It just didn’t seem right for me to make everything in my home useful and beautiful without tackling my home away from home, too. I changed the blog. I know a few of you are averse to change, so be warned: it’s very different. But in a good way!
Please. In a great way. Come over and take a look.
Eep! I love it. I worked with Anna of Door Sixteen fame. I’m still shocked she agreed–happily–to work with me. Pinching myself, really, because this summer? Maybe not the best time to take me on. It’s possible working with me was a lot like hanging out in a bar with Josef K., or listening to Chicago on repeat. It’s possible.
I can write about almost anything, except myself. It would be easier for me to clone a marsupial than it would be for me to tell you who I am and what my blog is about. I get tongue tied, even over email. This time was no different, with a few exceptions. I knew I wanted the site to look simple, clean, and classic. I didn’t want a lot of bells and whistles. I wanted an elegant minimum, the same as I want for my home. And, I wanted garden roses. I just can’t get enough of them. Other than that, I was a bit sldfkjsdfwoejfj ffft.
Luckily, Anna said she could work with images. I sent her over images I love and images that inspire me, but limited myself to those I adored, those I looked at again and again and never got tired of. I also sent her a blurry, jumpy video of Stevie Nicks singing during a Rolling Stone photo shoot. I have no idea what it all means. I posted the images throughout this post so you can see for yourself. (Careful if you have young readers–one is a little naughty.)
I found it odd that most of the images I truly loved were dark, moody, and a little serious. Okay, maybe not that last one. It’s strange, because in real life I see myself as a dork of epic proportions. I started to worry that I am drawn to one, but reflect another. When I asked on Twitter if there was a disconnect between how I wrote and the images in my inspiration folder, Lydia replied without missing a beat that I wasn’t “the lightest read online.” That made me laugh.
You can see the rest of what I sent Anna here. That addictive Stevie Nicks video is there, too. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, I already forced you to watch it at least twice last summer.
Aside from a general “everything is different,” the pictures are a bit larger. I’ve reduced my 750 categories to just five you can access at the top and bottom of the page: Home, Family, Style, Health, and Food. That about sums up my blog content! I’m considering subcategories. If I go that route, they’ll drop down from the main category when you click on the top navigation.
On the right, under my picture, are four more links within the site that should be self explanatory. I love the addition of images to my list of Favorite Posts, and I love how the links turn pink when you hover over them.
Which brings me to the change in color scheme. After three years, I switched from yellow to dusty rose. I’ve finally embraced the fact I look good in pink. This year has shaped up to be one of forced change, growth, and acceptance. It’s a new me, and this new me is going to focus on being the best I can be instead of attempting a mediocre imitation of someone else. So, pink it is.
Eh. Not entirely a new me. I just thoroughly over-analyzed my reason for using pink. The more things change, the more things stay the same.
Thank you, Anna! I love it. I love it, love it, love it.
This is a really beautiful design! (And I love the images you sent her to work with.) Very lovely.
Love the new blog, easy to navigate and pretty too!
Its wonderful! Love the new look. You and Anna do great work.
Lovely! Congratulations on the change!!!
Very serious looking and beautiful with the roses. It also seems easy to navigate which is always a good thing for me!
Oh, your new site is lovely–congratluations!
I loved the old look and I love this new one! So feminine and pretty! :)
It looks unbelievably amazing. I ABSOLUTELY FREAKING LOVE IT.
You should. Your blog was one of two that I sent to Anna as favorites in terms of design. :)
It looks beautiful Jules. It really, really does :) And is it lame of me that I’m happy to be under your blogs I love category? yes, lame ;)
Not lame. Now that my blogs are on a new page, I can feature more, which is exciting.
Congrats! I loved looking at all the inspiration images (again) I ADORE the little girl looking at the chalkboard. Beautiful job!
It is beautiful with a capital B. Really makes you want to stay and read back… Not that I’d expect anything else from you or Anna!
So lovely Jules, just like you!
xo
Kate
Wow! I have to say it was a little bit of a shock for me today, when roses started loading instead of that familiar yellow pattern. That was, after all , my very first impression of you. But, I feel like it opens you up to be seen more. Just another side of you. I like that. It’s not an easy task to define oneself. You did a lovely job.
Thank you, Pamelotta! I do feel this shows another side of me.
Love it! Great job, Anna. Jules, it looks awesome.
Hi Jules,
I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time now, but never commented before.
First of all – your new design looks great and as far as I can tell much more YOU. Guess one can’t do wrong when hiring the fabulissimus Anna! ;-)
Above all, it’s your thoughtful, witty and honest posts that keep me coming back.
I am so happy that you said it looks more like me. Very, very happy.
Wow, this was a shock to my eyes, but I love it!!!!!!!! So pretty and you do look good in pink;)
I love the collage on pinterest and the Stevie Nicks vid. I really like that you shared your inspiration images, these are the things about us that we can’t explain, the way our hearts quicken in relation to beauty. And in your new layout and decor, well the essence is the photo of you with the added ‘mantilla’. It’s still you, just with a different mise en sc�ne. I love Rear Window, it’s clever and tricky and the model dress with the white full skirt and black top that Grace Kelly wears is the essence of beauty.
Thank you, Sally. I am always interested in seeing what inspires people, so I thought sharing my images would be fun. I love that Anna was able to pull from them what I couldn’t express.
It’s lovely! Clean, pretty, modern and classic at the same time. I would like you to know you are the coolest person I have “met” this month (technically last month). (When I saw the mate, I knew ;) ) I’m enjoying reading some of your older posts, as well as staying tuned for what’s to come.
Clean, pretty, modern, and classic was how I described to Anna what I wanted, so I’m happy you said that. I’m not cool, but Anna is. :)
Nice. But I kinda miss the feet picture.
That’s okay, I understand. That was a good picture! But you know what? I hated it! I mean, I loved it…but my legs looked like lumpy tree trunks. It always bothered me, but I was too honest to photo shop them. I always thought negative thoughts when I saw that picture, so for that reason I was eager to let it go.
Oh my- how much will you hate me if I say I started reading your blog BECAUSE of that picture?! No really. Loved. That. Picture. ;)
Glad that you love the new design. Very subtle and serene.
I wouldn’t hate you at all! I may try to take that picture again one day. I started seeing it everywhere though, and it started to bug me. ;)
gorgeous. Anna’s design work consistently stuns me. Congrats on being brave and getting through the sldfkjsdfwoejfj ffft and phenomenally indecisive and pinning down a gorgeous look. huh. no idea why it dumped my email addie there. weird.
I was so surprised when I saw the new design, but I love it! It’s sophisticated and feminine. Change is pretty scary, I think, but it sure can be fun, too!
I love it! Great job Jules and Anna!
The new site is gorgeous! Congrats on the new look and on finishing the 31-day project. I really enjoyed it.
not the lightest read!! light reading is good at times, but also very forgettable, what you write is very memorable, so no, not a light read, but a great one none the less! I like the new look btw.
Thank you, Michelle!
Hi, new reader here, started reading during your 31 days of William Morris. I LOVE your new look, and looking forward to reading more!
Cheers
Judy
Hi, Judy! Thank you for leaving a comment. :)
I lOVE the new look. It’s so lovely.
Congrats on it :)
I audibly gasped over this new design. AWESOME! And as soon as you said Anna had done it, I realized her fingerprints were all over it. Love it. I’m noticing you went to a narrower width… is it just b/c the left sidebar is no longer there that I’m being thrown off? I’ve been thinking about going narrow and just can’t decide…
Just popping in to say that the photos are actually 70px WIDER than they were before! Reorganizing and streamlining the navigation allowed us to lose the left sidebar completely in favor of having larger pictures (and less visual distraction from them).
I actually went it a wider width! One of Anna’s goals was to streamline everything so the focus was on my writing and the pictures. I love my two column layout.
You know what? I started using a new laptop w/a much wider screen last week, so that’s what’s throwing me. So it’s not you, it’s me, DUH. Sorry! Your new site design is still incredible!! =)
i LOVE the new design!!! i have to say the pink and gray are so serene. i feel like i’ve stumbled upon a beautiful, hidden garden…
I love that!
It looks really beautiful. Sophisticated and interesting. I love it.
Congrats on your new design and well done to Anna – it looks gorgeous and I LOVE the rose illustration – you must be thrilled!
Love the new look! Anna rocks!
Oh, Jules! I’ve been out of town for a few days and am catching up on some blog reading, so I just now noticed your new design, and… I love it! I clicked on over, and it just made me breathe easier, you know? I think it really goes with your “beautiful and useful” mentality; everything looks clean and simple, and the function is true to that, too. And I, for one, am grateful you’ve stuck with “Pancakes and French Fries” as your blog name; there’s something I just love about it. I know you may change it one day, but for the record, I’m a fan. (Plus I kind of adore the ampersand you’re using as your favicon. Classy and quirky.) :)