Hey, readers! I'm trying to make some improvements to Carrots N Cake, and, of course, I value your input the most and would like to get some feedback from you guys. I'm looking for general comments and constructive criticism about the blog, its content, layout, etc. Feel free to be totally and completely honest with me! Just don't make me cry! :)
Thanks in advance for your help!
Questions to get ya thinking...
- What do you like?
- What don't you like?
- What would you like to see more of? Less of?
- How do you feel about the blog layout and organization?
- What do you think of the writing quality? Content quality? Photo quality?
- What info is most valuable/least valuable to you?
- What's the best thing about the blog?
- What's the worst thing about the blog?
- What would you change?
26 Comments:
Here's my 2 cents :)
I love the question of the day as well as the weekly food facts! I also like hearing about your workouts that you do.
I like the layout of the blog, but there seems to be a lot of empty space on the left and right sides...dunno if that's a Blogger thing or something you can change to spread things out a bit.
I like your writing style and how informative you are when you give reviews on new products...helps to hear others opinions so I don't waste my money!
I LOVE your blog. I am a new reader and I can't get enough of it! I love the day to day menu of what you are having, it gives me new ideas for my meals! I honestly can't think of anything to change. Keep up the great blog!
Tina, I'm being 100% honest here:
- The "question of the day" always gets me going/thinking, and encourages more interaction - love it!!
- Your photographs (especially the photo series from your weekends and parties) are a joy to look through.
- Love your recipe/snack ideas/product reviews!
- Your writing is engaging, and your personality shines through the blog - you're a wonderful fellow blogger, and I do hope that you keep it up!! :0)
Hi Tina,
Like the others, I enjoy the question of the day and always look forward to seeing what it is.
The thing I like the best about your blog really has nothing to do with the layout or writing style (although I like both of those and actually covet your three column layout), but rather with the way you do not seem to be on any "diet" other than a balanced diet. You have a sweet tooth and enjoy yourself out at parties and with friends, but you also work really hard to maintain your weight loss. All of this comes through in your writing and pictures.
I can't think of any criticisms right now.
Heather
P.S. I hate typing in a word verification. Does that count as constructive criticism.
It would be great to hear you answer questions on video. :)
I'd love to hear more about your workouts!! I know it's primarily a food blog, and you've posted some sample workouts, but I'm always curious what other folks are doing.
That said, your writing style is really great; this blog is one of the few I visit daily. Great photos, too!!
Hey Tina,
One thing that I love about your blog is that you are always good about updating daily/regularly!! I know it is a drag to try to check a blog, and it has been awhile since they have posted...so keep that up!
Also, I love it when you bake and you post your recipe, I actually made your banana butterscotch muffins! They were delicous and you presented them as such! Your question of the day is also awesome because you give your answer! That lets us know so much about you. The food facts to the left is very informative, and you post more than just food pictures...it really gives great insight as to what you are doing in relation to your meals! Keep it up!
I absolutely love everything about your blog. It is by far one of the best out there! I love how you include not only your food, but let us into your life with pictures and stories. I love all the product reviews too and really appreciate how honest you are.
I think one of my favorite parts is the Question of the Day. I always look forward to seeing what it is and what everyone else has to say.
Maybe one thing you can add to the blog could be a "I am currently..." section where you put what you are currently reading, watching, listening to, etc. I'm always looking for new book and movie recommendations, so that could be fun.
Like Heather, the only thing I don't like is the word verification.
Thanks so much for all the hard work you put into the blog---we all appreciate it!
Is the word verification gone already? I'm not seeing it now....but I also don't love that, haha!
Tina, your blog is honestly one of the best I read because you're very REAL. I too would love to see some video posts if for no other reason that to hear you say "wicked awesome" in a Bostonian accent (kidding, kidding).
I also like the question of the day and your honesty about mid afternoon sweets cravings/indulgences.
As far as criticisms...hmm, can't think of any! You really do a great job.
I second the workouts!
If you could provide more detail on your weight routine?
Otherwise your blog is great!!!!
I like your wine reviews :)
Love it when you invent baking recipes (I always save them and forget to make them!)
Love your header and the new photo of you up there. I always like seeing a photo of the person I'm reading.
I would vote for:
-More photos (the more the merrier!)
-Video posts
I despise word verifications!!! (I often don't comment on blogs that have them because I get them wrong ALl the time) so thanks for not having it!!!
I am a new reader as well. I really enjoy your creative recipes. It inspires me to try some new things as well. You are a very motivating person!
I feel the layout of your blog is good. I especially like your banner. Unfortunately, when you remove the word verification you risk getting a lot of spam. I had a lot until I put the word verification on. It is just one of those things.
While I don't eat a lot of packaged foods, I still appreciate your product reviews. I feel like some of the best blogs out there have writers who really interact with their readers in the comments section. A welcome and feedback on topics being discussed on a regular basis goes a long way to build traffic.
Thanks for giving us something enjoyable to read everyday. :)
Hi Tina,
I actually stumbled upon your food blog once and you've inspired me to start my own, which really helps me a lot! Like others, I also really love your blog.
I think your food ideas are fabulous and I love your creativity in the kitchen. The question of the day is great, I love to read your response as well as other bloggers!
I love your pictures and the regular updates are really awesome. I really can't think of any constructive criticism! I love that you seek balance between health and the joy of food, which inspires me so much.
So thank you and keep it up!
I love the questions of the day, and the daily workouts!
I think your recipes are super creative and TASTY!
As a fellow bostonian, I really enjoy reading about your life here. I am always surprised by how many of the same events / restaurants we eat at, and it is fun to be able to relate!
Hi Tina! I also LOVE your blog. Your very REAL and I feel that is what draws me to your blog. I would like to second the "I am currently... reading, watching, loving this new product, etc" idea. Also, I love the idea of a video post. The best thing about your blog is that your balanced with your food choices. You dont eat like a bird or deprive yourself. Your a role model for those who are mantaining their weight. Oh, one more thing... I also love how your recipes are sooo simple! Thanks for blogging!
hey tina! i heart your blog :) i also enjoy that you just took away the word verification!! also for some reason every time i come onto your comments it has an annoying pop up that says "some of the items on this page are not secure. would you like to display them?" or something like that. so i click yes, or no, or whatever (doesn't seem to make a difference), and then it comes up AGAIN! so annoying. not sure what the deal is with that!
but anyway, i love your blog :) i love the interactivity that you have with the readers by posting the question of the day, doing product reviews, asking for feedback and our opinions on things, etc. keep up the awesomeness :)
LOVE IT! I always enjoy pictures and hearing what you're up to- so fun!
Totally appreciate getting rid of the word verification, I suck at it..weird :)
Love the product and restaurant reviews, and I love hearing about different places you and Mal try out!
Great work, and yes yes yes to a video post? workout routine? more recipes?
LOL - No more word verification! You're fantastic. I second or third the suggestion of video posts maybe not so much with food preparation, but with workout stuff. You have some serious guns girl!
tina,
I love your blog. I love that you occassionally eat healthy and not so healthy snacks. I love that you don't write too much. Some blogs have too much and it seems overwhelming to keep up. I love your recipes. I have tried some and they are great.
I have trouble logging in to google, but I think that that is just me.
I really love your blog! I can't think of anything I would change. I like how you always post your recipes! Thanks for your hard work and sharing your insights with us--it's great!!!
Hi Tina,
I don't comment to often but wanted to say that there really isn't a thing I would change. You are by far the best daily "diet" blogger by far, and that is because you have such a great balance, without being hung up on measuring and counting every calorie -and you are real. I like your recipes too!
Hmmm...maybe more wine reviews. :-)
Tina,
Things I love about your blog;
overall look of it is very appealing, your photos are always very clear & colorful, enjoy the question of the day even though I do not always respond, great product reviews, creative recipes, and enjoy the fact that you post about more than just food - a more personal level which as a reader I find inviting.
Honestly there isn't anything that I don't like, I really enjoy Carrots & Cake - I look forward to reading all you have to say everyday, it has become part of my daily routine. Thank You.
I love your blog. Especially the question of the day! I think it'd be nice to see some more work out stuff maybe (what you do, etc). I really like that you seem "real" and aren't obsessed with dieting or counting calories. You seem very healthy and very happy which is what life is all about :)
im a new reader and i just want to say, your blog has become a staple in my life. i just LOVE it! your blog is one of my daily pleasures. i love that you are mostly healthy, but unhealthy at times, allowing yourself to indulge, and make up for it later in the gym. i think everyone can relate to keeping balance in life that way, without sacrificing the good things that make eating fun and enjoyable. keep up the good work!
Hi Tina!
I love the content on your blog!! Seriously it is so fun and easy to read! I vote for video posts too!
The only thing you could change is the comment page. I like it when you can still see the post you are commenting on as you comment. Does that make sense? I think it's better than the generic blogger comment page.
That is the only thing I can think of!!!
Ugh.. how did I miss this post? My one and only opportunity to say how annoying it is..
..annoying it is that I'm NOT IN BOSTON YET! Reading your blog makes me SO EXCITED - 16 days until I move! (Hah! Got ya there for a second..)
OK, so obviously one of my favorite things is reading about what you do in Boston, and knowing that I'll be there so soon! Farmers Market, ABP, being down on the Charles, all these Dunkin Donuts.. (we don't have DD in Minnesota you know!) etc.
I love when you post about going out, and especially the restaurant reviews, because it gives me ideas of places to go!
Your photos are great. Your recipes are GREAT! I love your creativity, and seeing how you fit your healthy lifestyle into a busy schedule. You make me feel like everything is will manageable somehow. Mmm.. I'd say you're pretty great. =]
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