I’m a creature of habit.
I don’t even like to change my clothes.
And that’s only a SLIGHT exaggeration considering I wear the same hoodie every single weekend.
Making changes to a blog design that I already loved and a host (blogger) that I was perfectly comfortable with were not decisions I made lightly.
I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I am with what’s going on with my blog right now.
I’ve been emailing and yapping about these possible changes since June.
JUNE!
I wanted to clean my blog up and I was ready for something new…but with the same feel…and I think got it!
Shannon has been working on my blog and dealing with me for weeks now and she’s been spending this entire weekend switching me over. So far the biggest drawback was that none of my comments made it with the move. All of the lovely things you have ever said to me….and that one comment about me being the devil’s spawn…they’re all gone.
Well. That’s not entirely true…they’re still attached to the blogger blog, which still exists. Maybe I’ll go back to it every once in awhile to say hello to my wonderful old design. Maybe I’ll sit down and read all those old comments and reminisce. Maybe I’ll copy and paste them all into their rightful positions on this blog here. Or maybe not.
There is still some work to be done over here though. I need to add content to that super fun navigation bar. I suddenly want to categorize everything in my life and create a tab for it up there. Slightly addictive, that tab making. I need to learn the ins and outs and take some time to bond with WordPress. I can say right now though, that I feel like we’re going to get along okay. WordPress is complex, yes…but so clean and pretty self explanatory.
The great thing about all of this is that I feel invigorated! I didn’t know I needed that…but I’m really excited about blogging right now. And the interactive commenting there is to be done. So easy to reply back to specific people this way.
We’ll see how long the honeymoon lasts…but right now I’m feeling really good about all this newness.
And I KNOW I was supposed to publish my WordPress Vs. Blogger thing, but I couldn’t NOT address the makeover.
It’s coming though…soon my pretty pets. Soon.
{ 84 comments… read them below or add one }
Woooowwww!! fancy shmancy new place ya got here!! i love the new look! i even love the scandalous new photo of you…..MEOW! :) and don’t worry, if it makes you feel any better i can leave you comments on how you’re the devil’s spawn….because that’s what friends do.
.-= Alicia´s last post: In a nutshell…. =-.
New site looks great. I’m on wordpress too. It’s pretty good once you get the hang of it! I think it has a lot more functionality than blogger? Keep up the great posts!
Yes…more functionality! Well said! And thank you…I’m making myself right at home here. :)
Welcome to the dark side…..
.-= MrW´s last post: He made it!!! =-.
Congratulations on your successful conversion to Wordpress! It looks great and the link from my blogroll over here still worked.
.-= Karen & Gerard Zemek´s last post: Today Is My 56th Birthday! =-.
Wow! It’s funny, it feels like high school all over again – all the cool blogs are moving to WordPress, and I’m still on Blogger. Can’t wait to read about your comparison of the two, I’ve been thinking about making the switch myself. I think your new site looks just lovely!!! Congrats on surviving the switch!
.-= Elizabeth a.k.a. Type A Mommy´s last post: Christmas Cookie Bonanza: Festive Fudge Cookies =-.
I do love Blogger!
Let me be the SIXTH person to say – Love the new look!!! You might convince me yet :)
Congratulations! I cant wait to see whats ahead for you MamaKat.
.-= JennyMac´s last post: Moving Day =-.
Kat – it looks fantastic! Don’t forget about us little people!
Love the new look and the new photo. Way cool. Glad to see you graduated from blogger and got your own .com. Awesome. Gah. Do I sound like a teenager from 20 years ago?
I didn’t even make it to the end of this post without wondering WHY ON EARTH DIDN’T YOUR COMMENTS MAKE IT?? When I moved my Blogger to Wordpress (just moved for experimental purposes…I’m still at Blogger) all my comments went with me. Even the ones from 2006 that were moved from MSN to Blogger to WP…I’m sure there is a way – even if you have to re-export from Blogger then re-import to WP…there must be a way. Period.
.-= Shanna´s last post: The Pace I Keep =-.
I guess it’s a problem with Blogger. Shannon really tried to figure out what was going on, but apparently it’s something that a lot of people are frustrated with right now.
Amazing, Kat. Amazing.
I love the new look…very pleasing to the eye!
.-= Dawn´s last post: Time to take care of buisness… =-.
The new place looks fantastic! I am looking forward to reading your comparison post.
.-= Melanie´s last post: Scrumptious Sunday Swap – Chocolate Truffle Cookies =-.
I like the new layout!
.-= Amanda´s last post: Not your Nonna’s Pasta Fagioli =-.
Fancy schmancy! Awaiting your tutorial on Wordpress vs. Blogger.
.-= June Freaking Cleaver´s last post: Dear Family, Friends, and Folks I Have No Intention of EVER Inviting into Our Home, =-.
Looks great! Great picture of you in the header.
I would love to see the Wordpress vs. Blogger post. I have noticed more and more people switching over. I will say Blogger meets my needs for now but maybe in the future I will go over to the “dark side”. Just kidding :-)
It will be up tomorrow I promise!
Whoo whoo…love that new photo! Very hot!
Congrats on making the swtich! Love the new template.
Everything looks fantastic! Very sleek and clean. Love it!
That sucks about your comments. But just look at your pretty new picture and the sadness will melt away.
.-= 3 Men & a Lady´s last post: Baby-holder or No-Thankser? =-.
This is just so fabulous! LOVE the tabs. I want tabs. I want a new look. You make me want to switch.
I hate wordpress. You know you are going to get haters.
my only reason(s) are that it WILL NOT save my information and every time i want to leave a comment i have to retype it…and frankly, it’s too much work. SO if you hear less from me…
secondly, i hate that you cant just go downs someones blog and read the posts you missed. NOW you have to click on the link cause it’s too much work for wordpress to have them all on the same page, or something. what’s up with that?
.-= Michelle´s last post: Advent – 11 Days until Christmas =-.
I can’t believe it won’t remember your information Michelle! You’re right, that is obnoxious.
You actually can set it up like Blogger where you can have all your posts scrolling down your blog. I chose this template because I like that people can see what posts they might have missed at a glance instead of scrolling through. Sometimes my writing prompts get buried and I’m not sure people know they are down there. The other benefit is that it increases your page views. I didn’t do it solely for that reason, but to me it was an added bonus, I already like the clean look of the posts like that.
But yes, I’m sure I’ll still get haters. That will never change. :)
Love the new look. Looks like you have embraced the newness well. You even have a cute picture (love the martini in your hand).
Cannot wait to hear your comparison and contrasts between blogger and Wordpress (I actually have both, but haven’t done very much in Wordpress).
.-= Christopher (AKA: CaJoh)´s last post: Yey no more drafts =-.
I don’t know if I’d be singing WP’s praises if I didn’t have someone walking me through it…it IS very involved over here!
this really is beautiful. I absolutely love it. Makes me want to switch…we’ll see.
.-= S Club Mama´s last post: babywearing =-.
Look amazing Kathy!
Can’t wait to hear why I need to switch. =)
.-= Summer´s last post: Monday Muse Fashion Post =-.
Summer you would love WordPress. I’m sure of it.
I like commenting on WordPress because it remembers my information.
Your blog looks great. I especially love that picture of you. You look fabulous!
.-= hotpants™´s last post: The Talk of Tinseltown; Babies & Boobs =-.
I love it, M-K! And I love the new picture of you! I love how it still feels like you, but different and new.
My comments didn’t make it, either, and I hate seeing a post with zero comments. It’s so lonely-feeling.
Yes, WP is more complicated. It has been a lot of work getting to know the back-end workings of my new set-up, but I do feel like it was worth it.
.-= Lolli´s last post: I Heart Faces-Pets Only! =-.
Love the new layout! Looks great!
It looks great, Kat! I luuuuuurve the new look, but I still don’t like you switching to WordPress. I’ll only deal with it because I like you…a lot…most times.
P.S. I’ve referenced you in my post today and was totally inspired by your Photoshopping abilities. :)
http://jessicaelizabethr.blogspot.com/2009/12/any-takers.html
Love it. It’s a gorgeous site… and I can’t wait to see the Blogger v WordPress post. I’m afraid to leave….
.-= Michelle´s last post: Good Ideas Gone Bad =-.
I checked out WP but I think I am going to stay with Blogger, although I really like how your site looks. It’s so slick and professional looking. It’s going to take some getting used to, though, kinda like when you grow up in the same familiar house, and then years later your parents go and buy a bigger, newer, cooler house…. you love it, but it takes a while to feel like home.
.-= 3 Men & a Lady´s last post: Baby-holder or No-Thankser? =-.
It looks good! And your feed still works as I came here right from my google reader.
.-= Emmy´s last post: Santa’s Visit =-.
Congrats on your move! You sound like me – change is hard and I am not to the point that I am ready to change over yet.
- Love the new look.
.-= MamaOtwins+1´s last post: I’m giving out Awards for Christmas! =-.
How exciting…it’s like a little Christmas gift for yourself! I love the new look!
.-= Trudy´s last post: Christmas Love =-.
Aren’t you gorgeous over here?! Now have something else to be jealous about, like your quick wit, your long legs, and your cute-as-all-get-out weren’t enough! I’ve been wanting to switch for so long, something about the tabs makes me all warm inside, but can’t justify the monetary investment it would require. No way I could successfully accomplish it on my dim witted own. But, maybe one day, when I have a blog that deserves it (meaning people actually read the damn thing consistently) I’ll do it. Until then, I’m stuck on my basic Blogger blog with my uncentered header! Congrats, Kat, it looks really amazing!
.-= parenting BY dummies´s last post: Boom Baby! =-.
It IS spendy! I justify it by saying that I don’t have any other hobbies that cost money, so a blog design that will last however many years really isn’t THAT much. :)
By the way you can do tabs in Blogger too!
ooh la la I love the new design! Especially the fantastic photo at the top. Well done!
Love the new design and layout. My favorite is your main page. I love the short blocks of previous posts. Makes for much less scrolling.
Sad your comments didn’t make the voyage.
.-= Jennifer´s last post: Let’s Say Thanks—-Do It =-.
Oh now youre making me jealous. It looks GREAT!!!!! Cant wait to hear the comparison. I need a link to the lovely lady that moved you over!! Maybe I’ll follow you :-)
.-= Baby Mama´s last post: Ordinarily Special =-.
Oops…totally forgot to link to Shannon! She’s at http://momreinvented.com/.
I love it! Mostly, I love the fact that it updates people blogs and I just click them if I’m interested. :) I wont be a hater, I promise! xo
Lovely! I’m excited for you and your new digs.
and did you see that ELLEN is following me on Twitter as of Friday. I don’t know why though…did you tell her to follow me?
.-= Connie Weiss´s last post: My Baby’s Sick! =-.
Are you kidding me Connie? What in the hell is it going to take? I can’t even get a twitter follow from Ellen, let alone a response to my letters.
I’VE HAD IT!
Congrats on the successful move!
.-= greedygrace´s last post: Holiday Tour! =-.
Wow…look at you! Fancy new place. I like it. It’s so clean. I love the white, and I LOVE the new photo…super sexy but still totally you. Don’t worry about the comment thing, I’m sure we’ll all fill the void with time…new comments are the best ones anyway right?
.-= Charlene´s last post: Super Awesome Giveaway =-.
Congrats on the change! The new blog looks wonderful.
.-= susan´s last post: Tis’ The Nutcracker Season =-.
I am beginning to think I should switch to wordpress. I have concerns regarding my very recent NEW look. I am very much looking forward to that post fo yours!!!
.-= Nicole @ Modern Style Mama´s last post: Modern Style Mama: Who is She & What Is It All About? =-.
well check you out! you are looking mighty sexy in that apron. i certainly don’t look that fantastic when i cook. but thats ok, we can still be friends. :)
It looks GREAT! I’m excited for you!
.-= Alicia´s last post: How to have fun in that white, wet, freezing cold stuff Part 2 of 2 =-.
I love the picture of you on your header. Very cute! The new design is great, too. Looks like the transition has gone smoothly! What a relief, huh?
.-= Amo´s last post: Docs and Pee Sticks and Dancing on the Table =-.
so classy! you look like a million buck$!
Wow! it looks fabulous! I am such a chicken, I think WP would totally intimidating!
Love the new look. And I don’t blame you for the clothes changing thing…I mean, when you find the perfect hoodie, why change!?
.-= Emily´s last post: Maybe he’s just not a choir boy… (UPDATED) =-.
Awesome new blog banner!! :) Did you have any problems losing your Followers from Google when you switched over? Everything looks amazing, and I am so wishing I had some tabs (in my blog and in life) right now. ;)
It’s beautiful – like your face! Love it :)
.-= Ashley´s last post: Because I Never Update You On My Life. =-.
Looking good in here!!! :) I’m switching to wordpress too, as soon as I move around all my pictures!!
.-= Mariah´s last post: Boobs, Brie and Ghosts =-.
You did it!!!! Woohooooo!
I dig your new design. It looks fantastic!
.-= Kimba´s last post: A Quick and Easy (and Cheap!) Hostess Gift =-.
Lovely, like you!
.-= Swirl Girl´s last post: The One In Which She Has To Represent – Revisited =-.
I love how it looks! I’m planning on making the same switch at SOME point but can’t gear up for it. Can’t wait to hear how you like it… the commenting part of Blogger drives me nuts. I think that’s reason enough to switch.
.-= becca´s last post: No comment =-.
Love the new look. Wish we were drinking wine right now. Hope you stay excited…
Oh my word! I LOVE!!! I have been so busy switching mine over as well, I haven’t been reading blogs for the past 2 weeks so I didn’t know you were doing it this week. I just opened mine up today:) I love yours. The new pic is awesome. And Tabs…don’t even get me started. I had to cut down and now rethinking how to set them up. Love ya lady!
I myself changed my blog because something happened to my old one and now its kaput. I need a whole new design but I suck at it. I’m hoping someone who is good at this could go over and do something about it because I’m going to give away a prize just for doing it!
.-= Crista´s last post: Moved blog =-.
Oh my GOODNESS! I love this so much! And are you smokin’ hot in your new picture or WHAT? This is a GREAT new look. :)
.-= Sera @ Laughing Through the Chaos´s last post: Winner of $25 AmEx gift card giveaway =-.
Kathy, I love your new blog! It’s so fresh and clean looking! And that picture of you is super sexy!
Although, I must also say that I will miss the retro-1950′s housewife look of your old blog. And Blogger misses you. LOL!
Okay so I must say I am feeling deserted!! Just kidding maybe one day I will take the leap and join all you hot mommy bloggers on Wordpress BUT for now I will just stick with blogger and come visit you all! Love the new look! You are a hottie!
.-= Brandie´s last post: "not me" Monday! =-.
So weird that your comments didn’t come… we got all of ours except the welcome post, which had over 3,000 comments on it.
LOVE your new look.
So chic. So classy. So PRO.
MUAH.
T
.-= Tiffany´s last post: A Dynasty. Really? =-.
I so love this new look….it’s so you! If I had as many followers and was as popular as you, I’d switch too!
It’s so pretty – just like you!
I love it!!!!
Looks fabulous! Isn’t Wordpress Thesis the best?!? Shannon did a great job for you.
-Aimee
.-= Aimee @ Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog´s last post: Mental Monday: My Kid Was Suspended for Bullying? I’m On The Case. =-.
Ooh swish! Lovely digs, babe.
.-= tattytiara´s last post: A title? You shouldn’t have! =-.
Congratulations! Love the new look!
Well I must admit…the new look is great!!!
Can’t wait to read the Blogger v. Wordpress post.
I’ve been hearing different things about each one.
.-= Nikke´s last post: ‘Tis the season to show some appreciation! =-.
It looks great!!
.-= Moilly´s last post: CSNbaby.com {Review} =-.
I found you! I always have Wordpress envy but am not willing to pay money to self-host. Perhaps I will make the switch now that you have done so. I don’t have nearly the amount of followers you do so I can see that you would want to protect your investment and have professional help. It looks nice here … and I can see that it might be invigorating! : )
Welcome to the darkside :D That means I can finally once and for all completely dump my blogger profile (that I literally only kept to follow your blog)…woohoo!. I so love having my own domain and working with wordpress. So I hope you enjoy!