diff --git a/README.txt b/README.txt
index 0d767d2..ab638fe 100755
--- a/README.txt
+++ b/README.txt
@@ -114,6 +114,10 @@ Yep! Just copy over the function from underscore-template.php (without the funct
 
 == Changelog ==
 
+= 0.9 =
+* added some CSS classes wpls--empty and wpls--full to the custom target div to aid in custom theming
+* added logic to prevent searching on escape or arrow keys
+
 = 0.8 =
 * added "dropdown" option mode for use in small spaces
 * added "results_style" option for use in small spaces
diff --git a/public/assets/js/wp-live-search.js b/public/assets/js/wp-live-search.js
index e31d144..3beb548 100644
--- a/public/assets/js/wp-live-search.js
+++ b/public/assets/js/wp-live-search.js
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 		,	api              = WP_API_Settings.root
 		,	timer
 
+		$( postList ).addClass('wpls--empty');
+
 		$( input ).on('keyup keypress', function ( e ) {
 
 			// clear the previous timer
@@ -46,27 +48,32 @@
 				// what if the user only types two characters?
 				if ( val.length == 2 && !$(helper).length ) {
 
-					$(input).after( helperSpan );
+					$( input ).after( helperSpan );
 
 				}
 
 				// if we have more than 3 characters
 				if ( val.length >= 3 || val.length >= 3 && 13 == key ) {
 
+					// dont run on escape or arrow keys
+					if( blacklistedKeys( key ) )
+						return false;
+
 					// show loader
-					$(loader).removeClass('wpls--hide').addClass('wpls--show');
+					$( loader ).removeClass('wpls--hide').addClass('wpls--show');
 
 					// remove any helpers
 					$( helper ).fadeOut().remove();
 
 					// remove the cose
-					destroyClose();
+					destroyClose()
 
 					// make the search request
 					$.getJSON( url, function( response ) {
 
 						// remove current list of posts
 						$(postList).children().remove();
+						$(postList).removeClass('wpls--full').addClass('wpls--empty')
 
 						// show results
 						$(results).parent().removeClass('wpls--hide').addClass('wpls--show');
@@ -85,6 +92,10 @@
 
 						} else {
 
+							// again, dont run on escape or arrow keys
+							if( blacklistedKeys( key ) )
+								return false;
+
 							// append close button
 							if ( !$( clearItem ).length ) {
 
@@ -97,7 +108,9 @@
 							// loop through each object
 			                $.each( response, function ( i ) {
 
-			                    $(postList).append( itemTemplate( { post: response[i], settings: WP_API_Settings, excerpt: showExcerpt } ) );
+			                    $(postList).append( itemTemplate( { post: response[i], settings: WP_API_Settings, excerpt: showExcerpt } ) )
+			                    .removeClass('wpls--empty')
+			                    .addClass('wpls--full')
 
 			                } );
 			            }
@@ -143,9 +156,21 @@
 			$( postList ).children().remove();
 			$( input ).val('');
 			$( results ).parent().removeClass('wpls--show').addClass('wpls--hide');
+			$( postList ).removeClass('wpls--full').addClass('wpls--empty')
 			$( helper ).remove();
 			destroyClose()
 		}
+
+		/**
+		* 	Blacklisted keys - dont allow search on escape or arrow keys
+		*	@since 0.9
+		*/
+		function blacklistedKeys( key ){
+
+			return 27 == key || 37 == key || 38 == key || 39 == key || 40 == key;
+
+		}
+
 	});
 
 })( jQuery, Backbone, _, WP_API_Settings );
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wp-live-search.php b/wp-live-search.php
index 37fb6c2..ef1e269 100755
--- a/wp-live-search.php
+++ b/wp-live-search.php
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
  * Plugin Name:       WP Live Search
  * Plugin URI:        http://nickhaskins.com
  * Description:       A super light-weight live search plugin that utilizes the WP REST API
- * Version:           0.8
+ * Version:           0.9
  * GitHub Plugin URI: https://github.com/bearded-avenger/wp-live-search
  */
 
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 }
 
 // Set some constants
-define('WP_LIVE_SEARCH_VERSION', '0.8');
+define('WP_LIVE_SEARCH_VERSION', '0.9');
 define('WP_LIVE_SEARCH_DIR', plugin_dir_path( __FILE__ ));
 define('WP_LIVE_SEARCH_URL', plugins_url( '', __FILE__ ));