Want to hear more about the changes and Ruzaika? Check out our previous post about our plans.
Why the name?
Choosing the name was quite challenging since we needed something catchy as well as unique. Something that would be sure to leave an impression on anyone stumbling across us. Something easy to remember. Though we loved Reading Is Dreaming With Open Eyes, we had to admit it was a little too long. It was then that Veronika remembered what brought us together.. Princess Diaries!! So why not go along with a princess-y theme?! Princesses, tiaras and all things sparkly!! And so we put on our thinking hats.
We drew up quite a long list of names *I can't not chime in that Ruzi was the one who came up with ALL the names*, and then we went into the tedious process of narrowing it down. We ended up with two titles - or rather, I ended up with two faves while Vera had one in particular, but we had to let go of that one due to it being quite common. So finally, voila! The Regal Critiques was born!
This September will bring another change - the URL! Only reason we haven't yet changed it is that we're taking part in the Summer Blogger Promo Tour and the blog links have already been sent out. We just don't want to cause even more trouble than we already have by changing the name.
What made us change the design?

That was the point when I started to really think about what needed to be changed on the blog. I've wanted a unique header and a matching banner for a long time, so I thought, why not make it now? Unfortunately, the pink didn't really work with the silver tiara, and frankly after two pink blog designs I was sort of sick of this color, so we ended up deciding next to blue. To be honest, I'm quite proud of the way this new look turned out.
Finally we got to the best news! To celebrate the new design both of us chose 5-5 books that covers' are to die for (and that we loved). We're giving away to one lucky winner, one of the following ten books (winner's choice). Open internationally as long as The Book Depository ships to you. You can check out their list of countries here. We are not responsible for damaged or lost packages!
Please, don't forget to check out the links by clicking on the titles, we're giving the exact copy we linked to - you can NOT choose another edition of it. If the book is from a series you can choose whichever part of the series you want but we choose which edition you'll get.
Veronika's Choices
Ruzaika's Choices
Mini Shopaholic // If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back // Big Little Lies // Whose Life is it Anyway? // Royal Wedding
Mini Shopaholic // If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back // Big Little Lies // Whose Life is it Anyway? // Royal Wedding
I have to say it looks great and unique! You must have put a lot of effort into it. Also, very catchy name :). Good luck to you both!
ReplyDeleteI'm soo happy you love it Roberta! And yes, it did take up some time but the result is worth it. :) Thanks! <333
DeleteTHE DESIGN IS GORGEOUS. I love the header so much and the tiara just makes it prettier! I honestly didn't recognize your blog when I first clicked on the link until I looked at the URL and thought, "Oh yeah. This is Veronika's blog." Haha. :P Anyway, you did a great job Veronika! It looks pretty! I have been there before -- thinking of a blog design with only one color in mind (I also thought of pink) and getting very sick of it. It was such a pain, but the ending result is always worth it right? So so happy for you and your blog's new look!
ReplyDeleteJillian @ Jillian's Books
Aww, you're so nice, thank you! I'm glad you like it, I know it's a bit simple but I really needed this after my last design which was kind of messy. It's so hard deciding on the colors, but I guess the end result really is worth all the pain haha.
DeleteI adore the new design and name. It is nice to change things up every now and then. I look forward to what the pair of you will do from here. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzi! :) It is, right? You're very welcome. :)
DeleteLove this blog design! Those books are some of my favourites too! :)
ReplyDelete~Erika @ http://erikabooksandstars.blogspot.ca
Thanks, Erika! :)
DeleteLovely new design! And a clever name too! May I ask what program you used to design your header and banner? My blog needs a serious makeover!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emily! :) We used photoshop. Can't wait to see the new look you have in mind for your lovely blog. :)
DeleteFirst of all, I love the color you guys chose! This color of blue is definitely one of my favorite colors. And I love the idea of a 'books by rating' widget thing on your sidebar. (Of course, I'm terrible at collecting all my reviews in my archive. Which is what I need to be doing right now.) I changed my blog design a few months ago and the change was really nice. I think about a year is the most I can get from a design (no matter how much I love it) before getting bored. You know, when I heard the name and saw the color in your last post, I thought it would be inspired by The Selection. :p (Even though you already said how much both of you like Princess Diaries, I never even thought of it!) Anyway, the name's really great, too - and memorable.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like the changes, Amy! I can fully relate to what you're saying, I guess it depends on how much I love the design but anyways, after a year everything becomes boring, even the most gorgeous design. I can't believe I haven't even thought about The Selection! Oh my god! Even the blue fits it because of the first novel! Thanks. :)
DeleteThe header and the color is cute and so soft on the eyes, I love it (because I'm a sensitive vampire that lives in the dark and blinks too much at vibrant rainbows)! Your Books By Rating widget is useful and your new name is so professional :D Really nice changes, and I'm looking forward to reading Ruzaika's posts.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way, I don't really like blogs with vibrant colors, well besides pink, but even in that color I'd try to use a lighter shade. She can't wait to share her very first review with all of you :) Thanks. :))
DeleteGirls, the design is beautiful! I LOVE your header. My first thought on seeing it was - hey, that looks like a crown from the princess diaries books! And then you said it is :D Also, I love your new name <33 Good luck, girls! Can't wait to see more amazing stuff from you both!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Divya! I'm glad you recognized what we wanted to represent with the tiara. Hope you'll like our new posts and stuff. :)
DeleteYour blog design is SO beautiful. I'm seriously just going to sit here and stare at your blog for a few minutes if you don't mind... The tiara and the pretty hues of blue and everything... Ahhhhh it's beautiful. Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteRachel @ A Perfection Called Books
Thank you so much Rachel! It's so awesome to hear that you all seem to love it. :)
DeleteHey! I'm a new follower of your blog, and my first impression of your blog is "this blog is so pretty!!". Literally. I really love the design of the header, the colors, and the tiara! I also love reading your book review, even though sometimes I find it kind of hard to understand (it's my problem.. I don't read a lot of books tbh,so yeah..) but I still enjoy reading it hehe
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thank you for this lovely chance! Wishing you both a good luck!! <3
xx
You're so very sweet!
DeleteI'm glad you're enjoying my reviews despite this problem, I' hope you'll continue enjoying them. :)
Thanks for all the kind words and for following. <3
Great new design and name! I'd love to see rankings on your favorite books.Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :) We'll definitely consider your idea, it sounds pretty great. :)
DeleteYour new design somehow felt nostalgic to me. I would love more book reviews from you and keep it up. I've decided to start reading recently cause I'm entering an essay contest in my state and I'm aiming to be the top alongside my friends, so yeah, I need ideas and increasing my vocab. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on starting a less-known books feature and also write more mini-reviews because I want to give more recommendations to my readers than I'm giving right now. Really hope you'll enjoy these and will write the best essay. :)
DeleteOh my gosh, I LOVE the new name and design!! Congrats Veronika!! I can't wait to see what's in store for you and Ruzaika! Also, I don't care what you post. I'll still follow you guys anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so so SO glad you like everything we did! Aww, you're too nice! Thank you, Holly! <33
DeleteI really love this header! I'd like to see a lot of discussion posts, since they are my favourite kind! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it! :) We're working on coming up with interesting topics, hope you'll like them. :)
DeleteI love international giveaway posts the most. Book Depository is the best source for this giveaways. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, Ruzaika and I love those the most as well! :) You're welcome.
DeleteI was so confused to see a blog name I didn't recognise in my favourites on Bloglovin', but my first impression was "they must be good bloggers, because the name is awesome".
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the header and background - it's all so beautiful and regal ;)
I would love to see more of all the same kinds of posts that you already do!
Looking forward to this new chapter in your blogging, Veronika! And welcome to Ruzaika!
I'm so glad you like the changes, Sabrina! Thank you so much! We'll definitely continue doing everything I've been doing before but with a few changes, such as co-reviews, more discussions and a few other surprises. :)
DeleteI absolutely love the name!
ReplyDeleteThanks. :)
DeleteI like book reviews and giveaways.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is SO cool! I love it <3
ReplyDeleteThanks. :)
DeleteWell, i think the website is very professional, i like to read your reviews and now i follow you both on goodreads so not gonna miss any good book to read. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea! Hope we'll help you discover many great books! :)
DeleteHello! I just want to say this design is gorgeous and this is a really good website! Keep up the good work! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Enikő! :)
DeleteChanges are good for the blog! :) Btw i think the design is amazing:3 I will follow the blog from now.
ReplyDeleteThey definitely are. :) Thank you and for following as well. :)
DeletePretty sure I've visited your blog before but I cannot for the life of me remember the previous desing. But this one is really nice and clean! Congrats on it, and thank you for the giveaway. ;)
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for similar (as in Hungarian blogging in English) make sure to check out my blog, Books and Starlight
I'm so glad you like the design! :) I'll definitely check out your blog. :)
Deletenice. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see that there is an another hungarian website where I can find many things about books. I have a blog with book reviews, too. Hurry up hungarian readers! :D
ReplyDeleteI feel like there are way too few Hungarians who love reading as much as I do, so it's always nice to "meet" with fellow bloggers. :)
DeleteThe design is just too lovely *-*
ReplyDeleteThank you, hun. <3
DeleteThanks for the giveaway! <3
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. :)
Deletei'd love to see more of fiction books review, and thriller and suspense based on true stories :)
ReplyDeleteBoth Ruzaika and I read a few thrillers/mysteries so you'll be seeing more books from these genres on the blog soon. :)
DeleteI love your reviews, you don't stick with a particular genre and I like that...I'd love to see more "tag" posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks. :) I love tag posts so that is actually something that's going to happen for sure. :)
Deleteunfortunately i haven't seen the previous design, but i love this one, and thank you for the opportunity to win one of these great books! :)
ReplyDeletei'm following you now, it would be great to see more giveaways and challenges :)
I'm glad you like the new design. :) You're welcome.
DeleteI'm new to the blog but it looks great! Thanks for the giveaway :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! :) You're welcome.
Deletenice books
ReplyDeleteGood new look ! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
Deleteloved the new design.very regal looking and eye catching
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen! :)
DeleteAh, you guys have a beautiful blog! Love the tiara. Will be following your blog from now on. Thanks for the giveaway too. My favorite books <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, and thanks a lot for following. :)
DeleteBlog design is on point :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteHi everyone your blog is really really nice I love the tiara is so fancy hahahhaha but what I love the most is the color of the background my fav color by the way is so calm, so deep so relaxing (not like a bright fosfo yellow with white letter at the bottom) really cute p.s I really like to win this so this could be my very first physical book cause I dont owe none cause right now I can´t afford the maybe this would be my lucky book or maybe not but this is no in your hand let the odd be in our favor please hhahaha well you seem like nice persons hope and can´t wait to follow you and be friends in goodreads to read all your recomendition good luck to all xox,
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much, Fabiola! I love this color too, exactly because it's so calm and I can pretty much use any colors in my posts because they don't necessary look sucky with blue haha. Aww, thank you, I wish you all the luck! :)
DeleteI would like to read books which I don't know yet. I would like to broaden my horizons
ReplyDeleteThen check out some of the books that we give away, those are pretty different. :)
Deletesziasztok! előre kitöltöttem a mezőt hogy milyen névvel iratkoztam fel a blogra, és utána akartam feliratkozni, de sajnos nem engedi napok óta:
ReplyDeleteWe're sorry...
We were unable to handle your request. Please try again or return a bit later.
Szia! A "join this site" gomb mellett kattints a kis kék négyzetekre, aztán a megnyÃló ablakban a jobb felsÅ‘ sarokban a follow gombra. :)
Deleteköszönöm szépen Ãgy már működött :)
DeleteLove the idea, love the books!
ReplyDeleteThanks. : )
DeleteThanks for the giveaway! *-* You're awesome! :*
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, thanks haha. :D
Delete