to collect them on her behalf, to a standing ovation.
On our table, Table 12, (Emma, Leanna, Lucy, Heather, Helen, me and the two Skoda ladies) we had two winners: Emma and Heather winning their respective categories. I didn’t win the Family Travel category but it went to a blogger I have always admired: Victoria at It’s a Small World After All.
As the evening came to a close, I managed to get round lots of people for a chat before my contact lenses gave up the ghost and I sneaked off to my over-sized bed. On the way I picked up the goody bag which included make-up, baby toothpaste, energy pills, yoghurt bars, a cool bag ( a bag for keeping your sarnies cool, not the latest Mulberry, I hasten to add) and some lip balm. My favourite freebies were the Hello Kitty ear muffs and the rubber gloves for sensitive skin, which you can see me modelling here. They are meant to be worn together, surely?
A big thank you to the organisers of the MAD Blog Awards for a great evening at a superb venue. Congratulations to all the winners and all the finalists. There were 100,000 votes and 3000 blogs nominated so to reach the final was a pretty big deal for all of us.
So glad you had a good time. I didn't know that you painted your toenails, so thanks for sharing.
I'm a little bit confused, what were the criteia for the Mum & Dad awards?
Love the earmuffs
My toenails and fingernails were bright orange to match my little shruggy cardigan thing. All my own work, though I did go over the edges a bit.
The Mum & Dad Blog awards are in their third year now: blogging awards for UK parents.
Sounds like brilliant fun, so sorry I missed it. And how fab do you look with Miss Kitty and Marigolds?
I think it could start a trend 🙂
Brilliant to meet you Trish & love the pics!! (adventures of an unfit mother)
I was so pleased to find you on my table. Keep chuckling to myself about strawberry yoghurt too ;-))
Swish hotels, fizz, yacht parties, fancy food, dressing up……crikey Trish!
One endless whirl of high living for you at the moment eh? although I like to think that you still keep a foot in the 'normal life' camp…..teenagers need feeding and beds need making….(you do make your own beds don't you???).
Oh yes, in fact I've changed the sheets today, have done a few loads of washing since I've been home and everyone has been fed. Though Dougie did do the shopping before I got home yesterday and cooked the tea. I think he missed me 🙂
Hey, you didn't tell us Sarah Parish would be there!!How the other half do live…especially the bag of crisps and Countdown bit!!Thanks Trish for a good laugh – I needed that.x
I thought maybe I'd be asked to go round the tables so everyone could get their photo taken with Sarah Parish…but no!
I also had an apple I'd pinched from the display in reception.
Sounds (and looks) like a very glam do. Shame you didn't win, but the goodie bag sounds erm… random? 😉
I didn't mind really, especially after winning at BritMums, it would have been unseemly to win both 😉
Don't you just love random goody bags. There was a candle too, plus a big jar of some sprinkle sugar to go on cupcakes – too heavy for case so left in my room! I gave Rory a pack of bendy Stabilo pens…think they'll be just the thing for Sixth Form!
The jar was a cake mix, and you could have won £400!
Sally, have just realised this, reading the thread on the MADS Facebook page! Of all the things to leave behind: I managed to squeeze everything else in. There is a maid at the Radisson who has a chance of winning now, or at least she can treat herself to a cupcake.
I had a lovely time too, I wish we'd met. xx
I saw you from afar when you were collecting your award. It must have been such an emotional night for you x
That last photograph is just brilliant! Thank you for keeping me up to date with the whole thing, so sorry not to have met you this time! 🙂 Emma xx
We must meet up some time, surely! Will have to just come to Munich then!
Yes, you very must! 🙂
So what was that you said earlier this year about not really fancying the idea of bloggy conferences and the like?
Hmm, yes..well…a woman's prerogative to change her mind haha!
OMG I can't believe that yet again you get all the good stuff : Hello Kitty ear muffs! Do you know I would sell my blog for a pair of Hello Kitty Ear Muffs !
(ps glad you had a good time ! )
£4 from George at Asda. Bargain.
It all looks very entertaining and cheerful. Glad you had a good time and came back with such useful goodies. 🙂
Have been trying out the baby moisturising cream today and it's gorgeous. Halo and Horns is the make, no nasty things in it, and I smell lovely!
They are most definitely meant to be worn together, you are storted outfit wise for next year!
Very happy for you that you had such a fab time. xx
I was a little nervous beforehand but there's something strangely familiar about walking into a room full of bloggers as you feel you know them already, which is quite true really!
Was lovely to meet you and glad you had a lovely night x
Shame I didn't get a photo of you in your gorgeous dress, but readers here can always pop over to yours to see how fab you looked!
What a glam evening and what a beautiful bunch of women. Great piccy of you in your swag bag stuff!
There's a real Cinderella look to that photo, isn't there? I blame that bloody pumpkin again.
So that's why you won't be at the Mumsnet bash – too knackered from living it up at all these Awards ceremonies!!
Indeed, my old bones can't handle another jolly!
Ha ha! I laughed at the yacht comment! Just a normal week for us eh?? So lovely to see you again, can't wait for the next meet up. xx
I'm still dining out on our yacht experience. Marvellous!
Looks like a really glam, fun evening! And a room upgrade on top!
You're working those rubber gloves, Trish.
Very many congratulations on making it to the finals.
Thanks, Alison, it was a real privilege to reach the finals and enjoy all the pre-ceremony fuss over the last few months.
I'm quite a rubber glove fan: don't do anything round the house until I've got my marigolds on 😉
Wasn't it an amazing night, many congratulations on being a finalist and so sorry I didn't get to chat to you, though I notice I crept into one of your photos. A lovely round up of the night.
OOh yes, there you are in the fabulous little gold number! It's only when you get back you realise how many people you didn't say hello to: it's all such a whirl.
I think you were a very deserving winner of your category, have heard such good things about Coombe Mill.
Such a fab evening and great to see that everyone enjoyed it 🙂 I was wondering about these Yacht meet-ups?! Where can I get me one 😉 lol. Keep up the good work xx
The yacht meet-up was a great bonus for being in the travel category – and then they extended the invite to a few other, mainly London-based finalists. If it ever comes up again, I'll let you know!
Congratulations on nearly winning and at least getting a bit of free grub and must-have fashion accessories for the better class cleaning lady.
Further congratulations on the use of "the" and "s" and "to", otherwise it might be "Mums gone MAD". It shows the importance of proper grammar, methinks.
I'm still unsure of the grammar with regard to the word 'MADS'. Should probably be MADs if we are being pedantic? I should stop fretting and get on with th cleaning!
Ha ha. You're like royalty! I remember seeing you with Lisa, but it was impossible to meet everyone. Congrats on making it that far – must have been worth it for the Yacht party! XX
The yacht party would have been enough for me. I can dine on that night for years to come! X
It was amazing wasn't it?! So pleased I got to meet you. Do stay in touch xx
It was great to be a finalist: the winning didn't matter as there was so much excitement in the months leading up to the award night. Great to meet you on the yacht and again last Friday x
It sounds like such a fabulous do! Congratulations to all the finalists and winners. Fingers crossed I get to come along one year. 😀
Sounds like a lovely and glamorous event, even if the goodie bags were a bit random. The upgrade to the suite = icing on the cake!
Oh my gosh – how glam?! Great post – almost as good as being there. Almost.