Dessert First

a san francisco food and travel blog for all things sweet

Welcome to the New Dessert First!

by 177 Comments

The giveaway is now closed. Thanks for visiting!

newdessertfirst

To all my dear readers,

I’m so very excited to unveil what I’ve been working on for the last couple of months – my revamped and redesigned home for Dessert First! This update has been a long time coming: I knew I’d outgrown my old setup a while back, but I didn’t have the time, technical know-how, or temerity to make my dreams materialize. After much encouragement from friends and fellow food bloggers, though, I made it a New Year’s resolution, and here we are!

Many of the changes are designed to better organize the content I’ve created in the last few years of blogging and make it easier for you to find your way around. I’ve finally gotten with the times and have a navigation bar at the top! The recipe index has been updated and my recipes properly categorized. I’ve also created separate sections for San Francisco Bay Area-related items (so those of you coming to SF can find recommendations for sweet spots) and for reviews of cookbooks and baking-related items. This is both a response to my obsessive desire to organize (I always thought I’d have made a great librarian) and reader requests.

There’s still some work left to be done – the conversions page, another reader request, isn’t finished yet. I’m also in the process of implementing a recipe print function so that you easily print any of my recipes. And there’s still other things on my wish list. But since the site has basically gone live (and quite a few of you have made your way here already), I’d like to officially open my doors and welcome you in. Pardon any of the still-settling dust! A huge thank you to the talented folks at Foliovision for helping make this new site a reality. They’ve been fantastic in making the move from Typepad to WordPress a seamless one.

I’m really, really thrilled to have this new sandbox to play in and I hope you’ll all continue to join me here as I bake and eat my way through everything sweet. I apologize that my posting has dropped off while I was making this transition – I know there’s been a dearth of recipes. I started out this site as a way to document my experiments in the kitchen. Along the way, I stumbled into food as a career of sorts: I wrote two cookbooks, did freelance food photography and writing, went to professional food events, and met all manner of amazing and talented people in the food industry. My hope is that this new Dessert First will reflect this expanded universe that baking opened up for me.

That said, I’m always happy to hear from you about what you’d like to see. Please update your links to my site while you’re at it, if you have the chance (although I’ll leave my old site up and it will automatically redirect).

To celebrate the new Dessert First, I’d also like announce a giveaway for all of you: I have a $100 gift card to Williams-Sonoma lighting up my desk and I’d love to send it to one of you. This gift card was given to me courtesy of Williams-Sonoma, who is one of my site affiliates. I’ve always been a fan of Williams-Sonoma and I’m proud to have them on my site. I received a second gift card from them that I used to get a little something for myself; I’ll reveal the purchase in a future post!

wsgiftcard

Meanwhile, for your chance to win a $100 gift card to Williams-Sonoma,

1. Follow my page on Facebook  (Click the cute little “f” icon in the sidebar to the right of this post, and click “Like” to follow my page).

2. Leave a comment on this post.

That’s it! I’ll let this contest run through next Wednesday, April 27 and announce the winner on April 28th. Thanks and good luck, and let me know what you think of the new site!

love,

Anita

Filed Under: Giveaways, Personal Tagged With: ,

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Comments

  4. 4

    I’m excited to see what new things are in store! I love all the yummy recipes that I can find on your site~ :]

    Reply
  6. 6

    Hi Anita,
    I love your new site design, and I love Williams-Sonoma too. =)

    Reply
  12. 12

    Loving the pink theme! Keep it up and can’t wait to hear more from you soon!

    Reply
  13. 13

    I am you via Facebook ( Elodie Chardon).
    But I do not know if this competition(help) is opened to the foreigners. I live in France. I try my luck all the same!

    Reply
  15. 15

    Wow! A $100 voucher? That’s incredibly generous. Thanks for all the great recipes 🙂

    Reply
  16. 16

    Hi Anita, I love your website, it’s one of the first pastry blogs I began to visit regularly. Congratualtions on the “new home” and I am looking forward to all the wonderful masterpieces it will host.

    Reply
  25. 25

    Congratulations on the new site–it looks great. Looking forward to trying your delicious recipes!

    Reply
  27. 27

    Congratulations! The new layout looks great! I like how light and feminine it is. Good work 🙂

    I “like” you already and so does my page!

    Reply
  30. 30

    I love the new website! We always choose dessert first 🙂 I love making your sweet treats for my son… he’s becoming a big dessert lover at only 16 months old!

    Reply
  34. 34

    Wow, your blog’s design is really cute, clean and just perfect!!!
    My blog is only a few months old and your level of blog seems impossible to reach for me at the moment… My compliments to you.

    Reply
  35. 35

    Love the new layout and the Facebook page!! Your recipes are great and thank you for this awesome blog!!

    Reply
  37. 37

    The new site looks great, it looks easier to navigate too =)

    And I love the soft pink color!

    Reply
  38. 38

    Love the new site – so clean and chic! I also love that you have a facebook page now! Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us!

    Reply
  41. 41

    Congratulations on the new website and design. Very pretty in pink. I only found you a few weeks ago; you have some really nice content and some gorgeous shots of it.

    Enjoy your new sandbox!

    Reply
  44. 44

    I’m glad you are back ~ I’ve been missing your sweet posts! The new site is very cute!

    Reply
  47. 47

    Congratulations! A new site! A recent marriage! Another book in the works! All the best for continued success in all your sweet endeavours!

    Reply
  53. 53

    Congrats. I remember when I revamped my blog (might be due for another actually). Enjoy your new baby. 😉

    Reply
  57. 57

    HellO! Im a local Northern Californianer 🙂 Im in Sonoma County. Love your blog and I have Liked you FB page and just started “following” you on Twitter 🙂

    Reply
  58. 58

    Your food is absolutely stunning and your new layout is so simple, sweet and elegant. Love it all 🙂

    Reply
  61. 61

    looking forward to the new Bay Area sweet spots addition.

    Good Luck with everything.

    Reply
  63. 63

    Congratulations!! on the new page. It is very well designed. I appreciate the print function on the recipe page, thanks. *_*

    Reply
  64. 64

    I’m excited for you – the site looks great! Thanks for offering the giveaway!

    Reply
  65. 65

    I’ve “liked” your FB page for a long time now. I’m glad to say that I have been a fan for a very long time.

    I am so glad to see the new website and the exciting things that have been happening with you.

    Cheers!

    Reply
  66. 66

    I love the new pink site!!! I’m very happy for your journey so far… I hope many amazing days ahead for you. Thanks for the giveaway chance (April 28th is my birthday) Martina

    Reply
  69. 69

    You have always had a great site and now it’s even better! Hopefully the fresh new look will bring on fresh new inspiration for recipes to share with us!

    I also really appreciated the SF blog stories….my sister moved there recently and I have been able to give her some insight on some great places to visit.

    Reply
  71. 71

    Not entering the giveaway, but just wanted to say that your new site design is gorgeous! High five for moving to WordPress! 🙂

    Reply
  77. 77

    I like you on facebook and I like the new site! I’ve been too lazy to do this myself, but I can definitely appreciate the enormous amount of effort involved. Great job 😀

    Reply
  78. 78

    YAY! congrats on the new site! It looks all shiny and pretty! I’m so glad you made the jump over. Also I want that $100 gift card please. 😉

    Reply
  83. 83

    The website looks very sleek and is an awesome update! Keep up the awesome blogging, I hope to make it to San Francisco one day…

    Reply
  85. 85

    I love the new look!

    I like you on facebook! William Sonoma is such a fun store. I love all the nifty stuff

    Reply
  87. 87

    The new site looks great! My husband cringes when we are somewhere with a Williams-Sonoma. Its not so much the money I spend, but the time I spend ooing and awhing over everything.

    Reply
  88. 88

    Congrats on the new site it looks great so far! I love your website and your recipes you inspired me to start my own blog though i’ve gotten so busy with school i haven’t been able to update it in forever!

    Reply
  89. 89

    I really love shopping at Williams Sonoma also! They have the most unique baking tools, and it’s fun to just walk in there and have a look whenever I’m bored! Also liked you on facebook, love the new site by the way! I love the refreshing simple and clean look! 🙂

    Reply
  93. 93

    I “liked” you on facebook. The redesign is great, especially that navigation bar!

    Reply
  97. 97

    I was so happy when I found your site. I was in my second term in baking and pastry school, and I was feeling a little apprehensive about what my professional life was going to be like after I graduated. I found great inspiration (and some great recipes!) on your website. I return often and love the new look! Just know that you do make a difference! I loved your Field Guide books as well- They weren’t in my budget to purchase, but I did get them from the library and was sad when I had to return them!

    Reply
  101. 101

    Congratulations! May the new site bring you much recipe inspiration!

    Reply
  102. 102

    Congratulations on the updated site. Looking forward to looking at the recipes and cookbooks.

    Reply
  105. 105

    Beautiful new site! I’d love to see a ‘favorites’ category for your recipes 🙂

    Reply
  106. 106

    I’ve been a reader for a long time and I’ve read about your baking (and baking related) adventures. It’s an inspiration and I’m very happy to see your blog blossom!. Keep sharing delicious things with us.

    Reply
  107. 107

    I visit your site every day looking for more tempting nibbles – thank you for your inspiration and looking forward to seeing your new site through the launch! Best wishes…

    Reply
  112. 112

    Just stumbled across your site recently and must say that I love it 🙂 Do you take the photos yourself? They are all lovely@

    Reply
  118. 118

    Love the re-design, and I’m looking forward to that print layout, too.

    Reply
  123. 123

    “Liked” on FB! 🙂 Congrats for the new site, it’s truly beautiful!! Keep the great recipes coming! 🙂

    Reply
  124. 124

    I just right this very minute, whew, discovered your site. So, I can’t say what I like better, yet. But what I’ve seen so far has been lovely. Good luck with your new website!

    Reply
  125. 125

    Lots of hard work!! Looks great, looking forward to accessing your yummy recipes. Love the fresh look. Oh, and enter me in for a chance at your give away.

    Reply
  130. 130

    Congratulations! It’s very pretty and hopefully your creativity can now be as free here as in the kitchen 😀

    Reply
  131. 131

    Always enjoy visiting your site. Looking forward to being able to find the recipes easier and try lots of them!

    Reply
  135. 135

    Beautiful! I look forward to exploring the new site – perhaps I’ll do the same to my own blog someday!

    Reply
  137. 137

    I can’t wait to go to Williams Sonoma, thanks in advance! 😉

    Reply
  138. 138

    everything looks lovely! so glad to have found you while looking for new recipes!

    Reply
  140. 140

    The design is so feminine and the whole page works together so nicely!

    Reply
  143. 143

    The pale pink curvy lines in the banner are especially adorable. Good work!

    (Also every time I go into Williams Sonoma, someone says “Can I help you, sir?” even though I grew out my hair and wear skirts.)

    Reply
  145. 145

    I “liked” you on fb! I would LOVE love love the w-s giftcard. almost as much as I love your new look. its’ so girly and so cute. awesome job – happy easter too.

    Reply
  147. 147

    I don’t have a fb, but I would definitely follow if I did! Love your blog and hope I can still be considered for the prize 🙂

    Reply
  150. 150

    Loved the new site and will be following your new web page with interest.

    Reply
  152. 152

    Congratulations on your site site Anita-it looks great (and pretty-pretty & tastey)!!!!

    Reply
  156. 156

    Just found your site! Love the photography and can’t wait to learn a few new things.

    Reply
  157. 157

    love this new layout! Can’t wait to see what new recipes you’ll be posting.

    Reply
  162. 162

    I just found your blog! and now I want to try some of the yummy recipes!
    Recently got married and $100 gift card to Williams-Sonoma WOW!! would supply my kitchen with some lovely bakeware! 🙂

    Reply
  163. 163

    LOVE the new site and colors! 🙂

    Can’t wait for the new recipe section – and print outs, too!!!

    Reply
  164. 164

    Hi…this is wonderful; just discovered the website and wish you the best. I’m very impressed!!!

    Reply
  165. 165

    I’ve been following your old website since meeting you at Tante Marie, and most definitely will continue to visit your new one often! You are truly amazing (to find the time) to post such interesting stories/adventures and to share your fabulous receipes with us — thank you very much!

    Reply
  167. 167

    Thank you for this lovely offer. I love treats!! I love your site and love checking up on things.

    Reply
  169. 169

    Liked ! I just discovered your page, really excited to look around. 🙂

    Reply
  171. 171

    I’m a facebook fan! I’m glad I discovered the blog while you had two giveaways going. Double bonus from an awesome blog!

    Reply

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