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In a few months’ time, I will have been blogging for three years. Over this time I’ve found the focus of my blog has shifted somewhat, I’ve lost followers and gained others (hello by the way to any newbies) and I’ve settled comfortably into my cosy little corner of blogland.
I’ve been thinking a bit about this blog of mine lately,
re-reading my notes from Holly’s blogging course that I took last year along
with Tara Frey’s book ‘Blogging For Bliss’ and I’m planning a wee bit of a
makeover for this space. This will be a
long-overdue spruce-up which I remember was initially on my to-do list in the
final weeks before I had Sophie and which still has not eventuated.
I’m wondering if you can possibly all do me a favour and
give me a teensy bit of feedback on how things are here visually and the topics
I post about. I’d like to learn more
about my followers, to fix any issues that may pose themselves and to keep
things interesting here in the way of content.
To keep it simple for myself and you, I’ve limited this 'favour' to three brief questions…
1. Who
are you? If you’re not already a
follower who I’m familiar with, if you’ve never commented before, I’d love for
you to introduce yourself. Where are you
from? How long have you been reading
Homely One?
2. Which
topics do you like reading about here?
Recipes? Crafty projects? Parenting/babies? Random snippets of daily life? Decorating/renovations? Is there a topic you want to read more about?
3. And
finally how easy do you find it to navigate around my blog visually? Am I missing something that would make it
easier?
As a thank you, anyone who leaves a comment here to help me out (any time during the remainder of this week) will automatically go in the drawer to win their choice out of the
following three books:
·
Simplicity Parenting - by Kim John Payne
·
Bake - by Tina Bester
·
Blogging For Bliss – by Tara Frey
Thanks in advance to any of you lovely people who spare a moment of your time to give me some much appreciated feedback...
Photography above by Jenna Trapasso via Style Me Pretty
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI'm Andrea from Timaru, New Zealand. I somehow fell upon your blog a couple of months ago. I really like that it is simple, and easy to read.
I like reading about your girls, (I have a 4.5 year old daughter (Ella) and a 14 month old son (Carter), so I like reading about other people's kiddies. And I'm doing a Design and Decorating diploma at the mo, so I'm always on the lookout for seeing inside peoples houses :-)
Hi Andrea, thanks so much for introducing yourself! I appreciate you taking the time to say hi and I'm glad you enjoy my blog. I love getting sneak peek into other's homes through their blogs too - so many great ideas out there! x
DeleteHi Amanda...well I have to say I've always found your blog visually appealing and think you cover a great range of topics....If you wanted to freshen up your blog I would only suggest one adjustment and maybe go with a new banner with more pics...other than that I think your blog looks great...have a great day and I hope the fashion make over is going well :-)
ReplyDeleteA new banner is one of the things I've been thinking about actually and I had been toying with the idea of perhaps a few photos that represent the things I blog about. Thanks for your comment and suggestion.
DeleteNo shopping yet unfortunately but my husband is on holidays soon so I hopefully I can sneak in a quick visit to the shops to get a few pieces :)
Hi Amanda, I'm Natalie and I discovered your blog when you were nice enough to become a follower of mine (I now follow you too). I'm more interested in recipes and decorating/renovating posts but having said that, I think your blog should reflect what you find interesting and important, after all , it's your blog :) I think the blog's layout is easy to navigate and is appealing but it is nice to have a 'freshen up' every now and again. When you do get that makeover, stick to what you you like - I tried a few times to makeover my blog (worried if others would like it) before settling on a layout and deign I was happy with. Good luck and have fun with it :)
ReplyDeletecongrats on the three years, isn't it amazing? I love seeing snippets of your daily life around the home as well as hearing about your parenting and family journey. everything is v easy to navigate here :)
ReplyDeletelooking forward to seeing the new look!
Those are the parts I love best about your blog too Bron :)
DeleteHi Amanda I enjoy your decorating and general life posts and the fact we are both from Perth I can relate. I agree a banner is all you need. I don't comment a lot but I do pop over and see how you are. xKristie
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda!
ReplyDeleteI'm Kelly, from Sydney. I've only been blogging for about six weeks and so I've been reading your blog for close to that. I enjoy your recipes, parenting anecdotes and crafty projects. And with the exception of the pale blue font being a little difficult to read, I find your blog to be easy to navigate, I can't see anything that's missing. Visually I love the pics of your home (to the right) they give it a very nice touch.
x
Hi Kelly, thanks for your feedback, exactly the sort of thing I wanted to know re: the pale blue font... will go for something darker :)
DeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm Evelyn I live in Albany WA and have only recently discovered your blog. I have really enjoyed reading what you have to write. I have 3 young kids, 1 a 8 month old baby boy so I love hearing about what your baby girl is up to as they are similar in age :) I also enjoy when you post recipes and great actvities to do with kids. I don't know much about blogs as I don't have one I just like reading others. Keep up the good work :)
Hi Evelyn, so nice to have you here :) Thanks for introducing yourself x
DeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm a newbie follower as I have only recently discovered blogging. I love reading blogs that cover a little bit of everything as it gives me a true insight into the person who writes it. It's fantastic to see how other Mums cope with raising little people and still manage to keep their own interests alive. I like the format and it's easy to navigate. Sim
Amanda I love the simplicity of your layout and find your blog very easy to navigate though I do love the idea of a new banner to freshen things up a little.
ReplyDeleteAs for your content...I enjoy that you have such a great variety as far as topics go and love that you are honest and real.
Keep up the great work :)
x
No need for introductions here :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, it's really easy to navigate. What I like about your blog the most is you put the right amount of YOU into it, so it's like we know each other and I always think that's really important when blogging.
Good luck with your "renovation", I know whatever you do will be great xx
Hi Amanda, I'm Millie from Montenegro on the Adriatic sea. Maybe I've commented once or twice here, because I really rarely leave comments. Although I like the simple look of your blog (and I'm reading you almost from the start) I suggest you make it more rememberable. Wider template with bigger pics, bigger header banner with photos of your topics would make a grat first impression. Topics you write are great and really goes with the blog name. Hope it helps and Thank you for asking for our opinion
ReplyDeletehave a nice day and happy blog makeover :)
Hi Millie, thanks for taking the time to comment. I had been wondering about the size of my images and the width of my blog page actually... I never really noticed it until we got out wider screen laptop and on there, the unused background space was more noticeable. Thanks for your suggestions :)
DeleteIt all looks fine to me Amanda....your topics are "you" and that's all that matters. Keep on keeping on
ReplyDeleteLesley
xx
Amanda if you were Bridget Jones and I was Mark Darcy I would quote the famous line 'I like you just the way you are'! Seriously though, I like everything about Homely One your home life, recipes, family, renos, it is an honest down to earth blog that I totally relate to. The only thing I could suggest is maybe add some seperate pages with more content about your home, or a page for your recipes or crafts to group them all together something like that. Other than that I like you just the way you are! From a fellow Perthian that has been following you since I started my blog a few years ago :)
ReplyDeleteLong time follower, comment every time i visit, adore your family, outlook, decor, craft, baking, activities with the children & sweet outlook on life. Always a pleasure here & looking forward to your 3rd blog birthday. Love Posie
ReplyDeletePS i'm from Sydney, have lived in Brisbane, Darwin & now live in Canberra, with my handsome soldier & 4 children aged 8-13, think that just about covers my life as a housewife, oh & tonnes of sewing between now & 2 science degrees. Love Posie
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile Posie :)
DeleteHI Amanda I am a regular and I love the simplicity of your layout. A new header might be nice for a change. I love that when I come here I will read a good story about what is happening and what the girls are up to. I also know I will be challenged to think a little and love how you "think about your parenting out loud". Please keep it up. Deb
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about me 'parenting out loud'... that line made me smile, I guess it is what I do :)
DeleteHi Amanda
ReplyDeleteI'm Vicky from Southland, New Zealand and have been reading your blog for a couple of months now. I think it's just fine the way it is except maybe for the pale blue font, which I think has already been mentioned. It's great being able to read of your everyday happenings and also of your sweet little girls. Keep up the great work!
Vicky
Hi Vicky, thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself and to give me some feedback, much appreciated x
DeleteHey Love,
ReplyDeleteNo need for an introduction here...you know who I am :)
I love coming to your blog, because I know it's always going to be a positive, enjoyable read. I love your tone and topics. You have a great skill with writing & I always find your posts flowy & easy to read. I love your parenting posts and updates on the girls, as I really connect to these ones and relate so much. Keep doing what you do :)
xx
You're a sweetie Claire and I too relate to so many of your posts as you know :) I try hard to keep my posts short and sweet, so I'm glad you said they were easy to read x
DeleteAnything for you lovely:) I love stopping by to visit to see what you've been cooking, to hear how you and your gorgeous family are doing, to see what you've been creating and to just come by and say hi. I love the simplicity of your layout and don't have any issues navigating around it. I'd have to say your space is just perfect because it's you:) xx
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, I like you blog just as it is. I like the mix. Gosh, I must have been reading you for a while now, almost from the start. No complaints here!
ReplyDeletexx
Hi Amanda. Claudia here from My Little Bungalow in the United States. You know I've commented and followed your blog for a while now. I like the honesty and natural tone of your writing. I don't have children, but I love reading your posts about Grace and Sophie - very sweet and heartwarming. I also love cooking and food, so recipes are always of interest to me. And I think your blog is very easy to navigate and has all the key elements: a search function (though you may want to move that up toward the top of the page, above or below Contact Me), categories, archive. Look forward to seeing your new look!
ReplyDeleteHI Amanda,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Cassie I am from Bunbury and I have 3 small kiddos. I am a parttime student studying from home and a SAHM.I have been reading your blog for about 6 weeks now maybe. I love the simplicity of your blog, the white space. The photos of clean and organised rooms in your house gives me a sense of calm! Ha ha - probably because that is what I am looking to achieve in my own chotic world! Any tips on organising your day and how you manage to keep calm and carry on I would be interested in also :) Thanks for the inspiration, Cassie
Hi Cassie, so nice to 'meet' a reader from WA :) I try hard to keep things as tidy as possible with two little ones but please don't think for a moment that every room is that way or that my place is tidy 100% of the time :) Like all Mums, I have days that flow smoothly and others that are more challenging :) Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment x
DeleteHi Amanda, you answered a query for me a couple of days ago so my turn to give back. I can't remember how I found your blog but I keep coming back as I am a fellow West Australian and like it when you talk about places you have been in and around Perth. Also when you mention something I like and I know it is available here in WA (blue vase from Freedom!) I like that your blog is visually uncluttered and I enjoy the variety in your posts.Cheers, Michelle
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda..I am a very new follower..last couple of days really. I like a bit of all the subjects you have mentioned, I think that's why I followed you. I do agree with the lady who mentioned the pale blue..yellow doesn't show up very well either. I've found that I have to go for a couple of shades deeper than what I originally plan for, to make more of a visual impact on my blog. All the best with your tweaking!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, I think yours was one of the first blogs I started following! I've particularly enjoyed your decorating/renovation posts and I love hearing about how you manage your days with Grace and Sophie. It's easy to get stuck in a rut as a parent so it's nice to hear how others do things a little differently. I was going to say the only thing that sticks out for me is the banner which appears a little blurry on my screen.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how long I've been coming here, but I pop in now and then when I can and have put your blog into my google reader as I find it easier to follow my favourite blogs through there.
I also like the topics you already post about, and love the fresh feel of your blog. I would agree with Vanessa in that your banner is a bit blurry for me too, but I love the colours you've chosen.
I also love your decorating style, so always love to see what you've been up to :)
Hope you have a great rest of the week
x
Hi Amanda, I love reading your blog, I am also a regular, I love reading about your girls. Have a lovely weekend.x
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI am Ying from Sydney. I am not a blogger but do follow some blogs and you are one of them. I have two girls too and share many common interests as you. Love the genuine tone of your voice. Congratulations on 3 years. Happy blogging.
Hi Ying, so lovely of you to say hi! How old are your girls? x
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda!
ReplyDeleteAs you know I love your blog! I love how you share snippets of your everyday life, little projects you are doing and what inspires you. Your blog is all about you and I enjoy reading your posts, especially when you add such cute little pictures of your girls - Sophie striking that little pose, too cute! Also I love that you are from Perth too, it does add to a familiar feeling I have when I read your blog. I'm pretty sure I started reading back in 2009 when I started following blogs, I always check your blog for updates & have taken inspiration from a lots of hints & tips along the way, not to mention a few links too! Those little floral paper bags from Etsy,(a Singapore store I think from memory) that were so cheap. I can't bring myself to use them as they are just too pretty! I have 2 boys & 2 girls so of course I enjoy reading your parenting posts! Look forward to a little refresh of your blog, but definitely feel confident in keeping up your style on your blog.x.
3 years! Wow, the time has flown by.....I think I have been a follower since near the start, but my blog reading time has been dramatically reduced lately so I generally read and don't get a chance to comment (although I am trying to more)!
ReplyDeleteI think the posts I read the most are your general parenting ones....I know I'm always looking for ideas to play with the boys/how other mums juggle kids etc.
A freshen up is a great idea. The designer that did my blog is reallly cheap and good if you wanted the details (just send me an email!).
Bel
I've been follwowing for a couple of years I reckon (where does the time go!) I check in where I can as I love your honesty and your writing.
ReplyDeleteFave posts for me are parenting/babies (I'm on the cusp of that stage in my life so its interesting) and like the daily life and rennovations.
I think your blog reflects your style so dont change too much - maybe a little more colour!
Rachie xo
Hi, don't think we need introductions either :) I think I've been reading for just about all your 3 years and I like just reading about daily snippets and your girls but I do like the recipes and home stuff also. I mainly read through reader but I think your blog looks great, always nice to change it up though I'm hoping to revamp mine sometime soon too. If I don't comment often it's normally cause I don't get much time to read anymore and sometimes feel a bit silly commenting on 3 week old posts.
ReplyDeleteNo need for any content change, I love reading all your posts but a blog spruce up and redecoration is always a fun thing (and much cheaper than redecorating a room!)
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, I have been reading for quite a while as you know :) Whilst pregnant with Noah I didn't read many blogs and with Instagram I kind of moved over there for a while. But I am rediscovering blogs again and loving it!
ReplyDeleteI always like that your blog is varied and there are snippets of different parts of your life. Love hearing about the girls, recipes and just daily life really. I like the white and freshness but a new header could be fun.
I'm doing a bit of a makeover too, must be that time of year! xx
Hello Gorgeous Am just catching up on your recent posts. Good on you for having a spruce up - I love the results so far!
ReplyDeleteHmm, you know who I am.
I love your mix of topics. I'd like to know more about you, your values and what makes you tick.
As for improvements, one I would definitely like is a 'Home' page tab up the top so I can navigate to your latest post quickly instead of having to scroll right down to the bottom to find 'Home'. I'd also love an 'About me' page up the top which sums up who you are and why you blog.
Have fun tinkering! J x