The bloggers in the Outstanding category, sponsored by BritMums, stand out with well-written, entertaining, thought-provoking, heartfelt and often highly informative posts.
The blogs are well constructed, and demonstrate good design and easy navigation. The bloggers’ excellent engagement with their audience is clear and reaches well beyond their blog onto other social media.
These outstanding blogs grab your attention and won’t let go.
Fabulicious Food
Ren Behan, @RenBehan, has created an enchanting, beautiful food blog; in Ren’s own words:
Goodbye Pert Breasts
Ben Wakeling, blogger and author of ‘Goodbye, Pert Breasts’ and ‘Teething Pains’, @benwakeling, writes with a brilliant sense of humour and intelligence. In his words: “Ben, 27, father of two, seeks readers with GSOH to tolerate his pointless whitterings. What are you looking here for? The good stuff’s on the main page.”
So, there you go! Time to check out the main page…
Her Melness Speaks
HerMelness Speaks aka Melinda Fargo, @HerMelness, writes wonderfully intelligent, witty posts on her stylish blog. In (some of) her own words:
- WARNING: Information contained herein and throughout the HerMelness Speaks website / blog / journal is not intended for use by the overly sensitive.
- HerMelness Speaks is not a member of the British Royal Family. She would therefore appreciate all pleas and overtures from The Queen to become a member thereof to cease henceforth.
- HerMelness Speaks is not affiliated in any way with Denzel Washington. Notwithstanding, HerMelness Speaks is not adverse to being affiliated with Denzel Washington who can contact her at any time, anywhere, any place.
- HerMelness Speaks is related by blood to four teenagers/young people but reserves the right to random DNA testing at her sole discretion with or without a large and blunt needle.
- HerMelness Speaks can choose at her sole discretion to be related to four teenagers/young people depending upon who is asking; as in “No officer, I have never seen those children before in my life.”
- HerMelness Speaks is reliably informed that she does not have to possess an intellect to claim intellectual property rights.
- The HerMelness Speaks Journal should not be relied upon as the sole source of gynaecological advice.
- The views expressed by HerMelness Speaks do not necessarily reflect the views of the sane.
Knackered Mother’s Wine Club
Helen McGinn: mother, wino, sometimes in that order, @knackeredmutha, has created a fantastic source of wine info for the knackered mothers out there. And fathers. AND she now has a book deal from her blog!! In her own words:
Love my three children, husband and wine. Spent best part of a decade travelling the globe sniffing out wines for a living as a wine buyer for a big supermarket. Have spent most of the last half-decade pregnant. Now run my own wine business. Want to share wine knowledge in the hope that other knackered mothers are interested in what’s in my glass at the end of the day. Strictly no insipid wines allowed. Unless too tired to care.
Muddling Along
Hannah Brewer, @muddlingalong, writes candid accounts of her life in this refreshing blog. In her own words:
This is my personal blog about how I’m trying to make sense of the varied demands of juggling a life inhabited by a husband, two children, a home, two chickens and a full time job – it’s a learning curve that I’m just about clinging to.
Dramatis personæ
Muddling Along Mummy – sleep deprived and blogging to maintain my sanity
Mr Muddling – adorable geek in disguise as a balanced member of society
Bigger (formerly known as Toddlergirl) – three years old and already planning her bid for world domination but only if she can do it wearing a dress-up dress and wellies. Of course
Littler (formerly known as Babygirl) – unbelievably only two but convinced she is in charge. Mostly known for it being HER turn and looking like she’s been dragged through a hedge backwards
Mummy From The Heart
Michelle Pannell, @michelletwinmum, is always topical and writes intelligently about a range of subjects. She is a great supporter of new bloggers. In her own words:
This blog was born in 2008 and really took off in 2009/2010, my USP is my honesty. I tend to be known as a blogger who will tell it as it is (but with a smile) and I am generally a positive, glass half-full kind of girl. I love the thought that my hardest times are an encouragement to others and that means I blog the good, the bad and the darn right ugly too! I have a strong readership and I am happy to work with brands that fit with my lifestyle and beliefs.
I love life and enjoy keeping it simple. Time with my family, friends and God are what make me happiest. (Ohh and a spot of blogging/ tweeting too!) Three small people call me Mummy, JJ who is 8 and thinks he is a teenager and Miss M and Miss E, 4 year old twinnies – chalk and cheese, they could not be more different.
I’ll have been married for 10 years this year and been with dh since 1994, so really we have grown up together, going through lots but coming out stronger and now I could never imagine being without him. I love our little family unit of 5.
I am very much imperfect and this blog tells my journey through life…. Come join me!
Red Ted Art
Maggy Woodley, @redtedart, has created an incredibly inspirational, easy to navigate craft blog followed by many people beyond blogging! In her own words:
The blog was originally set up to help me promote my Artwork for Children, but has since then become much, much more. RedTedArt is designed to be your one stop shop for all things crafty. Check out the regular book reviews, weekly tutorials, and monthly craft carnivals!
Typecast
Nickie O’Hara, @nickie72, is one of those really lovely bloggers who loves the craft of blogging enough to have created a series of tips and tutorials, sharing her vast nowledge across several platforms. In her own words:
