I want more of a classy glossy look and less 'grunge.' I also want thumbnails of my images on the front page to add some color.

I love the Market Place theme (http://themeforest.net/item/marketplace-communi...) except there is no horizontal page or category navigation, and there is no featured post section in the header.

For me, having that post up there in the header has REALLY increased my page views. It's easy to use, and it's always seen. Whatever I feature up there ends up being the most popular post. I love it!

I'm a designer. But, I'm also a very organized, un-cluttered person. The minimalist themes often attract me, but then the designer in me starts screaming for color and fun stuff. I have to find a happy medium.

How were you thinking of changing it?

I'm actually a graphic designer, with just enough PHP and CSS knowledge to modify themes. I like this one a lot, but it bugs me that there's not a lot I can edit to really make it mine. I thought I'd found a new one I could use, but after careful assessment I've found it's missing a lot of features I can't live without. Sigh.

So, now I'm designing my own with the hopes of finding someone to code it for me. I'm incorporating all the features I've loved from different layouts and themes I've used or edited and I'm hoping to come out of this with the ultimate theme – for me.

You're right, there's always something new and better and it's hard to be satisfied with what you have!!

This is the first time I've been to your blog. I must say, you have great content. One thing I can tell you is, try to go for something simple, that would also increase your content's visibility.

When it comes to my blog's theme, I am still on the look for better themes. Whatever I do, when I see a theme that is nice, I always feel as mine needs improving. I felt like this when I had the previous theme, I feel like this now, and I am sure I will feel the same when I have another theme.

I gues you never get satisfied. And it is difficult to get satisfied as there are lots of nice themes available. I think as human, we always desire, what we don't have.

Have a nice day

If you need any help, let me know! I have modified the Lifestyle theme numerous times for many different clients. It’s very popular and I’m not at all surprised you have competition using the same theme. The key is to make yours totally YOU. A custom logo and header wouldn’t hurt either!