turning the page

Has it really been more than six months since I've last been here? It seems like forever ago since I've last clicked that "publish" button - too long if you ask me. A blogging break has been in order months and months and months ago, and honestly its exactly what I needed. Some new perspective, fresh ideas, more insight. I think I've learned more about myself these past few months away from the keyboard than I have in a long time and I'm glad I was able to take the break because I've realize what I'd been missing. Sometimes you need to be away from something to see how much you need it in your life and see how much of in impact it has (or doesn't have). And in this case, that "something" is my blog. Being away from it for so long makes me realize how big of a part it is in my life and how much I truly did miss it. I don't think it's something I'll ever truly be able to give up or let go.

And it's funny; in such a short period of time, the blogosphere seems so much different than it was a year ago. I've seen a few of my favorite bloggers bow out of the blogging game, and others openly admit what a struggle it's been for them - all the changes that have occurred and how it's affected them. It makes me sad when people say "blogging is a dying art" or that it's "jumped the shark". Do I think that's true? Well, yes and no. Every industry has it's ups and downs and I think its all just part of a learning process. The internet is ever-evolving and I think we all just need to learn how to adapt to it, with it's ebbs and flows and changing fads. 

I've decided to give blogging another shot, and with it the attention and effort it deserves. No more half hearted attempts, but something with much more potential. The Modern Buttercup I've had in mind since day one and I look forward to getting it where it needs to be. I'm not going to set any definite goals for myself yet, I'm just going to try and post once or twice a week and offer content that's worth reading. 

Anyone ready to join me on this new adventure? I'm ready.

xoxo Nat

Still here.

Hello lovelies! Still alive and kicking here at Modern Buttercup, just wanted to drop by to let you all know that I'm still here in my little corner of the internet and that I'll resume posting the day after tomorrow :)

So excited to be back here! That blogging break was one of the best that's ever happened to me and I feel so inspired and happy to be back here posting once again!

xoxo,
Nat

Pause.

I'll admit it -- I've been a bad blogger. I've promised you all a summer's worth of exciting posts and content, and yet I've only posted 2 posts this whole month. Two. It's kind of pathetic and I really have no excuse for it. Blogging has taken a backseat in my life lately as I put my focus into other things and slowly my little blogging spark died out waiting to be re lit, which is my current goal as of now. I'm going to be honest here: I'm not sure whether or not I'd like to pursue blogging. If I were to continue, I want it to be because I really want to do it and because it's a passion of mine. I don't want any half-hearted attempts like the ones I've put up these past few months. I'm going to give blogging another shot and continue posting a few more months before I  make my final decision whether I will stay in the blogosphere or not.

I'd like to make it clear that I love blogging and its something I really enjoy. But I just don't think it's fair to post so scarcely and have you all waiting. I feel like I've been juggling more than I can handle right now and it's all kind of up in the air: my etsy shop, my blog, both or none. Which to choose -- or balance both?

Life is full of hard decisions and soon I must choose one. As of the moment, I will continue to stay here in my little corner of the internet :)

Thanks for listening to all my ramblings. Its nice to get that off my chest and out there in the open.

xoxo,
Nat

Two years.

Two years ago, I began this blog, and I'l have to admit, I think its one of the best decisions I've ever made. I have met so many amazing readers and I'd just like to say a sincere thank you to all of you out there that take the time out of your day to come over here. Blogging has become such a big part of my life and I'd like to thank you once again for making these two years the very best -- without lovely readers like you, none of this would ever been possible.

xoxo, Nat

Getting back to blogging.

It has been a long time since I've done some consistent posting around here. My little "blogging break" was totally unplanned and greatly needed. I wanted to live in the moment more, enjoy life as it comes, and unplug just a bit. Taking some nice photos, going new places, exploring just a bit. And after 8 plus days of a blogging hiatus, I have begun to miss my little corner of the Web -- I missed sharing with all my lovely readers!

With the summer season coming up, I've decided to dedicating just enough time for blogging and life, learning to balance the two and sharing the journey with you all as I go. I am going to blog more and get back on a consistent blogging schedule slowly and steadily (as the saying goes "slow and steady wins the race").

Thank you all for being so patient, things are going to get more normal around here. You have my word for it.

xoxo, Nat

December {the last month of the year}

This year has flown by so fast. With flying colors. At this time last year, I think the holiday decor had just been put up, the tree already decorated, and my nails nearly all bitten off from worrying about 2012 being a "doomsday year". This year? Drastically different: the of the holiday decor is mostly up, the tree hasn't been picked out yet (more on that later), and my nails are nice and long- spared of any worry about the day the world will end (I've moved beyond that 2012 prediction months ago).

I'm very excited about this month (it's my favorite one of the year), and have set a goal for myself I know I'm going to follow -- posting more. I feel I really slacked off in November, and things just kind of "died". Not this month! I've even put together a little posting schedule for myself ahead of time. I'm going to pick this little blog up and put it back on it's feet :)

a new direction

Lately here at the blog, it's been a bit mellow and the topics a bit scattered. I feel that while I've tried to give it my best effort, it's not quite working and it's not feeling quite "me".  I'm trying hard to make Modern Buttercup at it's full potential and making it's best. I'm fine-tuning my blog posts and making Modern Buttercup something I can be proud of.

The blog has had a pretty odd combination of things: nails, inspiration, design, lifestyle, kitties, and other random things. And I'm ready to make it what I want to really post about.
Style, simple DIYs, blogging tips, vintage inspiration, and my life.

As you can tell, I've already got some things in the works and changing things. Like my etsy shop. Or the new blog design I've got planned!

I know it seems that things have been changing a lot around here, but I can gladly say that once things have gone as planned, they won't change too drastically!

What do you think of this big change?

It's September!

A new month has begun and with that, new changes, new beginnings, and lots of great blog posts! Like I said in a previous post, I'll be running the blog a bit differently. Here's how:

• Less sponsors. I want the best for my sponsors, and with less ads, more traffic. 
• Only high-quality posts.
• I can now reply to comments using the new 'Reply' feature -- Yay!
• Posting every day, or at least within a reasonable amount of time.
• Lots and lots of photos!

This will ebb and flow, and I'm sure the list will grow and change as I continue to blog. I'm thrilled Autumn is arriving and look forward to cups of warm honey tea, good books, and baking (you can only bake so much when it's 87 degrees). 

What do you have planned for September?

a new look

Modern Buttercup has a new look! Yes, it's true. Although I did love my old blog design and super proud of it, I felt it was time to re-launch it and get back into the swing of things. It needed a bit of a boost and what better way to do that than with a beautiful blog makeover? This time, I saved myself a bit of work and lots of time, and purchased a template from blog milk. Such pretty layouts to choose from! I'm still tweaking it a bit, so there will be some minor changes made to it as time goes on.

With this new look and blog re-launch, I will be saying hello to new features and bidding farewell to others. I'll also be changing slightly what I post about. I'd like to make it a combo of inspiration and lifestyle for now, and it'll probably define itself once I decide what I'll dedicate my blog to. Most likely a mixture of things and topics.... I guess we'll have to just wait and see.

Thanks again, my lovely readers for hanging on and patiently waiting for the small blog hiatus to end. I have lots of amazing posts in store you won't want to miss!