going after a little change

I'm a creature of change, its no big secret.  I love moving things around in my house, or moving houses! I change the color of my hair constantly, the music I'm diggin' for the week, what I'm reading, etc. One thing I felt I wasn't changing though was who I was representing online.

And that was me. Where was I, in my design?


I started reflecting upon the blogs I love so very much, the ones I visit daily, and while content was obvious- their design was what always stood out.  I couldn't put my finger on it, I even thought I was having a brand identity crisis, but it finally hit me: my design was based upon my business and not my own lifestyle.  Although that direction was great for a while and works incredible for others, my shop and my customers are not a direct reflection of me.  And I needed to change that.  I think as a business owner we get so wrapped up in what we present to our customers that it can seem like they are the only ones we make happy, when really they probably don't even notice!

Per my previous design I discovered: I am not gold or glitter, chalkboard menus, floral patterns or cute fonts.  I am not my shop, I am not my creations.  I have so many interests and one of them is the extreme passion I have to share independent and small business, handmade & local communities.  I also love to share what is going on in my life, new explorations from our big move and so much more...  I love good design and free of clutter layouts that can show off the content I so desire to share.  But I was scared of how to make this all work- especially since my designer would murder me.  Like as in we have never met in real life, but I firmly believe she would fly from Canada to Oregon and choke me out.

I found the design below by BlogMilk and instantly fell in love. It was pre-made, but I could customize it however needed.  I messaged Dana and told her my ideas and I was so sad, because for the first time in 2+yrs she wouldn't be designing my blog.  But change is good and although I'm not done with the design, I'm so happy how its looking so far.  Thankfully I have a rad boss with some computer skills that he puts to use at 2am his time upon request, otherwise this makeover could have been a disaster!


If something is bothering you, locate the source and make a change. Don't be afraid to be yourself, or even have a 'self' away from your business.  This community is (in my opinion) so over saturated with the same stuff that it can be overwhelming to find your own place, but there are no rules, there are no rights or wrongs.  And as little as a blog makeover may seem, to me it meant everything.  I think I'm finding me.

20 comments:

  1. I totally understand how you feel about design and needing it to reflect who you are. I went through several design changes on my own blog, too, and though it's not exactly where i'd like it to be, it's definitely getting there. I feel a piece of me in it now, just as I sense a piece of you here. Love the new design!

    xoxo
    Melyssa
    http://thenectarcollective.com/

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    1. love love love your blog, thanks for the comment! xo

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  2. I love your new look and can totally relate to trying to create a seperate look from your shop-I haven't quite figured it out...I too change my mind a lot! LOL!

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    1. I hope this one lasts a bit, it may simple simple or empty to others- but its helping my mind! I needed a clean slate and this is it. I think that it still goes with my shop, but has more of me in it- and even though the shop & blog have the same name, they dont have to be identical!

      Thanks for checking it out and sharing some love xo

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  3. Love the new design! I too have a Blog Milk design and I have never looked back. Love!

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  4. Ok first of all, I love this new design! Simple, black at white- somewhat similar to my blog design (I actually use on of Dana's pre-made templates)and I especially love the placement of your blog name! I think it's really great that you went with a design that reflects you more, and I think that's what blogger's should do anyway:)I actually wrote a post this morning with similar sentiments about change, then hopped over here to read this post and now I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! I move thing's around in my house ALL the time. Thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. love how simple your design is too! thanks for the sweet compliments- checking out your post! xo

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    2. Thank you! I'm still working on my blog design, thanks for checking it out:)

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  5. love it! i installed a blogmilk design a few months ago and am so so so happy with it. it is clean and simpel and the lack of clutter just makes me feel better.

    also, i love how you said "I am not my designs." I am the exact same. I make girly, colorful things but if you saw the way I dressed on a regular basis, you would have no idea. I love to make these pieces and see them on others, but all I wear is black and gray :). I have struggled with this in the past too....thinking I needed a blog and website that looked like my designs but once I let all that go and created a super simple blog space I felt alive again.

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  6. Heather I looooooove it. I think you made a great decision! Good for you. :] xo JA

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    1. Yay thank you friend, I was so nervous at first- but i'm digging how simple it all is!

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  7. Good for you Heather! Seriously...I've been feeling this itch too. I think it takes bravery to make such a big change so I applaud you for going with it and jumping. It looks fabulous!

    xoxo.

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  8. Your New Design Rocks!

    I've been feeling the same way so I get it.

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  9. loving the new design! so simple and pretty. :)

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  10. absolutely love the new design. i'm all about simple and intuitive. glad it reflects more who you are. i never thought about separating the identity of my business from my personal blog (mind you my business is still a work in progress). i've been designing my blog and shop according to my likes, so they might end up looking the same. btw, i just looked at your shop, somehow i never realized it was YOUR shop. lol. i really would love one of those gold star headbands. will more be available soon? xD

    love, moon
    blog | twitter

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  11. Thanks for posting this! I've been mulling it over since you first posted it, and while I'm still struggling to separate myself from my business, I think you're totally right when you say that you're NOT your business.
    I made the mistake of branding not just my webdesign site, but my comics and my personal blog with "EEF" (my initials). While I do LIKE that, having three VERY different websites all branded together was a bad idea.
    I've decided to keep my EEF branding for my business and comic, but will be changing my personal blog over to a new name (actually, probably just my whole name, I'm not very original). I think that will help take some of the pressure of making my blog fit with my webdesign brand. I'll actually feel okay using different colors and fonts and posting personal things again! I've felt really trapped the past few months with trying to tie my entire life into my brand, and that just doesn't work for me (I AM envious of those people that it does work for).
    So anyhow, long story short, thank you for posting this! I think it was the kick I needed to make some changes that were making me very unhappy.

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  12. I love your new look but then again I am into the minimal design look. I am glad that you found something that makes you feel better and more you. Everyone did a great job at making it look fabulous <3

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  13. Oh my goodness, I love your new design!! It's super cute and clean feeling! Great job!

    xo,
    Shio

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