Dilemma about Blog template

Hei guys

I had this huge problem with a free online template that I had been using on my blog, Wonderful Gifts for Wonderful People (http://www.addmorecolor-gift-ideas.blogspot.com). I am not sure what exactly happened but I guess the person hosting the template design did not take care of their photobucket account, so I lost my template overnight. Fortuantely I discovered this on time..and with not much time left to fix it, I added one of the blogspot.com ones..

I really do want to put a nice pleasing one like what I had...something that was catchy different and stands out... I figured here are my options

1. Try my luck again on another free online one...

2. Buy a blogger template online.

3. Have someone design my blog template so its customized to everything I want...

I was hoping to get some input here..what do you guys think?

if option 2 is better

then is there any website you would recommend... I am trying not to spend too much..I havent been doing this for too long and I should say,,,,i m not too rich yet...maybe within $50?

if you think option 3, then

a/ any recommendations

b. can i get it done within a $100 or maybe slightly less. I have seen some for $150 and was wondering if anyone does them for less.(that is a bit much for me right now)

or does anyone know of any blog design giveaway :)

Any thoughts/recommendations or even quotations would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks

Aysha