Merry Christmas everyone!  I’m spending today visiting family, so there won’t be an outfit post.  I’ll be taking plenty of pictures though, so hopefully I’ll post a Christmas re-cap Friday or Saturday. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

(this picture was my not-so-successful experiment with bokeh.  I think it still makes for a neat photo, though)

I’m thinking about re-vamping my posts somewhat in the New Year, and I’d love it if you guys could give me some reader feedback.

I’ve noticed that my stats are a lot higher on days that I post Daily Outfits, and these are really my most favorite posts to write, so I’m planning on making them at least five days a week, Monday through Friday.  I’m thinking about adjusting my posting schedule so that the outfits will be something that I have worn either the day before or within the past few days.  Right now my outfit posts are scheduled about a week ahead of time, and while that is convenient, it feels a bit disjointed to me.

I also love writing Etsy Love posts, and definitely will continue with those, because I feel very strongly about supporting the handmade community.

What I’m trying to figure out is what to do with my weekend posts.  These always have the lowest stats and comments, which could result from the fact that people seem to read blogs less on the weekend.  Or it could be that most people just really aren’t interested in that content.

So, my question to you is: do you enjoy reading Shoe Lust posts? Blog project posts such as Wardrobe Inventory and Shopping Ban?  Would you rather just see outfit posts on the weekends?  Or something else in addition to lighter posts like Shoe Lust?

I’ve been considering doing more local store/online store reviews and book reviews for my weekend posts.  Would this be interesting to you guys?

So, anyhow, I’d love to hear your thoughts, because I want this blog to be enjoyable and interesting to my readers.  Feel free to leave on comment with your thoughts/ideas/suggestions etc or send me  an e-mail with the contact box in the upper left-hand corner of the blog.  Thanks!

As I  mentioned a few weeks ago, I decided it was time to make my blog official with its own domain and a new name.  So now I welcome you to: Smiles Go With Everything.

There will still be the same great Daily Outfits, Etsy Love and Shoe Lust posts that I had in Simple Elegance.  In addition to the usual posts, I’m planning to add monthly book reviews on style related books.  I’m also going to start reviewing local boutiques, thrift stores, and consignment shops on occasion, because I want to get more involved with the style community in Tampa (and it will create some useful posts for anyone visiting the area).

To make my outfit post titles a little more interesting, I’ve decided to start using a quote from a children’s or young adult book, citing the book and author at the end of each quote.  This fits with the sense of fun and whimsy I’d like to convey with my blog, and it also fits because I’m an aspiring children’s librarian.

My old domain will still forward to this one, but if everyone could please update their blogrolls, I’d appreciate it

Alright readers, I’ve managed to come down to two different possibilities for a new blog name.  As I mentioned last week, I want the new name to somehow incorporate the word “smiles” to reflect both a positive outlook on life, and the amazing difference a smile can make in one’s appearance.  Several variations were already taken, but I’ve come up with two that I love, and that both have .com addresses available.

Smiles Go With Everything – (I’ve actually already bought this domain, but I haven’t decided if I’ll use it for my blog yet).  This was one of my earliest ideas and is still one of my favorites.  I like how it captures the philosophy so beautifully.  It does create a somewhat long address, but it’s also very memorable.

Diana Lynn Smiles – I like the idea of incorporating my name, and I think it makes for a sweet title.  It makes for a slightly shorter address, which can be useful.  There are other blogs out there with Lynn in the name, but I don’t think that would be a serious problem.

So readers, help me decide!  Which is your favorite?

Well, folks, I’m beginning to feel like it’s time to really take this blog seriously.  Simple Elegance has mainly been a fun hobby for me, but I want it to be more polished and professional.  I’m starting to work on the beginnings of a book, and I want this blog to become a platform which that book might be launched off of.   I’m also thinking about become a professional shopper/personal stylist on the side, once I find out what training is necessary.  Also, I’d really like to have a url that doesn’t still bear the name of what was originally a crafting blog.  I’d like to have a site that looks good on business cards, that people might want to advertise on.

So, I’m ready for a name change (again).  While I like Simple Elegance, having a double “e” looks sloppy in urls.  Plus, SimpleElegance.com is unavailable, and when I google the name, lots of wedding and interior decorating companies come up, which could be confusing for someone who doesn’t realize that my blog is a style blog and not a wedding blog.

Plus, I want something more original.  Something that still reflects my personal philosophy about style, and something that doesn’t sound like a million other generic blog names.

I am very open to suggestions, because right now I haven’t come up with much.  But the one possibility I do have I like a lot. Here’s a few possibilities I’ve come up with.

Smiles Go With Everything.  This definitely reflects one aspect of my view of style and life.  Nothing bugs me more that sullen faced models wearing gorgeous outfits.  Or women who are absolutely beautiful yet can’t stand the site of themselves and are always depressed and frowning.  Smiles instantly make you look better and more beautiful.  Frowns can make even the best outfits look awful.  And really, I think it’s best to always have a positive outlook on life.  It’s just too short to let all the bad stuff get you down.

Here’s some variations on that idea:

Smiles Are in Style

Smiles Are Chic

Pearls and a smile (because I love to wear classic pieces like pearls) (Never mind, it’s already taken)

Both of those versions have fewer characters, which is often beneficial.

So that’s my only really good idea so far. What do you think of these for a new blog name?  Any other ideas?  Once I buy the domain name, I’ll be sure to make a post before I switch the blog over.