It’s been close to 1 year that I have had in my head the change of blogging platforms. As of today, I am officially in WordPress. I have been using Blogger since my first blog in Spanish in 2004. Mama and the City was launched in 2011 so changing was not that easy. Looking back, there were several things not inviting – the self-host cost, the lack of understanding of the code, the (back then) ugly interface, etc… All that work chickened me out!
Around August last year I started a project with a friend and the launch of the site was right from the get go in a self-hosted Word Press. Things were slowly changing about this platform. I guess I just needed to use it to understand it.
For reasons that will need an entire post on its own, I was almost ready to launch my blog in Word Press last December. After 6 months of work with the developer and designer, sadly, I was left high and dry and had to come to terms that I’d need to do it on my own. And I chickened out again. It took me almost the whole month of January to force myself to think I could do this. To get the blog transferred and working. I just needed to make sometime to get my hands dirty (hence I hired a designer so I didn’t do it) and understand some basic things first and as long as the blog was readable I would stop right there. I had to make an agreement with myself that I’d take things slowly. Otherwise I wouldn’t have time left to blog or do other things. So, excuse the mess for now.
As a reward I made a family favourite, Oven Roasted Chicken. It’s been one of those comfort food we depend on a lot. It’s so easy to make that I can’t believe I didn’t know about this recipe until last year thanks to my husband. I hope you enjoy it!
I hope you can join us at this month’s recipe link-up fiesta. We’d appreciate if you can add our button on your recipe post so your readers know and perhaps join us. Also, if interested follow the Pinterest board. We created it exclusively to showcase your recipes and spread the love.
Margarita says
It looks great so far!! I agree, sometimes the silliest changes can be terrifying – I mean, if you’re used to working with a certain platform, changing it up seems crazy, but I love wordpress and hopefully you’ll embrace it!
Mama and the City says
Thank you. In my head the original design was bold. But, considering my lack of knowledge and time, I can settle with fresh and simple.
Bruna from Bees with Honey says
Nadia, I love the new blog design. Congratulations for finally taking the big leap! You will not regret it!
As for the oven-roasted chicken, it’s a definite life savour because it’s so easy and so good!
Mama and the City says
Thank you. I am still walking on shells here. As soon as I think I understand some CSS or HTML code, WP reminds me he is the boss. I’ll take it little by little.
And yes, this recipe is so easy and so goooooood.
Rorybore says
That looks really delicious — and if it does go all in one pan – LOVE. I like things as easy as possible for cooking and the less dishes the better.
Good for you taken on the challenge to do the blog makeover yourself. I always do mine — but then I haven’t been brave enough yet to switch to WordPress either. Then again, I am quite happy where I am because I know how to tweak my code and template to do what I want.
I think it looks great right now — I like nice clean, simplified templates these days.
Mama and the City says
Thank you dear. It’s been a challenge because of my lack of time these days. But I had this idea since last June 2013, so it had to be done. 🙂
Stephanie @Sustaining the Powers says
I love the redesign! And you will love WordPress, I promise. I can understand the nerves though. I’ve been using and developing for WordPress since 2004, so I’d be very out of my element if I jumped over to Blogger. There’s so many tutorials and resources available though. Just ask if you need help! 🙂 We all have each others’ backs in the blogosphere.
Also, I’m totally trying the chicken this week. Yum!
Mama and the City says
Aww thank you so much Stephanie. I might send you a line when I run into an issue. I am slowly working things out, little by little, no pressure. I hope you like the recipe, it’s super tasty. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before since it’s so simple.
Rene says
Coming from SITS Girls Comment Love Tribe. Yummy chicken recipe. Thank you. I hope your word press transfer goes well. I am a new blogger and started straight on Word Press so I am not sure of the difference. But as someone whom use to be in IT. Any migration across platforms will be painful, but hopefully the results will be great. Looking forward to seeing the full effect xo.
Mama and the City says
Thank you Rene. It’s been work, but decided to make sure to take this challenge slow.
Momfever says
I made the switch from Blogger to WordPress last year. I did it myself, to make sure I could understand my own blog platform.
But I still miss the ease of Blogger sometimes.
Mama and the City says
I miss that too, Blogger is great in that way. It’s too bad it lacks content management.
Regina says
Oh my….your blog looks great and YOU are sooo much braver than I am. I don’t do “change” well…nope…not at all. I hope that I can keep going with blogger for now and hope that others will still come to visit me there. I’m an OLD chicken and not sure I can make that change..hehe
Thank you for the delicious recipe. We love chicken in this house. WAIT…that’s not a bad thing since I am a chicken, ri iight?? Oh well….
Happy SITS Comment Love Tuesday!!!
Randa @ The Everyday Domestic says
WP changed my blogging. I love it. I just launched my new blog and didn’t both with blogger – straight to WP and I designed it myself (I’m super proud of that. It’s simple but it’s me.)
All of your food photography looks amazing! You have a great blog.
Rabia @TheLiebers says
Sometimes it seems the things I am most worried about doing, turn out the easiest! Maybe all my worries just make the actual deed seem easy in comparison. Who knows!
Stopping by from #SITSblogging!
Rebecca @ Love at First Book says
Looks delicious! And overcoming our chicken-ness can feel so good. . . and can be rewarded with delicious chicken!
Yay for the SITS Girls for giving me the chance to find your blog!
NJ @ A Cookie Before Dinner says
Congratulations on the new design! You’ll get there, I promise. I’ve done everything on my wordpress blog myself after buying a “canned” theme from Studiopress. Mine is still a work in progress too, but if you have any questions, you can email me if you want! I don’t know that I’ll know the answer, but I could probably at least point you in the right direction.
That chicken looks really yummy, I am going to put it on my to make list!
Rachel says
Sorry your lost your developer. I keep hearing stories like that and it makes me nervous to work with someone else on my site. Your site looks great! 🙂
Mama and the City says
Thank you. Working on it slowly.
Mindy Gilber says
Hey there! Hope you’re having a great day! I too am a chicken. Ha ha 🙂 I’ve not upgraded my blog from the dreaded blogspot. Congrats on your success! Any tips or suggestions?? I’m using the whole ‘I have no time’ to make it better excuse, at least for now. I’m mom of four, a blogger, and an author. I spend most of time writing on my books. My blog is a way to connect with my readers and to gain more exposure. An upgrade for my blog is on my to do list! Just as soon as I finish my trilogy. Maybe next year?? Oh, found you on the SITS Girls love challenge. Take care and best wishes!
Mindy http://thismorningiwokeupdead.blogspot.com
Petro Neagu says
I am a chicken too. I’ve been thinking of getting free hosting on WordPress for a few months and when I finally had the courage to change something I decided to stick to blogspot and change just the template, haha
The chicken dish looks amazing, I bet your family couldn’t have enough of it.
#SITSBlogging
Nicole Beard says
I’m sorry you were left high and dry by a designer. Sometimes there are bad apples. I do know lots of great website designers. I also know so many who go over to self-hosted WP and they never regret it. There’s just a limit with Blogger and to really grow, you’ve got to switch over. That chicken looks delish too!
Natalie says
I’m a graphic designer.. I hate to read when people are screwed over by other designers.. breaks my heart.. if you need help with anything.. just message me, I’m all up for helping someone out with their blog!!
SouthernMessMom says
Moving from Blogger to Word Press isn’t always easy or “pretty”. I made the move a little while back with the help of my hubby and some friends…sometimes I sort of forget why I moved lol WP does still have it’s little “kinks” that make me want to cry…but over all I think it has been worth it! I hope that things go smoothly for you from here 🙂
I think your blog looks wonderful!
Rachel Keeth // Lavender & Honey says
Great that you switched over to WordPress, I much prefer it over Blogger. The chicken and potatoes also looks rather delicious.
Stopping over from SITS Girls. Meant to comment Tuesday, but accidentally commented in the wrong group.
Rachee says
I was slow to switch from Blogger to WordPress. I love WP and am so glad I make the switch. That chicken looks good. I think I am going to have to make some soon.
Nicky says
The site looks great. I transferred my site last December and that was such an adjustment. It gets easier the longer you use it.