welcome back

My sweet baby girl right before Easter, enjoying the shade of the cherry trees.

Have you ever gone in your closet, pulled out a beloved dress and put it on, only to realize it doesn't really suit you like it once did?

That pretty much sums up the past year of my life in regards to blogging. Many things have happened, causing me reevaluate my perspective and approach to interaction online. During the months of silence I've still deeply yearned to blog and have this outlet. I need it--it's sweet break from daily cares and the craziness. But Elegant Musings no longer felt like it encompassed who I was and how I wanted to present myself now; I could never seem to get restarted posting there without the nagging feeling that something just wasn't a good fit. I started that blog nearly 8 years ago and life, as it often does, has changed a lot in the ensuing years. I felt a bit restrained at my old blog; that I had outgrown it. It was sad (and painful) to realize I had changed in some ways and that chapter in my life was done. Elegant Musings as a concept and title no longer fit me. This had been brewing for many months previous to my hiatus, but having a baby was the catalyst that precipitated a change in order to move forward. This decision hasn't been easy or one taken lightly. I know it won't be popular with everyone, and I'm sure some people will decide they no longer are interested in the changes being made. I deeply appreciate and am thankful for all the support readers have given me over the years, and that thought has given me pause more than once during this transition. The community we made together at Elegant Musings was a huge blessing in my life--and still is since I keep up with many of you through social media. But I needed to embrace the changes I yearned for, and realize that it's okay to admit that a door has closed and move on to different venues.

This is the strategy for my new blog home: simply embracing how life has moved on to different things, and some of my passions have deepened while others have tempered. I have so many ideas of new content I want to share and things that harken back to the EM days. I can't wait to share it (the first "real" post will be live a bit later today)! Thank you if you followed me over from my old blog home, and welcome if you're completely new! I can't wait to see where this new journey takes us...

For those looking for tutorials and inspiration posted previously on Elegant Musings, I'm slowly transferring them here and will soon have a page devoted solely to listing past and present tutorials. The original blog will be up for a few more months while I make the transition and will eventually redirect here. Please also excuse any hiccups over the next few weeks--I have some technical details I'm still ironing out behind the scenes!

Comments

  1. Welcome back! Was missing your old blog. Looking forward to seeing what new directions you take :)
    -Kaitlyn

    ReplyDelete
  2. I for one, as a long-time follower of your creative output, am delighted and excited by the idea of this new blog :D I've always been thankful for the little glimpse into your life that your blog allows and your ideas and sweet words that have encouraged me right from the days of LiveJournal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh... The LJ days!!! So many good memories of the communities there. :) Miss them a lot sometimes! Thanks so much for the sweet support, Faith! :)

      Delete
  3. I have been missing EM so I'm thrilled to hear you're back with this one. Different is exciting! I can't wait to see what new stuff you have in store for us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm really thrilled to see you back in the blogging world Casey, and I can't wait to see the journey you are planning to share with us. I have missed your voice and inspiration, and I am sure your new direction will just as amazing and inspiring. So excited!


    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your sweet words, Bonita! :)

      Delete
  5. Your new blog looks beautiful and I commend you for making a change towards something that feels like the right thing. It's not easy! I'm looking forward to this new venture and can't wait to see what you have in store. Here's to creativity and happiness! Xo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Welcome back into blogworld, I've missed the old one but I'm sure your new blog will be just as lovely and I'll keep following it for sure! I hope you'll have lots of fun writing it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Juliette! :) I cant't wait to share everything I've been dreaming about and working on! :)

      Delete
  7. Welcome back! I hope you'll continue with the sewing posts (vintage or otherwise) but I'll probably stick around regardless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can confidently say that yes there will be sewing posts in the future! :) I have a finished project post scheduled for later this week, but would like to throw in some new tutorials as well. I've been getting back into sewing more and more lately--lots to share! :)

      Delete
    2. I'm glad! I have sorely missed your blog!

      Delete
  8. Welcome back! I've missed Elegant Musings, but I completely understand how you've felt. My little boy will be one next week and it's really incredible how different things have been around here in the last several months. Looking forward to future posts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had no idea how much life--and I--would change after having a baby! It's been mind-blowing, but in a good way. ;) Thanks for the welcome back!

      Delete
  9. Welcome back indeed!!! I've been hoping you'd return to blogging: yours was the very first I ever followed regularly, and inspired me to grow my personal style and to blog; thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations, and welcome back to the world of blogging! I must say you have been missed! Can't wait to see what you will post in the future! May God bless your future endeavors with this blog.

    Brigid
    the Middle Sister and Singer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Brigid! :) And for the blessing too; it's my daily prayer that God would just take this and make it whatever it's supposed to be to His glory. :)

      Delete
  11. Oh Casey, I am so happy that you came back to the blogging world, no matter which form you come back in! You have been such an incredible inspiration and motivation for me personally; and how I have missed your wonderful posts! Though it does seem a bit sad that Elegant Musings is no longer, I am still thrilled to see what content you have ready for us at your new blogging home! Welcome back to you too :)

    -Charlotte
    boyerfamilysingers.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Charlotte! :) I can't even begin to say how much it means to me that others are excited that I'm back--it feels like coming home in a way! ;)

      Delete
  12. I'm so happy to see you here! It's only natural that things change, and I'm so glad that you feel inspired to start this new chapter. I can hardly wait to see what you've been thinking about! With your sweet, creative spirit (and that adorable baby) it's bound to be inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kelly! :) I will tell you: I have SO MANY ideas in my head right now! haha. Can't wait to get a chance to actually commit them to paper (er... digital? lol) and share! :)

      Delete
  13. I am delighted to see that you will be posting again. I totally understand the need for transition - my blog has been similarly neglected since the birth of my daughter. Kids sure do change your priorities in life and it would only make sense that the way you blog would need to change as well. looking forward to your future posts :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Annabelle! Kids are so wonderful: and even the disruption a baby has caused from life pre-kids has been amazing. I feel like in some ways (after getting out of the first-year fog), it's been so clarifying as to what I want and actually getting it done. lol. Naptimes have been a huge motivator! ;) lol.

      Delete
  14. So happy that you're back! Congrats and can't wait to see what you have up your sleeves.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so happy to see you blogging again. It's hard to know when to close a door but as you have said, others have opened, life changes and we develop and grow. I'm looking forward to sharing a bit of this new journey with you. Your honesty has always been inspirational and that's what your doing now. Be you, we love you for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the sweet encouragement and welcome back, Vicki Kate! I'm just so excited to be back in the blogging world. :D

      Delete
  16. The new site is gorgeous! Never forget people read blogs because of the women (or men!) behind them! I'd read your site under any name!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you ever so much, Jessica! :) It means a lot to me because I really look up to and admire you! :) Keep up the great work you're doing on your blog!

      Delete
  17. welcome back casey! it's lovely to have you blogging again. what an adorable picture of little A!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm really so pleased to see you'll be back to blogging, Casey! We've missed you. I'm excited to follow your new journey and where it takes you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tasha! :D It's good to be back--I've intensely missed it. ;) Not just blogging but being more actively involved in the community of wonderfully inspiring people (like yourself--I've been pretty silent the past year, but still following you!). :)

      Delete
  19. So excited to see you back blogging again! I can't wait to see what the new blog holds. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Welcome back! I went through something similar after I gave birth and it took awhile to realize it. It is for the best, so you can move forward and explore new things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sara! I think this past year has been really clarifying for me. Took a while to realize it (and get my bearings again; my mom swears the first is the one that really throws you for a loop since it's such a HUGE life change), but I'm glad I did. ;)

      Delete
  21. It's a brave decision to make and I applaud you! You new 'home' looks lovely and I've already updated my reader to make sure I don't miss a post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sarah! I admit I had a moment of "I can't do this!!!" yesterday when the post went live on the new blog. lol. But I'm excited about the changes in store and where it'll go. :)

      Delete
  22. Welcome back to the blogosphere! I've missed your posts and don't care if your content changes a bit. :-) Greetings.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Woohoo! So glad you're back. Love the look of your new place, looking forward to seeing what the future brings. xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Glad you are back - in whatever form is best for you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Happy to see you back and blogging! I think it's unfortunate when blogging becomes constrained and folks feel like they can't change within their "brand." And I see a lot of blogs about sewing women's clothes where people make somewhat dismissive remarks about "mommy blogs" or whatever. Hey, people have kids! It's life! And it's actually a major major change for everyone and nothing to apologize for! I, for one, like to see a blog that encompasses a person's life, that shares a bit here and there, and where the writer feels free to express where they are at right now. Which is all to say, I hope this is a wonderful change for you, and I'm excited to see where you will go next. You're allowed to change - we can handle it! :-) Your daughter is gorgeous, btw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so, so much for this!!! :) Yeah... I had no idea HOW MUCH of a change having just one child would be... It's been amazing and clarifying in a lot of ways. But a change nonetheless (like I can't spend an entire weekend afternoon just sewing because there is a little person that needs me... haha!). But this new change feels so right and what I needed--and makes me super excited to be blogging again and sharing with this amazing, vibrant and diverse community! :)

      Delete
  26. Welcome back! I was just wondering if you were going to write again. Having babies is such an ontological change, and I find I'm different after each child--my youngest child is turning one this week, and it's been a year of a lot of changes for me too. I understand!!

    I'm so glad you are continuing to gift us with your wonderful ideas! I'm always keen for sewing and vintage inspiration, but I'm sure whatever you post will be interesting! Already added your new site to my feedly. Looking forward to what is coming up next!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Juliana! As funny as it sounds--considering this first year of motherhood has been really challenging in some ways--I'm looking forward to seeing what future children (if we're so blessed) will bring as far as changes. I know one thing: I've gotten A LOT better about managing my free time! haha!

      Delete
  27. I've missed seeing your blog in my reader. Welcome back! Count me as another longtime reader along for the ride! Your daughter is beautiful, by the way! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!!! I'm so delighted to be back and participating again in this wonderful little world of blogging. :)

      Delete
  28. Yayyyyy!!!! SO wonderful to see you back Casey! I've missed reading all your news. I'm thrilled to see you and your gorgeous family looking so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Alli!!! So excited to just be back and paricipating again--it's been a little void in my life. ;)

      Delete
  29. Oh! I'm so glad that you are back Miss Casey! I really missed the updates and I have been wondering how little Miss A was doing. I was so excited when I discovered that you were pregnant! I knew that with a new little one to keep you on your toes, things wouldn't be quite the same. . . I am so, so, so glad you are returning to the blogging world. You have been the main blogger that inspired me to (Finally!) start my own sewing blog.
    I hope that this new start works out amazingly for you!
    My dearest congratulations and blessings to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Emily! Miss A. has really been a game-changer in so many ways, but a lot of them good! I've learned a lot about time management and valuing the little moments in life that I never quite focused on before. Hoping to incorporate some of that into this blog as well. :) Just glad to be BACK!!! :) I've missed it so much.

      Delete
  30. So lovely to see you blogging again!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Good for you Casey! Change is a good thing, you can't blog if you're not really feeling it! Look forward to following your new blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm glad your back, regardless of the blog title or format. Looking forward to seeing what you do next! X

    ReplyDelete
  33. Casey, I've followed your blog for ages and loved every post. I'm starting to feel that blogs have a lifespan, and I'm thrilled that you're re-inventing and carrying on in a fresh way instead of stopping altogether! Thank you for sharing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm so excited that you are back blogging, Casey, as I've missed you! I've followed your Elegant Musings blog, since very close to the beginning, so I'm excited to see where this new blog & chapter in your life leads.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hey Casey! I'm so happy that you are blogging again! Your blog EM was my all time favorite to read, and I'm so excited to see where this one leads. You have always been inspiring to me, and now it seems that time has changed for me as well. Can't wait to read future posts, hope all is well :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Welcome Back. I love the looks of your new blog. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I remember finding your YouTube when I was in 6th grade, two years ago, while I was searching for '40s hair tutorials. And, gradually, I began following your blog because I was drawn to the sort of lifestyle you led (and continue to lead). I guess it's because you're so grounded, and I feel like that's becoming a hard trait to find in today's society, especially with all of the distractions that have been made available. Welcome back (: I'm so excited to see what new experiences you will share with us!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Great to have you back in the blog world:) Can't wait to follow our new blog!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you so much for taking time to comment! I LOVE hearing feedback from readers. I welcome truly constructive and thoughtful critique and suggestions, but will not hesitate to delete spam or downright rude comments.

Popular Posts