Oh, hi! Happy Monday! Notice anything new and different around here today? New year, new look!
When I switched to WordPress early last year, I told myself that the days of updating my blog theme were over. Let’s face it – it’s not as easy to make updates yourself on WordPress like it is in Blogger, and WP templates tend to cost a little more money. But, as I stepped away during the holidays and did some soul-searching, I realized that my previous theme was so not me. I definitely chose the previous theme based on what I thought was popular and trendy in the blogging world. I think that is the first time ever in my life that I decided to go with the crowd instead of against it. Obviously, it didn’t sit well with me! I was tired of logging onto my site and never smiling at my own work.
Well, now I’m definitely smiling again! You guys, I really can’t tell you just how stinkin’ happy I am with this design refresh. I wanted something simple with just a little pop, and this theme delivers on just that. No more worry about page breaks, the size of slider featured images … it’s clean, streamlined and easy-to-navigate. I hope that you’ll take a few minutes to click around! My favorite features are the search bar in the top navigation and the pretty portfolio-style archive pages. Seriously, those archive pages are GOLD. I love the grid layout so you quickly and easily can find what you are looking for.
I want to give a big thanks to White Oak Creative for the fantastic (premade!) template and Karli Bell Branding for my new design elements.
I’m excited to start the year fresh and hope that this only will help inspire my creativity going forward!
Psst – can anyone recommend their favorite Popular Posts widget and/or how to set up a MailChimp widget for email subscribers?
Looks great lady!! You look beautiful in this photo too. 🙂 I would love to switch my blog design but those WP themes are kind of expensive and I feel like they’re not quite what I’m looking for. I would love some help with it. 🙂
Thank you! It definitely takes time to find a theme that has everything you’re looking for.
I’m FINALLY catching up and I love love love the new blog look lady! So fresh and clean! xx
Thanks so much, girlfriend! xo
Such a fresh + clean new look, lady! I love it!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thank you so much!
Love the new look! So fresh for the new year!!
Thank you!!
I love the look! I’m the worst about updating my look (and blog name) but I’ve finally found something I’m happy with.
The Messy Bun Mama
That’s great! Sometimes it just takes a while to get it right.
absolutely love the new look! and the fact that you love it is the most important thing 🙂
Thanks so much, sweet friend! Finally feel like I got it right. 🙂
Love the new look, so fresh and so clean clean! Beautiful <3
Green Fashionista
Lol, that gave me a smile. 🙂 Thanks, girl!
Loving the new look! And you are so right – it is not easy so congrats!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thanks, Amy!
Looks great! So clean and simple yet elegant!
Thank you, exactly what I was going for!
It looks great! So fresh and clean. I want to make a change but just don’t have the energy… but love what you’ve done with the place!
Zelle
Southern Style
Thanks, Zelle! I know, getting the energy to do this did take me a while, and you have more than enough on your plate right now I’m sure!
Love your new look, fresh and clean for the new year!
Thank you!
Your new theme looks so pretty, and it really does look so much like you! It’s just so clean and pretty! I’m glad that you were able to find a them that works well for you, and that you love!
Thank you! I’m so glad that you said it looks like “me” – means I made the right decision in choosing this theme. 🙂
I love the changes girl! They look fantastic!
The Adored Life
Thanks, girl!
Love the new changes! I’ve thought multiple times about switching to WordPress but for some reason my work computer doesn’t always like WordPress sites so I never made the switch. Love your new design though! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
That’s so weird! But honestly, you’ve designed your site so well that you’d never know it wasn’t on WordPress!
The changes look so awesome! I can hardly manage changing my blogger template, so I can’t imagine how tricky it would be with wordpress. Love your new photo too!
Oh, man – I’m pretty good with HTML, but I made the horrible mistake of trying to change things one day in WordPress that I completely shut down my site. Oops! And, thanks girl!
White Oak always does a fabulous job. Love how it came out!
xo Jessica
My Style Vita
Thank you so much! I really fell in love with her themes – they are just so classic and easy to navigate.
Cute post! Happy 2017!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Happy 2017 to you!
Oh my!! I love the new look! I especially love your archives page!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
Aren’t they the best? That’s my favorite part, too!
Love the new look, girlfriend! So clean and pretty!
Thank you, friend!
I love it, Karly! It kind of even fits with the vibe of your home, so I can definitely see that it’s you! I’m excited to explore the features:) For Popular Posts widgets, I really like ones that would allow me to select the time frame from which to select the posts from- some only tended to show my recent posts which I already had a widget for.
I’m so glad you said that because that’s EXACTLY what I was going for! The gray background and everything just fits with me and our home decor. 🙂 Thanks for the tip on the Popular Posts widget – I’m just using the built-in Jetpack one right now but want one that’s a bit more custom.
Love the new look! Super pretty and your photos are gorgeous!
So sweet, thank you!
I like the new design, but more importantly, I like that you are staying true to yourself and doing what makes You happy!
Thank you! Yes, I’m very happy with this change and finally feel like I got it right.
Looks so good – and definitely most important that YOU love it! Happy New Year!
Thanks, girl! Happy 2017 to you!
Looks great girl – very chic and clean! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston
Thanks, lady! xo