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It’s been live since Monday so I’m breaking the news a little late here—but I have a new layout! 
Give me a chance to go all “web-design-nerd” on you and let explain why I wanted a new look:
- For one, I thought the last layout was too crowded. I noticed that the sidebar was distracting the eye from the actual blog posts and the whole thing didn’t look clean. Looking at all the minimalistic designs at SiteInspire made me want to try an all-white layout for myself—so I did!
- The previous version didn’t have any personality. I mean sure, there were little bursts of colors here and there, but it was very meh and I don’t think it really screamed THIS IS HAZEL’S BLOG!!!
- I wanted to incorporate a photograph into the new design. Even back when I still had a sub-domain and when my internet alias was still Lena, I never ever used a photograph in any of my layouts (probably only when I was just starting out and I was still using iframes—blegh!). It’s just been one of my big personal rules to never use an image on my layout that I did not take myself.
And back then, my photography skills were non-existent, so the idea of taking a picture with my own camera to paste on my website never occurred to me. 
- I don’t think I ever had a typical layout with just a header image on top before (I’m usually really obsessed about making my layouts ‘unique’) so I wanted to take a shot at it.
Putting a photo of hazelnuts on the header since my name’s Hazel—I don’t I could get any more personal than that! 
hahaha~
(notice how I can just keep going on and on and on about website nonsense. I am such a geek! 
)
Unrelated: On Thursday my art class had life-drawing sessions again (we did it last year too). Meaning a NUDE MODEL came to our class, stood in different poses, and we had to draw her. Unlike last year’s, this one was a lot skinnier—but still equally hairy 
And this lady kept on bending down in front of us! 
Now I find that drawing a voluptuous model is much easier than drawing a thinner one. I guess for me, it’s more natural to draw curves? I dunno.
I’m curious: has any of you that took/takes art in high school had life-drawing lessons in class? I don’t reckon it’s allowed in many schools…
Posted by Oridusartic on Jan.16.10:
I guess life-drawing lesson with nude model is prohibited in my country. Even when I took graphic design major in college, there wasn’t any nude model during the manual drawing class. 
We learned to draw human model but with their clothes on or still-life objects.
I am a bit curious though what it’s like to draw a nude human model in a life-drawing session. But I think it will be soooo awkward like you’ve said. 
Btw I heart the new layout! 
Especially the simplicity and the text. It makes the site very enjoyable to be read.
Posted by Annika on Jan.16.10:
Hello there, Hazel! First time commenter. 
I love your design, it’s very clean and focused mainly on your content.
My highschool never allowed- and still wouldn’t to this day -a naked model in our art classes. Although I always wanted to see if I was mature enough to do it. I get embarrassed pretty easily. The lady bending down in front of us would’ve probably killed me.
Posted by Bonnie on Jan.16.10:
yeah i got like these shirts on my shopping day ! imma blog about it later
omg i loved your past layout AND this layout ! youre really good with CSS and all
Posted by Leanne on Jan.16.10:
I used to spend a lot of time designing and coding layouts now I just don’t have time and the simple/clean layouts are more appealing nowadays. I would like to change layout but I really can’t be bothered at the moment. Haha. I love the hazelnuts! Suits you to a tee
I go to Dr. Sketchy which is live drawing which happens once a month. The models are burlesque dancers, performers, ballerinas, etc. Most of them strip down to their pasties or only have glitter on their breasts. I find sketching curvy woman much easier too!
Posted by Krystal on Jan.17.10:
I actually really do like this layout, it’s plain, simple, and I really love the hazels! I wouldn’t have been able to make a layout like this, so good job!
I don’t think my school does that, the administrative would probably see it as “inappropriate”. If I had to be in that position, it would feel so awkward! I don’t know how the model can stand being nude in front of a bunch of students. Ugh.
Posted by Averie on Jan.18.10:
Ah drawing class, I took it in first year university and we had to draw nude models every 2 weeks. I remember how shocked my class and I was the first time one of them came in. It definitely wasn’t fun, especially when one of the dude kept scratching all over the place. 
I love this layout by the way! Simple and clean layouts are the best (imo). The pictures of hazelnuts on the header is really unique too!
Posted by Jenny on Jan.18.10:
I’ve always preferred simple layouts to complicated ones, but it’s such a fine line between making your layout simple & bleh versus simple yet intriguing, and I feel like mine always ends up being the former :/ Love yours though, you’ve done a wonderful job with it
I’ve drawn clothed models before, but that’s about it. I don’t think I’d be able to fully concentrate on my drawings if the model was nude because I’ll probably find it rather awkward. The hairiness doesn’t help 
Posted by Milan on Jan.22.10:
WOW! I’ve never had to draw a nude model before… (probably because I’m not an artist to begin with and won’t be able to draw something that ended up resembling the model). But it sounds like a good experience to have under your belt.
Haha, I think it’s very clever that you used hazelnuts in your header…. For me, I don’t think I often go for the minimalistic approach… Maybe when I’m making fanlistings? I think it’s rare for me to have simple layouts for my blog… but browsing SiteInspire for a good chunk of time would definitely do it for me…
Posted by Leen on Feb.04.10:
love your clean looking layout, with very simple yet nice banner.
are you studying multimedia design?
