After what felt like an extremely long, hard, snowy and cold winter – spring is here! It’s May – trees are turning green, flowers are blooming, and everywhere people are starting to air out their homes, and clean from top to bottom.
House cleaning aside, it’s time for some cleaning and changes – blog style. I absolutely love my theme that Shera from Sweet ‘n Simple Design made for me (thank you!) – but I’ve been feeling the need, both for a change, and to see what I could come up with on my own.
Moving away from a design with a lot of pink was difficult (I mean, my whole life is full of pink), but I wanted something that was still girl-ish, yet with a different color scheme this time. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. 
So what do you think? (blushing)
There are going to be more changes coming this month – both here and on my review site. May is not only my blog anniversary month in general, but it’s also the one-year anniversary of Just a mom’s take on things… as well. And I have some big plans in mind.
One thing that’s already in the works and which you may have seen if you follow my contest listings on the other site, is that Ron has completely redone how I list contests there. Everything is automated now, so that when you fill out the form on the Contacts/Listings page, your data is input directly and all I have to do is approve the listing. This means that if you list your contest via the form, it will be live on the page almost immediately – within hours at the most!
Other changes on the Contests page are that expired listings will now drop off automatically, so the page is always up to date. And contests are listed first by site name and then by ending date within each specific site. Coming soon will be the ability to filter specifically by ending date and listing date as well as site name. It’s still a work in progress (we have to figure out a way to incorporate the new page into the existing WordPress page), and I’m still getting listings up-to-date, but it’s coming along. Check out the current listings here!
Have I mentioned how talented and amazing Ron is? He’s put a lot of time and effort into this and put up with all of my nit-picking as we worked through how I need the listings to work. And we’re not done yet.
I’m also working on a minor site re-design over there as well, and have plans for some fun contests and giveaways of my own this month. I’m also going to be posting a survey in the near future to help figure out the best direction for that site to take, in terms of content and what you all want to see.
So stay tuned – it’s going to be an exciting month around here!
May 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I like this one so much better. The mild colors have a femininity that is classy and clean.
Kristis last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Batman’s New Wheels
May 6th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I LOVE the new colors. It is most definite Sweet and Simple!
I’m the same way. I have so much pink around that I’m always looking for girlie ways to NOT have it…
Thea @ I’m a Drama Mamas last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Aw, crap…
May 6th, 2009 at 9:25 am
I love it! Very spring like, girlie enough but not overdone. You did a great job!
Jean M.s last blog post..WW A to Z- J is for Jumpin’ Jean
May 6th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I love it. Very classy and girlie without being over the top.
Bethns last blog post..Baby Shower
May 6th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I liked the old one but I love this one!!! I’ve never been fond of pink too much ;0) but purple, well purple is my favorite color LOL!!
Jennifers last blog post..Rain rain go away!!
May 7th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Oh, I LOVE the new colors. Purple is the new pink.
I especially love the header.
May 8th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Nice work on your theme. It is lovely and I like how the flowers with the girls faces look almost hand drawn. Very cute. I thought perhaps your girls might like a website I’m launching. I have spent my career making media for girls (though I have been blessed with a sweet but a very BOY boy.) I produced many of the Barbie movies for Mattel. I have a new site called Digital Dollhouse. It is basically just that a realistic, online dollhouse that you can decorate over and over again. It is FREE and has no chat. If you have the chance, I’d love to hear your comments and even more comments from the girls. You can send feedback at my blog at http://www.digitaldollhouse.wordpress.com. And with your permission I’d love to link to you. I will also be running some contests-with virtual coins and would love to participate in your contests page. Best Wishes, Jesyca Durchin
Jesyca Durchins last blog post..Finally a House without a mortgage….There is no Dollhouse credit crisis