Good morning, team. Happy New Year! I hope you’re waking this morning full of promise and hope, not just hangovers and bad choices. Not that there’s anything wrong with THAT. Haha.
2017 was a year of searching for me when it came to Suger Coat It. Don’t click off, this is an announcement, a new start and there is good stuff to come. But first, we have to cut back the old. New year, you know how it goes. I wondered what I’d do with this blog, where it even fit in anymore and if it was still something that inspired me to create.
To be honest, it took most of the year to figure that out.
Yes, I want to keep blogging, but no, in a lot of ways, the way I was doing it doesn’t work anymore. It’s the nature of change. I’ve been working on a theory that worked five years ago and doesn’t anymore. But, the blog still inspires me to create. It doesn’t matter if I’m creating images for my Instagram or videos for the YouTube or writing for the blog itself. I’m a blogger, and after all these years I’m not going to give that up.
But no woman is an island, right?
So, I thought it best to share the plan with you all. I’m giving this blog a bit of a reshuffle and a rebrand of sorts. Not in the visual sense, but in the what is the purpose of this blog kind of way, you know? Clothes haven’t been top of mind for me for me for a little while now. Other things have taken my interest, and I want a space to share them, and the whole range of things that interest me.
I plan to make Suger Coat It a lifestyle blog for women who work for themselves. Or want to.
This blog will cover off the usual topics of style, food, drinks, lifestyle including confidence and relationships but from that point of view. You know, like the good old days before I stopped posting because I got crazy busy and to be honest a little uninspired. Then, I have plans to add a little more content about business, social media, finances and money, taking time out and travel.
Big plans. Whiteboards full of ideas. Project books full of scribbles. I’ve been wondering for a while how this blog fits into what my life looks like now and I believe this is it. My word for 2018 is FOCUS. Clarifying the vision here is part of that. I’ve been blogging for over eight years; the industry has changed SO MUCH since I started. And so have I. I’ve come to believe it’s only natural that I let the blog evolve to meet that. To be prepared to move along with it.
That’s the plan. What do you think?
And I’m not going to be able to do that on my own! I’m going to be inviting contributors for the first time in the history of this blog. I’ve had the occasional guest posts in the past, but this is a genuine, open door, let’s see what comes in invitation. So, if you’re interested in submitting a post or photographs, I’d love to hear from you. All the information is on the Contributors Guidelines page. I know there are lots of talented women that read this blog, I hope you’ll consider reaching out.
And that, my friends, is the unofficial, official launch of this idea I had. Sure, there are still some changes to make to the way the site is laid out and the About pages etc. but I knew you’d want to know. After all this time together, I wanted you to know first. Things will be gearing up in January, so stay up to date in all the usual places {subscribe?}.
Welcome to 2018, team.
Photos by chuttersnap and Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
Love the plan for your site in 2018! It sounds wonderful and I can’t wait to see where it goes. Focus is a wonderful word too and will fit in with your goals. Happy 2018 and hope it’s an awesome year!
Thank you! I’m really excited about it and seeing where it goes from here. Happy New Year to you too, all the best wishes!
I think your plan for 2018 is fabulous! I love it and your word of ‘focus’ fits in beautifully with your plans. I think you have so much to share that we could all benefit from. Your blog and social media presence is so beautifully presented and you’re so darn good at it! I think its only natural that our blogs evolve as we do. I know mine has. We grow and change and so must it. I can’t wait to see the 2018 version of you and your blog! 🙂 xo
Thank you! I appreciate that, learning to present myself and this blog online has been a lifetime love. I find it so darn interesting.
Happy to share what I’ve learned along the way. It’s been an exciting prospect to have something clear to focus on. A way to pinpoint exactly what and why I’m sharing certain things.
And you’re right, the evolution really is a nature thing. You can either fight it, or go with it. Especially after this long. 😉
So good to have your voice back here and commenting. I missed you! I know we all have years like that. In 2013-2014 that was me. Now I continue to love the connections I am making and friendships too, and when there are people like you who are returning to bloggy link ups it makes me feel the connections are strengthening! Best wishes for your venture and F O C U S! Denyse xx Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 2/52. Next week’s optional prompt is My Favourite Weather.
Thank you, Denyse. Glad to be back. I learned that if you want a community, you have to be part of one. I got busy and forgot to do my part. 2018 is a new year though, and this is the new, same old, adventure.
That’s a great plan! I love it. I will definitely be tuning in again more often.
Thank you, Leanne! I’m enjoying it already. New avenues to write under, more photos to take and find. All the good stuff. 🙂
Sounds fabulous! I for one am keen to see which way you go…the word focus sounds perfect. 2018 will be the year that I finally push my writing business off the ground & into the stratosphere…how cool does that sound?
It sounds SO cool. Great news! I’ve actually been writing a guide for starting your business in 2018. It should be done in another week or two. Keep an eye out for it.
Good on you for heading in a new direction and giving others the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills – women supporting each other is always fabulous to see.
Thank you, Leanne. I couldn’t agree more.
It sounds fabulous Suger.
Thank you, Trish! I’m really excited about it.
I’ll be along for the ride, Melissa!
SSG xxx
Glad to still have you here after all these years. xo
Ooo sounds just like my cup of tea … I might even contribute 😉
I’d LOVE that, Janet! Thank you. I hope it is. x
This is a fab idea mate. Can’t wait to read it! Here’s to focus! xx
Right!? Focus is something I’ve needed to bring for a while, happy to make it centre of the plan for 2018. Thank you! There’s a lot of goodness in the planner, now to deliver it to the interwebs. Haha.
How exciting!! Looking forward to watching your new direction evolve. Happy New Year xx
Thank you, Nicole! I’m excited too. I plan to profile some business women with a legit interview and images {trying to take more photos} so I’ll be in touch. Happy New Year. 🙂
I think it sounds awesome – nothing stays the same forever, not the industry, not our blogs and certainly not us! I think change is where all the magic happens – I hope 2018 is everything you want it to be and more!
Thank you, Sammie! You’re so right, let’s hope there is some magic in change here. I have a feeling there could be. I’m excited to see what’s next. Happy New Year to you. xo