6.22.2007

Re-thinking Pink

"Pink is totally not my color. Pink is NO ONE's COLOR unless they are 6 years old and headed to Disneyworld."

Love Bites, reviewer from Ask and Ye Shall Receive, spared no fury in her critique of my current template, and a few of you agreed. While I think the template worked in representing my mood, as well as the romance and excitement during the engagement and wedding, I’ve decided it’s time to retire the design.

In other words, I heard you.

But I also believe before moving forward, it’s wise to reflect on where you’ve been. The Martini Lounge has gone through a few renovations over the last two years, just as its owner has also evolved over time.

Launched in April 2005, Martinis for One sported a bland, Blogger template, which fit my ambivalence about being single for the third time around. Despite my 37 years, I hadn’t dated much because I had grown up in fundamental Christian religion that discouraged such activity. Alone after 15 years of marriage, I felt angry, resentful, but mostly socially ill-equipped to make my way in the world in which I found myself.




How quickly circumstances and templates change! By July 2005, I’d made a choice--to finally live for myself and enjoy the opportunities and benefits of being a single gal. I opened myself up to the world I once feared--traveled extensively, took up Latin dancing, and met lots of new people. It seemed appropriate that the Martini Lounge also take a more festive look with its dancing divas and disco ball.




By February 2006, a new character emerged in the story of my life--Max Mahmoud. Born in Egypt and raised in Greece, he was unlike anyone I’d ever met. Despite our different upbringings and the fear of repercussions from his Muslim and my Christian family, we decided to date, albeit very quietly. And within months it became apparent that neither the template nor the title, Martinis for One, adequately described my life. I had found my true partner, someone who’d happily share a martini (or two) with me. My short stint as a single was over, and my blog needed to reflect this life change. Browsing a gallery of pre-made templates, I found the design that became Martinis for Two.

Today as I write the 315th post for Martinis, I find myself in yet another phase of life. I’m married for the third time, facing my 40th birthday, contemplating pregnancy, leaving my family, friends, job and moving to Europe. Whew! How many lives can one woman live? I suppose as many as there are templates to be purchased.

Sometime next week and in keeping with this next chapter of life, I’ll debut an all new Martinis for Two. I’m keeping mum about the design except to promise Love Bites one thing: this time around it won’t be pink. ;-)

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see it! I would have voted to keep the pink for a while. The romance and excitement really shouldn't end just because you've been married for a week! I'd keep it through the newlywed stage and then pick a martini-less mom-to-be color...

Bluepaintred said...

promise??!! Just kidding

while i am not a fan of the pink, i don't come here for the color, i come for the reading!

Unknown said...

Since I read your blog in google reader I don't see the template.. but like Bluepaintred said.. I come for the reading and not the template... but I'm also curious as to what you will come up with :)

How is wedded bliss going?

Dan-E said...

the pink doesn't really bother me too much. full disclosure: those dancing divas got a "what the hell?!" and made me read your blog. of course, it's the content that made me blogroll you.

zerodoll said...

ok, i like pink. but i did/do have a little problem with the vertical lines on the current template. i end up highlighting the text to be able to read it a bit easier. but, like everyone else, i come for the reads, not the template!

utenzi said...

I can't say I like pink much, Diane, but a blog is supposed to reflect your personality so you should stick to pink if you still want it.

You're certainly poised at a great number of crossroads in your life. What an adventure! I'm sure you'll find the next couple of years amazing, Diane!

I'm looking forward to seeing the new blog template...

kenju said...

While pink is my least favorite color, I would never presume to complain about it on a blog. However, I do look forward to your new template!

Tiffany Fairbanks said...

I've always liked your templates. I'm looking forward to the new one and the new journeys you will write about.

egan said...

Gosh, I forget how much you have going on until you spell it all out Diane. I'm very anxious to see the new site. I hope you and Max are doing well.

Sarah said...

Funny, I was actually hoping a post like this existed!