I had the same thing happen to me today. Someone posted this:
"Everyone on Twitter.. Please less links and more original thoughts. Try to balance every link you post with at least 3 or 4 original bits."

I had just posted a link of something I had posted on my blog. I don't do it often, I'm not much of a self promoter, but I had just done it and I went completely red and had a paranoia moment just like yours.

I like your new format, and more than format, it's the personality and relatability my husband and I find to you guys when we read that shines through.

Jes (and Neil)

I like the new format = cleaner.

I like what you have been doing. It is unique. I haven't seen it much on other blogs. Do what pleases you! What I like to see is how the different characteristics of the blog make the personality of the page. I think the new format seems to be displaying your personality (from what I can gather. hehe).

Jes -
I have to admit I do like tweets that are more black type than blue - but I love it when my blog-friends alert me of an update through Twitter.

That is the sweetest compliment. Thank you!

P.S. Do you have to always tell people "It's Jes with one S and Neil with one L"?

I think either way is fine. I don't mind scrolling back up. The way it is now is like unwrapping a gift. You aren't sure what it is until you get off the paper and then you realize what you're looking at. Same for the picture - take in all the picture beauty/visual info then get the comment about each. :) Either way I like it.

I don't think it matters either way, I honestly didn't notice that it was different. But I like multi-subject blogs (obviously) and excessive wordiness (also obviously).

i actually have really been liking the new format - it's fun to look at the pictures first and kind of get an idea of what the post will be about. that way, if someone just wants to look at pictures, they can. or if they are interested in more, they can read the text.

besides, it's different, and i like different :-)

I don't mind it... on a sort of related note, what happened to your twitter feed that used to be on the right hand column?

I'm glad you guys are liking it - but can appreciate any constructive criticism.

In The Kitchen - I'm thinking about bringing the Tweet Feed back. I removed it when it pulled in somebody else's tweets for DAYS. I'll probably bring it back soon.

Okay since you asked for criticism and I know I won't hurt your feelings, I just had to say -you should talk about more.

The comment you left me about Christmas made it seems like you had a really great day, but you didn't talk about your Christmas much.
You should open up more, because I know I really look for that in the blogs I love to read. That's why I really took to Pacing the Panic Room after you linked it, once. It's easy to relate to Ryan because he's honest and open with his emotions. That doesn't mean you have to write a ten page essay if it's not your style. But I bet people would really love to hear you say why you feel the way do, sometimes. You said you were baby crazy. I bet if you said more than that, a lot of people would respond to it and tell you how they were feeling, as well. Honest emotions always evoke honest responses to them. Whether it's with a partner, a friend, or just a blog relationship with readers.


Sorry for the essay, I'm one of those people that has huge responses to questions. "Wordy." :)

I'm a new reader, and also living in OKC. My sister (who lives in TN) has been reading your blog and told me about it. I do like your style. True, I see the picture, I read the text, and then scroll back up to see the picture again. I'm a visual and detail person, so I like to get it all. :) It has been fun following your blog so far!

Aura - I know what you mean. Sometimes I only like including little snapshots of my life because the things I hold closest I want to keep protected but then other times I want to tell everyone everything...

You know I'm a pretty open person in real life (or in comments on other blogs, for example) but on this blog I'm fairly cautious about what I put out there. I think also because I started the blog as a design/style blog only I try not to deviate far from that - but it's definitely evolved. It's an odd thing.

I'm definitely trying to find a balance this year - but I'm going to have to ease into it.

Thanks for the comment though - it's nice to hear that people might be interested in more than just what I eat or design...

I didn't notice either! It's your blog, do what you want with it. Better to have a readership that digs your personal style than try to adjust it to please everybody. And I like your style just fine :)

Everyone is different. I read barely any design blogs, and the ones I do read are just average women who have cute houses they like to talk about. I like very "real" bloggers, but that's my preference. Every person that blogs and reads blogs has a different opinion. You just have to do what's right for you, and what you feel good doing. Whatever you decide, your readers will relate because that's why they're there -they like what you have to say.

About evolving -I had no idea where I was going with my blog. When my Mom sent me a text on my birthday telling me that her and my Dad had just read my blog and were crying, I almost died. And then I realized that whatever I had been doing lately was right. Because the people that really really know me, like all my family and close friends -read it and know that it's just me. So I quit thinking about all the big plans I'd had for my blog, all the ideas I thought would make people want to read it. And decided that even though I'm wordy &post ten thousand pictures, &I find cheesy quotes, the people closest to me like that because they know it's me.

Do whatever is you. Evolve into the real you...whether that's a design/style blog... or a food and baby crazy blog ....or a mix of both. I just know that from now on, if I get an urge to write something, I will. And I don't care who sees it, because it's just me. And when I look back at the things I wrote in five years, I want to make sure I was giving the right representation of who I was at that time.