Tuesday, March 13, 2012

My Blog Design and Organization Changes (and a Blog Button Giveaway from Designer Blogs!)

Don't click away! It's still me, Amanda...I just have a new look here at the blog! Same crafty homey foodey funny posts; it was just time for an update. Want to take a little tour with me? There just might even be a little Blog Button Giveaway involved! If you're viewing this in a reader or email, I hope you'll click over to see.

I liked my old banner, but trends change in blog design the same way they do in our homes. It was time to update things around here and keep up with the times. It's been two years since I've changed anything major with the blog! The talented, patient, and fabulous Lauren from Designer Blogs agreed to partner with me on my redesign. She put up with all of my questions, suggestions, and indecision with such a sweet spirit. I had a general idea of the look I wanted, but Lauren is the one whose effort and creativity made it all come together. My awesome new blog button is courtesy of Kim from Seven Thirty Three...not only does she work super quickly, she puts things together so nicely. It's like she knows what I want without having to ask me!

Color Scheme:
I love my color scheme and I get a lot of positive comments about it, so I knew I wanted to keep my background and the fun pink and yellow accents. So, that stayed!



Tagline:
You'll notice that I have a new tagline: Creative Solutions for Staying Sane. When I started up this blog, it was primarily a spot for me to share funny stories about my kids and being a stay-at-home mom. Over time, it has evolved into more of a creative spot. I still share personal stories, but it's really not a "mommy" blog anymore. "A Mommy's Solution to Staying Sane" fit when I started out, but with more creative posts than mom stories, it was time for the tagline to reflect that!

Navigation Bar:


I wanted to keep the same friendly feel to Serenity Now, but add in some new user-friendly (and sponsor friendly!) features. I had Lauren rework my navigation bar under the blog banner, and I'm really excited about it.

What will you find in my new navigation bar?
-A new and updated About Me page with examples of the types of posts you'll find here.

-A Serenity Now Project Gallery! I spent hours and hours going through all of my old links, organizing them into categories with thumbnails to make them easier to browse. It's not perfect, but it's a start!

- A Blogging Resources Library. I realllllly hope you all will head over there to browse, because I've been rounding up good blogging tips and tricks for ages with plans of sharing them here. You'll find everything from photography to SEO to design to scheduling.

-Advertising Information. I'll be updating this page as I work with brands and shops, but the basics are there if you're interested in partnering with me. I'd love to welcome some new sponsors!

-Buttons and Features. Grab a button here or look to see where I've been featured.

So, that about does it! I am really thrilled with the new look, and I hope you like it too. I had you guys in mind as I worked on the Project Gallery and Blogging Resources page.

To celebrate my new look, Designer Blogs is giving away 1 Free Custom Blog Button with Share Code to a lucky reader! Use it for your blog, a blog party, series, anything you like.

Here's how you can enter:
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.*

1. (mandatory to enter)Leave me a comment letting me know what you like best about the new design or gallery pages.
-For Extra Entries-
2. Visit the Designer Blogs Portfolio and leave me a comment with the name of your favorite design.
3. Follow Serenity Now via GFC (Google Friend Connect- so I can see your cutie face on my sidebar!)
4. Facebook this Giveaway with a link to this post.
5. Tweet the Following: Serenity Now has a new look & you can WIN a Blog Button from @designerblogs to celebrate! http://bit.ly/ypjlet @SerenityNowGirl

*Giveaway open until Thursday night at 10 pm ET. Odds of winning depend on the amount of entries received. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only, please.

Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my new look! If you decide to place an order with Designer Blogs, please let them know I referred you!

46 comments:

  1. I love your new banner header with the new logo and tag line. It looks so crisp and clean. I am glad you kept with your color scheme... it really is one of my favorites. It is so cheerful. I hope my blog conveys that to my readers... of course I still have a lot of work to do.

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  2. Love the new look! Your blog looks refreshed :-) I've always loved your colors, so cheery! I just had my blog redone too, I hope you come by & check it out sometime! :-) Blessings!

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  3. Whoa! It looks amazing! Love the changes - and I bet you're loving them, too :)

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  4. I love the new look! I like the color scheme and all the pink best :)

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  5. Your blog looks awesome! I checked out your project gallery- it's very easy to navigate. And I especially like your 'about me' page. I love that your blog is 'real'. Congrats on the new look. :) Samantha

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  6. Love your new look! I really love the top (header) of your blog.

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  7. Love the new look, Amanda!!!! Your header is perfect and I can't wait to go through that project gallery!

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  8. AMANDA! It looks smashing! I like the way you updated it without totally re-doing everything. Your navigation bar is wonderful--you're so smart to do that!

    Upon your recommendation, I've used Designer Blogs to design buttons for my blog, and I can say that they do wonderful work! AND they're always so quick and super-nice to work with. So I would love to win a button from them--I can think of one I'd like to have right now! :)

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  9. Love the new blog makeover. especially the header and how everything is well organized into the "blogging resources" tab! I've used Designer Blog for my blog makeover last year and loved to work with them!

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  10. Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/lifethriftylane/status/179582820224733184

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  11. I like the cleaner, simpler look of the header and I *really* appreciate that it's easier to get to your wonderful blog resources :)

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  12. I'm already a follower on GFC!!

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  13. Your new design looks fresh, crisp and still has the great color combo.

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  14. I really like the Papaya blog design -- I could use help with my blog, and especially with a blog button!!

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  15. looks wonderful! I love your new tag line and button.
    ~Heather

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  16. I love your new tagline! The site looks really great and so professional! Missi

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  17. I love the new tagline! You are so creative, with solutions for more than just "mommy" stuff!

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  18. Ohhh...I like it! I love your tag line too! Great job Amanda!

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  19. Love your new header and tag line. :)

    zucchinisummer at gmail DOT com

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  20. I'm really digging the new header and top nav bar. Really clean and crisp - but still 'you.'

    I'm also loving your new tagline -

    Okay, I love it all. I'm such a huge help!

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  21. The update is great, Amanda! So fresh and clean!

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  22. I like the cleanliness of the new design. It makes it a joy to read and with my slow connection it loads fast!

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  23. I love the "Between U and Me" design!

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  24. I love your new look and especially love your project gallery. What you've done is exactly what I've wanted to do for a long time. Yeah for you!

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  25. i love your new look!

    SO CRISP & FRESH!

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  26. new follower and loving the blogging resources page, very helpful for this new blogger!

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  27. I love the new look Amanda! It's different but not so different that it felt like I was visiting another blog! The new nav bar is great! I need an updated one for sure:)

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  28. I love your new fonts, so streamlined but still fun as always!

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  29. I love the clean and crisp look of the new design. Very professional looking!

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  30. My favorite design is eat little bird. Love the French feel

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  31. I just now stumbled upon your blog--and glad I did! =) So, even though I am not familiar with what the "before" was I'm definitely loving the cheerful bright colors of the after! Looks great overall! =)

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  32. Checked out the designs and I think I like "Mrs.H" one the best! =)

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  33. I am now following you on Google connect! =)

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  34. I love the script of your blog name. Great design and great giveaway.

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  35. I love the new look Amanda! Still familiar, but with some cool new features!

    I can't went to spend some time in the project gallery, and the blogging resources library!

    Woohoo!

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  36. Hi Amanda,

    Looks great! And I love the blogging resources part, that is really helpful. I've always wanted to see something like that in blog land :-)

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  37. Just came over and was taken back by how clean and slick your new design is. It wasn't too much as to throw me off and make me think I was in the wrong place - just an updated feel! :)

    Love it, Amanda!

    and I would love to win the button as my blog could really use some help :)

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I love to hear your feedback! Please feel free to leave comments...just don't send me spam asking me to buy stuff off your website! I've got three kids and no money to purchase your magic weight-loss pill or bust enhancement, or whatever else you might be selling. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! :)

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