Even though it's overwhelming to try to condense a weekend of Britmums Live into one blog post, I'm going to try - starting with a big thank you to my outfit sponsors - Marks & Spencer and TK Maxx. Both brands made the 'OMG - what will I wear??!' dilemma disappear with some wonderful separates that combined to make the perfect capsule wardrobe for a tiny cabin bag.
The event kicked off on Friday afternoon and here's what I wore to the afternoon sessions and the BiB's Awards -
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| Petite Cotton Rich Textured Jacket - c/o M&S Per Una Tribal Warrior Necklace - c/o M&S Black Jeans - TK Maxx Black Clutch Bag - c/o TK Maxx (not online) |
The afternoon was really informative - I attended a branding session about blogs and brands working together, followed by a session about creating a media kit, with some wonderful advice from Helen Willis (Actually Mummy).
Then it was time to meet up with Fiona, Kat and Marlene and have a glass of bubbly before the Brilliance in Blogging Awards. I love this photo taken by the Panasonic team at the champagne reception...it really sums up the atmosphere on the night:
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| Fiona, Marlene & I Photo Credit - Panasonic |
Our table had three winners - School Gate Style was not one this time but I got to share in the celebrations of the Style winner, Rachel from Vintage Folly, the Photography winner, Marlene (above) from Chocolate, Cookies & Candies and the Craft winner, Emma from My Little 3 and Me...and the celebrations went on for many hours afterwards....
Day 2 and it was all about the orange...
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| Per Una Speziale Jacket - c/o M&S (not online) Cream Top - TK Maxx (not online) Navy Jeans - M&S Diamante Bow Cage Panel Sandal - c/o M&S Coccinelle Bag - c/o TK Maxx (not online) Necklace - c/o Atterley Road |
I attended sessions on the legal aspects of blogging and managing accounts but my favourite session involved the fabulously be-spectacled Alison Rothwell who educated us in the mysterious (to me) area of Search Engine Optimisation (how people find your blog online). It's less of a mystery now - thanks Alison!
Lunchtime saw me meet another of my style blogging online friends who I've never met in real life - the lovely Emma from Fashion Mommy and then we all headed down for the most eagerly anticipated session - the Style one - why so, I hear you ask?
Well because of the wonderful panel of course....
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| Spot anyone you recognise? L-R Cherry Menlove, Jen Stanbrook, Mrs Orangina & Fiona Blake (Photo Credit - Jen Stanbrook) |
I hope it was an interesting session for the bloggers who attended. We covered the best ways to show your style, coping with negative feedback, how to find your niche and we all agreed that our style has definitely evolved and changed and continues to do so as time goes on. Just as well in my case, some may say ;)
Then it was airport time and I had the difficult task of trying to cram the contents of a generous goody bag into the afore-mentioned tiny cabin case. I finally pulled into the driveway at 11.45pm on Saturday night. Phew!
Would I recommend Britmums to other bloggers? I think it's a great event if you're a parenting/general lifestyle blogger and particularly if you're a newbie. It gives you the opportunity to liaise directly with brands and sign up to become an ambassador for well known companies like Panasonic and Butlins Holidays. For style bloggers the brand presence is less relevant BUT if your blog is new, you will find tons of useful information about what you need to do to get it noticed, make it look amazing and start earning money from it.
I think I did it - Britmums Live 2013 in one post. I've left LOADS out - the Fox's Biscuit Lounge, the Madagascar penguins, the owl from Harry Potter, the amazing venue, the budget hotel with paper walls where I felt like I had been invited to the party next door, the friendships made, the contents of the goody bag (everyone always wants to know what's in the goody bag!). So if you click here, you can read about 80 (and counting) blog posts from other attendees that will include most of the above
(but not the hotel bit I hope)
Till next time x
Ah that orange/coral necklace is gorgeous!!! looks like you had an awesome time! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Rebecca - such a treat...can't wait to wear it again! Ax
DeleteTwo fabulous outfits Avril......really love the orange and dark denim. What a fab weekend too.
ReplyDeleteYou looked amazing all weekend - even after our fresh walk in the rain - I'm sure you must wear a wig because your hair was PERFECT when you woke, PERFECT through the rain and PERFECT when we said good bye!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post and well done for getting it all into one!
Fiona
Haha - my wig....feels that way sometimes...wish I could whip it off! Ax
DeleteHi Avril! Fantastic round up post of your weekend, it certainly sounded so inspirational, stylish and fun for all involved! I love your outfits especially the orange M&S jacket! xxx
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this look! New follower & new resident to the UK :)
ReplyDeleteI love both outfits - both necklace and the jacket in the first picture look much better on you.
ReplyDeleteI was so tempted, I have signed up for the event for next year. Hope to finally meet up with you then.
I forgot to add, one of our IT teachers is called Alison Rothwell - how spooky is that?
ReplyDeleteWow - indeed spooky! Thanks for your lovely comment Jane. It would be amazing to meet up there next year! Ax
DeleteSounds absolutely fantastic and really informative post Avril! So sorry you missed out on the trophy but you're one of the most stylish mum's I know :D
ReplyDeleteLove the orange outfit btw x
Sounded like a great but hectic weekend Avril. I'm LOVING that orange outfit, one of my favourite I've seen on u! M&S have some gorgeous stuff, especially that necklace and shoes.
ReplyDeleteHaving seen 1 outfit up close, I could say your outfit was perfect. You looked absolutely fantastic. I'm still rather cheesed off that they didn't film yours and Fiona's segment on Fashion. Without the two of you, I probably wouldn't have survived the night.
ReplyDeleteAw..thank you Marlene - you scrubbed up well yourself! Was amazing to share it with you...must catch up again soon x
DeleteDo you know what - I am also loving the orangina outfit - it really makes you stand out in a good way. And I love the photo of the three of you with proper real laughing. It sounds like such a fun night - wish I could have been there.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the heads up on the event. Sounds very useful for bloggers who want to maximise their potential.
Aw...thanks Sue...you should have been on that shortlist. Robbed I tell you! Ax
DeleteSounds like a brilliant weekend.....but looks like the orange outfit wins! xx
ReplyDeleteWoot! It was lovely to meet you Avril - your blog has really helped pull my style together [WIP] and thanks so much for the shout out!
ReplyDeleteLove your necklace in the top post and the jacket & shoes for day two. You look great Av, glad you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteS xx
Thanks for the mention. :-) It was an exciting night that's for sure. I think we were sitting on the lucky table! x
ReplyDeleteLove both outfits, but particularly the orange one. It really suits you. Sounds like both an interesting and fun weekend. Fab pic of you, Marlene and Fiona.
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing! 2 perfect outfits & I love the orange one too! Sounds like a manic but great time & I really need to go next year! Ax
ReplyDeleteThank you Andrea - no excuse for you next year! Ax
DeleteSounds like lots of fun - I love that Panasonic photo! Many of those workshops would have suited all my questions...maybe next year!!
ReplyDeleteLove your M&S jacket and sandals:)
Ooooh I just spotted that I was getting lots of referrals from you! Thanks so much for mentioning my session and linking! It was a fab weekend wasn't it?!
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