It's hard to believe that I've been writing Freutcake for the past seven years. For those of you who have been readers from the beginning, you might remember that I started blogging as a way to share not only the recipes I was making but also my design work and other random creative interests.
Back then, I had no idea I would still be blogging all of these years later...would I have really chosen the name Freutcake if I thought it would stick? Ha! (Yes, I would have.) But over the last couple of years I've been feeling an unsettled discomfort with this blog.
It has always been about creating beautiful and inspiring posts for you but somehow the fun parts have turned into well, a job. It was stressing me out big time to think of all the content I needed to create to keep up. Since when was this my stressful place? This was supposed to be my happy place! For years now I've thought to myself, I really should have started a food blog. I mean, I LOVE writing about food and sharing my recipes. But something in my head told me that I wasn't good enough or talented enough. I'm not a chef or a professional food stylist or even a photographer...I'm just me. Yikes.
So I continued to attempt to diversify my posts and make this site a lifestyle. Over the years I've shared travel and diy, beauty posts and home decor...and always my favorite recipes.
Last week I had brunch with a group of friends who also happen to be bloggers. We chatted about life, babies, and blogging. They ate avocado toast and I wished I had ordered it as well. I chased the twins around the restaurant and they assured me that the screaming was ok. That's the sign of good friends. At the end of the brunch, right before we all said our goodbyes, I asked them the burning question. What do you guys think? Should I stop beating around the bush and just post food? The unanimous answer was, YES!
Sometimes it takes a friend to give you the nudge you need, you know? I drove back from that brunch with a huge weight off of my shoulders. It was ok for me to ONLY post food and in fact it was a good idea! A new excitement and fire was lit. Just like that, in one little brunch I was re-energized about Freutcake.
A couple of days later I decided it was time for a re-design. The site will be a work in progress as there are a couple more features I would like to add, but for now I hope you love the new layout. The focus is finally on the food!
And yes, I will still write the occasional personal post, twin update or peek at the constant renovations around our house. It wouldn't be a blog if I didn't share the personal stuff, am I right? In fact, next week I have a baby post already scheduled so there you have it.
But enough with my rambling! If you've made it all the way to the end of this post, thank you for reading. And thank you for continuing to read and inspire me to create posts for you. Please leave me a comment, let me know your thoughts! If there is something you like or would like to see change about the site, I am all ears. Now, let the new (even) more delicious chapter of Freutcake begin!
Julie Blanner says
It's absolutely beautiful, Leah! I love the fresh new design and as always, stunning photography!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you so much Julie! That made my day. xo
Cyd says
I LOVE this direction for you! It feels really good and really right. Your food posts are always my favorites so I think that speaks volumes! I am currently redesigning and refocusing, too. It feels really good and really liberating! I'm not honing it down quite as niche as you, but over the course of 2016 the site started to evolve anyway without my consciously realizing it was happening. I just got sick and weary of trying to dream up trendy, viral-worthy ideas and just started sharing more of how we really entertain and live in our home. The beauty of blogging is these spaces we've carved out of the internet are our own and we can make of them what we want, even when we sometimes fool ourselves into being pressured to be or do otherwise. I am SO excited for you that you're feeling reenergized. I think this will be a huge, awesome move for you! Can't wait to see where you go from here. xoxoxo
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Cyd! You are such a sweet and supportive friend. I have felt the same way as you, trying to create all of this content and for what? 2017 is all about doing what we love, right? I'm so excited for the refocus and can't wait to see what you create as well. xo
Annette says
I love the fresh new design, Leah! And this new direction is so you! You make yummy recipes and style them beautifully. I'm so excited for all the delish recipes to come!!! Yay!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Annette! That means so much. I'm super excited about the future of Freutcake. Yay, to more food and cocktails!
Lexy | PROPER says
Leah! I love the new look and am so excited to hear about your new energy for the blog! I think this new direction suits you perfectly and can't wait to come back for all the food fun! xo!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you so much Lexy! I'm so excited and reenergized! Can't wait for all of the food and cocktails to come. Xo
Lexi Holzberg Kritzer says
Congratulations! I have always LOVED your food posts, and I know the content will only be more incredible because your heart is truly in it! <3
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Lexi! That is so true. Xo
Carrie says
YES, YES, YES!!!! I am soooo excited to see your blog evolve into a space that is more authentically YOU, and I'm also selfishly thrilled to know that I can count on even more yumminess from Freutcake.com. You rock, lady!!!
Leah Bergman says
That is so sweet of you to say Carrie, thank you! I'm honestly so excited about the direction. Xo
Michele Prata says
What a lovely idea to make Freutcake a specific blog about food, baking and drinking too, correct? I have always enjoyed your beautiful step by step and final photos of your creations! I am looking forward to your growth and expansion!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Michele! Yes, drink too of course! Xo
Yael @ Nosherium says
It looks gorgeous! It can be hard to decide on adjusting content and messaging, I applaud you for doing what you feel it right for you! Bravo!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you so much! It's a hard decision to narrow down my content but at the end of the day it feels so good know pick one direction that I love.
twopeasandtheirpod says
Congrats! Your site is gorgeous and I can't wait for all of the delicious recipes. So glad we were able to meet up in LA! xo
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Maria!! I'm so glad we got the chance to meet up as well. Xo
Allison says
I love the honesty in this post so much! This should ALWAYS be your happy place, and I think it's great that you're following your heart and staying true to your passion. Your recipes - and your food photos - are always fantastic, and I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of them. Oh, and the new site design is gorgeous!
xx Allison
alwayseatdessert.com
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Allison! What is the point in creating something that you don't love, right? Thank you for being such a sweet reader. Your comments mean a lot to me. Xo
Amanda says
Love it, Leah! Do what you love and you will always love what you do! And the best part is it won't feel like "work"! Happy cooking, baking and all things food!!!!
Leah Bergman says
Haha! Thank you Amanda! It's never a bad thing when you can eat your work. 😉
Meg says
Congrats on making that choice! It's always wonderful when we feel a sense of "right" in our blogging and creativity. I definitely know where you are coming from! Bring on the food!
jennfisher4 says
Leah, you have always shared beautiful blogs and photos that I have thoroughly enjoyed, however to quote Shakesepeare, "...to thine own self be true." You are making a choice that is good for you, for your creativity, and for your own enjoyment of the blog. My daughter has Youtube channel and, like you, reached a point that she needed to take a step back from the "production" and look at what really made her excited to make videos. Glad you are making a change that will still keep you in our universe! I'm looking forward to 'what's next'!
Leah Bergman says
Jenn, thank you so much for the words of encouragement! I hope to create an even more enjoyable blog for all to read now that my focus will be on something I enjoy so much. Such a perfect quote for this decision! xo
Jen Kessler says
Hi Leah! I mostly follow you on IG but sometimes pop over. I just love your style and since I'm not an every day reader, I already thought you were pretty much just food. 🙂 Your recipes and food set-ups are always so well styled and I love it all! Of course, as a mom myself, I definitely have liked the personal stuff you share about parenting as well. I love all the color on your blog! And I'm just noticing the "Kid Friendly" section above that I will need to check out.
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Jen and thanks for stopping by! It's funny, most of my IG followers see mostly food anyway so there you have it! The signs have all been there for some time! The kid-friendly section is brand new but I will be posting toddler meals so it will fill up quickly. Xo
Gina says
I love your blog, it is one of my favorites. I love your photography and food styling and your red nails always look so pretty in the photos! Please keep up the toddler updates. I had my baby girl around the same time as you so I have really enjoyed watching the twins grow. Looking forward to many great recipes.
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Gina, that is so nice to hear! I will definitely keep up the personal posts with updates on the twins from time to time. I actually think this blog will become MORE personal as I'll be sharing recipes I make for my family. Thank you for being a reader! xo
Jeff Mindell says
I wish I had seen this post before we saw you guys today!! This is EPIC! Also, being at the man side of the table last week, I missed that convo, but how exciting.. FOR REALS!
Your blog is such an awesome reflection of you/your brand and now your beautiful family so Kel and I are both so happy to hear that the weight off your shoulders is now gone 🙂
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Jeff!! You and Kelly are such amazing friends and such an inspiration. Thank you for the support, I'm so excited about the future of my site. p.s. Love seeing you comment over here on the blog...it's good to step away from the man side of the table every once and a while. 😉
Jeff Mindell says
Just holding it down with my fellow J's!! (I realized Jason, Jackson, Jared and Jeff haha)
Leah Bergman says
Haha! All the best guys have J names, obviously.
Rebekah says
Woop....love the food content the best! Best wishes from Australia!
Leah Bergman says
Yay! Thank you!
Katie McC says
Cool! I'm excited! Love reading your blog and being updated on the twins!!! Personal posts is where it's at!
Leah Bergman says
Oh good! Well those personal posts will keep coming with a big dose of recipes as well. ????
Liz says
I love the recipes you post- and the cocktails. I have a son about the age of your twins, so I would love to learn more about the food you make for the family, and things that they love to eat for meals and snacks! Best wishes and thank you!
Leah Bergman says
You got it Liz! I'm actually starting a new column all about toddler meals! Stay tuned!
Simone says
For me as a reader, I want to be reading exactly what the blogger wants to be posting. And whoever doesn't love food is crazy, so you go girl. I love following you and the twins on Instagram!! (is it weird that my dog's name is Millie? It was before your babies were born!).
Leah Bergman says
Exactly! And for years I wanted to post the other stuff but it became so much stress for me. I love posting food an am so happy to hear that so many readers are excited about it too. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment as well! Haha, I love that your dog's name is Millie. 🙂