Happy new blog day!! The new blog design has officially launched and I couldn’t be more excited about it. When you’ve been blogging for over 6 years, you have a lot of time to discover who you are as a blogger and what you want in a design. But it’s also tough to take the steps to make the changes… until you finally do! Chels and I did a big redesign back in 2009, but have barely changed a thing since. Now that I’ve been the main blogger here for some time now, I decided it was time to seriously think about what I wanted to improve.
A few things: a white background, larger photos, fun colors, more prominent social buttons, and better search functionality. Please excuse me while I work out a few of the kinks (namely organizing posts better, inserting better photos, and working on optimizing recipes) over the next few weeks.
A HUGE HUGE thank you to Erin and Melissa from Wooden Spoons Kitchen for taking my vision (which I probably didn’t do the most fabulous job of expressing) and somehow coming up with something that is exactly what I was dreaming of. You should know that the logo was Melissa’s first round of design and I had zero edits because it was that perfect. If you are thinking about a redesign, this team comes HIGHLY recommended. Thank you also to my wonderful husband for basically running this blog for so long. Between serious hackers a few years back and a million other issues, I probably would have abandoned things if he hadn’t used his mad computer skillz to keep everything running smoothly. Also, he happily eats all the food I eat and doesn’t get mad when I post his photo on the blog. Even after a reader recognized him in Ikea after seeing his photo on WANM many years ago (that might have been when I knew he was a keeper).
Not to get all sappy, but the last couple months have been some of the most beautifully eventful of my life. There have been huge highs that have made me realize how truly lucky I really am in life (and made it much easier to ignore the couple lows).
In addition to moving into a new blog home, Chris and I are settling into our new home. It’s only been a few weeks and so we are still waking up every morning feeling like we’re seriously in heaven. I’ve already cooked up a few things in my kitchen and thought that it would be appropriate to welcome you to the new WANM by also showing you where I’m spending most of my time lately.
My nephews are also settling nicely into their new home. They were born in June and though people definitely told me, I had no idea how much they would change everything or how easy it would be to feel so much love for someone you just met. Though in some ways I feel like they’ve been in our lives for such a long time, in other ways, I still can’t believe my sister and Adam have twin babies. How is it possible that I to get to watch these beautiful babies grow up?? Hopefully not too quickly, though, because something tells me they won’t always be open to letting mom and dad shoot photos of them like this:
So yes, life is good. And this day calls for cake. Not just any cake, but an ombre rosette cake. This is the kind of cake I’ve always been crazy intimidated by, until I spent some time with my friends at Wilton and came home with a little bit more confidence. And then I looked up a few tutorials and realized that making beautiful cakes like this really isn’t that difficult.
I wrote down the recipe I came up with, but to be honest, it became a bit confusing as I was making the frosting different consistencies and continuously adding more milk, sugar, etc. One thing I’ve learned throughout the last 6 years is that when I’m trying a new recipe or entertaining friends, it’s often best not to attempt a blog post out of it. Focus on what’s happening and return later to consider how to perfect it into a solid recipe and post.
And this is most definitely a cake I will be making again. Probably in the very near future. When you get up close, you can see it’s obviously not perfect.
But I’m pretty proud of how it looks, especially from a distance. It was really my first time doing anything creative with frosting and attempting anything ombre.
It still kind of amazes me how much there is to learn when it comes to cooking and baking. I’ve come (I think) a ridiculously long way since I really got into food in 2008, but still have so many things to try.
I feel so lucky that I’ve had some really wonderful opportunities to learn from the best of the best, whether it’s at Wilton’s headquarters where I spent some time this year or it’s from the countless other food blogs I’ve discovered since starting this journey. For instance, in addition to Wilton, I used Country Cleaver and 52 Kitchen Adventures as my main guides for learning the ombre rosette technique.
What an awesome world we live in that we can simply turn on a computer and learn such a vast array of knowledge from a huge variety of people. Whether beginners or experts, everyone has something to teach us and I just love that so much. You can learn from Martha Stewart, but you can also hopefully learn a thing or two from all of the We are not Marthas from around the world.
I hope you’ll share a slice of cake with me today to celebrate (seriously, I wish we could really have a piece of cake together). Thanks for joining me here at We are not Martha and I hope you’ll stick around for a while longer. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
[Sues]
Congrats on the new site! It’s beautiful and naturally, only Erin & Melissa could do something this great! And that picture of your nephews is priceless. Congrats to you and Chris on your new home and enjoy that big kitchen =)
So many things to say about this post! That cake! The new site! Your beautiful new house and cute nephews!! Congrats on everything!
Love the new design! It’s so clean and fresh. The colors are great and I love how you kept the original logo on your sidebar. Your cake looks amazing and you have a fabulous kitchen space to make it all happen! Well done! And those nephews…so precious! Congratulations! Life is grand. 🙂
Kelly
http://www.alovelylifeindeed.com
All I have to say is loveeeee everything about this post!!!
wow. just wow. Love all the wonderful things happening for you and the hubs.
I LOVE that cake! I have been toying with the idea of possibly making my own wedding cake. (Our wedding venue will be having a dessert bar for us and cake is not really needed but our need to have a cake to cut is purely out of tradition. Although I say that now, im sure that come the day before the wedding, I would much rather focus on other things than making sure the homemade cake gets delivered.)
THIS is the type of cake that is worthy of a special occasion. Would LOVE to see a post on how you did it and what worked/didn’t work for you. I’ll be taking notes for sure.
Hi Sues! I love the new site. I’m always a big fan of a white background, it really makes the photos pop 🙂
Congrats on the new home, with a gorgeous kitchen, and the twin nephews.
xo
Daisy
Looks awesome!! So crisp and clean!
The new site is just gorgeous, congrats! A new blog AND a new home in such a short period of time, so exciting. And those nephews of yours…….. omg SO darn cute.
I’m happy to hear that you have had such a great few months!
Yayyy congrats Sues!! The new blog design looks so pretty. And that cake! What a lovely way to celebrate the new blog home!
Love the redesign! It looks so fresh, and the logo is perfect. Looking forward to what comes next!
I LOVE the new design! Once I get some savings squirreled away I need to look into doing my own redesign…
I LOVE the new look! And that kitchen is incredible!
Congratulations on the new design! It looks amazing!! Charlie and Henry can’t wait to read your next post!
I love everything in this post. Super sweet simple blog redesign. Awesome kitchen at your new place! And absolutely gorgeous cake!
Wow! I absolutely love the new design, and I am so happy to see you so happy. Congratulations on everything, and enjoy all of the great things happening!
Love the new design! I have been reading your blog almost since the beginning. I stumbled upon it one day, completely by accident, and was immediately hooked! Keep up the good work, fun posts and yummy food pictures! That cake…well, it just takes the cake lol. I’d love a piece of that!
Your new site is soooo awesome……..so many well deserved good things happening for you and Chris…….see you soon and save me some cake!
the new site looks awesome & 6 years that really is incredible! what a cake to celebrate with too.. i could definitely use a slice now!
What a beautiful cake. I love the frosting roses, and the colors! Oh my! And congratulations on so many wonderful “new” reasons to enjoy life. Your blog is beautiful, your home looks lovely, and those two little darlings have stolen my heart, too! 🙂 Precious!
I’m so glad you went with WSK for your redesign! They are who I used and they are THE BEST. The new logo suits you PEREFCTLY.
And that cake. OMG. Want.
Pretty blog, pretty cake, pretty kitchen and adorable babies. What more could you ask for!
Great design on the blog!! I redesigned mine not too long ago and I’m still amazed at how different it is compared to the way I had it before. You have a clean and refreshing place here and I’m sure you’re dying to put it to work.
Also, a huge congrats to your new home! If the kitchen and view is anything like the rest of it, I’m sure it’s absolutely amazing!
And God bless those two bundles of joy! You must be riding on the highest clouds right now. Enjoy it!!
I LOVE the new design! It looks beautiful 🙂
I love it, Sues!! The colors are so fun and everything looks great. Congrats!!!
Congratulations! IT LOOKS FABULOUS. What a beautiful design and layout. And this cake? Perfect for celebrating! Thank you for sharing! I’m adding you to my feedly (finally getting that organized) so I can stay up to date on all your posts 🙂
Congrats on the new look! I love love love it and that logo is perfection! Yay to all the good stuff happening in your life right now!
the new design is great! Congrats and that cake looks amazing
I love your new home…looks beautiful! And the cake is just a perfect for hte occasion.
Congratulations on your beautiful home…enjoy the rest of your week 😀
I love the new design and your new house! Beautiful!
Also your nephews are adorable 🙂 I love the photo!
Sues,
As usual, a beautiful job well done. Tried finding you online a week or so ago and was afraid your site was gone. I’ll never do justice to your recipes like you do, but I love looking at it – and learning from you. And, WOW, that cake!!! Wish there was some way you could send me a slice thru the internet. Keep up the good work!
The new site is lovely! I love the bigger pictures and the white background. Plus, what better way to celebrate than with cake! 🙂 Congrats on all fronts!
Love the blog design and the cake! And your home looks gorgeous!
The new site looks so good! Congrats on the new home and lovely new nephews. Lots to celebrate!
Congrats on the new design – it looks amazing and the colors are so bright & fun just like you!!
And seriously, you did a DAMN good job on this cake! I’ve been wanting to do a rosette cake for awhile now but I’m not sure anyone in my family would eat it…they tend to scrape 98% of the frosting off any cake they eat!
However, after seeing how great yours turned out, I think I’m going to just have to go for it! It really is amazing how many online resources there are for cake decorating and just baking in general. And I’m enrolling in the Wilton Course 1 in September so that will help me learn more things too!
Hope all is well with you!
Congrats on the blog redesign!! It looks amazing! And the cake looks gorgeous too!
First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like
to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to find out how you
center yourself and clear your head prior to writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my mind
in getting my thoughts out there. I truly do enjoy writing however it just
seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas
or tips? Appreciate it!
I love everything about this post! the blog looks awesome..totally has me wanting to do some updates. and that cake! It looks like perfection to me! I think we have that exact same fridge! we fill the extra drawer with soda and pudding! 🙂
congrats on the new blog, the new house, and the new nephews! so many exciting things 🙂
Beautiful new look…I love it. Congratulations with all the exciting and fabulous happenings in your life…you deserve all great things!!
Love the site redesign! Glad you are enjoying your house. I can’t wait to see what is in store in the coming months.
LOVE the new site. CONGRATS!
Your blog looks amazing! I’m glad things are going well for you and hopefully they will continue to. I definitely agree that we can learn things from both big names like Martha Stewart and little bloggers out there like me and you!
Little late to the party, but your kitchen is wonderful and I LOVE that cake. Lovely blog design, as well – very simple, yet eye-catching.