MARYHOP - BEST TRAVEL BLOG #MCBLOGAWARDS16

This year, Maryhop Blog was awarded at the Marie Claire Greece Blog Awards as the BEST TRAVEL BLOG! Of course, I had to share my experience from the awards night at the Onassis Cultural Centre where the ceremony took place - scroll down for photos and more!
 

Before that, let's take a trip back in time when I was just beginning my journey in the world of blogging. A time when I used to spend days studying professional international bloggers in order to learn WHAT BLOGGING WAS and how it could actually lead someone to success. As you may know, I came from a field that had nothing to do with PR agencies, brands, marketing or advertising – not to mention my lack of experience in social media strategies and campaigns. That meant I had a really long way ahead!
 

I joined the world of aviation at a young age and built my career step-by-step, all by myself. Blogging was another great challenge for me. It was strictly professional to me from Day 1 – it was neither a hobby, nor some kind of journal to share my thoughts. Everything on this blog has been designed with attention to detail, legality and professionalism.
 

Last year when I was nominated as Best Lifestyle Blog for the first time at the Marie Claire Blog Awards, I was lucky enough to have a lot of doors open for me – doors that lead to exciting new roads and projects. I worked hard, built relationships and wonderful collabs and even though I didn't win an award, I felt I gained a lot – mostly by communicating my work to the world and meeting new, exciting people. I invested in those relationships over time as I always do,
 

My second nomination came this year at the Best Travel Blog category - a category cut out for me. Through Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (don't forget to follow me @marykalymnou), I shared all those moments that lead to the night of the awards – all the challenges and, of course, the cocktail evening organized by Belvedere, the grand sponsor of the awards. My second nomination came at a time when I was more ready than ever – wiser and more experienced.
 

And the day of the awards quickly approached.
 

(I don't have to mention that it was a hectic day, full of hair and makeup appointments and outfit fitting – I will dedicate a separate post with makeup & outfit details as everyone who supported my hopes and dreams throughout that period and made me feel like a real-life princess at the night of the awards really deserves a Special Edit by Maryhop!)
 

The Best Travel Blog category opened the awards ceremony, so you can imagine how NERVOUS I felt! Galatia Laskaraki, the director of Marie Claire Greece – who believed in me all along and I should definitely take the chance to thank once again- handed me my award. Such a WOW moment for me, I have to admit, since I've worked so hard for this blog.
 

The ceremony took place at the Onassis Cultural Centre in an amphitheatre filled with people while the party at "Hytra". The OCC top floor restaurant, was simply AMAZING! I spend hours doing – what else? - socializing and I when I finally got back home along with my award!
 

The award took its place at the crisp white vanity at The Vip Excellence Career Centre – Maryhop's office for the past few months! It is a Career Centre for Flight Attendants that was created fueled by the special relationship I have built with each and every one of my readers, a career centre that constantly reminds me the importance of chasing your dreams, believing in yourself and doing everything in your power to make those dreams come true.
 

That is the very essence of blogging for me!
 

I would like to thank Marie Claire once more for believing in me, the team that supported me and and worked for this , the judges for acknowledging the hard work I've put on this blog and, of course, I would like to thank Grace Hotels, the sponsor of my category – which will soon welcome me at the exceptional Grace Mykonos!
 

I would also like to thank a few people who stand beside me in all this: my beloved sister - the technical life and soul of this blog -, Elena - who supports me doing the English version of the blog -, my friends for their patience during the hours I spend to keep the blog up and running and the love of my life, Yannis who is always there for me and also, behind every photo you see on this blog. And above all, I would like to thank YOU for reading my blog, following my adventures and giving me a chance to get better and better at what I'm doing day by day.
 

I can't express how thankful, loved and blessed I feel for this award!

 

AWARDS NIGHT DELIRIUM FOLLOWS!

 

Thank you all,

Maryhop

xx

 

 

Dress The KNLs - Double hair wreath Angelo di Spirito Rosa - Shoes Steve Madden, Clutch Bottega Veneta
Make Up by Shiseido



With Galateia Laskaraki / Marie Claire Editor in Chief


With Suzana @IssueMagazine / Best Beauty blog Winner & Lavinia from @Drumsoffashion / Style we Love Winner


With @Wornoutpassport / Lifestyle Insider Winner


With Natalia from @ByNefandNat.com / TwinFashion

With Fani from @Fa-ssion / Streetstyle Hero Winner

With Evrydiki from @FolliFollie & Patricia from @Milikiss / Social Media Darling Winner

With Natalia & Linda

With Daphnia from @Life-Report/ Editor's Choice Winner

With THE LEGEND, Efi Anesti from @Beauty DIaries Blog

With my lovely hoppers