Well, hello there! I feel like I have some explaining to do about the rebranding…
First of all, welcome to LAFOTKA – just a little bit different to Secret little Stars, isn’t it? Secondly, Happy New Year everyone! I hadn’t blogged since last year (love saying that in January), so my best wishes for 2016 go out to all of you and hope you all had a lovely break. I did, apart from getting a cold on New Year’s Eve, which I’m still trying to shift. Nevertheless, it hadn’t stopped me from working on my blog rebrand that I’ve been planning for months and I know you are all dying to hear more details, so here it goes…
When I first decided to start this blog 2.5 years ago, I had no idea it would take me to where it is now and to be completely honest, I also didn’t know what exactly I’d be blogging about then either. I mean knew it was going to be mainly focused on personal style with a few healthy finds and recipes like it is now, but I also hoped to write about fitness (never did) and to somehow incorporate the fact that I’m a mum into my blog without being a total “mummy blogger”. That’s a lot of stuff isn’t it? My daughter played a big role in the initial name creation as you can imagine – she is my little star and always will be and I want to include her in everything. But picture this for a second – a cool confident kid with her own style, who doesn’t like Barbie dolls and adores outdoor sports (the muddier the better) in a fashion blog with her mum? “Secret little Stars” was out the window the minute it launched… ha!
As the time went by and I became more established as a blogger and in my own personal style (that took a while too, trust me), I began to lose my connection and excitement with the old brand. It no longer represented me. The humble meaning behind the name and my intentions for creating it were no longer that meaningful and remained just the three words that I didn’t even like to say out loud anymore.
I first considered rebranding over a year ago, but I guess the time wasn’t right so I stuck in this “relationship” with something I stopped loving long ago, but still really, really cared for. Know what I’m talking about? I’m just so unbelievably grateful for everything that I have achieved so far as Secret little Stars, because it proved that the name isn’t everything and I must have been doing something else right to get this far. Or maybe people liked that name? Do you?
PS! The word “Secret” came from the book called “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. I live by law of attraction and I hope to share more of that with you if you like.
I felt really sad writing my last ever post on Secret little Stars and wearing my star print PJ’s on New Year’s Eve (total kid plus I was ill, remember?) as a farewell gesture to the old name, but I must admit, I felt so much easier seeing that my daughter didn’t actually have a strong connection to that name other than the fact that’s it was mummy’s blog. And to make me feel even better, she told me that the old name sounded like something from a nursery rhyme and even she was too big for that! Gotta love kids’ honesty, haha… And just like so, we waved Goodbye to Secret little Stars and started the New Year with the rebrand project already in full swing…
LAFOTKA & REBRANDING…
It took me quite a while to come up with this name and it doesn’t seem so complicated, does it? I wanted something short and simple, mainly because typing up Secret little Stars everywhere was just a real pain and it got even worse in the end when I really lost the connection with it. The new name had to be available as a domain and on all social media networks and as soon as I saw it available I bought the domain without thinking twice. I kept it a secret for a reason until the very last minute because you know – some people can be cruel by snatching up your social media handles for whatever nasty purposes and I needed to change mine right at the very end. The thought of adding more characters to it or even worse starting afresh – yikes!
I’m sure you know this already, but for those who don’t, I’m Russian. So when brainstorming for the new blog name a few months ago, I realised that I needed to come up with something unusual and maybe even with a hint of Russian in it. And here it was… one word that is on my mind constantly and it is “picture” or “photo”. Picture in Russian is FOTKA, which sounds very much like vodka. Very Russian! Of course FOTKA was not going to be available online and I didn’t feel it was 100% complete anyway, then shortly out from the blue came “LA” and there she was – LAFOTKA. I have to thank my better half for the “LA” part because I hear him say it a lot when he speaks to his family in Spanish and I think it means “the” with a female gender if there’s such a thing? There is now!
I love my new blog name now!
I love what it means and I love that it really finally represents me. I actually have a brand – something I definitely lacked before. The logo itself is so minimal and I love how the letter A is presented as Λ which is actually a capital L in Russian and I have to thank the amazing Peter at Love Design for understanding and translating my thinking into this new brand so perfectly.
Another person I have to thank is Kate from Kate Jordan Design who has helped me with the actual transfer of the blog files, setting things up and lots of other little things that I’d end up spending days on. She’s amazing!
Oscar moment here, but I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you for your ongoing support, your amazing comments on Social Media before and during the rebrand and to those who always send good vibes my way – you know who you are. I’ve just published my blog name a few hours ago and already on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and there are so many positive comments and good luck wishes that make me smile. You mean a lot. I have such great followers and friends – thank you! As I mentioned before, don’t worry about not being able to find or remember LAFOTKA right away (How can you forget! Gasp!) – the old site is still live and it will take you straight here when you visit it or see you on the social, just search @lafotka.
First ever post on LAFOTKA is officially the longest blog post I have ever written, but don’t worry they won’t all be like that… What I do promise is more about me, things that make me a better me and lots of fashion – but all better!
Oh and talking of fashion, I’ve been so busy relaxing during Christmas – the only thing I purchased in sales was this ZARA “coatigan” and so far it’s the only thing I wear. Can’t get enough of my cropped flare denim either, they’re too cute.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on my rebrand, so please leave a comment below and lets chat, perhaps you’re considering a name change too or a new blog design? I love my new design too by the way! Happyyyyyy….
Big Love,
Tatyana x
Coat / Cardigan – Zara
Ankle Boots – Debenhams*
Cropped Denim flare – Lost Ink* ASOS
Polo neck – M&S
Bag – Zara (similar)