The brand new design is here, just in time for Christmas! I just want to sit and stare at it all day long. And to be honest, I probably will. But first I need to show you around! Settle in with me for a tour of what’s new and what’s been improved.
Beautiful Beginnings
You can now find all of Willow Bird’s social media platforms right at the top of the page. Join me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram — or subscribe to read the blog in your RSS feed reader or email inbox.
One of my favorite features of the new design is the slideshow of featured recipes at the top of the page. This allows me to introduce you to inspiring dishes I know you’ll love. Right now I’m featuring a handful of recipes that are perfect for Christmas breakfast.
The latest new posts show up right under the featured recipes. If the photo and teaser interest you, just click the “More” link to read the full story and grab the recipe.
Pretty Posts
On the post itself, you’ll notice a brand new recipe format! This format includes cook/prep times, a recipe rating, and a print button that will let you print just the recipe with a thumbnail photo.
Use the quick sharing buttons below the recipe box to share the recipe on social media or through email. For your convenience, a list of similar recipes you might like also shows up at the end of each post.
Snazzy Sidebar
You’ve probably gotten used to ignoring my sidebar, but now it’s full of useful bits. Let me reintroduce you.
First, you can find out a little about me and snag another opportunity to follow Willow Bird on social media. Below that, you can see what recipes are popular on Willow Bird right now (coconut cake, anyone?) and sign up for my Willow Bird newsletter! My New Year’s resolution is to get better at sending this out. It comes out about once per week (never more!) and includes all the updates you might have missed from the blog and social media. Since Facebook doesn’t convey my updates to all my followers, the newsletter really is your best bet at staying on top of everything that’s happening around here. In the Instagram widget, you can get a sneak peek at my Instagram feed. Think food, pets, outfits, and beautiful things. Finally, there’s something a ton of you asked for: a search bar! Find the recipe you’re looking for in seconds.
Fabulous Footer
Another space you’ve probably gotten used to ignoring is the footer at the bottom of the page. It’s now a hub of activity! Use it to brush up on what’s been posted recently, both here and on Willow Bird’s social media.
Rejuvenated Recipe Index
This is another favorite feature! My recipe index now includes gorgeous galleries to inspire you. You can also click on the “see more” links to head to a full list of recipes.
Masterful Mobile
My new design is mobile responsive, so viewing on your phone or tablet will be much easier now! The page layout and font size shift to allow for easy reading.
Celebrate with me!
Do you love it? To me, the whole beautiful site feels like a Christmas present. It’s just what I’ve been dreaming of. Thanks so much to magical Kristin and her team for making it happen!
I’m giving away a little post-Christmas dough (and I don’t mean gingerbread dough!) to celebrate. Enter below, and don’t forget to come chat with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram about what you think! I can’t wait to hear from you. Welcome to the New Willow Bird Baking!
Kristin
December 24, 2014 at 6:38 am (10 years ago)I love the new site! I love how fresh it is and how easy it is to navigate. But I adore how passionate and excited Julie is about it!
cori
December 24, 2014 at 6:51 am (10 years ago)Love the pictures in the recipe index
Liz S.
December 24, 2014 at 7:20 am (10 years ago)My favorite part of the new design is the header – but I do love all of the new design components!
blanche
December 24, 2014 at 7:26 am (10 years ago)I like the part where you can print out recipes
EmilyRose
December 24, 2014 at 7:31 am (10 years ago)Looks great!
Katie
December 24, 2014 at 7:35 am (10 years ago)I love the updated recipe index!!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
December 24, 2014 at 7:48 am (10 years ago)Love the new site design, Julie! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas:-)
Sandy
December 24, 2014 at 8:16 am (10 years ago)I like the simplicity. It’s a refreshing look.
LB
December 24, 2014 at 8:17 am (10 years ago)Love the new recipe index! Such pretty pictures and so easy to use!
Alyssa
December 24, 2014 at 8:38 am (10 years ago)I love it!! It’s beautiful.
Amy M. C.
December 24, 2014 at 8:42 am (10 years ago)The clean layout looks great and I like all the added information on the recipes. Congrats on the redesign and Merry Christmas!
Lee
December 24, 2014 at 8:50 am (10 years ago)YAY!! The site looks great and what a perfect way to start off the new year!
Lisa McKessy
December 24, 2014 at 8:53 am (10 years ago)The colors look great!
Nutmeg Nanny
December 24, 2014 at 9:05 am (10 years ago)Your new site looks great!
Amanda
December 24, 2014 at 9:14 am (10 years ago)I am SO excited for you! That header is just gorgeous and everything flows so seamlessly! It’s beautiful. And so functional. And beautiful! 🙂
Molly
December 24, 2014 at 9:27 am (10 years ago)I love the header!
Maressa D
December 24, 2014 at 9:56 am (10 years ago)The recipe index looks great!
Janet T
December 24, 2014 at 10:11 am (10 years ago)I like the way to print out the recipes.
itzia
December 24, 2014 at 10:24 am (10 years ago)I like the footer.
Chelai J.
December 24, 2014 at 10:52 am (10 years ago)I like the overall feel of the new site. Very cclean. Looks good!
grace
December 24, 2014 at 11:02 am (10 years ago)i like the recipe box, but it’s all awesome!
Jen M.
December 24, 2014 at 11:21 am (10 years ago)Love the new logo!
Kristin G
December 24, 2014 at 12:24 pm (10 years ago)Merry Christmas Julie! So pleased you are excited about the new site – it feels fresh and alive just like you.
lisa
December 24, 2014 at 12:34 pm (10 years ago)The new site is laid out very nicely. I like the cook/prep times.
Lauren@HealthyDelicious
December 24, 2014 at 12:50 pm (10 years ago)It looks great!!
Lyn M
December 24, 2014 at 1:27 pm (10 years ago)The recipe ratings but it all looks great
karen
December 24, 2014 at 1:45 pm (10 years ago)Love your new logo.
Carol
December 24, 2014 at 1:48 pm (10 years ago)I love the beautiful photos of the featured recipes at the top, but I also love the revamped recipe index. Well done, Julie!
Anton
December 24, 2014 at 1:56 pm (10 years ago)This is a really beautiful site design! (Normally I grumble about site changes because then I can never find anything.) But this is amazing and functional and looks fantastic. I love the formatting on the recipes. Well done to everyone who made this!
Heather || Heather's Dish
December 24, 2014 at 3:00 pm (10 years ago)It’s super intuitive, but I have to admit I think the new logo is STUNNING.
lynn @ the actor’s diet
December 24, 2014 at 3:04 pm (10 years ago)Your recipes always inspire me. I love the gallery.
Sarah C
December 24, 2014 at 3:47 pm (10 years ago)I always love new, clean designs. I like the featured recipes! I’m signing up for your newsletter. Once a week is a good amount!
Tricia
December 24, 2014 at 6:41 pm (10 years ago)Great site…thanks for the wonderful recipes.
Jessica M
December 24, 2014 at 6:49 pm (10 years ago)I love the picture recipe gallery!
Theresa Sea
December 24, 2014 at 10:01 pm (10 years ago)Love the new header!
Elaine M
December 24, 2014 at 10:30 pm (10 years ago)Nice new site setup. Keep up the excellent recipes!
Jenny
December 24, 2014 at 11:09 pm (10 years ago)I like the new recipe lookup!
Camille
December 25, 2014 at 12:30 am (10 years ago)I love the new logo!!!!!
Joyce
December 25, 2014 at 12:35 am (10 years ago)I just found you! Looking forward to trying some of your recipes!
Christina Mendoza
December 25, 2014 at 12:39 am (10 years ago)Congratulations! I especially love the watercolor dots on your new header – beautiful!
Kelly
December 25, 2014 at 3:00 am (10 years ago)Love your new logo but my favourite is the search box. I often remember the story or a line from the story associated with a recipe so it’s often easier to do a search than to look at the recipe index. “That cake she did for her brother’s graduation.” Or “the one she did when she mentioned Mike finishing in 3 years and then working on his PhD”.
Margot C
December 25, 2014 at 3:04 am (10 years ago)I like all the photos, it looks clean and bright! It also looks more professional (I know you wanted to hear that, but’s ture!)
Barbara Bradford
December 25, 2014 at 3:47 am (10 years ago)I like the new recipe index… so cool!
Fran B
December 25, 2014 at 6:06 am (10 years ago)I really like the logo. Please make sure there is a print icon. thanks!
Julie Ruble
December 26, 2014 at 12:59 am (10 years ago)Hi Fran! There has been for over a year! But now it’s easier to find 🙂 Right in the recipe box. Enjoy!
Jane
December 25, 2014 at 6:37 am (10 years ago)I love how clear the new pictures are, and the colourful website. Although it was a nice website beforehand, this is now even more visually appealing! Congratulations and Happy Holidays 🙂
stephanie
December 25, 2014 at 7:02 am (10 years ago)Ahhh!! Looks amazing! I love the gallery index.
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen
December 25, 2014 at 7:16 am (10 years ago)The new site design looks amazing! So clean!
kel
December 25, 2014 at 8:30 am (10 years ago)Being able to print recipes
Ali
December 25, 2014 at 1:13 pm (10 years ago)I love the header and the watercolor design.
Grace
December 25, 2014 at 3:02 pm (10 years ago)I like how simple it is to navigate! Looking good!
Marcia S.
December 25, 2014 at 4:45 pm (10 years ago)I love the recipe index and how bright and colorful the site is!
LauriM
December 25, 2014 at 5:05 pm (10 years ago)I love the new recipe index!
Erin M.
December 25, 2014 at 5:36 pm (10 years ago)I love how easy it is to navigate and how clean the layout is!
Jenn Scott
December 25, 2014 at 6:39 pm (10 years ago)Wow, easily navigated and fresh!!
Kristen
December 25, 2014 at 9:03 pm (10 years ago)I like the Featured Recipes section.
Jaimn
December 25, 2014 at 9:54 pm (10 years ago)Honestly, it usually takes me a while to get used to updates! But it looks clean, not cluttered. 🙂
Kimberly C
December 25, 2014 at 10:55 pm (10 years ago)There are so many great features in the new design, but I really like the sharing buttons so that I can share your recipes with others.
Christi
December 26, 2014 at 12:54 am (10 years ago)I love the recipe I index!
steven weber
December 26, 2014 at 3:57 pm (10 years ago)I like the recipe ratings and that you can print them out.
Elena
December 26, 2014 at 5:18 pm (10 years ago)I like the colors and easy navigation
Heather Spooner
December 26, 2014 at 6:25 pm (10 years ago)I love the new recipe index. Beautiful design. Thank you!
PJ
December 26, 2014 at 9:34 pm (10 years ago)Great Recipe Index! I love the new site, easy to navigate.
superstitches
December 27, 2014 at 12:30 am (10 years ago)Love your new site. I’m looking forward to being able to find recipes easily. Also love the new logo.
Kara
December 27, 2014 at 8:59 am (10 years ago)I like the featured recipes!
Sara @ Confectionary Tales
December 27, 2014 at 2:45 pm (10 years ago)The new recipe index!
Kelly D
December 27, 2014 at 3:05 pm (10 years ago)I like the new set up of the recipe index.
Rosie
December 27, 2014 at 3:14 pm (10 years ago)I love the slideshow of featured recipes at the top of the page!
Carolsue
December 27, 2014 at 5:08 pm (10 years ago)I like the recipe index with the pictures of the recipes. Those are great pictures!
Calli
December 27, 2014 at 5:18 pm (10 years ago)seeing pictures with each recipe!
Sara Zielinski
December 27, 2014 at 5:20 pm (10 years ago)My favorite part is the recipes with more information.
Natasha Hudnall
December 27, 2014 at 7:16 pm (10 years ago)The design looks fresh and clean….easy to navigate and the colors are nice on the eyes
karin
December 28, 2014 at 1:01 pm (10 years ago)the recipe index!
Candice
December 28, 2014 at 6:26 pm (10 years ago)It’s so crisp and clean (but fun!) I love it. 🙂
Carrie D.
December 28, 2014 at 8:33 pm (10 years ago)I love, love, love that you added prep/cook/total times! Fabulous! The new site looks great! Congrats!
Renae
December 29, 2014 at 10:40 am (10 years ago)I love the header! The watercolor design and clean, but unique typeface really adds a nice touch at the top of the site!
David Holder
December 29, 2014 at 8:54 pm (10 years ago)I like the option to search for similar recipes to browse.
1stopmom
December 30, 2014 at 5:48 pm (10 years ago)I like how it looks it mobile. So pretty!
Enrique Herrera
December 30, 2014 at 5:55 pm (10 years ago)I love the color scheme, so inviting! ;D
Dawn Keenan
December 30, 2014 at 8:21 pm (10 years ago)Everything is bright and fresh. Love the recipe gallery!
Sarah M
December 31, 2014 at 12:39 am (10 years ago)I love it! My favorite features are the mobile device friendliness and the search capabilities. Congrats, and well done Kristen!
Liren
December 31, 2014 at 1:27 am (10 years ago)It’s beautiful, Julie! I love it all!
Katie
December 31, 2014 at 8:09 am (10 years ago)Love the new site design! That new logo is gorgeous 🙂
Amy J.
December 31, 2014 at 8:39 am (10 years ago)New recipe index!!! But it all looks great.
Lois
December 31, 2014 at 8:58 am (10 years ago)Love the fresh new look! Happy New Year!
DianeMargaret Miller
December 31, 2014 at 9:09 am (10 years ago)For some reason, the whole site just feels…softer!
I really like it!!!
Ally
December 31, 2014 at 9:33 am (10 years ago)I love the new logo! So cute & modern! 🙂
Cristina C
December 31, 2014 at 10:25 am (10 years ago)I love the new look! It looks very polished and professional!
Leslie
December 31, 2014 at 10:28 am (10 years ago)Very reader friendly. Thanks for your upgrades and for keeping me in awesome, easy to achieve recipes!
Sarah
December 31, 2014 at 11:17 am (10 years ago)I love how light and airy everything is while still being open and welcoming.
Lori in NC
December 31, 2014 at 11:41 am (10 years ago)Love the photo gallery in the recipe index – especially good for when I’m looking for inspiration, instead of a specific recipe.
Elizabeth
December 31, 2014 at 12:20 pm (10 years ago)I’m going to have to rethink my New Year’s resolution to print fewer recipes…love the new design!
Julio A. Gonzalez
December 31, 2014 at 1:04 pm (10 years ago)Love the new look!