{Questions: What color would YOU dye your hair? }

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I thought it would be fun to do a little monthly Q&A segment once a month and here's the end result...

I've seen a few bloggers rock some awesome colorful hair, and I have to admit-- a bit jealous of their pastel locks. But I rather not as it's too much work... but I figured I'd ask you this question:

French Macaron Monday

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Hello lovelies! I just wanted to say hi and show you some more french macarons, assuming you're not too tired of them quite yet. After all, I still have to make a batch myself! 

Happy Monday.

Miss Personality...

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Isn't this illustration so cute? I just love it-- it kind of reminds me of a younger, well, me. Love it.

Eat: Cupcakes

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I love cupcakes. While cupcakes may not be your thing, it is for me! I'm a bit of a dessert foodie, so I figured "Why not do a post on cupcakes?" And here I am. Here are a few tips and tricks:

1. Put a twist on cupcakes!

I love cupcakes that have a twist to them- maple cupcakes with bacon, lemon cupcakes with buttercream, etc. Try to get creative with your next batch of cupcakes! Use some unusual flavors that would work together, or use a yummy flavor combo like Cinnamon Apple, or Orange Vanilla. 

2. Fill 'em with frosting.

This is a great way to add more sweetness to a cupcake! Get a piping bag with a fine tip and then "puncture" the middle of the cupcake, making a hole. While the piping tip is in the middle, press on the bag to release frosting. Then, quickly raise it out of the cupcake. Ta-da! You have a filled cupcake.

3. Have fun!

Decorate your cupcakes any way you want to! You can make them complex, or simple. It's up to you!

DIY Cupcake Links:
Some fun cupcake decorating ideas
Make some frosting roses
Delish cupcake recipes

Have a fun weekend!

>> Shop Love: Katie Daisy

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Hello lovelies!

We're halfway through the week and to brighten it up for you, I figured I'd share this shop with you! I found it via Pinterest (which I love by the way).  It's full of beautiful prints and lots of popping colors...

>> Visit the shop here.

Today's Ramblings: Notebooks

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I love notebooks. I love the feel of the new, blank pages and the excitement of filling it up with my loopy writing. Just one small problem- I can't seem to actually finish them. I usually buy one, fill it up halfway (if that) and then forget about it-- or worse, get bored. But I love buying them anyway. :)

Kind of like pens...

Get a notebook here. Or here.  

I want this: A hairbow

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I know this may sound a bit silly, but I'll say it anyway. I've always wanted a cute vintage-y hairbow. Preferably a cute crocheted one... I mean, I've seen it on different bloggers, and it just looks adorable! 

Then again, I like everything with bows-- well, almost everything. 

What do you think? Should I get it?

French Macaron Monday

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Another Happy Monday everyone! It's finally raining here and I'm one step closer to making some yummy macarons...

{Macaron related links}

- Make macarons

- Decorated macarons

Announcement: Modern Buttercup Newsletter

 

I've checked off yet another thing off my 2012 to-do list! And the end result is a new newsletter. In other words:The Modern Buttercup Newsletter is now in service! You'll  find freebies, discounts, sneak peeks at blog posts, and more... Sign up here.

A little cheer...

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Today I'm here to cheer you on in your New Year's resolutions. While some of you have already abandoned yours, I'm here to give you a little peptalk and help you get back on track!

You can do it! Visit one of my previous posts for more help...

Join me in this New Year's Resolution!

{Have any New Year's Resolutions? Share them!}

Winter Sunshine

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It's finally raining here! Yay! So I decided to bring a bit of "sunshine" into your day with this cute photo collective.

Link-up: Bags

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I don't know about you, but I love handbags. Especially nice brown leather ones. They match with everything and always stay in style... Anyway, I figured I'd let your shops shine with a little bonus link-up, so feel free to comment with any cute bags from your shop!

DIY Idea: Ruffle Necklace

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I've been looking for something like this. Something pastel-y, different, and eye-catching. While I'm more of a simple gal, I couldn't resist this necklace project! See the DIY here.

Rain, rain, come and stay

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You don't know how much I want to be in the rain like the girl in the photo above! It hasn't rained here in months, and no rain means no snow trip. Which equals a not-so-happy me. After all, I can't go sledding in the mud. (Or can I? Still pondering this) How is your rainy season? 

French Macaron Monday

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Hello lovelies! I'm here looking at these yummy-looking macarons and just looking at this photo, I'm trying to guess some of these macaron flavors... pistachio, raspberry, vanilla, lavender, lemon... Any guesses?

{Daily Doings} My own air plant

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I've always wanted a little air plant. They look so cute and modern-- and I just couldn't resist when I saw them on sale at the store! So now I officially own my very own air plant. As a newbie I do have a bit of questions on the care and keeping of these little creatures, so now I'm spending some of my spare time looking up some of the basic FAQs, but I don't mind. :) Maybe I'll give you a little update later in the month!

Pastel Mist

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Doesn't this photo look just lovely? While I'm here daydreaming about Summer, we're in dead Winter. Anyway, instead of just looking at words I figured I'd just keep it short and let your eyes feast on this instead. Enjoy your Saturday!

Calendar hunt

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Okay, I'll admit it. I still haven't found my 2012 calendar. Right now I have a adorable printable calendar from Wild Olive hanging on my wall as my blogging calendar- but for my day-to-day calendar, I still haven't found one. I want one that's simple, colorful, easy to use, and with big enough lettering. Kind of like this one. Or this one. I'm looking for a calendar under $20, so if you find one you think I might like, or if you have a nice one in your shop, please leave a link so I can take a look!

Camera Pencil Sharpener?

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Isn't this great? Perfect for a snap-happy friend.

2012 Resolutions- 3 tips to help you complete it

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You know how it is- you create 10 resolutions, complete 2 halfway, and then give forget about it by February. And this year is no different- so you think. 2012 is going to be a great year if you put your mind to it! 

Here are 3 tips I use to help me complete my resolutions:

1. Make a solid, easy to complete plan

Don't make the common mistake of completing your whole resolution in one day! Do make a plan to help you complete it. Write down your resolution on a sheet of paper and the estimated amount of time to complete it. Make a list of at least 5 steps. Say you're going to clean out the garage, your list will look something like this: 

Step 1- Get boxes to place things in. Step 2- Go through one area of your garage and create 3 piles (Keep, Toss, Donate), Step 3- Finish another area of the garage, and repeat... You get the idea.

2. Create a deadline

It really helps to create a deadline! It gives you a sense of urgency to finish it, and if you consistently remind yourself of it, you'll be more willingly to go and finish your resolution.

3. Be positive!

You can do it! If your constantly thinking "I can't do it, it's too hard" it will be. (And considering that your resolution is probably something you want to get done- this is not a good thing) Instead think "I can do this, all I have to do next is (next step here)." Be your own personal cheerleader!

I hope this helps!

{Inspired}: Meet Kristi

{Buy this print here}

Hello there! Today I'm introducing you to our new post series- Inspired. And like the title, I hope to inspire you with only the best Etsy shops and bloggers. This month we have an interview with a photographer of clever little miniatures, Etsy shop owner, Kristi.

1. What 3 words describe you best?

Stubborn, eccentric, passionate

2. What gave you the idea to create your "miniatures in food" photos?

I was in photography class in collage and our professor gave us an assignment for the week. He simple said to photograph "nature". He really liked to keep it vague! Nature photography is just not my thing, so I decided I was going to rebel. I ended up setting up the Popsicle Pond shot for that project, and it was a hit! I thought outside of the box, and the professor love it. I enjoyed setting it up so I decided to do more and received lots of encouragement from my art professors.

3. Describe your creative process.

It usually starts with the animal or figurine in the photo. Once I have the animal in mind, I start thinking of phrases or scenarios that would be fun to work off of. Usually I come up with something using food! I think food and candy just make such interesting photo subjects. I do end up abandoning ideas occasionally, but I always keep them in the bak of my mind. Occasionally I'll think of a way to make an old idea even better!

4. Out of curiosity, about how long does it take you to set up your photo scenes?

It varies. For something like Cupcake Mountains, probably about 10 minutes. But I do remember Stop Dots took hours. Anything involving motion (like falling Dots) is really difficualt. I wanted the falling pieces to look just right, so I kept having to do it over and over (and those Dots go sticky!) It was well it though.. all of them were.

Lovely miss Kristi has an exclusive coupon code for you to use at her shop! 

Use the code: BUTTERCUP15 for 15% off your next purchase.

You can visit Kristi's shop here

French Macaron Monday

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I wonder what it's like in the restaurant where the french macarons are... probably warm and sunny with a vase full of English rose blooms.

:: I want this- Mint Flower Ring ::

{Buy this ring here}

I saw this ring while I was browsing through Etsy and I fell in love with it! I have one similar to this one- but not in mint. (A girl can never have enough rings) So there it goes, on my "Must-haves Wishlist". I thought you'd like to see it... :)

Now Showing: Origins

origins from Robert Showalter on Vimeo.

I saw this video and it made me smile. Take a seat and enjoy the short clip!

Today's Ramblings: Chapstick

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Chapstick. I have at least 3 of these little tubes rolling around at the bottom of my purse, and chances are that I only use 1 of them regularly- and I'm sure you can relate. While I love them all, some just don't make the cut: crumbly, badly scented, or just oily.

Here's a list of my favorites:

Rose Cocoa from longwintersoapco.

Burt's Bees Mango Butter

Eos lipbalm- summer fruit

DIY Idea: Cross stitch iPhone Case

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Aren't this iPhone cases awesome? I thought so. :) It's a fun DIY twist on an everyday object, and I have to admit, I love the idea! These iPhone cases can be found here.

Fashion: A day in the city

{1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8}

I put together this set over at Polyvore at loved it! Very minty and casual-comfy...

French Macaron Monday & a new blog design

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If you've noticed- Modern Buttercup has gotten a new look! It's a new year, and one of my 2011 resolutions included a blog makeover. It looks lovely and thanks to Annabel from Fragmented Splendour, that resolution is officially off my to-do list! :) I'm also excited to announce some new features coming these next few months that'll showcase some great shops and bloggers. Let the New Year begin!

New Year's Resolutions

This is a little look at my New Year's Resolutions and blogging "studio".
And since you can't really read the resolution to-do list (it's a bit blurry), I figured I'd list them here:

My 2012 Resolutions:

1. Do at least one new thing a month, every month

2. Try new dessert recipes

3. Get better at using Photoshop

4. Try to be more tidy

5. Work on tweeting more