Lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve… outgrown the blog. Not in the “OMG I’m such a big blogger, I’m beyond this now” douchey kind of way, because that’s just silly. I mean this in a different way. When I look at my old theme, I’m reminded of a mother of one toddler and one small, very docile and calm baby, who crafted. Who spent hours setting up crazy paint sessions and avoiding the twitchy eye that inevitably comes with having paint on the kitchen counter (there is still a blue paint stain from my attempt to rekindle our crafting days with Edith that we don’t discuss on the dining room door… it’s fine, I’m cool about it. It’s fine. F-I-N-E). I’m reminded of a mum who felt like she had a her shit together when she walked out of the door to go to her part time job and who thought she understood the stresses of being a working mum, because 16 hours in a dead end job with two toddlers is so hard, right? I’m reminded of a mum who didn’t have a clue about how stressful it would be to try and do homework with her eldest child, whilst his sister pulled at her chest and his brother demanded to do his reading homework at EXACTLY the same time… not to mention the dinner burning in the kitchen.
I’m reminded of a very different me. One no less, but just non-existent anymore.
Now I’m working for myself, in a career I love. It took years of dedication, whilst working those 16 hours, and another 30-40 in my own time a week to get me to where I am. I am the mother who truly loves flexible working but has had to work my arse off to get it.
Now I can’t stand the sight of paint. I’m totally understanding of those comments on my pictures of totally wallpapered kitchen floors with palettes of paint everywhere. I still have the “it’ll wash” philosophy at heart, but I now have more children than hands, more coffee in me than anything else. Paint is my nemesis, the thing that makes me want to shudder.
Now I rarely feel like my shit is together but I’m doing my best every day in the hope that one day my kids will be under the illusion that I did, in fact, nail this parenting lark most of the time. That I acknowledged when I made mistakes and we all learnt from them, but that it’s ok to get it wrong.
On top of all this, on top of feeling like a totally different person to the one I used to be (for better or worse) I also had some very practical reasons for a rebrand. I wanted to make the site easier for people to use as, on average, there is a whopping 30-35,000 of you coming on over every month. Sure, I’m not competing with big bloggers with those numbers but I am humbled and delighted with the fact that you guys are sharing this journey with me and I think a new look, and more compatible site for those mamas on their mobiles at soft play – I see you, you’re my spirit animal – is a must.
I feel like my new branding includes my third child, Edith (who is pretty much insta-famous for her scowling eyebrows and bad attitude), with the ampersand converted into a mummy (moi) holding a baby (Miss Edith). Toby & Roo started pre-Edie but it has become very much a part of our lives and family… all that is missing now is Daddy and the dog, though I did suggest the wrinkled pooch be included with a full stop in his form, but I received some dodgy looks from everyone, including my awesome designer… as for Adam. I like to say he’s absent because he’s behind the camera… sorry about that darling husband…
Finally, I also wanted to celebrate my Instagram, which has become somewhat my fourth baby. I try to share different content across the blog (so not every post will go on social), Facebook and Instagram. Yet Instagram has become such an important thing for my brand, especially with me become a speaker at BlogOn in May and such, that I just wanted to incorporate it somehow.
So, welcome to Toby&Roo 2.0.
H x
Logo design credit: Sarah Masey. You can find her on twitter here and on her design site here.
Love your new blog design. It looks amazing.
Thank you so much x
Loving the new look! I love how it can really refresh your whole motivation for blogging when you have an overhaul! x
Thank you x
I love your new layout and logo! So modern!
Thank you x
I love your logo! I know what you mean. My blog header has photos of my daughter when she was 18 months and she’s now 5! I could do with a makeover! x
Thank you x
Very inspirational. Celebrate your success, girl!
Thank you xx
Love your new look, great idea to bring your littlest into your logo without changing the name! 🙂
Thank you x
I saw your new logo on Facebook and liked it and seeing it on your blog is great it fits so well and looks amazing xx
Thank you x
Oh I absolutely love it and your logo is amazing with the & part x
Thanks lovely x
I looove your logo/header! So clean and effective.
Thank you Luke!
I am loving your new logo, it is so cute and I think maybe the best around. I have just noticed that you have 54 thousand follows on instagram! Wow, that is amazing, what’s your secret?
Oh thank you so much! I love Instagram – if you’re coming to BlogOn I’m doing a whole big talk about it 🙂
Love this new design, I got my blog redesigned a few moths ago and it’s amazing how much it motivated me to continue to grow my blog x
It’s like a new kick up the butt isn’t it?!!
Congrats on your 2.0 site, the new layout looks great and it’s nice that you feel that this represents you and your blog more x
Thanks Rhian xx
I like your site, i think it looks fab. Instagram is great and i love using it too x
Ooh what’s your handle Hannah?
Congratulations! Feels so fresh and I just love the logo!! Your hard work is inspiring!!
Thanks lovely x
The rebranding looks fabulous and your new logo is fantastic, I love it! Congratulations on seeing all of your hard work over the years coming to fruition and it’s so wonderful to see how you have grown x
Thank you xxx
I absolutely adore the new layout, so fresh and clean. I love following your journey and I’m going to enjoy this new journey with your rebrand 🙂 good luck lovely, your awesome at what you do x
Thank you x
Your site is just beautiful. I totally adore your logo!
Thank you x
I think the rebrand looks amazing and you know I am a big fan of your work, you never cease to make me laugh and your so nice. So pleased that you are getting recognition for all your hard work too xx
Thank you so much darling lady xx
Only looking on my phone atm but it looks awesome, well done girl! Can’t wait to see you in May x
Thanks Ally – I know, I’m dead excited to see you too lovely lady x
Your site looks amazing! I’m using it on my iPhone and it optimizes for mobile perfectly!
Ah that’s fab to hear! Thank you so much 🙂
New site layout is DOPE! And I love the logo best logo I’ve seen in a long time, definitely includes Edith. I use to change my layout so much lol but now I tend to just stick to what I’ve got. Whoop Whoop to 2.0 xo
Eek thanks so much! I’m so pleased you like it lovely xx
I think it looks great, I do have your instagram post saved to work on mine, you have done amazing and good luck on being a speaker at BlogOn x
Thanks so much lovely x
Love it well done. 30-35,000 wowwee!:)
Ahh thank you lovely 🙂 x
I LOVE it!!!!! Looks amazing my love. It’s genius how you’ve managed to bring Edith right into it without changing your name. Genius!
Thank you so much lovely! Yes, I thought it would fit well and still retain the name! H x
It looks great. I’m one of your newer readers but absolutely loving your blog and Instagram. I read your tips on Laura’s blog and will be following them. My biggest problem is keeping my boys still!
Ahh thank you so much! Ohh it’s impossible to keep them still isn’t it? Mine are all over the place 90% of the time!
Looks great huni! Whoop!
Ah thanks so much beauts xx