AD – this blog post features press samples – all views are my own
In October I was lucky enough to attend the O2 Media Awards North West after being shortlisted for an award.
I’d been nominated by my friend Jenny at work for the Rachael Bland Blogger of the Year award.
Rachel was a Welsh journalist known for her podcast You, Me and the Big C, which he created throughout her breast cancer journey. Sadly, she died last year, and the award has been named in her honour.
I was shortlisted among three other brilliant titles and journalists, and that was enough to fill me with pride. I’ve been running this little blog for just over three years, and it’s been my baby. I’ve been at The Sentinel in my first full time job for six months, and the team are so supportive – for Jenny to submit my nomination for me was just amazing.
When I heard I was shortlisted, I was gobsmacked, but excited to get out of the office for a night and see what it’s all about.
I thought I’d do a little get ready with me post, since some incredible brands gifted me some products to wear for the event.
I did my makeup at 9.30am, using all of my favourite products (featured in my video below). Namely, my Dr Jart beauty balm, Natural Collection Brow Gel, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow and Obsesson ‘be in love with’ palette.
I made sure to use my CYO fixing spray (about 12 times) to make sure my makeup lasted all day before applying Mac Velvet Teddy on my lips.
My appointment at 81 Rose Garden was at 12.00pm for a blowdry with Liv. Since it was my first event of this kind, I was keen to make an effort to look nice, but also – taking the time out to self-care with something as simple as a blowdry is important.
For those of you who don’t know what a blowdry is – don’t worry – I didn’t know either. It’s a bit like that McDonalds flat white advert where everyone asks what it is and they receive a long-winded and pretentious answer. It basically is just a wash, blowdry and style. Mine took around an hour and cost £16 with Liv as she is an apprentice. I had some curls put in as I despise curling my own hair because I am so bad at it. It’s nice to have someone to do it for you sometimes!
Honestly, I would pay £16 just to have a hairdresser do the head massage thing whilst they wash my hair. I nearly doze off every single time.
Now let me tell you about the salon. As you will probably tell from the video, it’s absolutely gorgeous – with pink, feathers, flowers, glitter and girliness everywhere. I live for places like this, which is why Liv and I turned it into a mini photo shoot post-hair do. Everything is just super luxe and instagrammable, including their stunning pink and frosty Christmas display outside. I had never been to 81 Rose Garden before Thursday – despite following them on Instagram amongst their 12k followers – but I’ll certainly be back.
I put my dress on at the salon so I got grab a few snaps in it for the ‘gram. I’d spotted this Nobody’s Child dress* on ASOS at £35, and when Nobody’s Child agreed to gift it for the event, I was over the moon.
The midi-dress is versatile and wearable, and super reasonably priced. It features a round neck with a sheer, rouched back and chiffon sleeves. It cinches in slightly at the waist and drops into a slightly flowing, double lined midi skirt adorned with buttons that enter into a split.
The print is blue, orange, yellow, pink, red and burgundy/brown stars – with which I had my nails done to match. I wanted to keep an astronomy theme running through into my jewellery, so paired it with some Boho Betty star earrings and my Vivienne Westwood choker and bracelet.
The dress was so beautiful and really comfortable to wear all night – and I even got a few compliments on it too! I wore it with burgundy patent heels and a burgundy bowler bag so I could fit my cameras and makeup in for the event too.
The O2 Media Awards North West was held at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford, Manchester, with over 100 shortlisted journalists, teams and projects.
Our paper and website was up for six awards, including team, daily paper, columnist, photographer and community award, as well as blogger of the year for me.
I was shortlisted alongside Nicola Adam from JPI Media, Sarah Hodgson and Owen Evens from Daily Post, and Samantha Yarwood at Manchester Evening News. Sam took the title for her breaking news live blogs, but I had some great comments and feedback for my own little site. To even be put in the same category as these talented journalists was an honour, and I still got a highly commended award!
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you who have supported this blog both from the start, or you newbies who enjoy my content. I got so many good luck messages and congrats for this O2 Media Awards nomination and I wouldn’t have got it at all if it wasn’t for your consistent support.
I’d love for you to check out my get ready with me video from my YouTube channel below!
