Eeeeek. I won the Amara Colour Inspiration Award. I want to start this post by saying a massive thank you to all who took the time to nominate and vote for me.

A few nights ago, I attended the awards ceremony at Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, London with Andy, and quite frankly, was looking forward to clapping the winners of each category, including my own. If you know of the other bloggers in the Colour Inspiration section, you will know why I was resigned and more than happy to do so. They’re all so talented.

So after catching up with old friends and new, we all sat down in Ham Yard’s private theatre ready to hear who would be the Highly Commended and the Winners for 2015. We decided to sit towards the back so that we could watch it all happen.TV Presenter and Interior Designer Sophie Robinson was our presenter for the ceremony and she was so at ease and good at her job ( which is definitely not as easy as she made it look ), that I think it relaxed us all a bit. Sam Hood who is Creative Director and Chief Buyer of Amara was on stage too and as the first two winners were announced and the sponsors of those categories walked up and shared a moment with them.

Then came ‘ Amara Colour Inspiration Interior Blog Award ‘ … I reclined a bit at this point because I had already made up my mind who had probably won. But then I hard my name called out and went a bit  ‘ out of body ‘. What made it even more special, was that Sophie had said that it was her favourite category. So, up I went all jelly legged ( I kind of resembled Mrs Overall from Acorn Antiques ) because I was suddenly very nervous and to trying to walk quickly in heels up on to the stage to meet Sam Hood and then Charlotte Cosby, Head of Creative at Farrow & Ball who were the sponsors for this particular award, for a photo…. then back to my seat, where I sat stunned but totally elated.

You may notice in this photo that Charlotte was in a much more colourful outfit than me on the night. A lovely red dress. Had I known that I was going to win and even though I love my Vivienne Westwood black dress – I would’ve worn something a little brighter, I think.

After enjoying all of the other categories, we all then headed back to the bar area to celebrate and chat more.

I mean, wow ? It has taken a few days to sink in and to think that the judges with such experience in their fields, chose me.  It blows my mind. I have to say at this point – the other 4 shortlisted blogs were Candy Pop, Emily Quinton, Little Big Bell and Jessica Zoob who are all so fantastic and very clever at what they do – it must’ve been a hard choice.

The next morning when I woke up, I had that moment of clarity you get when you realise you haven’t just dreamt something – it actually happened. When Mae and Betsey came in to see how the evening had gone – I pulled the award from under the duvet and they did a very happy dance. We all did, actually.

My first ever product review request for Lucy Loves Ya was from Amara. I remember feeling very excited about it … and now 4 years down the line, this has happened. I have a lot to thank them for. They are not only the leading online luxury homeware and gifts boutique, but they are also really nice people – so I feel grateful to be involved with them.

Right now, I’m on cloud nine and think I’d like to bottle this feeling. :) Looking forward to writing lots more blog post and carrying on with filling the blog with colour.

Wishing you a great day.

Lucy x

Photographs 1 – 7 taken and copyright of John Nassari Photograhy. Photo 7 taken by me – Lucy Gleeson Interiors.

You can find me on Pinterest if you’d like more colour and interior inspiration.