We Made This Life
If you follow me on social media you will have noticed over the last couple of weeks that I have been changing my user names. It has all been part of a larger 're-brand' as I have decided to rename my blog.
I set up this blog a couple of years ago now to document my family life with the little ones. I chose the name Cookies and Cwtches because I wanted something unique and I wanted something to reflect that we loved food, family and live in Wales. However, as my blog has become more popular and I have been branching out and attending blogging events, meeting new bloggers and forming relationships with brands I have found that it has been a bit of a struggle with the welsh part of the name. No one knows how to pronounce it!
So as much as I loved the old name I thought it was time to try something new. If I want this blog to grow, it needs to have an easily pronounceable name! I wanted the title of this blog to have longevity and yet at the same time reflect what we are about now. Right now the children are little and we are hopefully raising them to be happy little people and we are also working on our biggest challenge yet - renovating our new forever home.
It has taken me about a year to decide on a new blog name. I think it is right to give you a little background into our lives to explain my choice.
My husband and I come from poor families. We both didn't have much when we were growing up, my husband wore hand me down clothes and I lived on a council estate in London. We both come from broken families where our father figures were definitely not something to look up to. I was the first person in my entire family to go to University. I worked part time whilst doing my degree to pay my fees and living expenses. My husband took out loans to fund his University education and lived at home to save money. We came out of University with a £60k joint debt.
We have suffered from the effects of the recession, the housing market crash, from the fact that we had no one to help us with a house deposit, or even childcare so working would be easier. We got pregnant unexpectedly and very quickly had to face up to the reality of being parents and we were determined that our children wouldn't face the same struggles we have had. We are determined that through hard work we are going to build our children a better life than we had.
We have slowly paid off our debts. My husband has climbed the ranks at work and is now a well paid solicitor. I made the choice to give my children a full time mother by staying at home and earning extra money through working from home, even though that often means working into the night (as I write this it is 10.15pm). My husband is currently sanding the playroom floor as we work hard to create a beautiful home for our little family. I strongly believe in making things happen. Life will only change if you make it change. We want a great life for our children and we will do our utmost to create that for them. We are tired, overworked and have very little free time but we are making the life that we want. One day the house will be finished and we'll be able to sit and enjoy it. One day we'll have saved enough to send the children to university without leaving them with huge debts. One day we will pass on and this house will be their inheritance. They will be provided for in every way. And in the meantime we strive to make sure that they are happy, loved and well fed. We want them to have friends, to play, to laugh. We want to make every aspect of life beautiful. We are making this life for us and for them.
And so, We Made This Life is born. Join me as I share the life we are making for our family. Laugh with us, cry with us, and pick up some DIY tips along the way!
Felicity Smith says
Been following for ages and didn't know how to say the old name. Love the rebranding and the story behind it is very inspirational too. Keep on going!
cookiesandcwtches says
Thank you for your support!!
RachelSwirl says
I adore the name, a great choice!
Elizabeth says
I think you've picked a very good new name. I totally understand about the Welsh bit, although it's unique and unusual I had no idea what it meant!
Bear and Cardigan says
It's such a shame that not everyone understands Cwtch! I'm English too but have lived here for a very long time and it is my favourite word. It just means so much more than hug or cuddle. We did the same, arrived in Cardiff with just a rucksack of clothes, everything we have we worked hard for. I love your new name and good on you.
hannah says
I quite like the new name, it sounds really good. Now being from Cardiff I have a habit of saying welsh names wrong, very often on purpose to wind up some of my welsh speaking friends. I often spell Cwtch 'Cootch.'
cookiesandcwtches says
I've seen people spell it cwtsh too!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I love the new name, and the story behind the name makes it fitting too 🙂
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Congrats on the rebrand! Love the new name, and I love the story behind it 🙂
Rachel says
I love the story behind the name and it seems perfect to me x
Rhian Westbury says
That's such a nice story behind the name of the blog and well done for making the life you have x
Hannah says
I really like the blog name, I can't wait to read more of your site - I am a new reader! x
cookiesandcwtches says
Welcome!! I hope you enjoy reading x
Sarah Bailey says
Good luck with your rebrand - *Fingers crossed* it takes you to some amazing new places as well. x
cookiesandcwtches says
That would be nice wouldn't it!!
Sara-Jayne says
I had no idea our backgrounds were so similar! I love the new branding - and you are so right, things only change if we want them to. You deserve so much success and happiness. Xxxx
cookiesandcwtches says
Aw thank you so much!
Kim Carberry says
What a wonderful name...It is such a lovely story behind it.
Good luck with the rebrand x
Life as Mum says
Shame you had to change it! Considering it isn't really difficult to say Cwtches once you hear it off someone else {I'm welsh}. It was an unique blog name but i do love the one you have made now and the story behind it
cookiesandcwtches says
It's amazing how much people struggle with it whereas for us in Wales it is just a normal word!
Charli Bruce says
I love your old blog name but I can see how people wouldn't understand what it meant or be able to say it, I love the new name, everything it means and what it stands for! Good luck with where it's going to take you xx
Melanie Edjourian says
Great blog name, I think I need to rename mine but haven't done it yet.
cookiesandcwtches says
It's so hard to choose!
Cardiff Mummy Says - Cathryn says
Aw, such beautiful words Alina and your new blog name is perfect for conveying your journey so far. You did indeed make this life and you should be so proud. Good luck for your next step on your blogging journey xxx
Samantha Jeffery says
I love the new name, it fits very well with your theme!
Kerrie Summers says
Hi Ali I have been following your blog for a few weeks and really admire how honest your blog posts are. This is such an honest post for you to write. I'm sure your blog will continue to grow under the new name, I think it's great and it fits your content perfectly. This is definitely one of my favourite blogs xxx
cookiesandcwtches says
Ah thank you what a lovely comment! I do try to keep it real 😉 you've made my day!
Liz Mays says
I think the name is great! I love that it's personal to you. I rebranded a few times too!
cookiesandcwtches says
Thank you! Any tips?!
WhatLauraLoves says
I love your new blog name, its a bold move but after reading your post I really feel as though it represents you and your story xxx
Fashion and Style Police says
Wow congrats on the new name. I like it.
Harriet from Toby & Roo says
Ahh I love the new name! Well done for moving everything to a new name! H x
Natasha Mairs says
The name seems to be spot on for you. and well done to both you and your husband for trying to make something of your lifes and better yourselves. I live in a council house currently and I know what I struggle it can be
cookiesandcwtches says
It's hard work to get out isn't it. I hope the struggle gets easier for you.
Kerry Norris says
Aww this is a lovely post. I was waiting to hear what the re brand was all about. I'm glad it's all on the up for you all and I look toward to seeing more about the house xx
cookiesandcwtches says
Thanks Kerry! I'm sure you'll all be bored of hearing about the house when I'm finished though!!
Emily Underworld says
Aww, 'We Made This Life' is a lovely name, and thank-you for sharing the inspiring story behind it!
Sally Akins says
I loved the old name, but I totally get that some people would struggle with how to say it 😉 The new name is fab, and I loved reading the story behind it
Nayna Kanabat says
It's wonderful that you have persevered and achieved so much through times of struggle. Brilliant name for the blog,
Anosa says
This is my first time visiting and though I can't say the old name it was very unique but you're right change is inevitable for growth and prosperity.