The New Look of the Manolo

By Manolo the Shoeblogger
December 7, 2010 in Doings of Manolo! with 24 Comments

Manolo says, do not be alarmed! The Manolo is testing out the new looks for his shoe blog this week. Please feel free to give the Manolo your opinion about this new look in the comments below.

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24 Responses to “The New Look of the Manolo”

  1. theDiva December 7, 2010 at 12:50 pm #

    Super fantastic! I love it.

  2. Sarah F December 7, 2010 at 1:10 pm #

    I agree- super fantastic indeed!

  3. Kai Jones December 7, 2010 at 1:25 pm #

    I don’t like scripting on the page, I use an add-on that turns off all scripting. I also don’t see links to each of the other Manolo blogs listed at the top or in the sidebar, and that’s how I’ve been navigating to the other blogs.

  4. Manolo the Shoeblogger December 7, 2010 at 1:39 pm #

    Hello to the Kai!

    Ask and you shall recieve! The Manolo has added the Manolospheric links to the sidebar.

  5. *jen December 7, 2010 at 1:52 pm #

    loves it.

  6. Victor December 7, 2010 at 2:09 pm #

    It’s fabulous!

  7. Monica the Tiara Chick December 7, 2010 at 2:11 pm #

    Esteemed Manolo, anything that will make your blog load faster (i.e. at usual internet speeds) is great news to me! On a tiny note, I don’t see Manolo Jewelry in the Manoloshphere links. Is it still with us?

  8. Cat December 7, 2010 at 3:12 pm #

    I like it! The drop-down Manolosphere menu is a big improvement. The page looks cleaner, too.

  9. gemdiva December 7, 2010 at 3:17 pm #

    It may be that I was quite comfortable with the old look, but I find this particular look to be a bit too minimalist and stark. It does not say, “Come in, sit down, you are most welcome to stay and throw off the cares of the world in a place of beauty.” However, I would remain devoted to the Manolo even if his web site was framed in barbed wire.

  10. Manolo the Shoeblogger December 7, 2010 at 3:30 pm #

    Yes, the Manolo agrees with the GemDiva that this look is perhaps too stark, however, one of the major concerns of the Manolo is that the old version was very, very, very slow.

    Part of the reason for the more minimalistic look, is that the Manolo wishes his site to load more quickly. But, as we go forward, undoubtedly it will be modified yet more.

  11. marvel December 7, 2010 at 3:47 pm #

    Change is hard. I’m not sure how I feel about the sans serif font.

  12. Dee December 7, 2010 at 3:55 pm #

    I appreciate the effort to make the site load faster. Many is the time when I have sought out the wisdom of the Manolo, only to abandon the attempt in despair.

  13. Manolo the Shoeblogger December 7, 2010 at 4:00 pm #

    @marvel Yes, the Manolo agrees about the san serif font. He’ll be changing that shortly.

    @dee Exactly! The websites of the Manolo had become utterly unreliable. Hence the need for the redesign, which will eventually grow to encompass all of the Manolo’s sites.

  14. Manolo the Shoeblogger December 7, 2010 at 7:13 pm #

    @monica Yes, the Manolo Jewelry is still with us, indeed, it is quite hale and hearty. The Manolo just forgot to add it to his list of links.

  15. Erik Nabler December 7, 2010 at 9:35 pm #

    I think changes are good. A new look is a good thing from time to time. I think that perhaps a bit of background or some type of ornamentation would more befit the Manolo, however. The load is important, but also the “mouthfeel”.

  16. Jenne December 7, 2010 at 11:17 pm #

    Hmm, it seems fine except that if there’s supposed to be some kind of navigation on the left side of the page, I can’t see it on my browser (firefox)

  17. Jenne December 7, 2010 at 11:18 pm #

    PS this is only on the individual post view. the main page looks fine.

  18. jlw December 8, 2010 at 11:06 am #

    i am constantly amazed by those who wish to “update” and end up with a less user friendly site. we get “edgy” and “cut through the noise” as the why, but the end result gives garish colors, contrast that hurts the eyes and a less enjoyable long term experience. the font and the colors should encourage reading in comfort, not eyestrain.

  19. Kai Jones December 8, 2010 at 12:59 pm #

    Dear Manolo, your courtesy and consideration certainly exceed that of most bloggers. I am abashed, and grateful.

  20. Manolo the Shoeblogger December 8, 2010 at 1:19 pm #

    @Kai You are indeed most welcome!

    @jlw The Manolo will record you in the “do not want” column.

  21. Miss Plumcake December 8, 2010 at 4:37 pm #

    I like it, boss! Much cleaner and easier to read, and more contemporary. Me next please!

  22. Icy December 8, 2010 at 9:22 pm #

    Clean, crisp and (finally ^_^) modern. Like a good pair of shoes. I like it.

  23. The Charlotte Allen December 9, 2010 at 4:18 pm #

    Manolo:

    I like the new sleek look, but why the lower-case “l’s” in those otherwise all-caps Maestro Manolo trademarks in your disclaimer?

    Manolo the Shoeblogger is not Mr. Manolo Blahnik. This website is not affiliated in any way with Mr. Manolo Blahnik, any products bearing the federally registered trademarks MANOlO®, BlAHNIK® or MANOlO BlAHNIK®, or any licensee of said federally registered trademarks. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the author.

    • Manolo the Shoeblogger December 9, 2010 at 6:29 pm #

      The Manolo has no idea why there were the lower cases in this situation. Honestly, it is very puzzling. But, it has been fixed.