Last week, I was sitting at the dining room table, checking email when I suddenly started whooping! (You can hear it now, right?) My husband ran in because he thought something was wrong. Turns out, I just received an email letting me know I had won the Reader’s Choice award for the 2016 Better Homes & Gardens Blogger Awards. (They’ll be making the official announcement next week, but I couldn’t wait to tell you.)
I am so happy about this—and wanted to thank each of you who took the time to vote (multiple times). There was one reader who commented that she’s a teacher and ran in to vote at the school computers during her kids’ recess. That’s commitment. I love it. :) Honestly, I feel like I’ve had a better grasp on the direction of my blog over the last year and have tried to be more intentional about providing some kind of value to my readers every time they (you) visit. Hopefully you’ve noticed. It’s made a big difference in how much I enjoy writing this blog.
This also seems like a good time to mention my little behind-the-scenes helper. I’ve talked about her before, but my friend Katie is the greatest. She’s technically my “assistant”, but introducing her that way always makes us giggle because we’ve been great friends for way longer. She’s been helping me for several years and handles all of the sponsorship inquiries, giveaways, invoicing, general email questions, etc. She’s also great at reigning me in when I get carried away with bigger ideas and ambitions than I actually have time to tackle. (She has seen me near meltdown mode when I’ve had too much on my plate and does her best to guard me from getting back to that.) Plus, we just have a really good time working/laughing together.
Ridiculous photos of us together are plentiful. The amount of good ones is few. . .
And, finally, if you’re looking for some new blogs to read, my fellow nominees in the diy/decorating category are a really talented group:
balloon image: Style Me Pretty
Ysy!! Congratulations, Emily! I was hoping this was the “exciting news!” ;) Well-deserved!
Emily, congratulations! I love your blog and have it at the top of my bookmarks. I have voted for other blogs here and there over the years, but I voted for yours regularly during the contest because I really wanted to give a little bit back to you for all the wonderful content you provide to your readers. I am always inspired by the glimpses we get into your lovely home and the atmosphere you create for your real-life busy, growing family. An award well deserved!
I love your blog Congratulations! Your necklace is amazing where did you get it?
Actually, I borrowed it from Katie :) I think she got it at Francesca’s.
Congratulations! Well deserved! Your blog is the first one I check on Saturday morning when everyone is asleep. Cup of coffee then the Saturday Six!
Yes, I agree!
Yay! That’s exactly what I picture you all doing when I’m putting it together during the week.
Emily, I’m so happy for you I just can’t tell you how much! Your blog is the first one I ever read and to this day it is still my favorite. I’m so happy you got this recognition! You deserve it! You write from the heart and everything is honest and true – that is why you shine so much! I look forward to every post you do. Congratulations!
Congratulations Emily! Well deserved!
CONGRATULATIONS!! SO, so happy for you Emily!! xo, Bridget & Casey
Congratulations!!
totally awesome news! Whooping it up here as well. So well deserved and what a blessing to have such a treasure in Katie. I toast you this morning with my freshly brewed coffee, congratulations! to your whole family too.
Cheers! :) Thanks, Cheryl.
Yay, big congrats! It is well deserved. So excited for you!! : )
Congratulations, Emily! I am thrilled for you and hope you enjoy the entire experience over this next year! It is so great to see you rewarded for staying true to yourself in the blogging world and keeping your site real. I appreciate you so much!!
Yay, Emily!! Congratulations on a very well deserved reward. You are awesome, amazing and inspiring and deserve all the best! And I can totally picture the whoop whooping!! :)
I’m super happy for you! I mentioned to you before but wanted to say again, I have always enjoyed your blog but noticed you really did a fantastic job last year, so glad it paid off for you! I honestly don’t know how you do it!
Warmest congrats to you and Katie!!!!!!! Love your blog!
Emily!!!! I’m so excited for you! Honestly, you have been doing something right because there aren’t many blogs I read regularly anymore. Yours is my favorite because you’re so genuine and unpretentious and real. And your “assistant” looks just as fun and stylish as you :) What a great partnership! Oh, and thanks for the other blog mentions. A couple of those I’ve never heard of and I look forward to checking them out!
No, I don’t think Katie and I have ever been accused of being pretentious. Ha! Ridiculously silly–maybe :)
So pleased to know you won. Love your blog. Nice to meet Katie.
Hooray, congratulations Emily! I have noticed the changes over the past year – keep doing what you’re doing because, from a reader perspective, you continue to bring us great value and I always look forward to your next post.
Yippee! I knew you had it in the bag!
I’m so happy for you, Emily!! Congratulations. Your blog is so good, honest, fun, and inspiring.
And what a role model you are for other bloggers, mothers, and women in general. Like the others, I knew you had it! : )
Congratulations! I got online every day to cast my vote for you and I’m glad you won!!!
Thank you, Jennifer! Hope your family is doing well :)
Congrats! I always couldn’t wait to read your blog when I get it through my email =) You’re always a great source of knowledge and a good laugh! Well deserved!
I’m so happy for you!!!! Congratulations!
Hooray! Love your blog, the award is much deserved. Saturday 6 is my favorite part of the weekend-unless my children actually do their laundry, then that’s my favorite part because who doesn’t love a miracle?! Congrats to you and Katie!
That would be my favorite part of the weekend, too, but I’m still waiting for that to happen…
Whooo-hooo!!! I am the teacher that you mentioned today. I literally screamed in my classroom before school this morning. I am so happy for you. You deserve it!!! Congrats!!!
That comment made me laugh out loud! I do love an enthusiastic blog reader :)
YAY!!! :)
Hi there! Great news for you and definetly well deserved. As mentioned through many comments, your blog is one of the few that I continue to check regularly. You still present a genuine point of view and not only constantly driven by sponsors. It can’t be easy having thousands of people in your home and business all the time but you make everyone feel like they are always welcome here.
I’ve never thought about it that way. Suddenly, I’m nervous. Ha! Thanks so much, Gillian :)
Awwww…that’s AWESOME, Emily. Congratulations!! SO well-deserved. I love it when good things happen to good people.
Sweet. Thank you!
as one of your fans/multiple voter/infrequent commenter, CONGRATS!!!!
so many blogs have ceased to exist and you emily keep rising and raising the bar. WOO HOO!
may you stay ever successful and ever present
debra
Thank you, Debra. So glad you enjoy it.
Hi Emily, congratulations!!! Well deserved!!
Congratulations! I voted for you and I am so happy for you! I really enjoy your blog – at this time I don’t read many due to my schedule but I appreciate your simple yet informative layout. You also have really great style! Congrats!
Yea! I never participate /vote in these type things , but for you, I did–and would fret if I missed a day. Much deserved! Thanks for being such a great read!
Well, thanks so much for voting this time!
Congratulations Emily!!!! You’ve always been a fave of mine!! I’ve learned so much from you and am always inspired by the content you share! So happy for you and so well deserved!!
xoxo
Thank you, Shauna! Hopefully, we’ll get to see each other again this Fall :)
YEA!!! I’m so proud of you. So well deserved.
YEA! ! Congratulations I think your bog is amazing. I have followed it since your twins were born. You have helped me in so many ways
Congratulations Emily!! Well done!! I enjoy your blog so much every morning with my cup of coffee. It is the best way to start the day! Plus your Saturday 6 are always my weekend fav too. WOOHOO!!! So happy for you!! PS.. can’t wait to see that kitchen project! :-)
Hip hip hooray! So happy for you, sweet friend! (And cute Katie, too!) You totally missed the opportunity to post that awesome cruise professional photo of you two, though… ;) ;)
We were just talking about that this past weekend! We could kick ourselves for not buying that one :(
Congratulations Emily!! Well deserved!
Well, OF COURSE you did! You go girl.
Yay!! I voted for you. Congrats! ;)
Congratulations, Emily! I honestly don’t have time to read many blogs (or even post on my own for that matter!), but I make time to read yours. As a fellow working mom, with a passion for interior design, I really relate to your blog, your sense of style, your writing and how you go about your projects (while trying to stay sane, lol!). Funny enough, BHG is the only mag I’ve had a long terms subscription to and make time to read….so I’m utterly happy for you!
Congratulations, Emily. So well deserved!