Working on the new design last week reminded me of all the changes Kevin and Amanda has been through over the years. Kevin bought me this domain name for the one year anniversary of our first date — which is coming up in just a few days! At the time, we weren’t even married yet. We were two short months away from the wedding…
Here’s what Kevin & Amanda looked like when it first launched, back in March of 2002. I had my own webpage back then, and it was basically just a venue to share photos, essays, and all things wedding related with friends and family. We didn’t have blogs, Flickr or Facebook. Or even MySpace. I had a free Geocities site, but I was quickly outgrowing the size limitations on free accounts. On our anniversary, Kevin asked me what domain name I’d want if I were to ever get my own.
Kevinandamanda.com, of course! I answered without hesitation. With a grin, he playfully replied, “Let’s check and see if it’s taken”. He pulled up kevinandamanda.com, with me looking anxiously over his shoulder. It was a countdown. To our wedding.
The next summer, Kevin & Amanda got a makeover. Back then I was completely in love with Gigi and Marydale.
And it stayed like that for a really, really long time. About four years.
Eventually, after I started making fonts, I started using one of my favorite new fonts at the time, Pea Glo-Girl, and the photo was changed to a sepia tone, when that was all the rage.
Here’s where I fell in love with Century Gothic, which from then on was main font of this site until the most recent design.
In 2006, I jumped on the bandwagon and turned Kevin & Amanda into a blog. Here’s one of the first blog designs, from April of 2008.
In June, I launched a major blog redesign. Before, I had basically only been changing the background, header image, and sidebar buttons. Those were easy. But after a couple years of getting to know CSS and tinkering with PHP (the two languages my WordPress blog runs on) I was able to make a few structural changes. I wanted each post to look like a letter written to you, from me, complete with the date up top and my signature at the bottom.
The comments were one of my favorite features. Sweet little post-it notes from you guys, written in alternating colors.
In November of 2008, I got on a major designing kick and changed the design of Kevin & Amanda every month for the next 5 months.
I wrote one post in November.
I loved this background though. Here you can see my signature that I used to sign each post.
Here’s December of 2008. I wrote 2 posts this month.
January of 2009. I wrote 3 posts this month. I’m really digging these backgrounds.
February of 2009. I loved this completely pink Valentine’s Day design.
March of 2009. This design stuck for the new few months.
Fall of 2009. This design was inspired by a scarf. This scarf. I scanned my scarf to make that colorful paisley background.
The recipe blog has been through a few changes itself!
This comments section is still one of my all time favorites. I loved how you could click on that crumpled piece of notebook paper to type your comment.
Your comments are always my fav.
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68 Comments
The most talented own blog designer I read… and looking very smart may I say!
Wow, you are so talented Amanda!
Could you give us some lessons on updating the blog designs, or a run through of how you created one of your blog designs?? loved all of them, from the beginning….
It’s always fun to look back and see how things in our lives progress…as we progress.
Curious Amanda, where did you learn CSS code? I’d love to start tinkering more w/ my blog and I’m finding so much information out there is outdated (the tutorials and “how to….to your blog”)
I think a personal website/blog should be a reflection of the person(s) running it and gosh has it been a struggle trying how to find the know-how to get into the nitty gritty of customizing mine.
BTW..some of your tutorials have been the easiest to follow! Thanks Amanda.
TLC
I learned from w3schools.com. Love their Try it Yourself Editor so you can play around with the code before implementing it on your site! :)
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! YOU ARE SO TALENTED AMANDA. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! THANKS FOR ALL THE HANDY TUTORIALS-KEEP ‘EM COMING!
It’s always fun to look back and see how you’ve evolved! Of course even at its most simple, the site was always adorable!
I love your blog. It’s a great inspiration to me! Thanks for all! ^__^
What a neat post! Thanks for sharing”)
It was fun taking a look back with you. I think it is wonderful that you are so creative!
It’s so fun to see it from the beginning until now. Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks Amanda!!! You are a ROCK STAR gal!. –
I hope you post some of your great tutorials for us visual learners soon.
Another question: How/where can I learn how to make a custom Twitter feed like you have in your side-bar? I am not crazy about the Twitter widgets and would love to have something unique with twits in their separate bubbles.
So much to learn and design….I may have to quit my day job. ☺
Cheers AB.
TLC
I love your blog, Pup adventures, trips, tips and recipes. I made shrimp and grits two nights ago and it was heavenly!!
Thank you for sharing all your talent and fun!!
Chrissy
Loved remembering the old look of KevinandAmanda.com. I was introduced to it sometime in that second design. I love all the other changes you’ve made, too! Really neat post. I need to learn some more CSS. I guess it’s lucky I live with someone who can teach me! :)
I wish I could figure out how to customize backgrounds and change those things up! I am so so about my blog design but when you can’t just do what pops in your head you are so limited! I am with the other commenter’s a tutorial on how you create some of this would be awesome and amazing and no one else is more fit for the job then you!! (Did I butter you up enough there to convince you that we all WANT and NEED a tutorial on this???) ;)
Hi Heather! Have you seen the blog design tutorials I have here, and also the ones here?
OK ok one last question… PROMISE… ☺
Do you host your own website? if not where? Is a true “website” or a “hosted blog”?
It’s great how you are able to customize it on the fly.
That is fun to see! I wish I had done that with mine. I still have the backgrounds, but no screenshots. Too bad. I change my backgrounds seasonally for the most part. Takes a lot of tweeking! Right now I have my son’s digital drawings as my header. Not my fav header, but I promised him I would put them on my blog someday and someday is now!
Wow! Thanks for sharing! It’s fun to take a look back to a just a few years . . no flickr, myspace, wonder what we’ll have in another 5 or 6 years. . crazy! I love coming to your blog and seeing the new changes! Makes me want to start a blog, and actually keep up with it! ha!
I remember reading your website before it was a blog after I found a link on Scrapjazz a long time ago. I was surprised to see your blog linked on several other blogs and to see your following a few years later because I had no idea you’d developed it so much!
And now here I am, a lurker!
That was so much fun to walk back through your designs! Just as life evolves so does this online outlet we have, eh? You’ve just affirmed my decision to do a redesign this spring – gotta reinvent from time to time!
This is so interesting Amanda… I love that you have saved screen shots over the years and shared them. It gives me some peace and comfort knowing that it took you a long time to get where your website is today, not saying that any of them were bad, but you can tell how your design technique has gotten stronger. As a student, I sometimes get a little ahead of myself and want to brilliant right away, but I know that it will take some time… thanks for reminding me :)
I’m the same way Kristen. I am just now venturing into the blog world and want my design to be just right, but I know it will take time and a lot of practice before it looks great. I have to remind myself that all the great blogs I’ve been following lately have been around for years. Maybe someday I will have a decent following too. Keep playing. :)
Love getting all the news from you. It’s really fun and interesting!
I’m not sure how many years ago it was, but I stumbled onto your blog when searching for fonts. I fell in love with not only your fonts, but your blog, your photography, your puppies, your recipes and everything else! You are a talented and amazing woman, and Kevin is a wonderful man (and sooo romantic and thoughtful)! Thank you so much for doing what you do and sharing it with us, and happy 1st date anniversary!
Wow! What an evolution, huh? And you know what? I can’t read your blog without getting hungry!
Hi Amanda! I recently stumbled on your blog and I LOVE it! It’s very well put together – you’ve put a lot of thought and talent into creating it. I just recently created my own. I’ve been working on ways to draw readers to my blog. Do you have any tips and how long did it take to consistently receive comments and feedback – letting you know there are readers following your blog?
I love that you have a record of how all of this has evolved over time. You are one crafty and talented lady, Amanda! I think it’s so sweet that Kevin secured your web address name for you! I always look forward to your posts and the evolution of your design. Keep up the great work! ox
Everything you have done is awesome!! THANKS!
As a new reader, that was fun looking through the genesis of your site! What a sweet gift.
I KNOW I have said this before…but I must say it again!
You my dear…
can do ANYTHING!
xo
I’m not even going to ask how you got all those pics of your old blog looks! ;o)
I remember quite a few of the older “looks”. So glad you have stood the test of time. And what a sweetheart, surprising you with your own domain. And he knew what you would pick! :)
You are so clever with your blog. I always love your idea’s and beautiful pictures!
Amanda – you are just too cute!! You inspire me to want to create a better blog…. you are fun and entertaining…. please come visit me and leave me a comment or advice….. thank you for sharing… you are amazing!
i agree, you NEED to make some tutorials on how you do the stuff you do!!! We don’t just WANT it, we NEED it, lol :) But really, I’m asking this from the bottom of my heart, P.L.E.A.S.E make just a few, please! that would be awesome!!!
luv,
-gracie
P.S. you are both AWESOME!!!!!!!
i love those backgrounds and i enjoy getting your e-letters!!
You are an inspiration to….
nature
bloggers
people
children….
Everybody
keep up the amazing work!!
Hi Amanda, Love the new design! Wow…you are one talented gal. Thanks for sharing that talent with all of us!
When you first posted your new design a few days ago it got me thinking about when I started reading your blog (or at the time, website). I think it was in 2004, maybe 2003. The years fly! I have always enjoyed your writing and creativity. You are probably one of my favorite bloggers out there :)
I’ve got to let you know that you have been and still are my blogger hero. You inspire so many with cute designs and tutorials. Thank you Amanda:-)
Amanda,
Time flies! Years ago when I started to scrapbook I found your site. You had just gotten married. I have followed you since. I watched Miley and Howie grow up as well as your website. My husband told me a was a stalker! lol I even remember when you had Miley and Howie on live feed. They would be basking in the sun. You are my favorite blogger and I look forward to many more years!
That was a fun little roadtrip down memory lane! I haven’t known u that long, but am delighted to see more of your creativity – you are amazingly talented at all you do! Thanks for the fun :~)
It’s fun to watch all the screenshots and as your new reader, it feels nice to see what your blog look like back then and you sharing it to us. It’s like I never missed anything. Thanks for showing this. :)
That’s great that you gave us a history of kevinandamanda.com! I loved the previous blog layouts and backgrounds. Did you make all of those or did you get them from somewhere?
I love, love, love the look back at all the looks of your blog…really cool. I’ve loved your fonts, too, but rarely comment back. Just had to say THANKS!! BTW, I love your puppies, too. Mine are Chihuahuas, too but just as cute and adorable…I think!!
OH, this was a fun journey to see. I love seeing the changes all in one spot.
How I dream of changing my blog but have absolutely no clue how. I might pay someone. It is very not me.
I love this post! Did you learn everything about css and php by yourself? nice job, indeed! I love your blog and fonts by the way! hugs!!!
I’ve been following you ever since that second or third design. I think I first bookmarked you in 2005/2006.
Really so impressed, Amanda. As many comments have already said – your talent is awe-worthy and evident in your blog every day! I look forward to watching how your site continues to grow, and hope we get to meet in person some day!
Love the new look so much–fresh and crisp :) I was wondering, do you offer design help/work?
I’m so glad I Stumbled on to your site. Love the fonts and crafts! Thanks so much.
i very much liked the “a look back” post. it was fun to see how things have changed. you’re great. and i quite like the yogurt and strawberries snack. MMM. heaven!
Love all of the changes! And I totally had the Go Against the Flow shirt – tee hee!
Really enjoyed going through all your blog design changes! And it made me realize how long I’ve been following you for! It just keeps getting better.
I love the new design. It’s clean and fresh! And I loved all the seasonal ones too. The scrapbook feel does it for me!
Amanda,
Your site has always rocked! I’ve loved your fonts for years. And your blog layouts are always the best. I think your creative comment sections have always been my favorites! Makes me mad I’m so ‘committed’ to blogger. Word Press has awesome flexibility. Thank you for your continued inspiration!
wow, I have been a follower since your very first k&a page. :)
I love this post, this blog and you, my dear friend! I remember the original kevinandamanda design…it takes me back! Congratulations on all of your success.
Amanda thanks so much for posting this! I love looking at your blog, it has helped me set goals to try and learn something so foreign to me…CSS and all that jazz! Have a great week! :-)
You’ve come a long way. I loved the scrapbooky pages. I remember the first time I tried one of your fonts. If it weren’t for my son being home I would not have succeeded. Not that your directions were hard – I was just completely in the dark. I won a blog design a while back and haven’t messed with it in a while, but I may have to try again soon. Thanks for all the great tutorials.
Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary! Looking at your food pictures sometimes satisfies my sweet tooth, other times it just makes it worse, but I never regret reading any of your posts!
Look at THIS! Happy 10-year! xoxoxo.
I love that you have a picture of your blog to keep its running history?! Did you just take a screen shot of your computer or how did you do this? As always love your blog!
I love the trip down memory lane!! I remember when I first found your page….it is when I googled scrapbook rooms and your awesome room came up!! I was hooked and have been a major fan ever since! BTW, do you still do any scrapbooking in that awesome room that your dad helped you build?? :o)
Ahhhh, memory lane! I remember I first came across your blog upon searching for srapbook room ideas! Then a couple years later I came across it again and you’d grown so much. I started checking back often to see what kind of design you’d have. Now it’s in my favs and I check a couple times a week! Thanks for giving me something to look forward too! Keep bloggin’!
I have been a fan ever since I found your site – so fun to see how you’ve changed things. I look forward to checking each day to see what’s new. Congrats on your success – love ya!
Amanda,
your blog is amazing. You are amazing. The love you and Kevin have, is amazing. Your pictures are amazing. Are you getting the gist? It’s all pretty amazing. ;) I also wanted to tell you I have been following your blog since 2007. It’s one of my favorites. Scratch that. It IS my favorite. You showed me so many new things, I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since I stumbled on this site when I was only looking for fonts! Regardless the reason, I couldn’t be more happy I found you. I feel comfortable in saying I will be reading your blog for as long as I can :) xoxo