well SOMEBODY got a little makeover. . .
A-Thread Giveaway
I have been eagerly anticipating a new design here on the blog! And it’s finally up!
I know what you are thinking, “Kate, didn’t you just get a new design earlier this year?” Why yes, yes I did. But you know the feeling when you paint a room and the color just isn’t right? The color is beautiful and looks great on it’s own, but it just doesn’t exactly fit in the room? I developed that feeling over some time with my previous design. I can’t put my finger on it, but it just never quite settled in like I hoped it would.
For several weeks I’ve been blog stalking. Figuring out what sort of design I would like. I created a test blog and did some basic photoshop/html things to develop the layout and font choices. Once I felt good about that, and had found some elements that I thought would fit the style, I contacted Michele and asked her if she could actually design my blog based on what I was looking for. She said yes and I was instantly put at ease knowing she could develop when I was looking for.
It was kind of like she read my mind. She made some tweaks, polished it up, and made it functional. And as soon as I saw the final version of the design, I could-not-wait to put it live on the blog.
The only “new” things that you, the reader, need to know are : the search button moved over to the left, and there is now a “recipe” section (in the left sidebar) where you can find my recipes–as per a request from a reader! Other than that, everything is the same.
{use the “search” box to search for anything on the blog. just type in a word like “mascara” or “jeans” to find any posts that include that subject.}
So let me tell you a little bit about Michele. I really can’t say enough great things about her. My sister and I have both worked with her over the past several months and we often say to each other, “Michele is so great”. She’s quick with responding to e-mail, thorough, and helpful. She made my blog redesign go so smoothly and I can’t thank her enough for that.
She’s also wildly talented. Have you seen her animal prints? Do you remember the print she made of Biscuit (Justin and my first cat)?
It’s unbelievable how accurate her drawings are. Definitely check out some of her other work, it’s really incredible.
*these mini prints are only $5.00! How cute would they be framed in a nursery?
And she posts the best photos of her pets on Instagram. Follow her at @ladysavvy
Doesn’t she look excited?
Ironically, Michele is offering a giveaway on my sister’s blog this week! Click here to find out all about that!
I could go on and on forever about Michele’s talent but I’ll let her work speak for itself.
I highly, highly recommend her for any print/illustration you need. She’s accommodating and absolutely lovely to work with.
(she has no idea I’m writing this about her, and this is not a “sponsored” post or anything like that. Just me singing the praises of a talented artist.)
comments
LURVE
thanks! 🙂
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I like it – I am going to keep drooling over blogs like yours until I get to to the day I can design my own 😉
thank you!
looks awesome Kate! 🙂
http://loverlysheblog.com
thanks!
Love, Love, Love it Kate! It is so easy to navigate and clean looking!
http://lovelaughterandlipstick.com
thanks!
I love it, I like a 2 column much better than the three column with a middle and two sides. This looks clean, fresh and calm! Excellent choice!
yeah-I agree. It’s almost easier to see. . .not so much going on on both sides!
I couldn’t agree more!
I love this new look–it’s so sophisticated!
Kate
Something Ivory
thanks!
Aww.. Thanks for the blog love Kate!! I really enjoyed helping you materialize your vision and I’m so glad you love it. <3 I’m definitely grateful for the relationship I’ve formed with you and your sister. You’ve both been a huge part of my growing process lately. A BIG thank you to you both!!
🙂
Michele did a drawing of our dog and I love it. She’s awesome! I’m so glad I saw her work on your blog previously.
glad you found her and got a print–aren’t they awesome? 🙂
just discovered Michele this week & she is amazing! love the new look. less is more. 🙂
http://www.southernchiclove.blogspot.com
I agree with everything you said!
Very classy!!!
thanks!
I love the new design. It’s very clean, simple & chic! Keep it up, girl!
Love the new design! I’m a huge fan of the 2 column layout since it provides such clean lines. Kudos to you on your fabulous blog. I’m addicted to it!
http://www.PursuitofPink.com
thank you!
Very cute new design!
thanks!
Love your blog and the new look! It is very simple and chic!
http://mysillylifeblog.blogspot.com/
I love the new look! Nice and clean! (Just a teeny bit of feedback from someone who reads on a laptop – your new page is a touch wider than the old one, and so I have to scroll side to side in order to read all of your text, even with my browser window at it’s maximum width. But if it doesn’t bother you then I wouldn’t worry!) It looks great!
hey dani, thanks for letting me know. So even when you are just reading the post content (without sponsors, etc, visible) you still need to scroll from side to side?
No, I can see it when I cut off the left side of the page by scrolling to the right. But because I use a touch pad to scroll if I don’t scroll exactly straight up and down it wobbles back and forth. I know that is super minor but it just affects the usability a bit. (I know it’s hard to test out a webpage in ever situation so I hope the feedback is helpful!)
Wait, I just refreshed and it’s all good now! Maybe I was just having a problem with my cookies or something. So ignore my babbling! It looks great! 🙂
Same/similar problem here – I really like your design, but in my opinion, it would be better for all the links to be on the right hand side, so we can read your posts without having to scroll over.
Same here, the page is too large for the laptop screen. The sponsors are taking up too much space.
I’m on a macbook air right now and am not having trouble seeing the entire post content. How small/large is your internet window?
I have mine maximized, using Google Chrome browser. Will try with IE to see if that makes a difference. If I hold CTRL and scroll out twice it shows the whole thing but obviously the font size decreases :/
(Cont.) And I’m on a desktop computer; I’m guessing a 17-19 in. monitor, set on 1152×864 mp.
okay, I’ll see if there is anything I can do! Thanks for that info!
I have the same problem on my home desktop with the regular old square screen–Mine isn’t a big wide HDTV or whatever people have these days. Anyway, I have to scroll right to read the post. It is a bit bothersome. But…truthfully, it won’t keep me from visiting the blog regularly (=
It’s too wide for my desktop monitor as well without scrolling over. But as Jen above said, it won’t keep me from reading your blog 🙂
Okay, tried it on a different computer (laptop), using IE and Chrome, and it fits in both. LOL
switched up the post and sidebar spaces so you won’t need to scroll to read!
I’m having the same problem with scrolling side to side. I love the new look though! I make a point of checking out your blog everyday.
It has just made it all so much easier to navigate around and find what you are looking for! It all fits on the screen ok for my mac book and ipad. Ideal. Good job done. X
Fresh and simple. I love the new look! I have already scrolled through the recipes and have a list for tonight. I am a huge fan of your blog and I am always excited to see what you share next. Amazing!
Love the new look and layout!!!! Great job!
Looks great!
I kind of liked it better the way it was before… the sponsor space is huge now. Still love your blog though.
I love the new layout. Very Kate! 🙂
I’m a new “follower.” Found your hair styles on pinterest and then followed it to your blog and love it…and then love that you used my question in your August FAQ!!! (I felt so special ;0) AND I love that you are so sophisticated and classy with good taste (well, close to mine, so I have to say that ;0)…and and in your bio first and foremost bold in your faith…that made me like you the MOST! AND now,I like the new design of your blog too. Just had to say all that…since my kids are napping at the moment. Keep on helping me look young and fab!
Love the look! I just changed mine recently. I wanted it to be a place where I feel at home, you know? Lovely site!
Leah
Learning 4 Keeps
thanks
Love your site, and the new look but for some reason it takes forever to load on my computer. Oh well!
strange! It loaded faster on mine! : /
Also very sluggish on my computer…
Love Love Love your new design!!!
Does Michelle do this as a business…because I would love to talk to her about designing mine??
yep! here is her design website: http://savvycitrus.com/
So cute! Very classy and clean. 🙂
http://jennyonadime.blogspot.com/
I am having some of the issues as others above with having to scroll to see all content from left to right. It is a bit frustrating.
working on that!
I don’t know if anyone has said this yet but the font up top makes it look like your blog is Thes small things instead of The
Love your blog and all your tutorials. I’m also having the scrolling from left to right issue. It’s just a hassle and makes reading hard. Still love you!
switched it up so you wont have problems!
This looks beautiful! I am loving that header! 🙂
You just really don’t like color at all do you?
I actually wear a lot of color, but I don’t want to commit to a certain color on my blog and then get tired of it.
Love this look! I do think it suits you and your personal style better! Great choices, Kate!
-Rachel { A Dash of Southern }
ruralrach.blogspot.com
Came across your blog tonight from tutorials I found on Pinterest. LOVE your style, your blog, and for the first time, feel like I actually have a better idea of how in the world to get my hair to do what I want it to do ;). I have a question about your blog design-I am a photographer/graphic designer, and have fallen in love with the font that is used on your blog {and used on your photographs}. Odd question, but do you happen to know that font name? I figured that since you love style, you wouldn’t mind a question about your graphic style ;).