I feel pretty, oh so pretty

By Mir
May 14, 2010

I am coming to you live from the new and improved Woulda Coulda Shoulda, which was redone to match the new and improved Want Not, which pretty much makes me squeal with glee every time I look at it. If you’re looking for a crack team of web designers, I heartily recommend the folks over at LEAP. They not only made everything gorgeous, they totally put up with my truckload of neuroses while they did it. And I’m pretty sure they didn’t even charge me any extra.

Anyway, I spent about twelve hours yesterday sitting here at my desk, programming stores into Want Not’s new little mini-marketplace (called Shop Pretty, of course, because it’s so pretty), and as such, my brain is now mush. Abedgfihwtgng. Like that.

Fortunately, I have a story for you over at Five Full Plates, all about how I fed my family… well, you’ll have to go read it.

And I need to go take a nap.

50 Comments

  1. Heather

    Oooh I like it! But it also scares me, because you have had the same design for so long and that Arthur Miller quote is now burned into my brain ;) It’s very nice, Miss Mir!

  2. Jackie

    Not only is your new website design “pretty,” Mir, it’s AWESOME!!!! Love it that you took the LEAP ;) Now excuse me while I head over to Want Not for some shopping!

  3. Diahn Ott

    It’s beautiful, Mir! I love the simplicity of the site…looks very clean and, ahem, pretty.

  4. Liz@thisfullhouse

    Very, very prettiful – just like you – congrats!

  5. Karen

    Who are you, and what have you done with Mir.

    Kidding!! But can I be honest? People are going to think I’m mean and I don’t ever want to be mean… but… but… your original was a warmer look and the layout was awesome.

    There is nothing wrong with this new look at all, and most people would say nothing. And maybe I should say nothing.

    Shutting up, now. :-)

  6. Randi

    Love both new sites! Beautiful!!

  7. hollygee

    Oooooooo! I like!

  8. Annie

    I lurk, but felt compelled to say it’s soooo pretty.

  9. Karate Mom

    It IS pretty! So fresh and light! (OK, that was a totally weird description of a website. I’m going to crawl back in my hole now!)

  10. Summer

    Very pretty. I really like white backgrounds, which make the text easier to read. The old WCS sometimes didn’t load the text boxes properly, so I’d have to squint to read the black text off the dark red background… but I did it, and I didn’t complain, because your words were worth it. So my eyes thank you, and my wallet, because I have better things to spend my money on than reading glasses!

  11. JennyM

    WOW!

    (Have you seen the Staples commercials with the guy who goes around shouting, “WOW, THAT’S A GREAT PRICE!”? That’s how I said that.)

    New website designs are always a bit startling at first, but change is good. It looks great!

    Now I’m going to have to go write down your Arthur Miller quote somewhere so I can look at it periodically.

  12. Amy

    Oh my goodness, I LOVE IT!!! So pretty, just like you!!

  13. Megan

    Congratulations! Site makeovers are such fun and SO stressful aren’t they? Your site definitely looks like you write (if you know what I mean)!

  14. el-e-e

    *double-take* Whoa, where am I?!

    Hee hee. Fun makeover. And now I’ll have that song in my head all day! Tra-la!

  15. Angela

    I’m on like my 10th take. I like it but you’ve been dark and at your old layout for so long all this white messes with my head. I do like it though, congrats!

  16. Leah

    The Want Not sight shows up fine in my browser but this website is GIANT SIZED – no columns and I have to scroll left\right to see the whole page. I am using Firefox 3.5.9.

  17. liv

    another beautiful makeover! love the hand-written feel the banner has. :)

  18. Aimee

    Ooh… PRETTY! Can’t wait to see the new wantnot too — that’s my next stop!

  19. Melinda

    So very pretty! Love the redesign!

  20. RuthWells

    So! Pretty!

  21. Frank

    Another one here that will probably get beat up by the masses. I would have preferred something of a hybrid between the 2 sites. Here, its a cleaner layout… the colors text to background is better on the eyes (I had the same trouble Summer had a lot… it would load a dark red background). I am guessing the archives might be easier to navigate… sure seem easier to search and select. That said, it seems a bit…. um….. sterile is the first word I think of.. may not be the best word. Might be too much white and not enough….. other. Doesnt seem as unique as the old version…. unique in a good way. I CAN tell you that I will miss the heading font terribly.. (what was it anyway??). Or maybe I’m just a “get off my lawn!’ or ‘I dont do change’ kind of grump…

  22. cardinal

    I’m with Summer@11; frequently the site was loading for me with a dark red background and hard to read. This is bright, airy and springlike. LIKE!

  23. jenn

    First reaction: Wow!
    Second reaction: Pretty!

    I agree that this is a lot more legible. The only (minor) thing is the header image is maybe a touch large on my little laptop screen (oh no! I have to scroll! ;p )

  24. Mare Martell

    I’m with Karen and Frank. This particular background doesn’t demonstrate, as your old layout did, the warmth and affection via color. The white is very sterile and not befitting someone as colorful as you. If the font were too small for some, Hold the control key while scrolling and it gets bigger.

    As they say on Regretsy, “Flounce!” Although when people do that there they tend to leave which I have no intention of doing.

    In the words of Summer (which clearly I paraphrased because I didn’t have trouble reading the last one, “because your words were worth it.”

  25. Pamela L

    I really like it – it’s so pretty just like you –

  26. TC

    Beautiful. Clean. Makes me smile. Love it.

  27. Katie in MA

    Mmmmm….naps. It’s pouring here and the power keeps surging and I keep thinking that if the power goes out, no one can yell at me for napping at my desk.

  28. Kelly

    Love it

  29. Jenny

    GORGEOUS! And the site is lovely too ;)

  30. Saskia

    Extremely awesome.

  31. ramblin red

    I like the doodly feel of it – makes me think of an old-school journal ;)

  32. Lady M

    Congrats on the new look!

  33. Sandee

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! LOVE the clean, notebooky look!!!

  34. Michele

    Ok, my first thought was oooooh change, I hate change. But really what is my problem? It is just different that is all. Geez, I hate that I dislike change so much.

    It is easier to read, that is nice. I too had the load problem with the dark backround sometimes. I’m sure this will grow on me. It is nice. But, different. I come here not for the view but for the words. Happy Weekend!

  35. Massiel

    I like the header, but not the white. Too bright and sterile. But I’ll deal!

  36. elswhere

    I think the new design and the new tag line are a better fit for your life and blogging themes now. I loved those leaves, but you don’t have to float them on your own any more.

  37. Brigitte

    I do miss the “next post” and “old post” links. And the picture of the Target bag and the deck!

    Of course, I AM one of those “Eeeek, CHANGE!” types. ;-)

  38. Sue @ Laundry for Six

    Pretty!! Your blog totally makes you look tall and thin too!

  39. Denise

    I think I like this even better than Want Not!

  40. The Other Leanne

    Well, it’s kind of a mixed bag–cleaner, sharper, and I like the big numbers next to the comments. But I miss the warmth, and that bacon-y banner. It’s like moving from a cozy little cottage and a cup of tea before the fire to a big urban condo with shiny furniture and a martini. Not bad, just very different.

  41. Bobbie

    My 51-year old eyes thank you for the white background!

  42. Mary

    What a surprise! They are stunning
    Maribeth

  43. Aubri

    For a second, I was like… “Did I type in the address wrong?” But then I realized that it was a new layout, and I LOVE it! Very pretty indeed!

  44. Jessica

    Like others, WHOA! was my first thought. I thought I went to the wrong page and actually tried again!

    You are always so honest with us, so I will be honest with you. Not loving it. I agree with the too sterile. Needs some warmth. Other than that, great changes and thank you.

  45. KG

    Wow. I hate being in this position. It’s your blog & you sound like you love the new look so I hate to comment like this. But I have to admit, it almost feels like the Crème brûlée I come here for is now being served on a paper plate (OK OK it’s Chinet, but still!) My point is I will still eat every last MORSEL of that Crème brûlée & will come back every day for more, heck I may even LICK the paper plate…. but it’s still on a paper plate.
    Your words, your wit & your wisdom are far better served on something more fitting. And I don’t necessarily mean fine china. lol

    I think we have to get used to this though as you have paid a pretty penny I’m sure!

    I DO love the giant numbered comments!

    How do your kids like it? lol

    We adore you Mir!

  46. Frank

    PS…. know this is a bit silly, but might be an easy thing. I noticed that your posts are no longer Time stamped (Still Date stamped, of course). Comments are still good… just the main posts. Just FYI

  47. Yan

    love the new look. as a way of suggestion, could you add links to the previous and next posts when you enlarge a particular post to read. now i have to go back and enlarge the next post if i need to read a few in succession.

  48. Lylah

    Pretty! So clean and bright. And I like your new tagline!

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