Saturday, March 16, 2013

Thinking About Blog Re-Design: Please Share!

Blogging is a funny thing, isn’t it?  I mean, it’s real, and it isn’t “real” all at the same time – you know what I mean?  I mean seriously – try telling an older person about your blog and how you write about your life on the internet and then how complete strangers comment on it except some of them aren’t complete strangers anymore because you’ve actually developed a friendship with some of them and may have even met some of them in person.  Awwwwwwkward!  I’ve definitely gotten a few glazed-over looks. haha!

But blogging IS a real part of life now and there are real people making livings off their blogs and getting book deals and it provides a real source of friendship, encouragement, and inspiration for those who do it (at least it does for me, anyway!). 

So since I do spend a lot of my time in this invisible-but-very-real world, something I’ve been wanting to do for months now (okay actually years) is get a new design for my blog.  Sometime back in 2010 I paid to have a designer revamp my site and give it an updated look from the standard Blogger template. 

Well, unfortunately it was a total disaster.  This girl took MONTHS to do my design, didn’t listen to what I asked for, and was overall horrible to work with.  In the end she actually apologized to me and offered me some work for free in the future (nooooo thank you!), so I’ll give her some credit for at least admitting she didn’t do a good job.   I mean, at least by the end we were in agreement together that she pooped out on me! haha 

{Thankfully I just checked out her personal blog and it looks like she doesn’t do design work anymore – so there’s no need for me to warn anyone else about her – whew!}

Anyway, I’m itching for a fresh new look!  I’d love something crisp and clean and white and a place where I feel like I can breathe, not feel claustrophobic.  God has been very gracious and I’ve been steadily earning a little bit of money each month through my Google ads on the sidebar, so I’d like to put a little of that money back into my blog design now.   We’ve been putting my ad money aside toward our “new car” fund  (aka “used car” fund, lol) since both of our cars could die at any second, but I talked it over with Chris and he is ok with me rolling a little of my blog money back into the blog.  Yay!

My blog is getting a makeover!  SHUT UP.  {A little Stacy London for ya ;) }

So my question is: have any of you had good success with a blog designer?  I’m just looking for someone reasonably priced and ethical – that’s not too much to ask, is it?!  lol  I have about 10 websites saved on my Pinterest board so I have a pretty clear vision of what I’d like.  Anyway please share if you have someone you know!  Thanks guys!

And happy Saturday!

5 comments:

  1. I am totally jealous! I don't have personal feedback on any but I love LeeLou blog designs. Just for the record. I'll have to check out your pins!

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  2. Nevermind! I just looked at your pins and we have WAY diff taste in blog designs! haha! I admire your taste though!! So classy!

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  3. i don't really know many people who do things like this. i had my boyfriend do mine.

    you could look for angie from my so called chaos, or the life of the not so ordinary wife. they both have blog designing business.

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  4. Jesssica, your blog is so fantastic and raw. I absolutely love that you write about when things are going well...and when you're struggling. It's real, I love that.

    As for the design of your blog, I went from blogger {like you} to signing up for The Blog Class {http://blogclass.jonesdesigncompany.com/bcsp1/}. Emily, who writes for my favorite blog www.jonesdesigncompany.com built it with her husband. It has been SUCH an amazing re-launch for my blog and has helped it grow SO much.

    Check it out!! Teresa {www.hugsandpunches.net}

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  5. hello! i randomly found your blog and came across your post. i used to do blog design but don't do it anymore. i worked with a girl named heather from life made lovely who i respect a LOT in the design world. you can find her here:

    http://lifemadelovely-blog.com/

    just send her a little email!

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