As you’ve hopefully noticed, I recently redesigned my blog to give it a groovy new look. While there are many super-talented designers and agencies out there who do blog design makeovers, I just didn’t have the budget for anything other than a DIY project this time around. At first, this seemed like a completely overwhelming project but I tried to approach it as a learning experience and am pretty proud of how it turned out!

After much research and lots of posting my questions to forums and Facebook groups, I decided to go with the Genesis Framework from StudioPress. This is similar to the free themes you get with WordPress but includes so many more features and options that you can add and customize, to really make your blog or site look like it was professionally designed – without paying a fortune for it. When I purchased my theme package (Family Tree) it was $79.95 which is a pretty good deal…but read on because there is a very rare discount available this week only.

When you purchase the Genesis Framework, you also select a “Child Theme”. There are currently 40+ themes to choose from at StudioPress.com, for everything from mommy blogger designs, to very corporate looking layouts. The themes all allow you to change the background, header image, number of columns, etc. to personalize your blog. The way your site looks can be instantly updated using the child theme, while all of the professionally designed features (like Search Engine Optimization) and the core Genesis functionality remain untouched. That means that changing the look of your site is a snap — and you don’t need a designer or developer to do it. You don’t need any special skills, software or hardware, you just download the zip files after completing your purchase, and then use the WordPress dashboard to install them when you are ready for your makeover. StudioPress also offers really good support, and discounts on future theme purchases.

One thing I learned while doing my research was that StudioPress almost NEVER offers promo codes or discounts to NEW customers. The exception to that rule is that this Thanksgiving Weekend, you can get 25% Off and grab a new look for your blog or site.

If you aren’t quite ready to change your blog now, don’t worry. When you purchase a new theme, you receive a download link and can save the zip files to your hard drive until you are ready to install them in WordPress. So all you really need to do is pick out a cool new look, buy it now to lock in this rare discount and then take your time until you are ready to use it. Or you can give a new theme as a gift to a special blogger on your holiday list!

Using the code THANKS at checkout (don’t forget that), you can save 25% off of anything you’d like at WordPress design shop, StudioPress.

1. Get the Genesis Framework for only $45.

2. Snag most Genesis / design combos for a song and save close to $20.

3. Wipe the entire shop clean and get the StudioPress Pro Plus All-Theme Package. Get Genesis plus every design they’ve made, plus every design they make in the future, and save more than $74 off the regular price and over $875 off the retail price — and that’s just the existing 43 designs!

All you need to do is use the code THANKS when you check out and you’ll save 25% on anything and everything at StudioPress.com.

This deal ends promptly at 7:00 pm Pacific time on Monday, November 28, 2011. Hurry up and claim your new WordPress theme before the code expires!

If you have questions about redesigning your blog or want to know more about my own experience upgrading to StudioPress for WordPress, feel free to Contact Me or leave a comment and I’ll be happy to share more information with you!