Surprisingly the night before, despite all of my butterflies, I slept like a rock and woke up fresh and excited. The butterflies were busy. They seemed to have doubled their population. I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. I was also excited to meet so many people from Country Living Magazine that I had been corresponding with over the past few weeks.
The Hearst Publications building was located around the block from the hotel. As we rounded the corner, we were taken back at the beauty and uniqueness of the building. I immediately recognized it from the photo. My husband said, “Wow, look at that building.” I replied, ” That is where we are going!”
The Hearst tower that we see today was renovated from its original 1928 form in 2003. It was the first green skyscraper constructed in NYC following September 11, 2001. You can read more about it here. Hearst Tower is now the centralized infrastructure to all of the Hearst’s publications that can be found in homes all over the country. Some of these include Good Housekeeping, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Car and Driver, O, The Oprah Magazine, Esquire, House Beautiful and of course, Country Living.
We were greeted in the lobby and then proceeded to 44th floor banquet room. Even the elevator extended a welcome to the attendees.
As we arrived at the top of the tower, and what seemed to be the top of the world, we finally were able to meet the other winners. We began to talk and interact as if we were old friends. We chatted, posed for pictures, met new friends and finally connected faces with familiar names. It was wonderful to meet the bloggers, judges, editors and employees of the magazine.
We took in the views.
We sat down to a gorgeous table, that seemed to be right out of a Country Living photo shoot. It was perfect. The program, menu and flowers were incredible.
Sarah Gray Miller, Editor-in-Chief of Country Living, led the ceremony and introduced us to the incredibly charming Cooper Boone who presented each and every blogger with their award. I went second. Cooper called us up to the podium one at a time. He said some wonderful, thoughtful and sweet things about my blog. It was a moment when I realized people truly understand that this blog is about so much more than just chickens.
After lunch, we posed with everyone there. I even got a pic with Sarah Gray Miller!
and all of the winners and judges too!
The afternoon seemed to quickly melt away. Time truly flew but I made memories that will last a lifetime. I will never forget this wonderful day. Thank you Country Living for honoring me.
Please take a moment to visit the other honorees’ blogs. They are my fellow Blue Ribbon Bloggers!
Judge’s Picks
Collecting: Parismonia: Secondhand with Style
Crafts: Always a Project
Decorating: The Shabby Nest
Food: The Crepes of Wrath
Gardening: Garden Betty
Lifestyle: Crafty Farm Girl
Pets: Tilly’s Nest
Photo Credits: Tilly’s Nest, pcrosson
21 thoughts on “Blue Ribbon Blogger Awards: The Ceremony”
What an honor for you. Sooo exciting. The view was fantastic and the company interesting to be sure.
What a wonderful event, Melissa. I'm so happy for you. I look forward to checking out your blog everyday!!!!
Thank you ladies!
Congratulations! Now more people will know what a lot of us already do. Great Blog!
I am so happy for you; this is a well-deserved honor. And I love your blog and all your girls. Tilly & the girls will be getting extra treats this week, I believe!
Thank you so much for all of your kind words! They mean so very much!
I've visited all these blogs and I love the design. I'm having a bit of trouble with my blog in the Title, because I want to have one that fills the whole space, like yours, but I do mine on powerpoint and that just isn't enough room… How do you make yours? I've always wondered that…
Try creating a banner in Picnik, free picture editing from Google. You can adjust the width there as well. Hope this helps!
I'm so jazzed about your award. You inspire me all the time to keep blogging. Even when my family make fun of my hens. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Flock Mistress. You have a beautiful sweet blog as well. I enjoy reading about your adventures too.
Congratulations!
Hi Sweet girl!! It was so great to meet you in New York!! I was trying to find an email address for you so I could see if there is any way to get some of those photos from you (and possibly borrow some from you blog). You can email me at shabbynest (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Thank you Linda!
Wendy, it was so lovely to meet you too! Just emailed you a link to the photos! Hope you like them 🙂
Just wonderful Melissa! Tilly and the girls must be so proud of you! :)I sure am!
hugs,
Deb
Thanks Deb! I just keep giving the girls extra treats this week! I hope they feel special too!
Melissa, Congratulations! I am over the moon excited for you… you so deserve this! I have loved Tilly's Nest from the moment I discovered it (and you), and you have been so helpful and inspiring for me in the raising of "my girls". Thanks for this lovely blog. And, BTW, love your dress and boots! 🙂 XO Helena
Thanks Helena! I enjoy all of your comments as well. So glad that you are part of this!
Congrats Melissa! Love your blog. I'm getting my chickens next week and will be reading your site for inspiration!
Likewise! So wonderful to have met you and made a connection!