[Do you see the new blog header? If not, hold down the ‘Control’ key and ‘F5’ key at the same time to refresh your page if you aren’t seeing the new header.]
When the seasons change, I’m often motivated to change as well. I purge clutter, enjoy new seasonal food kicks, and break out a to-do list before succumbing to disorganization in 3 days time. Ah, it’s great.
The other day I was reading an article about improving the appearance of a blog. It said, ‘If your website had no text at all, would people know what your blog was about?’
I imagined my blog without text. All that was left was a creepy, glow-y profile picture circa 2008. Yikes.
It was kind of like looking back on my Grade 2 picture seeing myself with a side pony tail and a scrunchie.
Oh wow. Thanks Mom?
I’d like to think this new header is clean, fresh, and seasonal. Aside from my dying basil plant, I was able to grow these vegetables in my garden this summer (the picture, however, is from 2010).
My plan is to create a new header for each season shooting local and seasonal produce. So if you hate this one, it’s only going to be around for about a month. For Fall, you’ll probably see gourds, squash, pumpkins, candy corn, apples, etc.
For Winter, you’ll probably see snow, ice, and extremely unflattering winter boots circa 1994. For Spring, dirt and mud. You get the idea.
This header was a close second with a new and improved tagline…
My third idea was a Chocolate Chunk Toffee Bar dipped into a Green Monster. It demonstrated a lovely balance of health and indulgence, but perhaps not the most photogenic header of all time.
PS- Photoshop owns my soul.
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I thought it would be fun to have a discussion about blog headers today. What makes a great blog header? For bloggers: Did you design yours or have someone design it? What do you love about your header or want to change? Feel free to link to your blog in the comments.
I love your idea to change seasonally. For some reason it was strangely exciting to land on your blog and see the header was different!
Can’t wait to see the pumpkins!
Im glad you are excited! heh
Great mind think alike, Angela! I JUST changed my header last night to a fall themed one (who cares if it’s only August!). I used four photos that represent things I love and fall at the same time (pumpkins, warm bread, yellow aspen tree leaves, and my Vibrams in crunchy leaves). I am not the Photoshop whiz like yourself and I magically threw it together using Picasa. I also love changing my color scheme, which is now burnt green for links. Oh aren’t blogs fun?
So yeah, a good header catches your eye but doesn’t take away from the words. Afterall, I usually read blogs for the content and the pictures of chocolate, so don’t ever give those up :)
your header is lovely…cozy and warm :)
Aaahh, the great header debate! I’ve spent so much time thinking about mine that I am still stuck with a bright red template sourced background and a picture of me with a filo pastry…it’s tough!
I love the new header! But it sort of changes the whole colour scheme and I really love your blue and white mix. The basil is very cute as well though:)
I like the blue and white too, but I guess I can always bring it back at some point :)
I am on a search for blue and white vegetables for you:) Although I am not sure I’ve seen that type of blue on anything edible….maybe an edible flower for your summer header?
I love the new header!
I want to lodge a complaint about this post. Why did you have to post that photo of the chocolate torte??? Now it just reminds me that I need to make it again – ASAP! :) Actually, I have a feeling there might be some squirreled away in plastic wrap in the freezer . . .
hehe
I like the new header!! I liked the old one too, but I know change is sometimes nice! My header is a work in progress. The technical side of a blog comes easy for me (I’m an IT professional), it’s the design aspect that I find difficult. But I’m creating it on my own because I’m like a stubborn 2 year old I want to do everything by myself ;)
I love changing my header with the seasons, although I’m usually about 1-2 months behind. Oops! It’s so nice to have something new pop up at the top! I don’t think a header needs to stay constant either, but there should be one aspect that stays the same so people always know it’s “your” blog. For instance, font, or a certain color…etc. But that’s just my silly opinion. ;) You did a great job! Love photoshop. :)
Pretty seasonal change! I am too tech-illiterate to worry too much about my page’s appearance.
The new header is awfully pretty, but I’ll admit that I am going to miss the old header. I thought it was wonderfully unique: the shiny backdrop, the side photo of you looking at your title, the coloring combo, and even the size of it was different (it seemed larger than most other blog headers). But the main reason why your old header was unique is because it didn’t have pictures of food in it. Almost every food blog has food pictured in the header, but I personally find Oh She Glows to be about way more than food (you talk about careers, renovations, eating disorders, inspirations, books, girly-stuff organization, fitness, etc), and that’s why I thought a food-less header was suiting.
Nonetheless, the new header is (and will be as the seasons change) very attractive.
Thanks for your comment! I debated about many of those things too when thinking about changing it. It probably won’t always be food related here on out, but for now, I like how my plant based diet is reflected in the ‘glow theme’ as it deserves credit in impacting many areas of my life.
Love the new header. I’m just curious what font you used. :)
I totally agree about the photoshop thing! You think you’ll just be there a second, and all of sudden 3 hours have past! I’m still playing around with options for my header, but like designing it, so it’s okay (as long as I accept the fact that I spend a lot of time on it!).
And I love you header! It looks great! :)
LOVE this idea! It’ll be fun to mix it up and seasons are the perfect time to do that. Looking forward to the next one!
I love your new header…beautiful!
Very nice and simple. I designed my own with help from the Picnik website. I’ve changed it a few times over the past 1.5 years when I get bored with it. One day I want to learn Photoshop skills!
I love the new header!! (Though, I didn’t think of the old one as “creepy and glowy”) I also have a wonderfully flattering grade two photo where I’m wearing a side pony and a matching baby pink skirt and top…made from sweatpant material. Classy.
haha I used to have that top Im pretty sure. twins?
You are so creative, love!!
I love the idea of doing your own you headers…I have done my own, but with rebranding I Heart Wellness now, we are having it professionally done ;)
I love your ideas always!!!
xxoo
I love this idea, and this current header! Very colorful, pretty, and luscious. ^^
Love it! I’m not a huge fan of mine (I think it’s too big, among other things), but I did it myself and I’m very new to it.
Love this idea! And what a great question – not sure I’d be left with any imagery to portray the content of my blog, either. Hmmmm….
Looking forward to the fall header!
The idea of a seasonal blog header is genius! I wish that I had thought of it myself! I actually loved your old one, but this new look is even better. By the way, I just hit the refresh button and was able to see it. I cannot wait to see the other headers!
I love the idea of changing it up now and then! The new header is fab! I love the grade 2 pic btw, it takes a real woman to rock a srunchie. ;)
bahaha