A blog makeover costs how much???

Anddddd let's just go ahead and block Nicks IP address from reading this post...

I'm just kidding.

Look, no one ever said blogging was cheap.
It's my business, my brand, my art and to make money you've got to spend money! sorry honey!

but first things first...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HOLLY'S HOUSEWIFE LIFE!!

3 years ago today I published my first blog post!

My First Post October 25th 2014 - Click me!

How crazy is it that I published my first blog post and 3 years to the day later I am practically in the exact same position!

I mean, we moved provinces and I'm on mat leave with baby #2 but Noelle is only a month older than Elliott was at that time. I had a dream of starting a blog to keep in contact with the outside world while I was on 'mommy duty' and little did I know what a HUGE part of my life this tiny piece of the internet would become.

Also, HELLO, no idea how much work and dedication it takes to be a 'blogger'.
All I will say about that is MUCH MORE, so much more work than you think.

Somehow I found my little niche..
and not for a lack of fumbling, tears, excitement, pride, more tears..
sometimes I make myself cry when I write about the kids, some tears come of frustration and a lot, a lot of joy.

When you put this much time and effort into something its nice to see that something bring in a little bit of income but I never want the blog to become so much of a job that I lose my voice. I'm so thankful to have found my balance, to stand out enough to keep you guys coming back and I'm more confident than ever in where the blog is going.

SO, that being said... WHERE'S THE GLITTER LETTERS?!?!?

I carved this blogspot .ca out of nothing!
literally nothing.. it was a total blank slate.
Remember my first blog designs... >

I spent hours just learning how to make the side panels a pattern/ the backround/ fonts different colours!

then 6 months in I decided it was time to sink a little cash into this puppy and I hired someone to do the layout. I hired her for custom work which was great, but knowing what I know now.. I seriously overpaid. Building a blog design takes a lot of time (and tears!) but there are easy-ish ways to do it!
 (see below!)




Look at my cute little media kit from 2015, memories! ^

I stuck with my over-priced custom lay out for the last 3 years because I really did like it!
Yes, it had gold lettering and yes, I got a lot of backlash from people wanting me to conform to a 'hot right now' minimalist blog theme. but I stood my ground! ;)

but then why change now???

I sort of feel like the blogs had her 30th birthday...
She's a wild one but she's also ready to be chic & adult.

So if you haven't already, meet the updated Housewife Life. click me.

and how much did I spend this time around?
I will break it down:

I've learned so much about blog themes but I'm still not comfortable handling that on my own so I spent some time on Etsy. There are SO many pre-made blog themes to choose from, the hardest part will be deciding which one you want! They're all so pretty and offer different things, but in true Holly fashion I basically 'eeny, meeny, miny, moe'd' it.

Worst case scenario I waste $16... yup this blog theme only cost $16!

The basic look was there but setting everything up, linking, organizing, gadgeting, sizing, replacing, that's all on you and takes some major trial and error. I'm still going to be working things out for some time to come.

As I was installing I realised some of the widgets wouldn't work and I ended up spending an extra 'one time fee' of $20 to upgrade those.

Then I needed my domain back!
I let my domain expire sometime earlier this year and what a pain...
I went with Go Daddy this time, it cost me $50 for the next 3 years, it would have been slightly cheaper but I added in some extras so it brought my price up about $20.

And that's it!
a fresh new blog at a whopping total of.. $86!

If you want to know what it cost in blood, sweat and tears though.
That's a whole other story, whole other story...
my eyes are burning from starring at the screen so long, I've got a perma frustration crease in my forehead and I can't feel the tips of my fingers anymore.. but my blog looks AMAZING!