Well, after that unexpected and extended delay in posting, I am finally back on deck. It seems that technology has been conspiring against me as I couldn’t upload photos and barely tweet while away, I also came home to find that my house was undergoing a power outage! But now that it seems to be finally sorted, let’s get down to business with the Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards wrap up!
Official photos courtesy of Mike Yip
As most of you will know by now, I headed off to Singapore last Thursday as a guest of Nuffnang and a finalist in the Best Fashion Blog category. The finalist were chosen by a panel of industry judges from 13,000 nominees, so needless to say, being one of the five finalists was a HUGE honor!
The Asia Pacific region is comprised of bloggers from all across Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia. It was a great thrill to see Australia so well represented in the categories as compared to the population of bloggers in the other countries, we are tiny in comparison. But even in a crowd that big, it was easy to pick the Australian’s – we were the ones that kept partying all night!
After reaching Singapore at 1am Friday, we hit the hay in the hope of getting a little beauty sleep before the big night. I have to say, that with all the excitement, sleep was not an easy thing to get for the entire trip and I subsequently handled Friday and Saturday as a 48 hour straight adventure!
Getting ready for these events is half the fun, and even more fun when you get to do it with a friend. I was thrilled to finally meet up in person with Erica Bartle from Girl With a Satchel and Violet Le Beaux, so after a big breakfast we hit the shops to warm up the credit cards and indulge in a relaxing pedicure. These girls are just so much fun, and we really hit it off. Running around Zara, finding the perfect pieces for one another and making a significant dent in the budget in the first half hour! (See the evidence here!)Then it was back to the rooms for naps, facials, hair and makeup.
With Violet Le Beaux and Erica from Girl With a Satchel
Putting an outfit together for the night required a lot of planning. Not only in deciding what to wear in such a hot and humid climate, but how to handle the frizz factor of the humidity. I’d planned to set my hair and had come prepared with all the rollers, pins and lotion. But after stepping out of the plane that first night, I realized that unless I planned to go with a wild a crazy look, the humidity was not going to be my friend. So I quickly changed that plan and opted for a sleek French roll with a ton of spray to keep it together.
I have to say a huge thank you to Circa Vintage Clothing for my amazing shell pink, duchess satin earl 1940’s gown and Mr SKM’s delicious cravat. It certainly helped to amp up the glam factor of the evening, and you know me, I couldn’t possibly just go for a little black dress for such an occasion! I paired it with my Great Grandmother’s necklace, and a 1960’s silver lame evening bag – so it was a total mix of eras but I think it was a success.
Arriving at the awards was a somewhat humbling moment. Entering a throng of bloggers and guests over 400 strong, via the red carpet was both exhilarating and surreal. I don’t think I’ve ever had my photo taken so much in my life and after about five minutes was beginning to feel just how big the scale of this event was. Coming from Australia where blogging is not yet the widely recognized phenomenon that it is in other parts of the world, it was overwhelming to meet so many people who knew us and what we did. If you tell most people here in Australia that you are a blogger you’ll most likely be met with a quizzical look, or in one case a response of, “Is that like someone who cuts down trees dear?” So yes, wow…!
- With Mr SKM looking super stylish!
- Walking the Red Carpet with Violet – I love this photo!
The night went off with a bang. Delicious dinners, local celebrities, bands, magicians, T.V crews; the works. And then we reached the part of the night that everyone was itching to get to – the Final Announcements! This is the part of the evening in which I couldn’t stop beaming. As the winners were announced, it became clear that the Australian bloggers were punching above their weight, taking out awards in three categories! The Best Parenting Blog Award went to Childhood 101 from Perth, The Best Tech Blog went to Mr Gadget from Melbourne, and the Best Fashion Blog went to none other than Lady Melbourne from right here in my own city!
- Just some of the many finalists.
- With the fabulous Xia Xue – Singapore Blogger Extraordinare
I also want to give a special congratulations to my lovely Singaporean friend Xia Xue who took out not one but Three awards – for Most Original Blog Design, Most Influential Blogger and Region’s Best Blogger! Truly, the whole thing was amazing, and as was said many times during the evening, everyone came away a winner. When you consider just how many blogs were nominated by readers (over 13,000), to make it to the finals in each category was no mean feat.
For me the memorable moments of the evening were meeting some of my favorite international bloggers, being able to represent Australia with such a talented and delightful group of bloggers, and… being able to pose for photos with MR SKM in a suit! I haven’t seen him in a suit since our wedding day so this was indeed a night to remember!
I have so many pictures and so much to share with you about this trip that I’m going to break it up into a little series of travel log posts. I had hoped to do this along the way in real time, but doing it from home now means I have much more to show and tell.
So stick with me, tell a friend and enjoy a bloggers adventures in the East!
I love the cuff I have the black version with a white bow....
It was such a great trip and it’s nice to know you too, Candice. It was one of the most fantastic weekend that I won’t forget
Too bad I didn’t win, but as you said, everyone was a winner in there and the experience (esp. meeting so many great people) were far better than just an award!
Welcome back SKM! I’ve been DYING to see your take on the red carpet, and of course you have not dissapointed! Can’t wait to see more snaps from Singapore! x
2+9=? ELEVEN!
Nice post of the event. Seems like that invitation card pic is the fav. of every one that is blogging about the event. LOL I think I should charge a penny for every time it’s used.
You and your husband was the most glam among all the attendees of the award. One question though, even though I didn’t get the chance to ask you on that day. That fur is real?
Mike: Hi there! Your Photos of the day were fantastic
Yes, the fur is real. It is an antique piece that is a very special one for me.
SKM, I’ve been waiting for this post and once again, you haven’t disappointed. Mr SKM looks so proud of you, and he looks quite at home in the suit – you both look fabulous, just fabulous.
Congratulations to all the nominees and all the winners!
Glad that you had fun =)
And posting up, sharing with us!!
Well, it looks like you had an absolute blast, and you looked so glam! I can’t wait to see all of the upcoming posts!
Cheers!
~Paige
You look so glamorous in the evening wear shots! Maybe your hubby should be called SKP (Super Kawaii Papa?) Hehe. I’m really glad to hear aussie bloggers did so well, and look forward to more from your Singapore trip
Wasn’t it fun! I love seeing everyone’s photos and hearing what they have to say about it.
It was so nice to meet you (and have your help getting organised to get to Singapore too).
Look forward to the next installment!
You looked positively REGAL, SKM! So glad the trip and ceremony were fun, glamorous, and exciting.
I’ve been dying to see what you wore and as usual it was spectacular! Lovely to see you and your husband together and the picture of red-carpet style!
you look absolutely breathtaking – so perfectly red-carpet ready!!!
congratulations on being a finalist out of such large numbers + for representing Oz!!
xxx
FTR: Thank you!
Floraposte: Mr SKM was working it, that’s for sure!
Sally: Thank you! It was a very special night that required amping up the glam.
Christie: I so enjoyed meeting you too. Your little Miss really stole the show that night.
Tashtastika: He was pretty pleased with himself – as well he should have been – he made great arm candy that night.
Fur? In Singapore! Mama is one humidity resistant (and uber glam) blogger.
btw – dem nails you’re sportin’ are ferosh!
Imelda Matt: I know! It was a tough call and I almost didn’t, but the lure of the glam factor was too great. The nails were an incredible creation courtesy of Miss Violet Le Beaux. I’m looking for my close up pics as they were indeed ferosh.
Loved hanging out with you two
I’ve already told you but I’ll say it again, your outfit was beautiful! <3<3<3 Hmmm maaaaybe I'm almost convinced to come to Melbourne 
You looked fabulously glamourously stunning! And we finally meet your mr, and he wore a cravat yay for the revival of cravats!
Looks like you had a blast!
XXASAB
A fantastically comprehensive and eloquent post-awards post, SKM! Thank you for the mentions and for taking me under your glamorous wing in Singapore! You and C are a truly lovely couple. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
Erica/Girl With a Satchel
Wow, what a fun trip!
Your gown looks phenomenal on you.
Awww Mr. SKM is sweet for wearing a suit just to escort you. You two look lovely.
-meream
Whoa… I had to do MATH to leave a comment here!!! You and “The Mr” look like you were both having the time of your lives. That photo of you two made me smile; it’s great to see you doing so well and having such a blast. Congrats! Beautiful photos! xoxo
Wow, you both look amazing, like royalty!
you’re a vision to behold, SKM! if they had a best-dressed award for the night, you win hands down. looking forward to the rest of your posts.
Congratulations for beingin the final (well of course you were).
I love Singapore and seems you had a great time, judging form the photos. And your hair looked perfect, the humid climate and frizz risk did not do their damage!
Freelancer: I have some great hair tricks up my sleeve to deal with the humidity…not least using a hair piece that matches my own! Just style the front, tie it up, clip and go!
Oh my gosh, why can’t I see your photos for some reason?! Darn it
Oh well, at least I got to read all about your trip and I could see all your other pics. My fave thing would have to be the fish pedi – mad!
Congratulations for being nominated and recognised
I’m just home too, and like you recovering from lots of champagne and a full on 2 weeks – and I brought back a head cold too – not a good souvenir!
Have a fab weekend <3 xxx