Pleasure Notes

First, I must mention how grateful I am for all the feedback these last few days – here, on Twitter and in person – regarding the design changes with which I’ve been playing. It’s been an interesting process, and I’m a little surprised by the outcome upon which I’ve settled. If you are reading this on the homepage, you’ll notice I’ve returned to my original theme for Pleasure Notes.

Why?

I guess I’m not quite as ready for change as I thought. Or perhaps, more accurately, I do not have the funds or css/html knowledge to create my vision in a new template with any greater satisfaction than that I find with the original.

And change simply for the sake of change is not my objective.

After countless hours – truly a ridiculously alarming number too large to share – of scrolling through the hundreds of free themes out there, I selected a couple that I thought might maintain elements of my original design while also lightening things up a bit to reflect the shift I’m trying to make in my life.

I tweaked the first option as best I could, but there were a few elements – the yellow highlighting and the chartreuse floral – that I truly despised, and which seemed to be locked in to the theme.

First New Look

Then, a trusted friend and loyal reader informed me that the theme showed up broken in her browser. There was no question, then, that it must be rejected forthwith.

Yes, I said FORTHWITH. I watched Lost In Austen last night on Netflix – feeling very anglophile today.

On to the second option.

Second New Look

I tweaked this one as well, also within the limitations of my html knowledge and patience. It was fine. Very readable.

But SO FUCKING BORING!

It just felt plain, plain, PLAIN. The simplicity of it seemed devoid of character.

For me.

I know a blog is about the words. But I’m never just about the words. I want to enfold you in an experience. I want this to be place you can sink into or dance through, depending on your mood and mine, but mostly I want you to FEEL and THINK and BE.

And I didn’t feel anything when I looked at that design. I felt entirely objective and ambivalent, like when I glance at the LA Times while in line for my egg sandwich at Starbucks. I wasn’t curious. I wasn’t invested. I wasn’t drawn in and made to feel present.

Now, I realize that you may feel none of these things anyway when you visit Pleasure Notes. But I do. And, after this little experiment, I’ve realized I don’t need to change the dressing on Pleasure Notes any more than I need a boob job or liposuction to reflect better self-esteem. Not that I’m equating the significance of a change in blog design with that of plastic surgery, but I’m hoping you get the picture. So for the time being, I’m opting out of change.

At least change of the cosmetic sort.

Okay, so I didn’t wait a few days to do this but… here’s the second alternative to my former blog layout. Can you tell I’m a bit compulsive? For those reading this in their feed, jump over to the homepage to see what I’m talking about. And for those just coming to the party, here are the other two designs from which to choose:

My original Pleasure Notes template:

Original Look

New Look, Option One:

First New Look

And New Look, Option Two is what you are reading at the moment:

Second New Look

No promises regarding which of the three directions I’m going, but I’d really love your feedback – which is your favorite and why, pros and cons, etc.

Thanks a ton, my lovely readers! Hope you’re having a delightful weekend…

xo

I’m feeling a bit lighter than I’ve felt in a very long time, and I’m testing out the idea of having Pleasure Notes reflect this new mental/emotional space. As a result, I’m trying out a couple of new design themes. If you are reading this from your rss feed, jump over to the home page to check out the first possible new look. Let me know what you think! If you like the new look more, tell me why. If no, tell me that. I really value your feedback!! I’ll have the design associated with this post up for a few days, then I’ll put up a second option for a few days. And who knows? I may go back to the original layout.

Ahhhh, CHOICES!

I’m not exactly the most renown fashion maven in Los Angeles. In fact, putting me and “fashion” in the same sentence rarely occurs, unless “bad” is also somehow involved. However, every once in a while I surprise myself and everyone around me by actually putting together an ensemble that wouldn’t horrify my less fashion-challenged Hollywood compatriots. That being said, I’m basically a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal or, more accurately, a yoga pants and t-shirt kind of gal. And so I have an enduring love affair with the most awesome of wardrobe-providing websites: Threadless. Let me just highlight a few reasons I’ve fallen head over heels with something that might actually be considered – gasp! – hip...

From Threadless.com

OMG! Isn’t it the cutest thing ever? I mean, really, who wouldn’t be over the moon for this design by Budi Satria Kwan? I admit I’m extremely partial to the moon, and I’ve always thought cows get a bum rap, but really, doesn’t this Fail t-shirt just make you immediately think of milk and cookies? And what could be better than that, FROM A T-SHIRT no less?

by Budi Satria Kwan/threadless.com

Well, the stuck cow might not agree. I kinda feel sorry for him, don’t you? He looks like a “Bob.” Hope you find your way down, Bob. I’m rooting for you!

by Ross Zietz/threadless.com

I become even more impassioned about endangered species than cows, however. Surprising, I know. Which is why I adore Ross Zietz’ Pandamonium. Quite a profound little statement he’s captured with his design, don’t you think? It gets me all riled up, I tell you! And the panda is so damn cute!

by Lucas de Alcantara/threadless.com

Laughter is the best salve when my emotions get hot. I don’t think you even have to be a Star Wars fan to get a chuckle from Lucas de Alcantara’s clever creation. If only we all could be so transformed with a simple New Hairstyle.

by T.J. Zhang/threadless.com

Bangs may not bring about world peace, but flowers put a smile on almost anyone’s face, even the ones in those little tanks who are bent on hurting that poor panda above. You, my lovely readers, are already familiar with how much I love blooming things, so just image how giddy I was to discover T.J. Zhang’s Blooming tee. It about sent me over the moon all over again!

I swear, if Bambi’s mom had gotten a prom picture, this would have been it!

To be fair, I’ve just pointed out my favorite designs. There are plenty of other graphics on the site that might float your boat with more bounce, so go explore (if you are so inclined). The thing I like best about this company is that it is community-based, meaning the Threadless.com membership/readership creates all the graphics, and design decisions are based on community feedback.

Like a big ole Love-In commune for cool t-shirts.

Do you have a favorite t-shirt graphic, from anywhere? Do tell!