As you’ve probably noticed, things are looking a little different around here. I’ve been working behind the scenes for months on both planning and executing this whole redesign process, and it’s finally here!
Credit goes to Chaitra from PinkPot Design Studio, who I’ve been working with throughout this process. She used her design and development expertise to come up with the concepts and execution that brought my vision for AA to life. If you’re a blogger, she has a ton of really helpful guides and tips on her blog that I think you’ll like.
My previous designs have always left something to be desired in my eyes, and now that I’m past the 2-year mark of blogging, I knew it was time to step it up. My previous designs have been very plain and lacked character. The new design has a cohesive, fresh look while still remaining clean and easy-to-navigate, two things that were very important to me in this process. And I love the little snowcapped mountain logo, which hints at my active inclinations while still looking downright adorable.
Here are a couple new things that I wanted to point out:
New review page
I’m really excited about this new feature! Providing information through reviews is an important part of what I do around here, so one of my top priorities was to have a space that highlighted these types of posts.
If you’re wondering whether I’ve reviewed a certain brand or a certain item from a certain brand, you don’t have to fuss with searching through archives anymore. Instead, the reviews page has a comprehensive list of all of the brands I’ve reviewed. I’ll be continuously updating the page as I feature new brands. With the new page, you’ll be able to quickly and easily find what you’re looking for.
Check out the fancy new review section here.
New comment system
There were a lot of good things about the Disqus comment system, which is what I’d been using previously. For example, it was really good at keeping out spam, it allowed picture attachments, it came with easy reply notifications… But, it also turns people off to commenting because many people don’t know how to comment without creating an account. I’ve changed the comment system to an ultra-simple system in hopes it will make commenting easier for you.
I’d love to hear what you think of this comment system. I’m open to switching back to Disqus if that option ends up making more sense.
By the way, if you’d like a picture to show up when you comment instead of something generic, you can sign up at gravatar.com and upload a picture of whatever you like there. You just have to use the same email address on Gravatar that you use when you leave a comment in order for it to pull the photo. Note that Gravatar is widely used, so that picture will also show up if you leave a comment on other sites that use a similar system.
As before, the email you use when you submit comments is not used for anything except sending comment notifications and helping to prevent spam.
And more…
Besides what I mentioned above, there are lots of other new little changes to how things are laid out, like new category icons, a new top menu, fresh about and contact pages… You get the idea. I’m really excited about the site refresh and how it all came together.
I hope you like the new design. I’d love to hear what you think in the comments!
P.S. The adorable little bud vases are from Honeycomb Studio.
Hello AA!
Love this new look :) very clean! and I love the color!
Browsed through the reviews section and I love the way it is organized for easier navigation :)
keep up the great work :)
Oops–I totally posted a reply to the wrong comment!! Sorry about the crazy person moment. :)
Thanks for the kind words, Angeline, glad you like it!!
Love the new design, and this comment system is fine by me!
Thanks Gretchen! :)
LOVE the reviews feature! I have don’t a lot of time in your archives. No more! The entire site is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Hooray, that was exactly my goal!! :)
Loving the look of the new site! Its very clean and easy to navigate.
Thank you! :)
LOVE! The snow capped mountain is so apt and well thought out to represent you and AA!
I agree! :) It was Chaitra’s idea and it turned out so great.
love the new look! it’s super simple and easy to navigate!
Thanks Linhie! :)
The new design is really, really great!
Thank you Linda, I’m glad to hear you like it!
If only lululemon could design such a functional and appealing website ;)
Ohhhh shots fired!!! Thanks though, hehe. :)
Love it! Everything looks awesome but I especially love your new logo. Review page is also awesome. I frequently check your site for reviews so I like you can find reviews by brand more easily.
Thanks, I’m glad you like it!! :)
Really visually appealing new format. New comment section is fine as well but, can you put a comment bubble on the home page as well as the top of the post? Personally, I’m not a fan of having to click on the “read more” button to get to the full blog post and then have to scroll down to see if there are any comments if I’ve already read the post.
Thanks and congrats on the new blog rollout.
yes, I agree with this! I liked to be able to see the number of comments on a post on the main page.
I agree too!
…and I agree with shavarama’s other comment about being able to see new comments below :)
Overall, though, I love it!! I like reading about you in the “About” section. We need pics of your dogs though (obviously).
You must’ve read my mind given today’s post, heh.
Good point! We are working on getting that incorporated. :)
Oh my GOD!!!!!!! As I saw the title of this post I immediately thought of 'Don' so I'm chuffed to see that clip!!! …I LOVE Helen…and ohhhhhh let's not forget this classic…!You are as fabulous as Helen, you Vixen you!!
love the new site! I noticed it this weekend while browsing through the reviews. and just picked up a pair of alala crops and a pair of michi tights based in large part to your awesome reviews.
Oh awesome!! I hope you love them. :)
it looks good! I like the white and turquoise. maybe a little less empty white space would save me some scrolling time though (!). also, one thing I miss most from your old website is being able to click on Previous Post at the bottom of a blog post. for example, once I get to the bottom of this one, my only option is to click on Home and then scroll down to the second post. I used this feature a lot to see if more comments were being added to previous posts. is there any way you can bring this back?
Thanks! We are getting the older/newer post re-incorporated. I had no idea anyone even used that. :)
thank you!! I read your first post this morning and then I noticed the Older. I got all excited and came right here to comment and say thanks :) works like a charm haha!
I love the new redesign too. Usually bloggers redesign and it’s so much more complicated or busy. Great job!
I’m glad you like it!! Keeping it simple was definitely important to me, so I’m glad that worked out. :)
Love, love, love the snow capped mountain logo!!!
Thanks Lily! :)
Yay! Love the change and how fresh it looks!
Thanks Ginnie! I agree, it’s so fresh and lovely. :)