Bower Power is constantly going through blog evolution. Let’s call it blogolution. And I just thought it would be nice to share all the changes that ABP is sportin’ these days, just in case you are one of those Google Reader people or email subscription folks (who miss out on visiting us directly).
First up is the compliment box. Right above the first blog post is a header that will share with you a weekly compliment. I like to be encouraged…and I get it all the time from your comments. (and in case I forget to tell you…I love your comments…I really do…love equal to my love for bacon….and that is really saying something.) With all those uplifting words floating around out there, I thought it would be nice to boost you up a little too. Because you deserve it. Really. Way more than I can say.
We also are constantly evolving our sidebar. You may remember when we added the “Meet the Bower Family” button back in June. Well, now we have a couple more buttons to add to the list. First we have the contact info for moi…I constantly got comments that asked for my standard email address…for sponsorship and giveaway info and for sending me baby gifts (thank you thank you thank you!) and for just asking random questions. Now you can just email me directly instead of wondering how the heck to get in touch. And my favorite new addition comes in right below that…yup…it’s a flickr account for viewing additional photos of Will. His little milestones are documented via photos and we love being able to share his cuteness for the whole world. Just click and go 🙂
Other sections of the sidebar also got a little makeover…including the bit beneath the categories dropdown menu. That’s where you can see our True Value Blog Squad badge…and a button that links you to the Design SOS contest. What is the Design SOS contest? Well, from September 2nd to October 7th, DIYers (that’s you) can enter this contest for a chance to win $2,500 of True Value cash and an in-person consultation with a “Master of All Things Hardwarian” to help them turn any space from unfortunate to unforgettable. All you have to do is submit a short description and some photos or videos of your friend’s or your own fugliest design disaster at www.StartRightStartHere.com (or you can just click that there button down there with the lifesaver!).
We have also evolved our wishlist…because our lives evolve and so do our needs…err…wants. Obviously since stores are constantly adding new things their shelves, whenever we find something we honestly like and wish we owned, we add it to the list. No…we don’t get compensated for listing these items…or receive moolah if you click on em…we just want to share the items that make our heart go atwitterpated.
Lastly, we have the photography page that received an update. Previously, it just listed a couple extra links but now it has a lot more organization to it and will hopefully get added lots more post links in the future. You can see the photos I’ve taken of critters, maternity photos, and children as well as links to my photo gear posts and tips on how to photograph kids, what to wear to highlight your baby bump, etc.
Obviously there are more changes that need to take place here at Bower Power (ahem…600+ broken links in past posts!) but that is all part of blogolution…slow steady modification to the environment…in this case, the world wide web. And I can’t wait to see more transformations.
So now comes your part…is there aanything around here that you would like to see change? Maybe you want more photography posts…or more Will….or more Jeremy….maybe more giveaways or maybe less of something? Maybe you like it just the way it is? Or perhaps you have a suggestion for the sidebar or a new page or more organization of some sort? How can I be of service?
I love the changes that you’ve been making 🙂 And my parents have those Cutco knives (though not in white) and the love them!
More Jeremy! : X
I mean crafts! Yea, crafts : D
watch it liz 🙂
xo – kb
More fart jokes please. I love being reminded that I’m not the only almost-30-home school-graduate mom who thinks farts are just really funny.
I would prefer if the link for comments was at the end of a message, rather than the beginning. Because I want to read and/or post comments after I read the post, not before. And, yes, I am that lazy. (must be all my bacon-eating weighing me down).
Also, this is really nitpicky, but a lot of people’s blogs, when they have a link to a past post, the link is to the actual title of the post rather than a page #. I personally prefer that because I often recognize the post title (especially your titles — I think you’re really good at coming up with funny or memorable titles) and know whether I’ve read that post before, or what it’s referring to, without having to open the page while in the middle of reading a different post. Again, lazy.
Now, having shown the world just how anal-retentive I am… let me also say that I love your blog and I would gladly keep reading it even without those changes. Also, I’m not a technical person, so I have no idea if those are 90-second changes or 90-hour changes, so I apologize if I suggested something so massive it’s totally out of line.
More Will, and if you’re offering, I don’t think anyone could refuse more Jeremy calves! hahahahaha I’m just kidding……for the most part 🙂
Hi Katie,
I love your blog! The only change I would like (apart from more posts! But I know you’re a busy lady), is the subject tabs at the top. When I’m looking for something I never know whether to look under Crafts & Decor, or Projects & Renovations. I guess because Decor really belongs with Renovations in my mind, and Project can mean anything (and it can certainly mean Crafts!). Does that make sense? So I’d rather the headings were a bit more specific. And I think Craft deserves one all of its own.
And I also vote for more craft.
But mostly I just love what you do!
xx
I think your Blog looks great and all the content is great! If there was only one suggestion… more photos/posts/projects about your house, if that doesn’t sound stalkerish enough :-/ …but I do love your house!
I really enjoy your blog & think all of the changes you are making are great. As a new mom myself, I would love more posts about photographing babies. My son is about 5 months older than Will & you have really inspired me to get more creative with my photos. In fact, he has learned to turn on the charm as soon as I get it out!
Katie,
You are definitely, hands down my favorite blog to read each morning. I know you are busy with being a mom, wife and bacon eater but keep up the good blogging work!
I am going to second the comment section to switch to the bottom of the post.
Also I would like to see more videos. You have that type of personality where everyone instantly feels like your best friend. And your personality shines in your videos.
Love love love Will so more of him would be fun too! I mean I know you are his mom and all but damn don’t save him all for yourself! 😉
I love all the changes – especially the compliment box! – but as far as content, I don’t think you need to change a thing. I like the way your blog just does whatever it wants, from photography to baby showers. One of my very favorite things about your blog is that I never know what you’ll be posting about, just that the post will be funny, helpful, and cute. So if you want more photography posts, I’ll happily read them (I’m a terrible photographer), but if you end up doing a cooking blog, I’d read that too!
Love your blog! And thanks to your wish list, I finally ordered that deer head from ZGallerie last week! You kept putting it all up in my grill, and am guessing that it’s only been removed because of the cool one you worked on for Will’s room.
Personally, I love the house posts. I love looking at your house photos, table settings (or your Mom’s) and mantle displays (my trouble areas), and am always jealous of your Goodwill posts. I always think I’ll have the same luck visiting Goodwill/Salvation Army after reading about your venture, but it’s not the same, sigh.
Keep up the great work!!
Love, love, love your blog. I’d like to see more photography posts! Excited to check out the photography tab…
I love reading your blog because you always make me laugh! I’m glad that you added the flickr button on the side so you can have more pictures of your little man without a whole baby post (not that I mind those, but I’m sure you take a TON more pictures that you put in actual blog posts!) I also really really love your photography posts because you break things down so a beginner photographer (like me!) can learn from your experiences. Keep up the great work!
Hey Katie! Thanks for doing all the improvements — super helpful! I really enjoy your style and how you put things together (mantles, tablescapes, etc.). So just keep doing what you’re doing! I feel like I have a lot of decor stuff, but need some inspiration on how to put things together. Oh, and you’ve inspired me to go on the thrift store hunt, too. Thanks!
I would like to appologize for my -sister’s- RUDE comment. She was reading your post out loud to me and I said “put ‘more crafts’ in the comment box” and she decided to throw in the Jeremy part. I came back to re-read the whole post myself and saw what she wrote. Ugh, embarassing.
Sorry : /
I’m digging the changes to your site, it’s tough work to keep things updated and fix broken links.
I would love to see more DIY projects!
– Lauren Ahier
I, for one, love the compliment box. It makes my day so much better. 🙂
More photography and more Will! Your photo posts have given me many ideas of photos to take of my little one!
Liz…do not apologize…I thought it was funny 🙂 In fact, my comment was meant to be read with a bit of sarcasm.
xo – kb
Any chance of you doing design consultations? I am sure people would line up for your assistance with one room. Maybe you help those of us out who have a new, open floor ranch and have no idea what to do with their grate room. Not even a complete room design like YHL used to, but just help people jump start, since I am sure a redesign would take way too much time.
Does that make sense? Was my hint subtle? No?? Sorry, lol.
Hi Katie,
I’ve enjoyed being along for this blogolution, keep up the great work! I also agree that it’s nice to be able to read comments after reading a post instead of having to scroll back up…but more importantly, I loved watching your video! It’s so much fun to hear your voice and then be able to hear that same voice in my head while reading your posts. Does that make sense?!
Whatever you do, have fun! We’ll all still be here. =)
Love from Minnesota!
Exceptionally noble post which inturn relations need to assume at the request of.