Back to basics, back in business

I lied. I told you I was taking a week-long break from blogging, but I decided to take a two week blogcation instead. I’ve had a lot on my mind and needed the extra time to sort through all of the activity in my head.

Feeling disconnected

Bunny & Dolly began as a sort of online diary, a place where I could chronicle the highs and lows of pregnancy. When Levi was born, the topic naturally evolved to motherhood and blog posts ranged from anecdotes about parenting to Levi’s favorite things. Since I was already writing about clothing, books and toys for babies, I began to seek out ways to monetize, including sidebar ads and affiliate links, in an attempt to earn some pocket cash. As a VPTWAHM, I’m not the breadwinner in the family, so any little bit I can contribute to our checking account makes me feel good about myself.

I realized that Bunny & Dolly was losing its authenticity. Cluttering my sidebar with ads and posting solely about products felt phoney. You don’t come to Bunny & Dolly for fashion, beauty or decor advice (at least, I don’t think that’s your primary reason). You come for stories, snippets of my everyday life as a mom to a toddler son and wife to a military husband. Maybe you enjoy reading about my daily parenting adventures because they remind you of your life and, like me, you find it comforting that somebody else is experiencing the same challenges. Or maybe your life is nothing like mine and you find our differences interesting. Perhaps you just think Levi is the cutest kid in the entire world and keeping coming back to see more photos of him. (I wouldn’t blame you!)

Moving forward

I’m going to take Bunny & Dolly to the next level by going back to basics. More posts about me and my family. More conversations. More questions. I may still include affiliate links and take on sponsored posts, but only if they’re a natural fit. You’ll notice, however, that I’ve removed my sidebar ads. They were clutter, that’s all.

On my to-do list are plans to clean up my categories and update my About page. I’m also going to be adding a Blogroll page with links to other fantastic blogs. I may bring back Friday favorites; I’m still undecided. Did you like those? Oh, and I promised you a super cool giveaway in September that’ll happen later this week. Probably.

Psst…

And one other thing: I just learned that Bunny & Dolly was included in Weatherables 2012 Top 20 Family Blogs list alongside such A-list blogs like A Cup of Jo, Marvelous Kiddo and Design Mom. To be grouped together with these big-name bloggers sort of blows my mind.

So that’s it. Bunny & Dolly is back in business. And now I’ve gotta find some time to catch up on two weeks worth of blog updates in my Google Reader!

Happy Monday, friends!

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