The past week has been a little quiet here on the blog – at least on the surface anyway. But it has had it’s reasons. I’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get everything in place for my big blog makeover!
This has been in the pipeline for a while. I starting dreaming of a an updated look a while back, but being a bit of a perfectionist I knew that quite a few things needed to come together for this to happen. Inspired by others and also knowing I wanted to give the blog a cleaner look that reflects my Scandinavian roots, I had an idea of exactly what I wanted.
So I started searching for my dream theme. I didn’t think much about themes when I started the blog back in May. Honestly, I don’t think I knew about the possibilities. When I couldn’t find what I needed within the free themes available, I ended up looking at buying one. I came across this great site, angiemakes.com, and they have several themes that appeal to me. But their latest, Carraway, held exactly what I was after and so I went for that. I’m so pleased with how it has all come together.
A huge part of what makes the new look so special are the photos by the very talented Caroline Jones. I love taking pictures and normally do all the photography for the blog (with the occasionally helping hand from Daddy Long Legs), but as I wanted both Caspian and I to be featured, I needed the help of a pro.
Once I have tweaked the last few things I’ll write another post on what I’ve learned in more detail, for anyone looking to take the plunge and redesign their blog. Have you ever given your blog a big makeover? What did you learn?
Here’s a reminder of what the blog used to look like…
And, of course, I would love to know what you think of my new look? It’s best viewed on a computer screen and the front page will show the new slider, too. (can you tell I’m excited?!)
I love this makeover. I think it is actually very important to choose the correct theme that suits your blog and that makes you happy. I have already mentioned this before but your photos are amazing. I love the idea of wearing the same outfits (you and Caspian). It is very cute!! <3 Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS. I love having you again this week. 🙂 xx
Loving it! Well done – I wish I had the guts for a change. Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
Your new layout is FAB! Love the colour scheme.
Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky
Love, love your new design, it really looks great. I really suits the blog.
It’s amazing how much hard work it takes to revamp it, isn’t it? I recently did mine but I still find new things to change all the time.
Gorgeous makeover and such lovely photos! I would really love to give my blog a fresh look in the new year so I’m really looking forward to hearing about the process and what you’ve learnt.
It looks fabulous. Lovely photographs! #KCACOLS
Wow Nadia this looks amazing! You’ve done so well with the changes and those photos are adorable. I could really do with getting some pro photos of me and Taylor done – the hubby isn’t a photographer at all so we hardly have any! I updated my theme a couple of months ago and I’m finally happy with it. I do think look and feel is so important. Glad you’ve got it just how you wanted #KCACOLS x
Thank you so much. Yes, Caroline has done such a wonderful job with the photos, and Caspian was a pro in front of the camera (well, he’s not a bloggers child for nothing) 😉 Thank you for stopping by, hun.
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Aw, that’s so lovely to hear 🙂 Thank you!
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Wow it looks so good!!! Such a difference. I adore the colour scheme and can’t wait to see the new slider. I am in desperate need of a blog makeover soon. I’m going to go and have a browse at some of those themes. I love your photos too, they’re so lovely. xxx #KCACOLS
Thank you, Chloe! Your site is a great inspiration 🙂 The slider’s on the front page… still trying to work out if I have it on every page 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I love your new theme it’s so clean and fresh. I recently went through the same not so long ago after going self hosted and after a few weeks of deliberating I finally chose one off etsy and I love it even though it is completely different to what I originally imagined and it was so easy to install on wordpress too I managed to do it myself! #KCACOLS
I just had a browse at yours! It’s gorgeous… I love the colour scheme 🙂 And well done for doing everything… I for one know that’s not so easy. Yay, go us 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Thank you lovely lady! Pleasure to be part of the club!
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I’ve recently done the same thing and I’m so happy with mine too, I’ve had a few designs with free themes and my own headers but I feel more professional now with my current one, which I purchased after going self hosted recently. I love the black and white. Looks like we’re in the same boat. How hard is it trying to get everything set up! #happydiaries
Pauline x
Yes, it is definitely hard work doing everything yourself, but also very rewarding when it comes together 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Looks great. I am in the process of making another blog over on wordpress.org and it has been melting my brain with jargon! although I am happy to say I worked it out! I really want to find theme that has an email follow pop up. Did you come across any of those?
Have you tried the ultimate social media buttons plugin, I think that offers a pop up email subscription? I’ve found that you can solve most thing with great plugins 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I have blog layout envy – looks beautiful x
Thank you! 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I love your new design, Nadia! Very sleek and classy! The photos of you and Caspian are gorgeous too! Thanks for sharing with #abitofeverything
Thank you so much, El. And thanks for hosting.
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Your site looks amazing! I can tell how much work you must have put into it. I haven’t yet got up the courage to give mine a makeover, though I’d like to. I’m kind of terrified I’ll mess everything up, so I’ll probably ponder it for a good long time before I tackle it.
I can relate to that… there were things I had set up in the beginning, reading how to and since forgotten, but luckily most things went smoothly. Thank you 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
The pictures are stunning! And love the cool grey and clean lines – very Scandi 😉 #coolmumsclub
Thank you so much, Charlene 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy xx
Your new blog design looks so different from before. You have really got it spot on in terms of having clean, simple lines. I love your new header! Well done you. 🙂 #coolmumclub
Thank you, Annette! 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I like it! The layout is clean and everything is easy to read. Lovely job! You must be thrilled. I know when I got my blog redone at the start of the year, it looked so much fresher and it really helped get the ideas flowing. Good luck with the next stage of “your blogging journey”.
Exactly! It’s very motivating… now it’s just about finding the time to write them all 🙂 Thank you.
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I like it! It does look much cleaner. I have been wanting to change my blog as well and have been researching and trying to figure it out because like you, I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to choosing themes, typography, and colors. Do the themes you buy allow you to preview them on your blog before buying? I’ve found with the free themes, I don’t know if I like them until I have looked at the live preview first. Visiting from #happydiaries
Hi Michelle,
It definitely feels daunting, but I’m so happy I did it. No, I don’t think you can preview a bought one beforehand. Which can make it even more scary. But I’m so happy with my choice, but there is still loads of little tweak to do to make it all look the way I want.
Good luck if you do decide to change yours 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Love the new look, very sleek looking. Looking forward to hearing more. #bestandworst
Thank you, Julie. Yes, will write about it all in detail soon.
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I love the look of your new blog and it looks so professional. I would love to create a new look for my blog. #bestandworst
Congrats; such a beautiful, fresh, modern space! Love it. A nice feeling of calm. Absolutely stunning photos, too! #bestandworst
Thank you, Anna. That’s lovely to hear.
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
It’s gorgeous! I love you header, it’s so classy. And the photos of you and your Caspain are beautiful. I have changed my theme once and I’m happier than I was originally but I’m still thinking about what to do with my header image, and of course I’ll never stop wanting to improve things 🙂 #bestandworst
That what I love most about having a blog, that you are in charge (and there’s always something to do!) I designed the header/logo myself and it was surprisingly easy. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Aww I really love it and it really suits you. It’s clean, classy and very professional almost!! Would be interested to hear more about your process! Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst xxx
Aw, thank you, Sarah. I think it’s the great work of Caroline Jones, that makes it looks so professional. I hope I can still make it personable with the posts 🙂 Thank you for hosting a great linky.
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
OOOH I LOVE your new look! The photos are just beautiful, you both look like models. It’s lovely seeing a peek into your home in the background too. I am summoning up the courage to go to wordpress.org from.com but am too scared at the moment! This is really inspiring to see what can be done with a new theme. Becky x #bestandworst
Thank you, Becky! I’m sure you’ll be fine (just remember to back up everything!!) I was set up as self-hosted, but even so changing the theme was a big thing – or at least it felt that way to me 🙂
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I’ve just found your blog through #bestandworst so I don’t know what it used to look like, but I love this theme. I really like a non fussy, sleek design which I think you’ve nailed. Fab photo shoot too 🙂
Debbie
Ah! You just reminded me that I had forgotten to add the pictures of what it used to look like. They are there now 🙂 Thank you for your kind words, Debbie, and for stopping by!
Nadia – ScandiMummy x