I’ve been wanting to find the “perfect” look for my blog for quite some time. I’ve tried different free WordPress themes over the years, and in July 2009 even added the snazzy header that my friend CHRISPEA made using her husband’s awesome ARTWORK:

When I started my ERIKA PERIKA BLOG last month, I e-mailed Chris to see if she could create a similar header for Erika Perika and also for a third blog I plan to start … someday, LOL. But she and I got busy with life and I failed to pursue that idea. Even though I know she would’ve totally rocked it … she’s an amazing graphic artist.

I’ve spent many hours searching around online for tutorials on how to make my blog look the way I want it to … how to change the font (I’ve never liked the serif ones like Times New Roman that come with most of the free WP themes) and do fancy things like that. I’ve looked into paying a designer to just do it all for me, and I’ve gotten great how-to tips from online friends.

But the fact is … I’m just no good at this computer stuff. Asking me to write or interpret code is like asking CHARLIE SHEEN to make sense … it just ain’t happening. {WINNING!} And I don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend to have a professional do the work.

So when I logged into my blog tonight and saw yet another new WordPress theme had been added, I clicked on it … and fell in love with this theme called Pretty Young Thing. I mean, is it perfect or what?

It’s something new (to me, at least) called a Custom Theme and I had to pay 75 bucks to get it … but I feel it’s money well-spent. I needed to just bite the bullet and DO SOMETHING … so I did, hee. I still have work to do such as updating my Blog Roll, perfecting the widgets along the right hand side, and adding a page or two.

This is about 90% of the “look” I had in mind for my blog anyway … I can’t believe my luck in finding this theme. I love the scallop-edged title in the header (soooo scrapbooky!), the sans serif font, the light pastel colors and white background, the wide main column that doesn’t seem to cut off my photos (fingers crossed!), and all the widgets I like along the right side. Hearts have always been my favorite, too, so this couldn’t be more perfect for me!

Other things I like are the e-mail subscription box, as I’ve had so many readers subscribe lately and that makes me happy. The ability to “like” and to “tweet” also have awesome sauce all over ’em.

If you’ve been a reader for a long time, I want to apologize for all the wacky themes and changes I’ve tried over the last 4 years (yep, I’ve been blogging SBO for over 4 years!). I know sometimes I’ve made changes and you click over here … and think you got lost, LOL. “Oh, jeez, she changed the look again (sigh).” I’m predicting that this look for be around for a long time to come so you won’t have to be lost again :)

I hope everyone likes the new format. If there’s anything you don’t like or wish I could add or change, please let me know. It might be something I hadn’t thought of yet … so you’d be doing me a favor :)

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8 Comments

  1. avatar

    I love your new look. Very pretty and feminine. :)

  2. avatar

    Love the new look, Erika! Although I do have to admit, I’ve always been a fan of the cartoon-y you. she’ll be missed!

  3. avatar
    Melissa says:

    FYI, it is enabled for the iPad so it looks like a magazine. Very cool feature!

  4. avatar

    It looks very pretty, and soft.
    I have no idea how to do anything on my blog. My goal was to add more stuff to it. I don’t even have anything on the side besides what blogger put on for me.

  5. avatar
    Stacey (AMR) says:

    I like the look and yes have enjoyed watching all your changes over the many years. Just went through and ready some old post from the amr days. Have been feeling super nostalgic lately and boy did those old post bring some tears and joy to my evening. I hope life is going fantastic for you!! I have thought of you tons. Hugs and more hugs!!

  6. avatar

    Your blog looks great, the studiopress themes are really good! Easy to navigate and it looks the same in all kind of browsers, even on ipad an iphone.

  7. avatar

    “Without change there is no growth”

    Don’t know who said it but I think it’s applicable.

    Love the new look!

  8. avatar

    Great blog! Love th quote in your header! ~

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