The Mad Blog Awards (Mum and Dad Blog Awards) are back! For me, they are a way of showing some of my favourite blogs of the year some blog love. It’s also a great way of finding more Blogs to follow.
So, without further ado (ahem) here are my nominations for the MADs 2014:
MAD Blog of the Year
Tigerlilly Quinn– The Personal Blog of an Illustrator Mama
I just love Fritha’s blog. I admit that the first thing that made me want to read it was the name- Tiger Lily is my childhood family nickname. Then when I met Dave, with no way of knowing this, he also randomly called me Tiger Lily, which cememented my feeling that we were meant to be together (amongst lots of other reasons, of course!).
Looking past the name I was hooked. I love the daily posts, whether they be about her gorgeous son Wilf (who is the same age as my youngest, Izzy), their days out, food, fashion, interior, books, work (she also owns a gorgeous shop) and everything really, including gin! It always makes my day better in some way and I can never wait until the next post.
Read this post: Simplify- On Decluttering in the New Year (I love and need posts like this to inspire me to keep decluttering!)
Also deserves nominations in: Best Photography, Family Fun, Food and Homes and Interiors.
Best Blog Writer
Jennie writes beautifully and truthfully on emotive subjects in her life, from the tragic loss of baby Matilda to the feelings experienced during her “Rainbow” Pregnancy.
I love the descriptive posts describing Esther and Wiliam’s play; warmth, love and laughter come through in these posts.
Jennie’s rhythm and diction make her blog posts read like pure poetry. Every post is both beautiful and inspirational.
Read this post: Growing a Rainbow: A Gift For, A Gift From
Also deserves nominations in: Family Fun and Outstanding Contribution
Outstanding Contribution
Pinkoddy Life Surrounded by Blues
Pinkoddy campaigns constantly on her blog. I am not going to attempt to write every topic which she has highlighted, as I am bound to miss some out.
However, I know that topics that mean a lot to her include Education, Special Needs, The Benefits System, Disability Living Allowance, Road Safety, Save The Children, Comic Relief and Sport Relief.
She also runs the popular #MotivationalMonday Linky each week, of which the theme for this month is to Help Others Feel Special.
She also has a blog dedicated to Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), The Sensory Seeker, which should also be considered for Nomination.
Read this post: Big Benefit Row- A Rant
Also deserves nominations in: Craft, School Days and Family Fun.
Best Craft Blog
Red Ted Art is the “Go To” Blog for Craft Inspiration for any theme or Topic. In fact, I am ashamed to say that I have just noticed this wonderful Blog was not in my Blog Reading List- the reason being I read it every day either through a Google Search or a link on Twitter or Facebook (don’t worry, I have added it now!).
I love this Blog so much that I even have the book (but sadly not the t-shirt!). Maggie is so passionate about craft with kids. I do lots of craft at home with my kids, but I don’t often have the time to Blog about it. However, Maggie’s Linkys and Round Ups are inspiring me to get more published, so watch this space.
Read this post: Spring Get Crafty
Also deserves nominations in: Food, Family Fun and School Days.
Best Food Blog
A Girl Called Jack
When there is more month than money, and you still have mouths to feed, who are you going to Google? A Girl Called Jack!
Her recipes are budget friendly, simple, tasty and nourishing; her blog is seasoned with politics and peppered with straight talking. A delicious combination.
Read this post: My Live Below the Line Challenge 2013
She also has a book available to pre-order.
Also deserves nominations in: Outstanding Contribution and Frugal Blog.
Most Innovative Blog
If you have Blogger problems then forget Google, Geekalicious is your friend!
If I ever need any blogging or social media “know how”, I know Nickie will have wrote the post or sourced the post that I need!
If she hasn’t wrote on a specific topic yet, then a few tweets later and there will be a helpful and easy to follow tutorial post being shared across the WWW.
Nickie moves with the times, keeps her blogging and social media world fresh and introduces new concepts into the blogging world.
Read this post: How to set up a Custom Domain on Blogger
Best Thrifty Blog
Frugal Queen
I have been reading Frugal Queen’s blog every day for far longer than I have been blogging.
She offers friendly (but firm!), practical advice every day on living frugally. For me, I love how she cares about and supports about her readers. When you are reading, you feel that Jane is really beside you, holding your hand to get you through the tough times and that is what so many of us need.
I have saved lots of money through Frugal Queen’s realistic advice. She also writes lots of posts which can help with general household management and cleaning routines, and keeping fit etc. It is such a useful blog to follow. There are always lots of tasty recipes too!
Read this post: Staying Happy on the Cheap
Also deserves nominations in: Blog of the year and Best Food Blog
Best Schooldays Blog
I love reading “everyday schoolday” blogs. As I also have school age children, these are the blogs I can most relate to at this stage in my life.
As well as writing about D and J’s school days and everyday family fun. Julie writes about her animals (she really loves them! 🙂 ), learning to drive (she passed!), living a Greener Life style, her depression and competitions (she runs a popular competition linky called #WinningWeekends.)
She is a huge supporter of good causes. She recently walked miles through Gloucester with her gorgeous dog, Freya, for Sports Relief and despite suffering from Vertigo, has taken part in a Charity Skydive for Matilda Mae, raising money for the Lullaby Trust. This year, on 2nd August, she plans to do it again!
Read this post: How much? Shocking Costs for Starting Big School
Also deserves nominations in: Family Fun and Outstanding Contribution
Stephs Two Girls
I first met Steph at Westminster, where we were visiting Edward Timpson, Minister of SEN (true fact!).
Steph writes about her gorgeous girls Sasha and Tamsin and their everyday family life, which involves a type of Autism called Pathalogical Demand Avoidance (PDA). Their blog includes lots of fun, Moshi Monsters, Minecraft and baking, all written with lovely humour by Steph.
Steph is passionate about raising awareness of children with Special Needs and giving support to parents of children with Special Needs.
Read this post: This is My Child, These are my Children
Also deserves nominations in: Family Fun, Food and Outstanding Contribution
Most Entertaining Blog
Annie could change her Blog Header daily, but because of her distinct, illustrative style, it would still represent “Mammasaurus” Blog to me.
I find this Blog so entertaining from the moment you land on the homepage, with the beautiful images and fonts.
Annie blogs about every day life, festivals, food, her love of all things vintage (she also has a shop), flowers and gardens, days out and charities. I would love to know more about her illustrating and would love her to talk about this talent at future blog events.
Over her blogging years she has always campaigned for many charities, but this turned MASSIVE when she teamed up with Tanya Mummy Barrow and Penny, A Residence, and together created Team Honk, in aid of Comic Relief and Sport Relief.
Read this post:
Also deserves nominations in: Best Blog, Outstanding Contribution, Family Fun and Best Photography
Best Blog Photography
This blog is so beautiful and magical. I loved Keri-Anne’s Fairy series and am looking forward to her next one. There is also going to be an e-book, which I know will be fab.
Keri’s everyday photos of her own little girl fairies are so enchanting. She also writes about crafts and, like me and my girls, loves making crowns to wear.
If you appreciate beauty, magic and vintage record players, then you will love this blog!
Read this post: The Enchanted Giant Fairies
Also deserves nominations in: Family Fun and Craft
Best MAD Blog for Family Fun
There was no doubt in my mind, which Blog had my vote for Family Fun. I think Fiona has done a wonderful thing by creating the #CountryKids Linky. I was already writing posts that would fit into this linky before I discovered it, but since joining in, it means we never miss a week of outdoor fun, whatever the weather or time constraints on that week, with a little more thought, you can always arrange an outdoor family fun day.
I love the photos of Fiona’s kids and the holiday makers having Country Kid style fun on the farm, and also joining them on their adventures when they go off for the day.
They certainly know how to throw a party at Coombe Mill too and I love their special occasion posts and barbecues and theme nights. Fiona shares great recipes too.
A vote for Coombe Mill, Country Kids, for best Family Fun, is of course also a vote to all the bloggers who join in each week. It’s lovely to see, especially through the seasons and special occasions, things that we all do and getting ideas of other families when they do something completely different!
We love Coombe Mill and Country Kids!
Read this post: The Cornish Coast Path from Port Quin
Also deserves nominations in: Best Blog, School Days and Photography
Best Homes & Interiors Blog
I really wanted there to be a Best Lifestyle Blog Category this year, as Side Street Style would get my vote.
Laura writes about everything stylish, from beauty, fashion (for all), the home, delicious food, the shops to go to, where to shop online, days out, travel and photography.
I love her posts about trying to live a more eco-friendly and thrifty life. I find her vegan food posts inspiring too.
Read this post: Home and Style at Christmas
and this one: Swedish Style
Also deserves nominations in: Best Blog, Family Fun and best Photography.
Wow! So that is it, my final nominations. I started this post last week and have been so busy with various things with the kids, that I’ve just had the odd ten minutes here and there to work on it. I was beginning to think these would have to be my nominations for 2015!
There are also lots of other blogs that I love to read and wanted to nominate but I couldn’t fit in any more (I was going to add them into this post, but I really need to get a move on and publish it!). I already had two contenders for one category, so when Mr E.C. said he was going to vote for me I had to whisper in his year about an even better blog he should instead vote for!
I hope that everyone I’ve nominated did want to be included and I’m sorry I couldn’t nominate you all for lots of different categories that you all deserve…you are all just a bit too marvellous, you see?!
Good luck everyone who is taking part in the MADS. I have added the badge and would be honoured to receive any nominations for my own blog too. Our most suited category would be School Days, I feel, but we are eligible in all apart from Baby, Pregnancy and New.
Thank you again, this is such a lovely post.
Clairey Fairy I LUV YOU!!!!!!
You complete love muffin – thank you – and good luck yourself xxx
Wow Claire I love this! The thought and description in all the nominations you have here are so spot on. There is a real warmth and understanding from you in all these descriptions and I love your choices. Thrilled to be amongst those you have selected here and thank you so much for all you say about Coombe Mill. Massive Hugs and I hope you and everyone here has lots of nominations. The most special MADS post I have read 🙂
Thanks so much. It's easy to write about the Blogs I love to read. 🙂 xxx
Thank you! 🙂 xxx
Love you too! xxx
Thank you! xxx
What a comprehensive list 🙂 It’s so ace you’ve posted about the awards, thanks so much and good luck!MADs Editor
Thanks! I was excited about nominating! 😉 xxx