This website is my first real project — and it's already evolved beyond just a starter template.

From starter to redesign

I began with a simple Next.js + Vercel starter just to get something live. But then I experimented with prompts in Cursor, asking it to redesign the site to look "epic" and "award-worthy." The result? A complete visual overhaul that feels sharper, bolder, and much more me. It's no longer just a basic blog — it's a personal playground that looks like something I'd actually be proud to show off.

Making it work

On top of the redesign, I also added a working Contact Me form. Thanks to Formspree, I now have a simple, functional contact section where messages land directly in my inbox. Setting it up was surprisingly smooth:

• Registered an account
• Linked a form ID into my site
• Tested it — and it works!

That's the first time I've wired a live feature into my own website.

Discovering GitHub + Vercel

I've always heard of GitHub, but never really knew what it was until now. It turns out it's like a giant online folder that not only keeps my code safe but also tracks every change I make.

Then comes Vercel: I connected my GitHub repo to it, and suddenly every time I push code, my website redeploys automatically. Watching my updates go live in seconds was honestly fun (and a bit magical).

What I've learned so far

• Prompting Cursor can reshape not just small components but the entire design
• The /public folder makes images part of the site itself
• Formspree makes adding forms painless, with no backend code required
• GitHub + Vercel = code versioning + automatic hosting, which feels super smooth
• Iterating live feels better than waiting until I think it's "ready"

Reflections

I wanted a place to log my experiments, and now I have it. The homepage gives a quick hello, while posts like this one will be my coding diary entries — things I try, things I break, and the occasional small win.

It's not fancy, but it's live, and it's mine. 🚀