Hola chicos, I have some AMAZING news to tell you. On Thursday night I found out that I have been shortlisted in the ‘Best Use of Video’ category for the 2016 MAD Blog Awards organised by Tots100. This news has been the best thing that could happen to me! It is the biggest highlight since I started my blog almost one year ago. I’m still in shock!
I put myself forward for these Awards not thinking that I would actually have any chance what so ever to get shortlisted. I just wanted to tell people how happy I was feeling since the moment I started my blog. I always had the idea of having my own blog and my own YouTube channel but I never had the courage to set them up until after giving birth to Sienna. I realised that I really needed to think what I wanted to do with my life as there were pretty much no options at that particular time!
I was made redundant from my job as a Legal Counsel in my company and then my dreams fell to the floor. I was unable to continue my plan of getting my qualification in order to become a solicitor in this country. I’m already a practicing lawyer in Peru but I couldn’t do a lot of legal jobs here due to the lack of qualifications required to practise in the UK. I managed to convert my Law Degree but in order to be a practicing solicitor here I had to do another 4 years of studies and practise so this was no longer an option for me. I was not getting any younger so I really started to panic.
In that particular moment I had this brilliant idea of starting a YouTube Channel and my blog, “A Moment With Franca”. This has changed my life completely for the better. I feel that I now have a purpose in life. I feel useful, helpful and can bring some money to the house because of my blog. This feeling is just fantastic.
I feel so very proud of my blog and maybe not all of you realise, but this is a family blog. It is as much Nick’s as mine. He works behind the scenes with the more technical parts of the blog and is fantastic at helping me with all of that. He is also sometimes in front of the camera when we do videos which I love, and he also helps with the editing. We are a team and I love this a lot.
It is amazing to be able to share with my husband all the high and lows of being a blogger. It is not easy as it’s is a lot of hard work. Every evening we sit down and discuss what would we like to do to improve the blog and to grow it more and more.
We have also our little stars, Bella and Sienna that are just amazing. They love being involved and enjoy every single minute of what this blog brings to them.
I did a video a few weeks ago about how I feel about these awards. This was before I found out that I was shortlisted. I published it on my facebook page. Maybe some of you have already seen it. If not you can watch it here
Now that I’m a FINALIST, I can say that my blog is an ‘Award Nominated Blog’! How cool is that?
It would mean a lot to us if you could vote for us. It is very easy to vote. You only need to put your name, surname, email, then go to my category (Best Use of Video), select my blog (A Moment With Franca) and then click submit. Easy! Thank you so much!!!
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
Linking up with:
I’m not surprised at all. It’s very well deserved and I am keeping everything crossed for you x #KCACOLS
Aww thank you so much Nicky!! I really appreciate your support!! 🙂 xx
Big congratulations – very well deserved!! #KCACOLS
Thank you lovely!!
Ahh congratulations!so pleased for you!!you definitely deserve the award..I’ll make sure I remember to vote for you 🙂 xx #kcacols
Aww thank you Wendy!! That means a lot to me! 🙂 xx
Fantastic news! Well done and it was great to read about the route you took to get here – determination, hard work and teamwork! I’ve only been blogging for two months so awards seem a million miles off – I’m just finding my feet here but your story is quite inspirational. Thanks for sharing. #KCACOLS
Aww thank you so much for your lovely comment! It made my day to read that my story could be inspirational!! I love blogging and the blogging community is so supportive! Thank you again! 🙂
I’m so proud of you! I know how hard you work and I hope lots of people will vote for you, as you deserve it. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, yay!! #KCACOLS
Nadia – ScandiMummy
Thank you so much beautiful!! It was so lovely to see you today!! Thank you for my card, I love it!! You are a great friend!! 🙂 xx
wow!! Congratulations hun!!! fingers crossed for you #KCACOLS
Thank you so much Natasha! 🙂 x
Well done! And very well deserved. And what a brilliant thing you have done turning your idea into something tangible and successful – you should be very proud 🙂 #KCACOLS
Aww thank you for your lovely comment!! 🙂 xx
So pleased to hear you made the finals, a just reward for all your blogging hard work. #KCACOLS.
Thank you so much Fiona!! It is so exciting!! I still can’t believe it!! 🙂 x
So amazing and so well deserved! I’ll be keeping everything crossed for you :). #KCACOLS
Aww thank you so much Davina!! Fingers crossed!! 🙂 x
Congrats on being a finalist and good luck with the rest 🙂 🙂
#KCACOLS
Thank you! 🙂 x
congrats Franca. I’ve yet to dip my toes into vlogging, but this appears to be the way of the future. Good for you for adapting early #KCACOLS
Thank you Jeremy!! 🙂 x
How absolutely WONDERFUL! You most definitely deserve this, not only to be shortlisted, but to WIN! Congratulations, all your hard work is coming to life <3
And, how wonderful that your blog is an entire family effort. What a beautiful thing to bond over! #KCACOLS
Congratulations!! That is wonderful news 🙂 It’s so nice that your family is involved in helping you with your blog. That’s awesome!
Thank you lovely, 🙂 x
Wow Franca this is an incredible achievement – really well done – I’ve only just met you through this linky but am in awe of how much hard work you put in to your blogging – you really are so deserved of being nominated and making it through to the finalist stages – super thrilled for you – couldn’t have happened to a nicer person – really good luck! #KCACOL
Aww Helen thank you so much for your lovely comment and your kind words!! It means a lot to me!! I’m so happy to know you through this linky too!! 🙂 x
Your blog is fabulous and I am so thrilled for you! You’ve got my vote xx #KCACOLS
Yaay!! Thank you my love!! You have my vote too!! 🙂 xx
I’m so thrilled for you Franca, massive congratulations to you and Nick and well deserved 🙂 #kcacols
Thank you so much Laura!! We are so happy! It is so nice to have a familly project. Thank you for all your support! You are a great friend! 🙂 x
Congrats, You deserve it! I can tell you work really hard on your videos and blog and it has paid off for you xx
#KCACOLS
Thank you so much Rachel! 🙂 x
Many congratulations Franca, this is a great achievement. Good luck. Pen x KCACOLS
Thank you so much Pen! We are so excited! 🙂 x
Yay! Well done you!! Have just voted for your fabulous blog. I love that it is a family blog that Nick helps with too 🙂 #KCACOLS
Aww thank you so much Sara!! You are a STAR!! That means a lot to me!! I love that Nick is involved too! 🙂 x
Congrats! Hopefully this little blogging adventure of mine will be award nominated one day. Thanks for sharing! #KCACOLS
Thank you so much Jason, 🙂 x
Congratulations Franca & you are v brave vlogging terrifies me. I’m definitely happier behind a camera. #kcacols lifeinthemumslane
Well done lovely and it is really fab to read the reasons behind your blog and why you started blogging. You are doing so well! 🙂 #KCACOLS
Well done Franca – amazing achievement and great that you also have the help and support of your hubby! I’ve really struggled in the last few months with fitting in my blogging as my husband has been working away a lot and Arthur has had a bit of separation anxiety so I just haven’t had any time to myself. Trying to get back into it now though as I have really missed having that outlet #KCACOLS
Congratulations Franca! I’m so excited for you. I can imagine what a shock & how exciting it must have been to see your name listed. You know you have my vote. Best of luck lovely!! x #kcacols
Congrats on the nomination – you must be over the moon! Best of luck in the finals. #KCACOLS
Well done. Every right to be pleased. #Kcacols
Your blog is awesome and I totally voted for you. #KCACOLS
Congratulations! What an awesome achievement – I just went to vote now. 🙂 #KCACOLS
I was so happy to see your name up there! You’ve got my vote xx #kcacols
Yaay!! Thank you so much lovely!! That means a lot to me!! 🙂 xx
Congrats Franca! Lovely to hear about the history behind your blog. I’ve only just found you, but can tell already how hard you work. Good luck with the finals. Xx #KCACOLS
Aww thank you so much for your kind words lovely!! I also love that it is a family project! It makes it nicer 🙂 x
I have also had the amazing honour to be among the finalists and I genuinely can’t believe it either.
I hope we can share a drink together.
Best of luck, it is well deserved xx
Fran
#KCACOLS
Lol Emma!! Thank you! I love it!! 😉 xx
Great news, and not at all a surprise to me! You totally deserve it! I for one will be voting for you, your blog is always a great read! Thanks for hosting! #KCACOLS
Aww thank you so much for your lovely comment and kind words! It means a lot to me! I really appreciate your support! It is my pleasure to have you! 🙂 xx
Hurray! Congratulations – well deserved; you work so hard. I am also blown away to be a finalist in the ‘best new blog’ category … can’t wait for the party in September!! #KCACOLS
Lovely back story and well done! I wish id found blogging sooner as it’s only now I feel really fulfilled #KCACOLS
Well done Franca! I’m so pleased that you have made the shortlist at MADs. I didn’t realise that you have only been blogging for a year, you have done so well, and for it to have a positive outcome for you and your family. I’m a little envious how you have done all that in the space of a year! Huge congratulations. Claire x
Aww amazing! Congratulations! Its so well deserved and its lovely that your whole family get involved with your blog. Good Luck!! 🙂
#KCACOLS
Well done to you! You have done so well with your blog and videos, you really deserve this.
I have just voted for you, Good luck!
#KCACOLS
I’m super happy for you. I enjoy your videos and think you deserved to be nominated and fingers crossed for the MADS!
Angela from Daysinbed via #KCACOLS
Congratulations! I have a feeling you will get my vote! #kcacols
Well done Franca. It’s very interesting to read of your journey with your legal background and your barrier here in the UK. All the best #kcacols
Congratulations my lovely I am glad after your hard work that a dissapointment turned into something marvelous for you, you totally deserve it and to be nominated. We will have our fingers and toes crossed for you! #KCACOLS
You’ve got my vote franca and I think you have done amazingly well. Such good luck, I cant wait to hear. Well done to all your family too. Buena suerte amiga x
Mainy – myrealfairy
#KCACOLS
I am not surprised at all lovely. Well done you. You deserve it.
Congratulations on your nomination and how exciting!! It makes all the hard work worth it, doesn’t it? Best of luck with the awards X #MarvMondays
Congratulations! I am not at all surprised, your blog is one of my favorites! And I love that Nick is there helping you too! My hubby helps behind the scenes with tons of things as well! #KCACOLS
Congratulation Franca, I’m so pleased for you and very well deserved. It’s mad how something like a blog can have such an impact on someone. I’m glad you have something that motivates you and gives you joy – it’s oh so important. Good luck lovey #gotmyvote # KCACOLS xx
Congratulations and much deserved! All the best for the finals 🙂
Franca, this is such an amazing achievement and I really am soooooo pleased for you. You have done amazingly well in less than a year and I dont think that many bloggers can say that. After all your upheaval, it sounds like you may have found your calling 🙂 Good luck lovely, I will get voting! Emily #KCACOLS
Congratulations, your blog is really something to be proud of. Good luck! #KCACOLS
Aww thank you so much lovely! 🙂 xx
I’m glad you managed to find a purpose in life as that is really what we all want in life and its so consuming just to think about let alone do!
Congratulations on coming far and getting shortlisted! #KCACOLS
Lovely post, & so pleased you are a finalist – very well deserved! & I have voted for you. Good luck with the awards! #KCACOLS
Woohoo congrats yet again lovely Franca and Nick!!! I really in truly wish you all the best hon. Awww I think it’s sweet that you and Nick get to share this with each other. Wishing you the best of luck..xx #KCACOLS
Huge congratulations and very well deserved! #kcacols
This is such a great achievement within a year of starting your blog. You should be so proud of yourself. Congratulations and good luck for the finals. I’ll see you there! 🙂 X
Congrats on being chosen as a top 5 finalist! I just voted for you – hoping you win… #KCACOLS
Aww thank you so much Nicole!! That is so nice of you!!! I’m so happy!! 🙂 xx
Congrats Franca – you’ve done amazingly well and you can see how much time and effort you put into your blog. How lovely that you can get Nick involved too! I’ll definitely be putting my vote in for you xx #KCACOLS
I am so happy for you. You put in so much work to this blog it is great it has been recognized. I have voted for you and keeping my fingers crossed for a win good luck xx
Huge congratulations lovely! You really deserve to be up there and work so so hard. Fingers crossed x #kcacols
Yay what fab news! You work so hard on your blog, you totally deserve it! 🙂 #KCACOLS
What great news, congratulations! You definitely deserve it, you have an amazing blog and have achieved so much in a short space of time! #KCACOLS
Congrats again lovely! Such an amzing achievement. Its amazing how far your blog has come in less than a year. You have done such a fantastic job, it is really inspirational 🙂 Good luck lovely and fingers crossed for you! Thanks for sharing on #MarvMondays. Emily
Bravo Franca. I’ll have to check out your channel! I knew you run a linky but had no idea you vlogged too. V impressive. See you at the MADs! #marvmondays
Congratulation honey, and very much deserved! You should be so proud of yourself! You have come so far in such a short space of time and that is reflective of your hard work! you have one of the most successful linky’s out there and you should be proud of that! You have my vote lovely xx
oh yeah… #KCACOLS haha xx
Congrats! Very well deserved, sweetie!
#KCACOLS
Honestly, I’m NOT at all surprised! Congrats!