A few weeks ago, literary agent Amanda
Luedeke of MacGregor Literary reviewed my blog as part of a series of free
social media critiques she was offering to those with websites (isn’t she
awesome?!).
Luedeke of MacGregor Literary reviewed my blog as part of a series of free
social media critiques she was offering to those with websites (isn’t she
awesome?!).
She had some awesome advice that I
implemented earlier this week (like making my bio more
personal and being sure that I always reply to commenters).
implemented earlier this week (like making my bio more
personal and being sure that I always reply to commenters).
And she also suggested I get a
more professional masthead. I’ve been wanting to do this since several of my
friends have awesome sites.
more professional masthead. I’ve been wanting to do this since several of my
friends have awesome sites.
But I didn’t stop there. I decided
to get a whole site makeover, courtesy of Melanie Moore of Elegant Custom Blogs (who I can’t
brag enough about…so professional and nice, with a great turnaround time).
to get a whole site makeover, courtesy of Melanie Moore of Elegant Custom Blogs (who I can’t
brag enough about…so professional and nice, with a great turnaround time).
Since my blog posts tend to be
personal in nature (how I deal with faith, what I think is fun, what’s going on
in my life, what I’m learning about marriage, etc.), I wanted a site that
really reflected my personality.
personal in nature (how I deal with faith, what I think is fun, what’s going on
in my life, what I’m learning about marriage, etc.), I wanted a site that
really reflected my personality.
And I. Love. Pink. Clearly. Haha.
I wanted a header that reflected
who I was and what I stood for and wrote about. Since I write about faith and
my site isn’t so much about my writing or really an author site, per se, I put my
life verse and alluded to one of the underlying themes of my blog—trusting
that God’s got everything under control. Or trying to trust, anyway.
who I was and what I stood for and wrote about. Since I write about faith and
my site isn’t so much about my writing or really an author site, per se, I put my
life verse and alluded to one of the underlying themes of my blog—trusting
that God’s got everything under control. Or trying to trust, anyway.
I also wanted a modern, fun, but
somewhat elegant feel to the site. I like to think I’m all sorts of things—I
love order and simplicity, but I’m outgoing, a performer, contemplative—and I
think Melanie captured that really, really well.
somewhat elegant feel to the site. I like to think I’m all sorts of things—I
love order and simplicity, but I’m outgoing, a performer, contemplative—and I
think Melanie captured that really, really well.
I’m excited to have a blog home
that feels…well, like home.
that feels…well, like home.
I hope it makes you excited to
hang out here too. I really have been so blessed by each of you, my faithful
readers and friends. Even those of you who don’t leave comments regularly or at
all—please know I appreciate your support and feel your love daily.
hang out here too. I really have been so blessed by each of you, my faithful
readers and friends. Even those of you who don’t leave comments regularly or at
all—please know I appreciate your support and feel your love daily.
Your Turn: Do you have a blog home you’re proud of? How does it
reflect your personality (feel free to leave your URL so we can check it out!)?
Ever hope to upgrade? If so, I highly recommend Melanie’s services!
reflect your personality (feel free to leave your URL so we can check it out!)?
Ever hope to upgrade? If so, I highly recommend Melanie’s services!
If you don’t have a site, what’s one of your favorite sites to visit
and why?
and why?
Congratulations on your blog up-do, Lindsay! What a fun, friendly site–one that does a great job reflecting who you are and what's important to you. I enjoyed reading your bio. It's got a lot of zip and zing!
I love my Victorian-style cyber home, as you know. I can relate to the thrill of watching one's web designer work wonders. Jason Walker of Website Ministries did a superb job on my site, and I highly recommend him.
I love your site too, Keli! Thanks so much for visiting my home so faithfully. And yes, I think my bio does a much better job communicating who I am now. It's not so straightforward and…dry. 🙂
Love the new design – super fun! I really want to get mine re-done but since I spent all our money on going to Dallas it might be a little while. Thanks for the recommendation of Melanie though – I'm starting to keep a list of people who do stuff that I like 🙂
Thanks, Kara! Yeah, it would probably be quite costly to come to Dallas from where you are. Hope to see you at a future conference!!
Woo hoo! I love this! It's totally you! 🙂 It's absolutely perfect. 🙂
Thanks for celebrating with me! I love it.
It looks awesome!!!
Thanks, Julie. I was hoping all the pink wouldn't scare people away. 😉
I love the new look!!! You did a great job–pink plaid wallpaper, fun and pretty masthead, and gorgeous fonts and colors–I love it! So excited for you! Doesn't it feel great to have a makeover? Enjoy it!
All the kudos go to Melanie, really. I'm just so excited to have a home that feels like ME!
Beautiful new site, LindsAy! I think it reflects your fun, yet professional side. Plus it flows with the type of writing you do. Congratulations. By the way, I have a pair of walking shorts with the same pattern as your background. I love them!
I had my website made over this past spring, courtesy of Jason Walker of Website MInistries. I absolutely love my new site. Jason captured my personality perfectly!
I want a pair of shorts that match my background. That would really help me brand myself as the pink and black plaid girl. Hehe. (Did you buy them recently? Where? Wink wink.)
Beautiful, Lindsay! I so need to do this. 🙂
It's actually not as expensive as I thought, especially if you just do a new masthead. I could have made one myself, but I'm not especially talented with visual design, so that's why I hired out.
It's so fun! I love the new look, Lindsay.
Thanks, Kristin! What does Dad think?
Looking good! I have a little tidying up to do. My sidebar is a little out of control. 😉
I also struggle to come up with fun bios. I tend to change them depending on who is asking for them.
~ Wendy
Haha about the sidebar. I really limited mine but I'm sure I'll add stuff here and there. You've been blogging so long that it's no surprise yours is overflowing with loveliness.
Ooooh!! Love!!! 🙂
Thanks, Jennifer! I love your site too. All the purple makes me happy.
So cute!! On my computer the masthead is pixelated. Not sure how it is with others…
But I love the new design!!
Ok nevermind! I reloaded the page and its crystal clear now!! 🙂
Oh, whew. So glad it showed up for you!
I love it, Lindsay!!! Isn't Melanie the best? She designed my website header, and she was so awesome to work with.
Hugging you, Sarah!! 🙂
She IS the best. And yes, I saw your header in her portfolio on her site. I knew if so many awesome people had used her (you, Wendy, Melissa) that she'd be awesome too.
I LOVE IT, LINDSAY!!! 🙂 It is so you. I'd love to have a little makeover on my blog someday soon (and then maybe I could reply to the comments, argh!). Looking forward to hanging out in your newly remodeled cyberhome. 🙂
Thanks, Gabe. I love the makeover you did a few months ago. Your blog looks very professional and yet…cozy. I love it!
Oh my computer went wonky and deleted my comment! It looks fabulous! Great job! It's welcoming and very chic 😉
Silly wonky computers. 😉 And thanks!
LOVE, love, love it! It's so you, so fun! We're sisters of the heart in our shared love for pink.
My blog definitely needs a make-over. Thanks for the Melanie tip.
Yay! The Pink Lady Sisters…or something. 😉
It's bright, happy, and sassy – just like you! LOL… I love it. Well done!
Ooo, I'm sassy? Awesome! 😛 Thanks, Donna.
Yes, I saw that article,too. And I like what you did with yours. 🙂
Thanks, Mary. That article was so helpful, right?
Wow, how great to have someone look over your site for you and give suggestions!
I really like the look of your blog – it's easy to navigate and bright and welcoming. I think I'd like to make mine a TAD more professional. I think I'm just waiting for the right time 🙂
I know, it was such a blessing for sure.
And you'll know when the time is right. For me, having that critique changed my mind about it.
Looks lovely, Lindsay–love your masthead phrase! I know you have to put a LOT of thought into branding! I'm adding you to my Lurk-a-Liscious Blogroll–don't know why I hadn't before. Always enjoy your posts! Oh, and people can check mine out (my techie bro designed it…he didn't want it too "girly" so it's kinda brown-ish…but it's here at heatherdaygilbert@blogspot.com.) I need to work on making my tabs look cooler.
I LOVE that name…lurk-a-liscious. 🙂 Thanks for adding me!
I love your site too. It is super comfy and totally puts me at ease.
I just love your blog make-over, Lindsay! Beautiful!
That's one of my goals for by the end of the year.
You can do it, Loree! I highly recommend Melanie. Her services are not that expensive either, depending on what you want done. And she really does exactly what you want. I can't wait to see your redesign when you do it.
I really love it! I would love to upgrade at some point! I'll keep your recommendation in mind!
Thanks, Lisa! It's been so fun to upgrade and see how my personality translates to the design. I never really thought how much visuals attract someone to a blog before, but it totally makes sense.
Hi sweet Lindsay! It was such a JOY to work with you on your new blog design! I hope that you will enjoy it and it will be a tool that you use often in your writing!
Blessings,
Melanie
Thank YOU, Melanie. You rock!
Love it! Simply beautiful, just like you and your heart. 🙂 So funny because last night I found the perfect verse and think I finally settled on a tagline for mine… so I'll be playing around with my header in the next few days. I love everything you and Melanie came up with!
That's so cool you found the perfect verse and tagline. It's funny, because I literally just got mine in the last few weeks. And I'd been thinking about redoing my blog…but everything came together at just the right time. I know it will for you, too.
Love this! It's so you! And it's fresh, fun — and Philippians 1:6 is a favorite verse — it became my "mom's prayer" for many, many years.
I can definitely see how that would be a good mom prayer. 🙂
I love this!!! Very funa nd bright and welcoming, just like you!
Aw, you guys are making me feel so good!! I'm so glad everyone feels welcome. That's totally my goal.
Yay, so pretty and so fun!! Love it, Linds!
Thanks, friend! Thanks for taking a second during Ollie weekend to check it out.
I love it! It's very pleasing to the eye. I also love the tagline for your life verse. Congratulations on the new look 🙂
Thanks so much!! The tagline just sort of came to me…but then, so did the life verse. I'm thinking that's not a coincidence! 😀
I was going to comment on today's post (Monday, 10/08) about your new look, but then I saw this post from Friday. I love the look, and I'm impressed with how quickly you've put into practice Amanda's suggestions. I've seen you comment on several blogs, and I've been slow to comment, etc. (One of the drawbacks of extreme introversion. It takes a while to jump in.) Anyway…hi!
Meghan, thank you SO MUCH for commenting and sharing in my joy today! I've seen you around too, and you always offer great commentary. I'm so happy to have you here. 🙂