Notice anything different?

Well yes, I gained a little weight from too much coconut milk soup in Thailand, but it’s not that. And yes, my frizzy, sun-damaged hair desperately needs professional help, but it’s not that either. Um, yes, I have aged a little (thanks for noticing) and, yes, some new wrinkles are spidering out from the corners of my—

Stop!

Okay, I’ll just tell you.

It’s my blog. I redesigned it. After two years of the same design, it was time for a change.

The redesign only took me about eleventy billion hours. Getting ready to launch a book wasn’t quite challenging enough for me, you see. And working eight hours a day was too tame, so I doubled my workload and decided to forgo sleep. Who needs sleep? It’s overrated.

(Psst: Why is Tupac sitting on my lap right now, gazing into my eyes, saying: “Reality is wrong, dreams are for real”?)

Enda at Flare Marketing has also been pulling late nights to get this happening. You should hire him. He has magical powers which he calls “Java” and “HTML” and “CSS.” Oooh! Abracadabra! Specialis Revelio! SEO Magnifique! 

So I hope you like my new website. If you don’t, then please be 100% honest with me inside your closed lips while you nod and smile on the outside, because we are currently closed for feedback. I’m too tired and too busy and Tupac is being really demanding.

However, if you see a glitch, do let me know. We’re still ironing a few things out.

What’s new

  • A photo section. I’m so excited about this. I have a lot more photos to add, and I’ll be building this out when time permits.
  • A book page. If you’re reading my book, Tweet about it with the hashtag #loveanddrowning and I’ll add your thoughts to my page.
  • For bloggers and media folk, I’ve created a media kit. This will give you a quick way to access relevant information for writing reviews or interviews.
  • A FAQ section about writing and self-publishing. I’ll add to this along the way.
  • A FAQ about sailing and adventure.
  • A list of My Favorite Things (because I’m narcissistic like that).
  • A new about page and a new welcome page.
  • An entire rolodex of options for getting in touch with me and my people. (I’ve always wanted to say “my people,” though I’m still waiting for my opportunity to say, “I’ll have my people call your people.” So go get some people, people.)

In other news

I’m back in Melbourne for the Australian launch of my book, which happens on Feb 27.

My dog Frida is fat, though my mum insists she’s “just big boned.” It seems she has developed a peculiar bone-expanding problem during the year I’ve been away. Good thing mum is feeding her all that food to make her feel better about herself.

Frida big bones – fearfuladventurer.com

My book made the Penguin homepage yesterday!

Penguin Homepage

I celebrated by hanging around my parents house in my robe, and dressing my dog up in a Tupac hoodie. She’s really quite heavy on my lap, the lump.

Frida as Tupac

The talented people over at Summersdale Publishing in the UK baked a Love with a Chance of Drowning Cake! The book is out in July in the UK, though I fear the cake will be a little furry by then.

Love with a Chance of Cake

Love with a Chance of Cake

I’m going to be at Readings in Carlton in Melbourne, Australia, to talk / sign books on March 12. More on that soon. Meanwhile, subscribe to my beautiful new site!

Thanks for stopping by. 

Leave A Comment

Please enter your name. Please enter an valid email address. Please enter a message.

79 Response Comments

  • Hannah  February 15, 2013 at 7:50 am

    LOVE THIS! Love everything about it. Great job Torre, she’s a beauty 🙂

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 15, 2013 at 12:12 pm

      Thank you, Hannah. I’m still working on it. I need to add your pretty head to your comment!

      Reply
  • the rhythm method  February 15, 2013 at 10:50 am

    It’s OK Frida, I hide my big-bonedness in my hoodie too.
    Love the new site. It’s like you’ve moved into the internet. Now when you’re overseas I can get a Torre fix whenever I like. Picking at beer labels; laughing at the fat dog; bursting over good art and writing. You did good kid. x

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 15, 2013 at 12:12 pm

      Thank you, Karen. I’ve been nervous that nobody would like it. Your comment made me feel happy.

      Reply
  • Kim  February 15, 2013 at 11:32 am

    It looks lovely Torre! Okay, I meant the cake, but the site looks good too. Congrats on all of the big (wonderful) changes in your life!

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 15, 2013 at 12:13 pm

      I want to eat that cake! Thanks so much for the congrats, Kim. xo

      Reply
  • Meg | One Love Meg  February 15, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    This is so awesome Torre. The blog looks great, the book happenings are sounding awesome. You must feel great!

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 16, 2013 at 12:49 pm

      Thanks, Meg. I really love your avatar!

      Reply
  • Colleen  February 15, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    We like it! We like it! It’s just, you’re all grown up now _wipes tear_.

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 16, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      I’m not sure that I’ll ever grow up, Colleen.

      Reply
  • Eric  February 15, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    Super congrats Torre. This looks great. I wish I was there to hang w/your cake!…that sounded weird didn’t it? I think so.. Ok, I take it back! haha

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 17, 2013 at 1:55 am

      I wish I could hang with my cake too, but it’s in the UK.

      Reply
  • Michael Rankin  February 15, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    Now your forcing me to write a comment… OK, I’ll follow you to your new digs..

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 17, 2013 at 1:56 am

      Was the gun to your head too much? Well, either way, thanks for the comment Michael. 🙂

      Reply
  • Janet  February 15, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    how perfect that it launched in or around Valentines day!! I love the new site design. You are so talented!! I have to remind myself that I’m also talented or else I get a little jealous. 🙂

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 17, 2013 at 1:56 am

      You ARE talented. I just watched your manifesto. Gave me tingles.

      Reply
  • Suitcase Stories - Nicole  February 15, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    I love your design! Its easy to navigate and full of great content!

    We are fellow Aussie nomads so feel a connection with you straight away! Can’t wait to read your other great posts now that Ive found them 🙂

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 17, 2013 at 1:57 am

      Thank you. And it’s always good to meet other nomads!

      Reply
  • Sarah Somewhere  February 15, 2013 at 7:06 pm

    Congratulations Torre, love your new look and the fact you have ‘people’ now. The photo of your family on your about page is great! All the best, times like these I wish I was back in Australia to cheer you on (are you going to Perth? I’ll send my people…) Cant wait to read the latest edition of your wonderful memoir 🙂

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 17, 2013 at 1:58 am

      Thank you, Sarah. Not sure that we’ll be in Perth, but I will have my people call your people if that happens. 🙂 Yes, I love that pic of my family. Total hillbillies.

      Reply
  • Patricia Sands  February 15, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S! When will you be in Sydney so I can alert friends there? And North America? We are waiting!

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 12:53 am

      Hmm. Not sure yet, Patricia. I may only be Melbourne based for the launch. I will keep you in the loop!

      Reply
  • Scott  February 15, 2013 at 11:49 pm

    There seems to be a kind of “like it box” trying (and partly failing) to slide in from the left side. It’s not making it all the way, not enough to be legible, anyway. I’m using Safari.

    Otherwise, the site is very nice, although I like the old one too.

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 12:56 am

      That sounds weird. I’ll check it out. Appreciate it, Scott. Thanks!

      Reply
  • Alana - Paper Planes  February 16, 2013 at 7:10 am

    This is incredible – love the layout, photo sections and all the details about your book! Hope you made it back okay and things are going well.

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 12:57 am

      Thanks, Alana. Yes, I made it back OK and my Chiang Mai stomach bug cleared up, so all is well. I hope yours is all better too!

      Reply
  • Ying  February 16, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    It’s a darn shame that I’ve just moved from Melbourne and won’t be around to attend the talk! I’d love to get hold of the book once it’s released.

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 12:57 am

      Yes, it’s a shame! Would’ve loved to have seen you there. Somewhere else perhaps?

      Reply
  • DEK  February 16, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    Your new design is a whole lot better. A much better picture of you, too.

    I am in awe, as I cannot bring myself to do anything about mine and can only hope that someday it will be retro.

    May all your SEs be O.

    Reply
  • DEK  February 16, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    Your new design is a whole lot better. A much better picture of you, too.

    I am in awe, as I cannot bring myself to do anything about my own site and can only hope that someday it will be retro.

    May all your SEs be O.

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 12:58 am

      Thank you. I guess you’re so enthusiastic about it that you just HAD to post twice. 😉 It won’t take long for your site to become retro. Just wait about 12 days.

      Reply
  • Wanda St.Hilaire  February 17, 2013 at 4:11 am

    Excellente! I wanna be you when I grow up. Which may be never.

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 12:59 am

      Perfect, because I am not grown up either!

      Reply
  • James @ Fly, Icarus, Fly  February 17, 2013 at 4:29 am

    Beautiful re-design, Torre! I’m in the beginning stages of one myself and every time my developer says CSS or SEO or HTML, I can literally feel my eyes glazing over. I just want to write and take photos and for someone else to make it look pretty without asking me ANY questions whatsoever. Just read my mind. (I don’t KNOW what colors I like! Pick them for me, you IT monkey!) Sigh. Congrats on all the great things happening!

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 1:01 am

      As a designer, I’m usually the monkey. This time I got to make Enda my monkey. Dance, Enda, dance!

      Thanks for your lovely words, James. Love your work.

      Reply
  • Susan @ Travel Junkette  February 17, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    Looks great, Torre! (The book looks fab, too.) Hope you’re having fun in Australia!

    Reply
    • Erica  February 17, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      Hi Torre, I spent a couple of hours today reading through your archives and I’m so glad I did, because your posts were some of the most entertaining and inspiring blog posts I’ve read. I love your honesty and ability to see the humour in situations, not least having the courage to share everything. You brightened my day today, so thanks! I’m getting my hands on your book once it’s available in Europe. The globe and the waves against the blue border look great by the way. And good idea with the fun page intros!

      Reply
      • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 1:02 am

        Aw, what a lovely comment. Thanks, Erica! Book is out in July in the UK.

        Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 1:01 am

      Yes, I am. Thanks, Susan!

      Reply
  • Joy  February 17, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    I love the new look! Can’t wait to read the book. This is going to be an exciting year for you! Can’t wait to read about it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 18, 2013 at 1:02 am

      EEeee! Yes, it will be. Thanks so much, Joy. x

      Reply
  • Carmel  February 18, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    EEEEE!!!!! Exciting stuff. I love the new look. It’s classic and clean, with just the right amount of info. It makes me incredibly jealous too since I have a website now…just without any content or design. Sigh. But back to you…I can’t wait to read the book! Then I’m going to hashtag the shit out of it.

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 25, 2013 at 12:55 am

      Hehe. Thanks, Carmel. It did take me two years of blogging and a shameful number of hours to get to this point, remember.

      Reply
  • Bethany ~ twoOregonians  February 19, 2013 at 1:59 am

    Torre, it’s just beautiful! I love the spirit and style. And I’m *just* a wee bit jealous of the photo section. Well done, you! : )

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 25, 2013 at 12:56 am

      Thanks, Bethany. It took me a long, LONG time to pick the right plugins for the photo section. (Man, I’m such a geek.)

      Reply
  • TammyOnTheMove  February 19, 2013 at 7:54 am

    Loving your new blog design! I am so excited that your book is finally coming out and that it is being turned into a film as well (even though I won’t be able to get it until the autum-which is when I will b in the UK next). You don’t happen to distribute to Cambodia, do you? 🙂

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 25, 2013 at 12:58 am

      Thanks, Tammy. If the book becomes popular, you’ll find a photocopied version at any tourist bookstore in Cambodia. 🙂

      Reply
  • Marissa  February 20, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    As someone who just discovered your blog and never saw the old design, I wanted to tell you that this current design is incredibly beautiful and made me want to fall into all of your posts – I literally added the RSS feed to my reader without reading a single thing. So job well done!!!

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 25, 2013 at 12:59 am

      Aw, what a lovely comment. Thanks, Marissa. My website charmed you with its looks alone. 😉

      Reply
  • David  February 24, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    Just found your blog and read some stuff re fear – You have given me such inspiration to push through and make my company a success – I will keep in touch to share the success – thank you as I was unsure and a little frozen with the enormity of living to my potential – one day I hope to meet and shake your hand.

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 25, 2013 at 1:02 am

      David, I’m so glad to hear this. Please do come back and tell me how it goes! Best of luck to you! I’ll be cheering you on from this side of the screen.

      Reply
  • Harpreet  February 24, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    The new website looks great!

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  February 25, 2013 at 1:03 am

      Why thank you, Harpreet!

      Reply
  • Natalie Sisson  February 28, 2013 at 9:00 am

    Absolutely love it – took my breath away and I’m so contacting your guy as I’m going to get back into travel blogging on my other site.

    Huge congrats on the book and the cake and I can only assume the book launch was a huge success!

    Reply
  • Rease  March 1, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    Excellent news all around! I can’t wait to get a copy of your book. I definitely want a physical copy, not an e-book. I only buy physical books from independent bookstores. Will it fairly easy to find in the US?

    Reply
  • Katherine  March 1, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    What a beautiful new blog layout and I adore your book cover. Congratulations all round! This must be an amazing time for you.

    Reply
  • Ryan @ Pause The Moment  March 8, 2013 at 4:55 am

    WOW! I’m really loving the new redesign. Looks amazing. Congrats on making the front page of Penguin.

    Reply
  • Alex  March 9, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Sigh. I’m obsessed. And I hope you know I take this as a very personal assault on the zero progress I’ve made on my own web design. You really know how to twist the knife.

    Love the dog, love the cake, love the Things You Love page.

    Bravo, Torre 🙂

    Reply
  • congenital heart disease  May 14, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with
    my myspace group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Cheers

    Reply
  • affordable yachting  May 16, 2013 at 8:24 am

    WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for frankee

    Reply
  • Alexander  May 21, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    Howdy! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find
    a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

    Reply
    • Torre DeRoche  May 22, 2013 at 6:54 am

      I’m not sure, sorry. Someone helped me with my site so I don’t know what plugins were used.

      Reply
  • M  May 29, 2013 at 12:42 am

    Beautiful site! Just found you via a daisy chain of links from one female entrepreneur & blogger to the next that started with a post in my FB feed. Glad to have found you.
    I am searching for a web design company for a client & unfortunately, the link for Flare is not coming up for me. Would you mind sending it along?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • M  May 29, 2013 at 12:45 am

      Ah – never mind. Just found it via the links in the footer. 🙂

      Reply
  • porn blocker free download  June 10, 2013 at 3:02 am

    Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog site in Opera, it looks fine but when opening
    in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, very good blog!

    Reply
  • website  December 29, 2013 at 10:19 am

    Why viewers still use to read news papers when in this
    technological globe the whole thing is accessible on web?

    Reply
  • Twyla  January 4, 2014 at 6:50 am

    Hello there, I found your website by means of Google at the same time
    as looking for a similar topic, your web site got here up, it looks
    great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hi there, just became alert to your weblog via Google, and found that it is truly informative.

    I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will be grateful if
    you proceed this in future. Numerous other
    folks will be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

    Reply
  • weigh loss  February 14, 2014 at 5:26 am

    In essence you will see the opportunities to create what you want all around you.
    Learn and understand types of foods and you will be able to know for example which
    types of vegetables you can replace with other etc. If you are a working dad, you
    already know how hard it is to juggle work with family matters, especially if you are a “hands on” type of dad.

    Reply
  • https://Www.facebook.com/  April 8, 2014 at 5:51 am

    There is certainly a lot to learn about this subject.
    I love all of the points you have made.

    Reply
  • Source Phoenix Discount  November 21, 2014 at 8:55 am

    Key phrase-a lot less URLs do not attraction research engines.
    In order to truly profit from Search Engine Optimization training, you need only the most recent search algorithm understandings.
    Let’s say you happen to be a neighborhood bakery in Cerritos
    (a city inside of the Los Angeles metro region). This is why we strongly believe that we are the web design partner that you are looking for.
    If your content is not worthy of sharing around the internet by others then you will be
    unlikely to get natural links from other people. We at a leading Australian Search
    Engine Optimization Company persistently expand our tried and
    tested techniques.

    Reply
  • may han dien tu cu  December 16, 2014 at 7:14 am

    I am now not positive where you’re getting
    your info, however good topic. I must spend some time finding out more or working out more.

    Thanks for wonderful info I used to be looking for this information for my mission.

    Reply
  • ny bagel cafe and deli  December 24, 2014 at 12:11 am

    Aw, this was a really good post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot
    and never manage to get anything done.

    Reply
  • businessman  December 29, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    What’s up, all the time i used to check weblog posts here in the early hours in the break of day, as
    i enjoy to find out more and more.

    Reply
  • trustpilot.com scotland deed  March 11, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    Its not my first time to go to see this web page, i am browsing this website dailly and get nice facts from here daily.

    Reply
  • Kerry Taylor Elite Cardinals NFL Womens White Jersey  May 27, 2015 at 10:36 pm

    Bad credit may occur due late payments, CCJ s, IVA,
    bankruptcy, arrears etc Kerry Taylor Elite Cardinals NFL Womens White Jersey
    people take guidance for that us loan z in order that they’re
    able to better deal with all the lenders with the period of acquiring the credit.

    Reply
  • print t shirts  June 5, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Good blog you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours these days.
    I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!

    Reply
  • Amazon kdp  May 5, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    I have read so many content concerning the blogger lovers however
    this paragraph is in fact a good post, keep it up.

    Reply
  • Gobet889skor.com  August 31, 2017 at 12:55 am

    I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else
    experiencing problems with your site. It appears as
    if some of the written text on your posts are running
    off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This could be a issue with my browser because I’ve had
    this happen before. Kudos

    Reply
  • Richardwroft  January 31, 2024 at 12:01 am

    Hello,

    New club music https://0daymusic.org
    Download MP3/FLAC, Label, LIVESETS, Music Videos.

    Reply

© Torre DeRoche 2024. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce any material from this blog without written permission.