{award} Another Blogger Recognition Award for TLH!

I was nominated for my first Blogger Recognition Award mid-way through 2017, only a mere three months after I started The Little Hedonist. During the Christmas holidays last year, I was aimlessly scrolling through Twitter during that lull between lunch and dinner, only to see I’ve been nominated again – this time by one of my all-time favourite travel and lifestyle writers, Alexandra from Carrots and Tigers!

Introduction

I recently reached a thousand followers on my Facebook page. Shortly after that, I did a post on my social media in which I stated that I’ve never played the numbers game; that I’m not “in it” for the fame, the follows, the fortune or even the fabulousness that is apparently a blogger’s life. For me it’s about the passion. All I see when I look at my number of followers, is an affirmation that I’m doing the right thing by pursuing what sets my soul on fire; whether I have one follower or ten thousand followers – someone believes in what I’m doing, and that is enough for me to indulge in.

But, before I go even deeper into this post, I would like to thank Alexandra of Carrots and Tigers for the nomination. We’ve been following each other on social media for the longest of times; her blog encompasses my ever-growing bucket list and keeps me motivated to pursue new adventures; it keeps me dreaming of all the endless possibilities this beautiful world holds. Please do yourself a favour and spend a bit of time on her website and social media channels – she writes beautifully!

Alexandra, I’m honoured to accept this award from you! 

Click here for the actual nomination (and the other 14 nominations!) on Alexandra’s page.

House rules

So, as with all things, in accepting this award, I have to comply to a few ground rules:

1. Write a post announcing you have won and that you’re awesome.
2. Thank the person who thought of you during their 15 minutes of fame.
3. Explain how, what and when you started your blog adventure.
4. Share two of your best tips that have helped you flourish as a blogger!
5. Nominate 10 blogs you think deserve to be recognised. Take the time to select blogs you truly feel deserve it and let them know why.
6. Let the bloggers know you have nominated them and provide the link to the post you have created.

How did I start my blog?

I’ve had a complex love-affair with food for as long as I can remember. Pretty plates. Coffee art. Artisinal breads. The warm promises of red wine when you stick your nose in the glass. Lamb cooked on an open fire. Lemon on grilled fish. Sharing a pizza. Gorgeously plump olives.

And then…after many, many years, I finally discovered that I’m a writer at the core of my heart. After many, many years of hesitant mock-charges only to lose my confidence at the edge of the cliff that is our own self-doubt, I finally took the leap and trusted the fall. I fell straight out of my own uncertain skin into the apron of The Little Hedonist.

It seemed like the obvious thing to do – to put my passion for food into words.

So, I write about wine. About food. About experiences and events. Anything and everything that makes this beautifully fragile life worth living.

Two tips

1. Do you, boo. I know it’s difficult not to compare yourself to others in the same field as you, but try to stay as authentically you as possible. Remember, every flower blooms in its own time. But bloom it will, trust me. Don’t compare content. Don’t compare progress. Don’t compare number of followers, exposure or brand interactions. Use that negative tendency to compare and turn it into motivation, creativity and pack a punch with doing things at your own pace, in your own time. You do you best.
2. Put in the effort. Whether you’re blogging for a hobby or for a living, the old saying rings true: what you put in is what you’ll get out. Good things take time. Just keep at it.

I was overwhelmed when I was faced with choosing my top 15 nominations. I can honestly say I’ve tried my best to select my top 15 nominations in a fair manner, based on merit alone.

My top 15 nominations, in no particular order:

1. Little Bits of Ruby
2. Living it up CT
3. Miss Dhanusha
4. Miller in the City
5. The Boldest Type
6. Boozy Foodie
7. I Love Foodies
8. Gluten Free Girl
9. Boots in the Big City
10. The Social Needia
11. Pass the Salt Blog
12. Glitter & Toast
13. The Wine Girl Cape Town
14. It’s me Kirsti
15. Dominique in the City

Now, what are you waiting for? Go give them some lovin’!