(bitterwineuk)
Design: (25/30)
I'm not sure this design entirely works for the feeling you communicate with the rest of your website. I like the lillies. I think that they are very appropriate. The flowers seem to add a soft touch, and a gentle feeling to the page. But the lyrics don't seem to make sense. Perhaps there was a time where the lyrics fit (I'm thinking this might work if you were talking about your ex-husband or things that make you bitter), but right now, the design speaks better without the lyrics.
Of course, as a pre-fab design, the whole thing is a very smooth presentation. I suppose I don't like how high the navigation bar starts, or how the daily reads are on the menu. I think they make the menu too long, especially when you sometimes have short entries. I feel like the navigation should never make the page longer than the writing. The writing should always be the focus, and that huge list of people you love (as nice as it is to have easily accessible) can draw attention away from the important stuff.
The design works, except for these few little things that I think make a difference in the statement the page says to me before I start reading. However, as you already know how I like the writing, the design is just something to tweak as you go along.
Content: (28/30)
I think there's something very interesting in the life of a full-time mother. To me, your diary focuses most on your son, but I don't necessarily consider that a bad thing. I happen to have read/known a few of the people on your friends list, and I think that helps give me some perspective. I think the fact that you write about the most important thing in your life (your son) is not a bad thing. Your diary should be the place where you write the things you want to remember and the things that are precious to you, and I think you do a really nice job of communicating that your son is those things to you.
Your entries could theoretically be quite boring, if not for the fact that you have a really good voice and ton to your writing. Early on, I got the impression you were not from America, that you are a very soft spoken, thoughtful individual, and that you think before you speak. I'm not sure if these ideas are true of your whole life or all of your personality, but they're pretty strong statements to make through your writing.
I think you also do a nice job of using your diary as a personal forum. This is something that I find really interesting about some writers. Some writers use their diaries as a place for an in-the-moment thought that comes and passes. You use your diary as a volume, a cumulative collection of your life. There's nothing wrong about either style, but I happen to think the idea of chronicling your life this way works better for you than mere snippets of thought that other writers can use.
Overall, I found your diary to be very well-written. I find it interesting, even though I have no particular reason to be interested--that's a very good thing. I connected with you and felt how you feel when you write. You convey your emotions very well and have a strong voice, and I think you do a really great job.
Update: (10/10)
Oh jeez yes. You write almost every day. I think this is a good thing. As I said before, you're using your diary as a chronicle. That means that you would need to update regularly to keep your audience following the life-story. Therefore, your consistency works great for your style.
Navigation: (4/5)
With the exception of the notes I made in the "Design" section, I think the navigation works pretty well. I might personally re-organize the links, or move the five most recent up, but beyond that, it's easy to use and understand.
Errors: (5/5)
None that I found while I was working.
Contact: (5/5)
Guestbook, notes, e-mail and comments at the bottom of every entry. Four is more than good enough for me.
Bonus: (14/15)
Your cast page is well-done, and nicely concise. You have a photos and review page. An "About Me Quiz," surveys, and a link to Johari. Thats... Six? That's good!
Total: (91/100)
Reviewed by: Valerie