i scrabbled. i scrabbled on the floor in Soho. so i decided that the more i drank the less i would be known as the blogger who scrabbled on the floor in Soho.

This weekend I went to London, chipped a tooth, lost an award, scrabbled on the floor and hurt one tonsil. But I gained so much more.

Friday night was the MAD Blog Awards ceremony at the TalkTalk centre in Soho. It's not often you walk into a room full of glittery, elegant, (mainly) female strangers, yet feel so welcome; as if you've known them all forever. Any nerves I had at meeting new people - the thing I will shirk away from at any given chance - were extinguished by the warmth and generosity of this magnificent group of bloggers. Helped along by the freely flowing wine.

I've been reading some of these blogs for years, and all of the people behind those tiny avatars turned out to be as true, stylish and special as the words that they write. They are a group of dynamic and diverse parents that together form a wonderfully supportive community, which I'm proud to be part of.

Obviously there are big thanks to be given to the sponsors who, you know, coughed up the cash. And huge-r thanks to Sally Whittle (the doyenne of the blogging world) who not only organised us with a military precision that would make Dwight Eisenhower look slapdash, but also knocked up an event so sparkly and glamorous that it wouldn't have been out of place in Cannes.

There are photos and details of the winners on facebook (here). And I've stolen some photos from Lindy and the official photographer (sorry Sally) to share with you, so you can see how poorly well I adapted to this noble affair.

1. I may be scrabbling on the floor in Soho, but I'm doing it in the best possible taste and in the most amazing company.

2. My best Dallas secretary phone answering pose (of course I took one earring off first).

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3. It may look as if I don't belong on this photo with my head peering, mouse-like, at the back. But I swear I've not just wandered in off the street and invaded the shot, like those people frantically waving and shouting 'hello mum' behind roving reporters on the national news. Honest.

4. "G'wan, get away with you! Can't you see WE'RE TRYING TO DRINK". The two newcomers get down to business and no, I'm NOT trying to steal Lexy's award at all. Obviously. Ahem.