Thursday, November 3, 2011

Have You Checked Out My New Blog Design???

Late last year, I discovered blog giveaways. I entered left and right, trying to make Christmas happen for the kids. I won some pretty cool stuff. One thing I won is what prompted me to start this blog. I entered to win an Amazon.com gift card. I didn't see that there was a second prize - a blog design. Guess which one I won... So, I got a blog design. I had no idea what I wanted to write about, but thought it might be fun to just blab about whatever I wanted, you know? The design was simple and didn't really have much of a theme (except for my button) because I really just had no idea... It was nice and it prompted me to start writing. I've made some really great friends, have gotten to try out and review some pretty cool products, and have used my blog to express my views and share cool ideas with whoever feels like reading it.

I am so excited about the new look of my blog. I swear, just a few weeks ago, I mentioned to someone that I would love to have a new look. It just wasn't something I could fathom paying for, though. I didn't really need it and money's extremely hard to come by. If I was trying to make money off of my blog, it would be a different story. I'm not, so I'd have to be happy with the design I have. That's when I received an email from Krista at Heavenly Savings. Must have had some good karma floating around because I won a complete blog re-design in her International Giveaway Hop!!!

Within an hour of responding to that winning email, Margaret of W.A.I.S.T.Eed Space Designs sent me a "Congratulations" email and a link to a form. I had no idea (again) of what I really wanted. Her questions on the form were very good and got me thinking in the right directions. I wanted a cleaner look. I wanted two sidebars, but still wanted space so my main posts wouldn't look squished. I really wanted a change in my header and button. I told her what colors I like and mentioned that I love Klimt's Tree of Life.

A couple of days later, she had a design all ready for me to look at. I was blown away! Except for one minor detail, it was perfect. That detail was fixed withing 15 minutes and it was time for her to install my new design! How's that for fast?!

There are a few thing that I just love more than all the rest: The header is ME! She managed to find a great Tree of Life-inspired tree and the writing is nice and casual. The widgets with the rotating blog buttons in the sidebar are just too cool! I always try to keep the blog buttons to a minimum because they take up space and no one ever looks at them anyway. Well, now they catch the readers' eyes and don't take up a lot of space. Everyone's blog button will be noticed! I have a cool little tree favicon now! My button is softer and not as bold as my old one (grab it from the sidebar if you'd like!) And check out my neat social networking buttons at the top, right! I even have a Google+ button to match the others. Oh! And I have a siggy now, too.

After checking out her prices, I know that I could have saved up some PayPal payments and gotten this great design, anyway. She's got some amazing packages for both Blogger and Wordpress. Plus she does ala carte items if you just need a button for a hop or a header or something. Oh, and right now (only through Nov. 4th! - HURRY!):
Everyone who orders a package can either get something free off of the A La Cart mean or you can take $15 off the cost of what ever package you order. Please go here and fill out the order from and use the coupon code 15OFF!
In addition to W.A.I.S.T.Eed Space Designs' Web site, you can find Margaret on her Blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Follow her in some way so you can catch her next sale if you miss this one!

7 comments:

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Oh, I love this! A might lighter feel to the blog. Your sig. is adorable!!
Congrats on the new look!! Love it. Very you!!

Heather Kelly said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I LIKE it WAY better!!! So much easier to find things! I was lost on your other blog, this is awesome!

Emily Reviews said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

It's very cute and I think it does a good job of representing your blog as far as the topics you cover and stuff. Love it :)

Momma Jorje said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I really like the new design. I think it looks friendlier. :)

Melissa Joy said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Love this, Alicia!! It really suits your content and feel of the blog!

Courtney said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

yay! Love the green color!! :)

Zoie @ TouchstoneZ said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love the new design and I love that it makes you so happy. I'm working on my own redesign, but it's going to take me months to get it where I want it. No money for a designer though, so it's time invested instead.