Monday, March 30, 2015

New Blog Design & Book Haul #7! ♥

Monday, March 30, 2015







*Updated Note: Thank you for all the love and kind comments everyone!
I have added a simple script header in - I also removed the top black header bar as well, I'm still working on tweaking the footer and scroll.


Finally, I have a design that has clicked with me!

I've always wanted a dynamic kind of theme with more than one column.

However, they have always been more for wordpress. I even contacted blog designers, but it didn't work out for me so I took things in my own hands. I'm not a professional blog designer, although I have taken a couple of graphic art classes before - I can tweak around with a base layout and create something different.

I found a theme called GoGreen, and it WORKED on blogger. Usually other dynamic themes I've tried made my sidebar and header disappear for good, and I didn't know how to bring them back. This theme only had two columns with the sidebar AND header, and I decided to heavily edit it so they''re actually four columns now. I re-sized the post entry, the outer and inner wrappers - It actually looks nothing like the original theme now, the credit is still at the bottom. It had two navigation menus, but I only kept one of them. I removed my sidebar, and added all the important gadgets onto my footer instead. I actually removed the "tour hosts" or "blogger networks" icons- it would have been too much if I have kept them.

I really LOVE it now, I'm kind of proud of myself. I will probably keep this theme forever.. Well, for a couple of years at least. I'm not sure if I should add a header in? I can add a header in although, I have to tweak around it a lot. Maybe a slight logo or the name of the blog? I still need to tweak the footer and make it smaller in size, the percentage on the side still annoys me when you scroll but I'm planning on removing it. Overall I'm quite happy with the layout. What do you guys think of the theme, and should I add a header or no header? I like the simple yet professional look it gives off.

Here were the past themes I've tried before but most of them didn't work out for me.. I did love the second theme as well, I've used it for a couple of months but it was time for a change! I created these headers  from picmonkey. The actual gifs/and images aren't owned by me.




Now it's time for Mailbox Monday & my book haul over the last two weeks! 

Meme hosted by the original Mailbox Monday Blog.


These are the items that have popped up in my mailbox in the past two weeks. Happy Reading! :) These are all review copies sent free of charge via Flux Publishing, St. Martin's Griffin, Dutton Books, HNQ Books, Grand Central Publishing, and Scholastic! 

After DarkDeepKiller Instinct, The White Rose, and Instinct are unsolicited copies. I'm going to be busy reading these books for the rest of March & Spring break! My mailman thinks I'm a shopaholic.. One time a company wrote the wrong address, but he recognized my name on the package lol. Upcoming reviews of Killer Instinct, Deep, and None of The Above coming this week.


e-ARC's sent for review.
(how beautiful are these covers though!)


Personal Kindle Purchases

I bought(pre-ordered) a physical copy AFTER a whole year! It was of course A Court of Thorns and Roses.




  • So many books, so little time. I'm so excited to read these all! Shukran for reading this! Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & follow :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures.. 

    “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness.” —George R.R. Martin 
    femmmefatalee@gmail.com

52 comments:

  1. I really love the new look! I want to get something that looks like this too! I am going to get my sister onto it!! Whoo hoo!
    Love the haul too... I loved Deep! Enjoy!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Naomi! You should so get it, hope to see your new blog design soon :) & Deep is next on my TBR so let's see how it goes.

      Delete
  2. Love your new design, looks elegant! Love minimalistic design!
    Huge haul, wow! Lot to read!

    xoxo Colli // tobeyoutiful

    ReplyDelete
  3. Angelfall, Made You Up and None of the Above are some books we both share! I can't wait to see if we agree with our opinions. Also, all those ebooks for review have such pretty covers <3

    Speaking of pretty things, I do love this new blog design! I am all for you adding in a header though - it would only make things better. I am glad this one worked for you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually finished reading None of the Above last week, it is a pretty unique book. I REALLY liked it :) & Thank you Olivia, I'm thinking of going ahead and putting a small header in. ♥

      Delete
  4. I like the new look! And it works even without the header, IMO.

    And enjoy Angelfall! It is my all time favorite YA dystopia/urban fantsy. I plan to re-read it next month :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lucia ♥ Aaah.. I just love the cover of Angelfall and the premise sounds wonderful, hope I enjoy it as much as you have :)

      Delete
  5. I absolutely love the new look, I agree it looks very professional.
    None of the Above sounds so interesting, I've been eyeing that one for a while on goodreads and I adore the cover of Made You up! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Katie! ♥ None of The Above was really good, I have already read it xD

      Delete
  6. Nice looking! Very neat and clean. Enjoy your books!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It looks good! I do think a header would be a good idea--maybe something simple, like just words instead of logos, but a fancy script?? That way we know which blog we're visiting since we'll see the name at the top. I do like the rest of it, though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm thinking of adding a simple header in soon, thank you! ♥

      Delete
  8. I love love LOVE the new template! So stylish and really easy to navigate as well. Awesome work. It's so hard to find a great template that compliments your blog, but this one is perfection Benish. I miss your banner at the top though, is that something you can incorporate into the new design too? Wow, what a massive haul this week too. The only one I've heard of and read is Breaking Butterflies and boy, that was so disturbing. I hated it, but couldn't put it down. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

    Have a wonderful week of reading Benish <3 and lovely work on the new template.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, I just tried using what I have learned about design xD & Yes, I'm going to add a simple header in at the top of black part hopefully - I can add it in though, I actually removed the header :) Hope you have a fantastic week as well, happy reading! ♥

      Delete
  9. I love the new look! So clean and organized feeling and easy to navigate. Your book haul has some pretty amazing reads in it!! I can't wait to see what you think of many of them. Enjoy all you lovely books, Benish :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! & I know, I'm excited to read them all :) ♥

      Delete
  10. Awesome that you got it to work with Blogger! Which is a pain to deal with!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, I've been searching months for a good theme that works with blogger lol ♥

      Delete
  11. I LOOVEE LOVE your new blog design, it's so freaking amazing and you edited it beautifully! A header could work though, but it actually looks good without one too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the new design! I really enjoyed Angalfell. I hope you do as well :D

    Happy Reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm hoping to read Angelfall soon! Thank you for your thoughts ♥

      Delete
  13. Love the new look. If you do decide to add a header to the layout, just go with something simple. I think that'd complement the theme nicely. But if you don't, it looks cute this way too.

    Love the gif, that is exactly how I feel when I go book shopping. XD

    Great haul! I see some up there that I've been counting down until I could read myself. Hope you enjoy them.

    Dreams @ Once Upon A Dream Books

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for dropping by ♥ I'm going to add a simple header in, let's see how it looks with the blog. Happy reading though :)

      Delete
  14. I just went to your site and was like WOAH something's different haha. I like the new design! It looks sleek and there are no distractions. I liked the old one too though, but the fact that you get to see all the post pictures when you go to the home page is a plus. :) I think a header would add to the greatness, but I already bow in awe to your coding skills. :D

    And my that is one beautiful book haul! The covers all look AMAZING. I totally know what you mean about your mailman hahahaha I always feel slightly embarrassed about all the packages I get, because I'm pretty sure the neighbors (not to mention my roommates) notice them and wonder what the hell I'm ordering all the time. It's not even free review copies, it's just books I buy. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha aw thank you Vlora! ♥

      I know what you mean, I get fascinated staring at my own theme which is kind of creepy, I finally did it though on BLOGGER! YES, I'm so happy now, finally after months I have a unique theme now. I'm going to add a simple header in soon :)

      & Yes, glad you share the same thoughts! My mom gets annoyed at seeing the packages too, she's like there's no more room in the garbage can for other things besides your package wrappers LOL ♥

      Delete
  15. You should professionally design blog themes too! Great work overall and the book haul looks AMAZING. Happy reading :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's sweet of you, but I'm not a professional designer - I barely have time for myself these days but let's see, I have always loved graphic design. Thank you though ♥

      Delete
  16. Wow, VERY nice new look! I love it! I am so impressed that you did so much of this by yourself- and honestly, that you did it in blogger! I don't think I have seen such a dynamic blogger design before! I am about to have a redesign too (much, much overdue, in my opinion!) so I am positively drooling over yours ;)

    I got Crown of Midnight this week too! YAY! I have heard seriously nothing but good things. Angelfall is SO, so good, I hope you enjoy it. I am really curious about your thoughts on None of the Above too- I thought it was fantastic! Hope you have a great week, enjoy all the AMAZING books (and you are SO going to make me pre-order ACOTAR!), and congrats on the lovely design!
    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *giggles* Thank you so much Shannon, I really appreciate the kind words xD I'm not a professional, I just can work around with a base theme and create something different :) I love your current theme, so I'm sure your new one will be even more wonderful!

      I just finished reading Crown of Midnight.. It was kind of blah for me, I liked the first one more though lol. I actually just received an physical copy of Angelfall today, and I'm so excited to read it! Everyone's been telling me how awesome it is. The cover is stunning too- I loved None of the Above as well, and haha you should pre-order ACOTAR - I'm hoping it will wow me! Many thanks again! <3

      Delete
  17. Wow! Looove the new blog look! But, admittedly, I loved the old look too :) Sometimes you just need a change though! And WOW you got some awesome books this week: The Girl at Midnight, Angelfall, City of Fae and Mechanica are ALL ones I'm dying to get my hands on! Oh and I hope you ADORE Crown of Midnight and ACOTAR as much as I did ♥♥♥ SJM is the best! I hope you have a fantastic week and happy reading! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thank you Micheline ! ♥ Thank you so much, you can request the books your listed from Edelweiss :) Hope you have a wonderful week as well!

      Delete
  18. Love the look! It's simple, but eye catching! Omg that's a lot of books! I hope you enjoy them all. I loved Angelfall, so I hope you enjoy it as well. Happy reading! ❤

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your thoughts Marianne, I'm hoping to check out Angelfall soon! ♥

      Delete
  19. Gorgeous design! I've always been a fan of a more grid like layout because I get to see so much content and so much catches my eye I can't help but open up multiple reviews in different tabs. ACOTAR why must the release still be so far away? *grabs screen* I've only read Crown of Midnight and None of the Above out of these but I really enjoyed them both :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, grid layouts are wonderful and aha I do the SAME thing as well! I open many different tabs that I can check out, thank you for your thoughts & for dropping by ♥ I cannot wait the copy of ACOTAR to arrive soon, so excited! :)

      Delete
  20. WOW your blog went through a complete re-do. It looks stunning, and I'm VERY impressed you did it on your own when you're not a designer! Love the haul as well.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your blog was already stunning but this new design... I honestly can't form words. I can't wait to see your thoughts on None of the Above, that novel sounds really outstanding. I loved Magnolia, it wasn't that original but it was a great read nonetheless. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thank you Veronika.. ♥ I really liked None of The Above, it's a beautiful novel - I'm reviewing it this Friday :)

      Delete
  22. First of all, let me congratulate you on your new blog design! And you did everything yourself? Girl you ARE talented!! Your blog design rocks!! I especially love the home page, with all of those bold, big pictures!! I have liked all of your previous blog designs, but this one is really the BEST!!

    As for your book haul, you are SO, SO, LUCKY!!!!! All of those books for free? OMG!!! I want to read ALL of your e-ARCs, as well as "A Court of Thorns and Roses"!! Like you, though, I have SO little time to read all of the books I'd like to read.....

    Thanks for this GREAT post which I really enjoyed reading, as well looking at!! : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was wondering where you took off Maria! I was like WHERE IS MY BLOGGER FRIEND ?! I'm glad you're back though! :)

      & Hehe yes.. I used a base code and edited it as much as I can until I finally fell in love with it. Thank you so much for the compliments! It really makes my night ♥ & yess well they're review copies, but I didn't pay for them at all. Hope you to see you around !

      Delete
  23. Love the new look!! So professional -- awesome job, my friend! Also, I am SO excited you have Angelfall!! I recently read that series, and I am slightly obsessed. LOL! I hope you'll enjoy it and all of the lovely books you received. *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the lovely comments you have made on my blog, I really appreciate every single one of them<3 *hugs back* :) Angelfall is next on my reading, so I'm hoping I love it as much as everyone else! ♥

      Delete
  24. The new layout looks great! You have done a wonderful job with it :)

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh gosh your new design is SO GORGEOUS! It's really easy on the eyes, and nice to read and you've done such a great job with it :D

    And YES those covers of the galleys you are got are all kinds of amazing. I really want to see what you think of THE ASTROLOGER'S DAUGHTER because it was one of my favourite reads last year! ^.^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thank you Chiara, you're a sweetheart ♥ I do like the cover of the Astrologer's Daughter, let's see how it works out for me :) I hope I like it as much as you have :)

      Delete
  26. I love your new design and that's amazing you tweaked and coded that all by yourself! It's ncie you found a theme that worked for you on blogger. I also like the fact that you added a banner, I think a banner makes your blog more easily recognizeable. And your home page is so neat now with a list of all your blog posts. It's nice to find a design that really works for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just noticed your comment Lola, Thank you so much for the love ♥ I'm glad you love the design as well!

      Delete

Powered by Blogger.