Yesssss that certainly scream’s alexa in a very good way. Sleek and chic, with just enough femininity and sassy appeal.

You get my vote as a reader of yours for almost a year very stylish upgrade.

Perfect. I Love it!

Yep. That's perfect, Leela describes why to a T. I've been feeling an avatar change coming on for a while but I just can't seem to find a good one.

Glad to see you found something that looks so good.

Sassy & sexy with the lipstick, and the "NY" font gives it a chic upscale business look. Love it.

I like the new logo...

You should consider yourself at least a little lucky to be able to have a web-designer. I began my site about a year ago with a friend who was a designer. But for about the past 6 months, he has gone AWAL when it comes to helping me out. Sadly I have had to go it alone... Which isn't too bad. It gives me creative control, which is what you are currently struggling for.

But I do like the new logo.. Hopefully it works out. Either way, I will still read...

Now that logo looks good. You should have a logo contest, just for kicks.

Personally, I'd like it a little better if you didn't see the whole lipstick tube. You know, it sems a little redundant there just laying next to it. Maybe if it sort of poked out of the corner and you just got and edge of it...

But yeah, it's definitely good. I like it.

hey, i *like* it! nice work, that man.

and merry new year, alexa

I agree...much better if you lose the lipstick tube. I can't say I really like the font on the NY either. I LOVE the font for hotties...that's perfect.

that's money! im diggin it.

Both fonts look great. The clean lines of "NY" are very modern and urban. The lipstick font gives a fun, organic feel. You have to keep the lipstick in the logo or the red font won't make as much sense.

It's really good to have a reliable designer.

I'm with the other person. The lipstick tube could be less. Not gone buy maybe a little larger and not completely in the frame. Nitpicky but I totally see that myself.

I think it looks rather 1980's...which for me is a negative point, but for others could be a plus!

It's a definite improvement. You might as well do a logo contest, too, just for kicks. Who knows, you might have some pretty visionary readers.

I'm not visionary in the least, of course, but hey.

I stumbled upon your blog and read your comments on web designers with some amusement.

Permit me to offer some feedback on why you may have encountered problems with so many web designers.

The creation of a website requires the amalgamation of four distinct disciplines in order to yield great results:

1. Strategic Marketing
2. Graphic Design
3. User Interface Design
4. Web/Database Development

The problem is that finding a single web developer who excels in all of the aforementioned areas is virtually impossible. Typically web designers have a background or raw talent in one (or perhaps if you are very lucky two) of the above areas and lack sufficient skills within the remaining areas. The net result will always be a website that disappoints.

FYI I am not a web designer per se, but have had to employ dozens of web designers / marketing agencies in various capacities over the years. The feedback I'm offering summarizes the key points I learned through this process.

I would respectfully suggest that your approach to having your website renovated would benefit from a significant rethink in order to achieve what I suspect you are looking for. From your commentary, I suspect that you are being a little too abstract in defining the requirements for the site. The reality, though many designers will do everything in their power to hide this from you, is that most web designers seriously lack creativity. On the flip side, the few that are genuinely creative, just aren't good at the more mundane but essential aspects of putting a site together.

In order to get what you're looking for, don't be afraid of being really specific and beating them up about specific nuances of YOUR vision. You're the client and you're entitled to be as restrictive/specific as you want. In fact, I would argue that by creating a tight specification of what you're after, both you and the designer(s) will find it much easier to work together and get the right result.

My suggestion would be to work through the following and create a documented specification of what you want. Use this as a reference point to monitor the success/failure of the desginer(s) you use:

1. Start by defining the "what" element of the website and what is should be doing for you.

Clearly you want a website that gets you business. What is the typical profile/demographic base of your customers? How do they find your website? What do you want to tell them about you/your services? Does "less is more" work better than being more explicit (pardon the pun)!.

Consider also the A.I.D.A. format - Attention, Interest, Desire, Availability. The most successful marketing documents, websites, etc. all follow this tried and tested format. Finally, what differentiates you in the marketplace and creates the perception that your services are more valuable than that of your competitors? Sure - I realize this last point isn't necessarily easy to answer. However think about that question from the standpoint of "perceived value". People don't buy products/services based on their true value - they make purchases based on the perceived value/benefits that the marketing around that product/service creates.

One quick cautionary note: While I realize you are your business' product/service and that inextricably links your ego to your marketing efforts, I would suggest trying (if at all possible) to step back from how you want to define yourself and instead try to think like your customers - think about what will motivate them to making a purchasing decision. Sure - your field is rather unique, but the underlying principle I just described is nevertheless valid!

2. Consider the structure of the site. While your blog is clearly popular, do you want to have your blog lead off to the main escort website or should it be the other way around?

What I mean is that are your typical readers likely to be your typical clients? Or would you benefit from separating the two more clearly (while still having links between the two) in order to address each audience in a more effective manner?

3. Create a list of your favorite websites and the things about those sites that you really like.

Consider what basic color schemes, logo ideas, etc. appeal to you. Again, think about your target customers - what will appeal to them may not necessarily be the same thing?

4. Having defined the above, consider the process of actually creating the website. My experience is that is makes sense to define the "design theme first" (that is of course having defined the "marketing strategy" elements above).

Personally I do the following:

i) Define a clear set of requirements
i a) Define core marketing strategy / objectives
i b) Define color/design/theme elements that you want
i c) Define site structure / format / features

ii a) Employ designer to create core visual theme , logo and "brand identity".
ii b) Consider employing someone different to take the theme and make it into a working website
ii c) Consider employing yet someone else to maintain the site / add subseqent features which may require more technical skills.

You may want to use a designer to create work up the graphics and visual layout of the site in Photoshop/Illustrator - without necessarily having them worry about creating a working site. This allows them to focus on what they do best to create the right design theme. Again - be specific about what should/should not be in the design theme.

In conclusion, the logo is truly irrelevant without it being part of a coherent strategy. Sure - your new logo is ok but unless it fits seamlessly into everything else the result will fall short of what you are seeking to achieve.

Hope the constructive criticism is helpful

I have to agree with E that I think the new logo is a bit 1980s, but the ultimate decision lies with you Alexa. One of my favorite blogs has a logo that I thought you may like and I thought you just might want to take a look: http://charmingbutsingle.blogspot.com/ I don't know if the blogger has a designer or not, but if you like it I'm sure you could always ask. Happy logo hunting!

The logo actually makes me think of cheerleaders.

I like the shoe, BTW, who thinks this blog is getting lamer by the minute. Not even worth checking in these days.

I think it reminds me something out of the 80's.

you have some leg warmers and neon spandex to go with that?

If you want my input, and you probably don't because you didn't email me and ask for it, I would go for something along the lines of red pouty lips with a well manicured finger gently placed between the top and bottom rows of teeth. Something like this www.clipartreview.com/_gallery/_TN/14686043.gif" , but better.

Suggestive, Yes. Jennifer Beals Flashdance, No.

ouch. thumbs down on the new logo. looks like something from la law.

Alexa,

Can just see you writing something in lipstick across a man's mirror...very stylish, very NY, and most of all, very you.

Well Hello. I am 'P' the designer in question (the real 'P'). After a month away travelling I decided to check on my latest designs, this being one of them. I don't mean to rain on Alexa'a parade but I was never a muralist or a hairstylist so it seems someone's story has gone off point, or someone is taking credit for my work. Either way I am anxious to see the new site go live and how the developer will translate my design into a working site.

As for the logo, thanks to all who gave input good or bad. As a pro designer it's always good to hear what people think, it just doesn't always mean the input is relevant.

And in case there is any doubt, I am the only person who knows what the 'Hotties' font is.. because I made it custom for this project.

I hope the new design works well for you Alexa, and I hope the 'P' you've been dealing with isn't really claiming to be the one who 'designed' your logo and new site.

Best Wishes.. The real 'P'.