Well things look a bit different around here, don’t they? Truth be told when I redesigned my site back whenever that was, I was pretty much immediately bored with the colour scheme. But I decided to live with it for a while because updating a website’s look is a lot of work. A few months ago I started the long and slow process of choosing colours, finding a new theme etc. This also involved learning how to build a site to run locally on my computer for testing and then figuring out how to migrate it back to my live server. I kind of don’t really know what all that means but I do know that my site looks different now!
Also…
This is my 500th post!
::throws confetti and shakes bum::
I started What’s On My Plate back in October 2007 and it has been a fun ride. I’ve pretty much had blogs for about 12 or 13 years (of the odd, teenage self-obsessed variety. If I like you enough I may share excerpts.) so starting a blog wasn’t really a big deal. It just so happened that I was now going to write about what I cooked for dinner and not so much about my love for Justin Timberlake or dislike of OAC Biology.
Fast forward to today and the blog has definitely evolved. My photos are much less shittier than they were at the jump. Seriously, did I have eyes?? How did I post some of those photos? I’ve now expanded and write about things other than what I’ve cooked. I’ve been invited on some pretty kick ass blogger tours. AND I’ve met some pretty wonderful people. Needless to say, food blogging has been one of the most fulfilling activities that I’ve participated in over the past few years. I’m likely not going anywhere anytime soon.
A few things to notice on the new site:
– I’ve added my own Amazon store. It’s a space where I can link to various food-related items that I like and if you purchase through my store I get a lil’ sugar back.
– I’m all about social media. Ok, so I hate the words “social media” but I’m still ’bout it ’bout it. With that said click on the links in the side bar to the right to find me all over the interwebs. Here’s a rundown of what to expect:
Twitter (WOMPblog) – This is the Twitter account for the blog. I really just use it to let folks know when I post. I have goals of using it more robustly but I haven’t quite gotten there yet. One day.
Twitter – my personal Twitter. It’s not all food-related but I tweet about food a lot. I also tweet about a lot of random things too. Oh, and I tweet. A lot.
Facebook – A few months ago I started a Facebook page for WOMP. I update it when I have a new post but I also use it as a space to post random things about the food world that I find throughout the internet.
Instagram – I’m obsessed with Instagram. If you have an iPhone get it and follow up. About 80% of my photos are of food. 5% are of sunsets and the remaining 15% can be anything.
– I updated the FAQ and About Me section. I even included a photo of myself. Who doesn’t like to put a face to a name?
– Oh, and go to the little box in the top right sidebar to subscribe to the blog. I’ve never pointed this out before but a surprising number of you have signed up and for that I thank you.
And with all that out of the way here’s an update on my 2011 goals.
Better photos – My photos have significantly improved over my 2010 photos thanks mostly to my acquisition of my Canon Rebel T2i. I’ve also been playing around with staging and more natural light.
Use my cookbooks – I wanted to start using the cookbooks that I rarely use. I honestly haven’t done this AT ALL. With that said it’s likely for good reason as I’ve been doing a lot more experimenting outside of cookbooks and recipes recently.
Experiment with charcuterie – Funnily enough, after I posted this I was introduced to Charcutepalooza which means that I’ve done a lot of charcuterie this year. Everything from bacon to sausages to hot dogs and corned beef. To continue the trend I even signed up for a 7-week butchery and charcuterie course at George Brown. Sadly the balance was more charcuterie than butchery so I withdrew.
Make more cheese – I have fallen off on this one, although I did buy all of the things I need to make mozzarella. I just need to make it. This will happen before the year is up for sure. I want my next pizza to use my own mozzarella and sausage.
Use food for health – Wow, I’ve done nothing towards this one really. Actually, a bit of a lie, I did some home remedy stuff the other day when I had a canker sore. I’m kind of over this being a goal.
Bake more bread – I always put this on my goal list and I never really work towards it. I recently acquired the Tartine Bread book so before the year is over I will make some bread.
Experiment with vegetarian and allergen-free options – Eh. I’m kind of really into meat right now. But my body is telling me to slow down. I think I need a week of animal-free eating.
Add new features to the blog – Well I redesigned this sucker. Isn’t that enough?
Learn more about wine – This is a never-ending process. I continue to attend wine events, drink wine and think about what I’m tasting. I think next year I’m going to add learn more about beer to my goal list.
Grow more produce – I definitely met this goal. Check out my balcony garden.
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hey tonya! love the re-design – everything looks great. is that an egg in your header?!?! you’ve come a long way!
Thank you! Yes, it is an egg! They still freak me out a bit but I’m way more accepting
Your redesign looks great! Congrats on 500 posts.
Wow. Congrats on 500 posts! The redesign looks fab.
Thank you so much!
Congrats on 500 posts – I had no idea your blog was so old! And it looks effing awesome around here *resists urge to be a copycat and redesign my site now too*. I love this little “also check these out” box that popped up on the bottom of the screen – you must school me on how you did that.
Thanks Max! Um, you are my inspiration. I feel like you’ve done a few redesigns and they all turn out great. Will DM you with the plugin name
Congrats on this 500th post
I LOVE YOUR NEW LOOK! Here’s to 500 more!
Hugs!
Merci beaucoup! I’m excited to see your redesign
Tonya! Congrats on your 500th post, and I love the redesign and everything about WOMP. You are a brilliant writer and marketer! xoxo
Merci my dear!
Congrats on the redesign and having 500 posts! It looks great!
Thank you!
looks great–congrats! and good for you for checking off those goals
Thanks! Excited to see your redesign.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Love the new site! When you decided to ‘make more cheese’ and have extras, call me 😉
*big hugs*
Will do my dear, will do