It still hasn’t sunk in that over a week ago I was at the BritMums Live for their two day conference. Whilst many bloggers have written about what they learnt during the conference I want to focus on things I wish to celebrate from the two days.
As Adventures of Adam went live on March 5th this year I am a newbie in the world of blogging. I was over the moon when my blog was shortlisted for the Brilliance in Blogging (BiBs) Fresh Voice Award. You can imagine how completely shocked I was when I became a finalist. Thank you to everyone who voted for us.
Going to my first blogging conference and my first BiBs party was certainly nerve wrecking but in the end the excitement won over. I couldn’t get over the size of venue but then there were 700 bloggers!
It was at the BiBs party when it hit home to me what an amazing achievement it was to be a finalist. It felt surreal to see Adventures of Adam listed everywhere!
The Awards Ceremony was hosted by Katy Hill, who was also a finalist in the Fresh Voice category. Her jokes about the other Fresh Voice finalists eased my nerves. It was a proud moment to see my blog name on the big screen.
Unfortunately I didn’t get to take the award home. I wasn’t disappointed for me but for the publicity that winning the award could have brought for Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Pregnancy Sickness Support. However, just after the award ceremony I recieved a better prize in the form of an email. It read “I just wanted to say how glad I am that I found your website. I have a toddler and hyperemesis for the second time. I’ve been feeling guilty that I haven’t been able to do much with my daughter so was delighted to come across activities we can try. What a fabulous resource.”
It isn’t everyday you can say you were a runner up against a former Blue Peter presenter! Luckily she took my “Bi*ch!” comment in jest when I got the chance to meet her. Definitely check out Katy Hill’s Blog– she is extremely funny and down to earth.
As a result of being a Fresh Voice finalist I’ve also got to know the lovely Kanchan from Intrepid Misadventurer. Prior to BritMums, I didn’t know any other bloggers who lived in Norfolk. Kanchan and I only live a few miles apart.
I also want to celebrate the friendships that I have developed because of blogging. I knew Amanda and Katrina before Adventures of Adam because of my volunteer work with Pregnancy Sickness Support. They both inspired me to make the leap into the world of blogging. It was great to spend the two days with them. (Thanks to Carin for the photo)
We also managed to FaceTime Caitlin (aka Spewing Mummy) who is currently in America. Fingers crossed next year our PSS group will be bigger!
When I was in the depths of Hyperemesis Gravidarum I never expected anything positive could come from those dark days. However, since finding Pregnancy Sickness Support I have been privileged to meet some amazingly strong women. Emma from Me the Man and the Baby certainly fits into that category. HG survivors together!
Throughout the two days I was lucky to meet Amy and Carin and had a lovely post BiBs celebratory meal with them.
I was also lucky to meet Harriet at the Starbucks Pre-BritMums meet up. Check out Toby and Roo – I am in awe of her stylish blog and her amazing finds.
So BritMums for me was about celebrating how far Adventures of Adam has come in a few short months and for being thankful for the amazing friendships that have developed through blogging.
Who knows what the next year will bring!
It was SO lovely meeting you! And how much fun was Britmums Live?! So great to meet so many talented bloggers – all muddling along and supporting each other through this crazy process together! And Adam is GORGEOUS. I love your blog. Keep up the amazing work! See you one day soon I hope. xx
Thank you my lovely. I thought blogging would mean that I could hide behind my laptop. I never imagined there would be this exciting world behind it! See you at the next conference x
It was wonderful meeting you Emma! And you certainly have plenty to celebrate! I can only see good things in your future. (Never got to speak to Harriet all weekend despite being at the Starbucks meet together- next time!)
So glad we got to meet at the Starbucks meet up. It was great to get to know you for the weekend. Looking forward to next year!
Well done Emma I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and have used some of the activities just for fun with Amelia, we loved the session with the jelly worms I hope things go from strength to strength
Thanks honey. I hope Amelia gets lots of use out of her Tuff Spot – just don’t tell Adam that Amelia has one with legs!
Oh it was so lovely to meet you too! I love this post, it was such an event to celebrate… and you have certainly got me in awe of your fabulous activities, what an absolute treasure your blog is 🙂 xxx
I want to know where you get your amazing items – you certainly shop in some fantastic places! A fantastic weekend meeting great friends x
What a lovely write up, Emma! You’re so lovely 🙂 It’s been a pleasure spending time with you at BML, that was the highlight for me – connecting with people! xx
Thank you. Who would have known two Norfolk bloggers would be in the same finalist list! Looking forward to the next meet up x
Happy memories looking back through your post here. Great to finally meet you all be it briefly. That email is wonderful, how great to be making a difference like that to other people’s lives.
I don’t know if I was more star struck by seeing you or Katy Hill! Lovely to meet you 🙂
How fabulous that you were a finalist in the Fresh Voice after only a few months of blogging. Very well done,
Thank you – certainly a leap into the blogging world
That is amazing to get to the finals at such a newbie state. Just barely making the few months old cut off even better. I was shortlisted with you and I can relate how you must feel being a newbie up with so many great bloggers. Way to go you!! Great post too! It was such a great event, I feel like I needed a few more days to meet everyone and learn more!! So much to still do. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
Shortlisted, finalists, award winner = we are all winners. Certainly can’t wait until BritMums 2015!
Thank you for linking up to Share With Me. I hope to see you again today for another great round of it. Loved this post and hopefully I get to meet you next year. Definitely looking forward to it. #sharewithme
I shall link up to Share With Me by the end of the week 🙂 Fingers crossed I get to meet you next year x
This just totally highlights the wonderful friendships that can be formed through the blogging support network. #ShareWithMe
It is certainly one aspect of the ‘job’ that I never expected. Wonderful!
Thank you
Glad you came and had a good time, some of those friendships will last a lifetime. Hope to see you next year. X
You certainly shall! A super organised conference – thank you
awww what a beautiful post and i am sure your blog will only ever grow my lovely .. I am sure you will be in the BiB’s again next year!
thanks for lining up with #Magicmoments x
Thank you – that means a lot coming from you! The two days were certainly filled with magic moments.
Lovely post, blogging brings so much to my life too, well done on being a finalist #alphabetphoto
Thank you. I had never expected this to all happen when I went live with the blog. A wonderful community.
I’m so glad you had a lovely time, it was great wasn’t it x
It certainly was an amazing two days – can’t wait for next years!
What a wonderful post, so nice to read about BritMums again, it was such an inspiring weekend. Really great you got to meet so many bloggers and well done on being a BiB’s finalist #alphabetphoto
Can’t wait for more inspiration next year.
I’m sorry I’m so late leaving my comment…. I read lots of blogs thanks to Brit mums Live and I am really rubbish at leaving comments. Yours is one I now read regularly and I really loved meting you and all the others during that lovely weekend in London. I was just writing my review of 2014 and reminiscing. Leaving more comments on other peoples blogs is now a new years resolution for me! Hope you’ve had a great Christmas and all the best for 2015. Look forward to seeing you again hopefully! Love Amy xx