The eagle-eyed amongst you might have noticed something. My address has changed. I've no longer got a (blog)spot. And I'm a co.uk now, and not a .com. You shouldn't need to do a thing. Blogger is redirecting all my mail. But if you've linked to me on your own site, it might pay to update the URL to... (drumroll)
www.bringingupcharlie.co.uk
Yes, I'm now the proud owner of my own domain! (In fact, while I was there I bought two.) It was Liz at Violet Posy's idea. She very kindly (thank-you, Liz) helped out with that little local difficulty some of you had been experiencing - namely, getting thrown off my blog after a matter of seconds. Now I know my posts don't require in-depth study, but that was just ridiculous. It wasn't a problem with Safari, or Firefox or more recent versions of Explorer. But for some strange reason, IE6 and my blog just weren't getting on. We'd tried to patch things up. But it was no good. Separation was the only option.
I was all for cutting and running with open-arms to Wordpress. But wiser counsel (Liz) prevailed. I bought a domain name. And - to cut a long and rather anxious story short - I'm here, as before, only slightly different (if you see what I mean). Actually, you might notice that I've made a few more changes to the site. Like them? I'd love to know. And you might also notice some that aren't anything to do with me. Like the lack of comments. And the lack of links. I feel bereft. They say that moving house is one of the three most stressful things in life. Well moving blogs isn't any better.
After all that don't you think we deserve some kind of reward? So do I. There is some well-deserved wine on its way to Liz. And - thanks to Voucher Codes, the people that run 2-for-1 restaurant vouchers, printable vouchers, deals and sales for hundreds of leading online stores I'm offering not one, but TWO £25 M&S vouchers (...contain yourself). All you have to do is tell me you still love me tell me what you think of the new-look site. Write a comment in the box below between now and midnight next Wednesday (21st October) and you'll go into the hat. Two lucky winners drawn at random will then each receive a £25 Marks and Spencer voucher.
Good luck!
And don't forget - it's www.bringingupcharlie.co.uk from now on...
VoucherCodes.co.uk brings together the best voucher codes, 2-for-1 restaurant vouchers, printable vouchers, deals and sales for hundreds of leading online stores to help save you more money. Great current offers include Mothercare Vouchers, Debenhams Discount Codes and Boden Discount Codes. Full terms and conditions here.
After all that don't you think we deserve some kind of reward? So do I. There is some well-deserved wine on its way to Liz. And - thanks to Voucher Codes, the people that run 2-for-1 restaurant vouchers, printable vouchers, deals and sales for hundreds of leading online stores I'm offering not one, but TWO £25 M&S vouchers (...contain yourself). All you have to do is tell me you still love me tell me what you think of the new-look site. Write a comment in the box below between now and midnight next Wednesday (21st October) and you'll go into the hat. Two lucky winners drawn at random will then each receive a £25 Marks and Spencer voucher.
Good luck!
And don't forget - it's www.bringingupcharlie.co.uk from now on...
---ooo---
VoucherCodes.co.uk brings together the best voucher codes, 2-for-1 restaurant vouchers, printable vouchers, deals and sales for hundreds of leading online stores to help save you more money. Great current offers include Mothercare Vouchers, Debenhams Discount Codes and Boden Discount Codes. Full terms and conditions here.
as one of the people not able to get onto your blog i am so far loving the updated site. Having a domain seems like a thing "grown ups" do.
ReplyDeleteMarks and Spencers sell wine right? Cause I think I'm hooked...
ReplyDeleteLooking great! I kind of miss your bus though... But like that there is more space for the text so I think it comes out a thumbs up from me.
Happy New Domain!!
...now I have to ask. What was the OTHER domain you bought? Because the mind positively boggles.
I like it! Particularly your very organised side bar over there. Fancy!
ReplyDeleteHey, welcome to your new home. I am very jealous, everyone seems to be doing it, de-spotting that is!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, love your new site, particularly the new header pic :)
I like it.. Feels more spacey! More room to park my bottom whilst I read! :)
ReplyDeleteI like it lots, I can read it withour having to do it in 50 sittings - yippee. It is much more airy and easy to see everything. Well done
ReplyDeleteOh very posh! Did it cost lots to buy a domain name?
ReplyDeleteI like the top bar especially, theres something amazing about a childs eyes, full of excitement.
Will continue to pop over
@snafflesmummy - great to see you here, and glad you like it. ('Twould be a let-down if after all that waiting you arrived and thought...pah!)
ReplyDelete@Josie - they sell ice-cream too, y'know!
@Kelly - thanks, altho' the side-bar might look good because it's empty. I've got a very long blog-roll to re-make. But it'll be back - bigger and better and it will RULE THE WORLD! (Sorry...)
@Sub - thanks. You're right, it is becoming fashionable to have your own domain. In my case, it was borne of necessity. As a tight-fisted son of the white rose I'd not have parted with hard-earned cash unless I had to...
@Emma - that's what I like: plenty of room, comfortable sofas. Maybe wine? (Oh hang on, Josie might be listening...)
@TheMadHouse - you were limited to one word per pageview too, eh? (Of course, that was just my secret plan to get more hits. I'm doomed to slip right down the rankings now...)
@Claire1982 - surprisingly little, Claire. Although I'm still not quite sure why you have to buy them in the first-place...
Noted and noted. good luck! :) [waves happily]
ReplyDelete@Mal - you're back! Were you getting the heave-ho from the IE bouncer too? Good to see ya, mate!
ReplyDeleteWhoop-di-dooo - get you and your domain! Looks fab and I'm just thrilled to be able to read it (I was starting to suspect you of sordid content which my PC just couldn't tolerate). Anyway, well done you. I hope to be following your lead with a re-decorated site soon (will email u for your valuable insights). :-)
ReplyDelete@HotCross Mum - the only sordid content you'll find here Hazel is contained is Charlie's nappies. But then, there was that post about male totty-pics of course. And then a while ago...
ReplyDeleteBienvenue to your new site! I've had a lot of problems recently in accessing your blog especially the comments section. Let's hope this is a thing of the past - all seems to be in good working order at the moment.
ReplyDeleteEt tu @dumdad? The list of those I was inadvertently cold-shouldering is growing! Let's hope, like Lear, we have at last come to our proper senses.
ReplyDeleteAre you still using a blogger platform to run the blog, or have you switched to wordpress or typepad?
ReplyDelete@Dan - still using the blogger platform Dan, although I have a 'mirror' site at Wordpress too. Petit a petit, l'oiseau fait son nid as Dumdad might say...
ReplyDeleteLoving the new site, it's looking mighty fine on my giant work 21 inch monitor :) Please can you add me to your blogroll? Fankyou!
ReplyDelete@Liz - of course, Liz. In fact, you're already there!
ReplyDeleteWonderful new site!
ReplyDeleteFresh, clean and so user friendly for poor sleep addled souls like me (apart from your little nappy jest which totally foxed me...well I am Sylvia Foxworthy!)
Please advise how I can have my "bits and pieces" in a nice column to the right.
Also, when I was viewing Google Gadgets this morning your blog came up in the list, near the top, which I found confusingly impressive.
I bought a domain recently, so I now own two.
One is Amazinglengths.co.uk so thats a little bit of promotion for my business!
The other is , well, ermmm, a little idea I have for a new business venture but perhaps I better not mention it..errrrm just yet!!
Anyway..well done..and thank you so much for your advice, help and encouragement regarding my entry into the exciting and fulfilling world of blogging! xx
Love it! What template are you using? I've been trying to find one just like it as it looks so neat and tidy.
ReplyDeleteNow they'll be no stopping you. I keep trying to think of a new venture so I can buy my second domain too. :0)
Like the new blog look! Every so often I consider WordPress, but somehow the rest of life takes over and seems more important!
ReplyDeleteIf you're prepared to admit to knowing me, I'd love to be on your blog roll too... but I'll take the M&S voucher regardless!
A king of your own domain eh? Marvellous.
ReplyDeleteLoving the new look but why is your Hot or Dot photo not on your banner? I feel slightly cheated. Or have you saved this for your secret domain?
:)
@FizzyLady - gosh, no idea how my blog appeared there - wish I'd seen it! Anyway, glad you like the new design. You should be able to put all your bits and pieces in a column, too. It all depends on the template that you're using. Have a look at: customise - layout - choose new template. You you can try 'em out without obligation!
ReplyDelete@ChicMama - it's something called 'stretch denim' CM, with a photo added to the title bar. Simple and effective!
@Catharine - I know what you mean about Wordpress. I loved the look of it, but it seemed very faffy compared to blogger. And they wouldn't let me post video!
@IM - no, it just wouldn't fit I'm afraid IM. Would you like to put it on your site?
Congratultions on your own domain - you can't beat it. I've had one since I first began blogging and really feel like I own my blog more fully as a consequence. Address now duly updated...
ReplyDeleteHello to a brand new page in your life - but I do miss the bus with the banner. Still Charlie's beautiful eyes make up for it
ReplyDelete@Steve - thanks, it feels as if I'm joining the ranks of the 'pro' bloggers - in much the same way as I used to think I was opening the batting at Headingley when I was aged 11...
ReplyDelete@French Fancy - you've found me! How jolly nice to see you. Sorry you missed the bus, but there'll be another one along quite soon...
Oooh liking it :) Makes me want a new site!
ReplyDeleteget you mr .co.uk! I liked the old banner I have to admit, but this one is super cute. The site looks good on my old knackerd ol' PC so it must be quality ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous!
ReplyDelete@clareybabble - glad you like it, CB. Having been almost forced to change, I'm glad I did.
ReplyDelete@zooarchaeologist - glad the site looks good ZA. In fact, I'm just glad you (and everyone) can get on it. It's been getting rather lonely...
@Susanna - you're too kind!
I love your new blog. It's all shiny and neat and tidy. Makes mine look like a right old dog's breakfast! Easy to comment too, marvellous x
ReplyDeleteOoooh M&S vouchers! I like that idea a lot. But, not as much as I like your blog posts. Congrats on taking that mext step towards writing fame. x
ReplyDelete@SandyCalico - well, I'm glad that something round here's shiny, neat and tidy, Sandy. But you should see the state of the house!
ReplyDelete@DJKirkby - keep your fingers crossed Denyse! It's coming to something when a blogger has to bribe people into commenting on his posts though, don't you think?
I can read it and not get thrown off! Yeah! Love the banner & the 'for them, by them' links at the side.
ReplyDeleteYeah, welcome aboard Emma. It was nothing personal, you know. Glad you like what you can now see!
ReplyDeleteWell, D, I'm just so relieved to be "back on board" more than anything. And am glad i was not the only one "cold-shouldered". I'm really not just after the vouchers - honestly! - but your new-look blog does look amazing! Its so much more open now somehow.
ReplyDeleteWill change the address as soon as .......
Ooh you threw me with the Nappies Changed. I love the new look and the right margin is ever so clever! Isn't it empowering to have YOUR OWN DOMAIN!!! Well done you. Feel free to add me to your blog roll!;)
ReplyDeleteKarin
@Jenny, Jenny, Jenny - this calls for some kind of celebration, surely?
ReplyDelete@Cafe Bebe - sorry, Karin. It's the way things always used to be long before my brief, disastrous affair with IntenseDebate. Blog-roll update coming up.
well I'm not going to lie to you- I didn't notice anything different! I usually read you through feedly!!
ReplyDelete@Lindy - and hasn't that changed? I'm going to ask for my money back...)
ReplyDeleteLoving the make-over, Tim!
ReplyDeleteHoly Moly - you gonna see me under all these comments?
ReplyDeleteLiz is wonderful. She's helped me when I had a few probs too.
Your blog is looking good Mr Dotterel!
RMxx
@RosieScribble - thanks. Coming from a pro like you, that's real compliment.
ReplyDelete@Rebel Mother - oh yes, RM, because I read 'em all. Glad you like the new look. And Liz is wonderful.
Nice. I like it. You've certainly got more room.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to switch my WI blog but thought all posts on there would be lost so I hesitated. I was looking for something that utilised a drop-down menu but it seems too difficult to achieve.
What an exciting development! I like the new look. Charlie at the top makes it instantly eye-catching especially as it's a naturally lovely pic of him :)
ReplyDeleteHowever I'm finding it harder to navigate back to older posts (possibly due to amount of comments under taking up all the room!). The older post link works, but it would be nice to have maybe the last 5 listed to click on please! I assume you can do this now it's your very own site? x
...actually it was due to all the comments, but still a navigation to older posts might be good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie. There's a bit more breathing space, for sure. And as for changing your WI site, you shouldn't lose past posts. (Hark at me, talking as if I'm some kind of expert...)
ReplyDeleteThere should still be a link to past posts at the bottom of the page Katy. I've deliberately reduced the number of posts to three to make it easier to load. But, yes, the comments can make navigation just a little harder.
I like it and am all for owning your own bit of cyberspace :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks great Tim, I've bought my domian just need to swap it over! I wonder how many cakes £25 would buy!
ReplyDeleteI like the layout, it's really simple to navigate. The only thing I might change is the peach - something a bit more definite (fluro pink) might give it more standout.
ReplyDeleteI would like some new bras.
Aren't you a clever boy (even with a clever girls helping hand!)
ReplyDeleteliking the site - I'm a huge fan of clean, neat & consistent sites, and yours ticks my boxes! Nice work sunshine xx
Ps. I'm on my iPhone & it's working great!
ReplyDeleteAck! I thought I left a comment awhile ago, but I can't find it now. . . hmmm, I wonder what web-browser ate it? Anyways, you new blog layout is wonderful and I've added you to my blogroll.
ReplyDelete=)
Should be *your* not *you* and since I can no longer type I'm off to bed!
ReplyDelete