Hello dear friends! I hope you are all having a bright day. So… you may have noticed a few changes at Lion and Lantern recently. On Instagram stories a little while ago, I announced my plan to change the name of my blog. Today I wanted to share the reasons behind the change, upcoming projects, and dreams for the future. I hope you’ll grab a cozy drink, stick around, and let me know what you would like to see from the blog in the coming months!
Lion and Lantern: A Quick History
Where did the name Lion and Lantern come from?
I crafted the name Lion and Lantern for my Instagram account in early 2016, when I began practicing modern calligraphy as a hobby. It was a great outlet for me while I spent most of my days at home with one-year-old Bug, and I loved participating in lettering challenges and making friends with other creatives.
Soon after, I opened an Etsy shop where I offered custom hand-lettered prints and printable artwork made from my calligraphy!
What did Lion and Lantern mean, anyway?
The name Lion & Lantern was an homage to my favorite author, C.S. Lewis. In his book The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Aslan (a lion) rescues a selfish, unrepentant boy and in doing so brings hope and light to the whole world. I have also been rescued and given a true hope that shines through my darkness, and inspires me in every area of life, not least of all my creativity. (If you’re a Lewis fan, check out our Narnia Inspired Nursery!)
What happened to calligraphy and Etsy?
Eventually, I decided that Etsy wasn’t the best fit for me. As much as I enjoyed calligraphy as a hobby, it wasn’t bringing me joy as a job.
In early 2017, we moved into our first home. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to make our builder grade home cozy and stylish on a budget, and discovered the joy of decor blogs. I loved reading about people like me who were slowly and thoughtfully cultivating their homes.
Later that year, I shifted gears on my Instagram and decided to start blogging. (Check out my first blog post here! My style has changed quite a bit!) I went ahead and used Lion and Lantern as my blog name.
Moving Forward
A new name for the blog!
As much as I love the name Lion and Lantern, it just isn’t the best representation of my content anymore. After about a year and a half of blogging, I feel that I have hit my stride and have a clearer vision for the future. My new blog name is… Caitlin Marie Design!
I wanted to choose a more versatile blog name, and using my first and middle name was an easy choice. I believe that it will be a good fit as I continue to share design tips, easy DIYs, and seasonal decor. I’m so excited about Caitlin Marie Design, and I hope you love it too! (Especially because I’m not planning to change it again–lol!)
What’s next?
Get ready for lots of inspiration coming soon!
- I’m participating in two fun blog hops in May–a summer tablescape tour and summer home tour–and you do not want to miss all of the seasonal inspiration!
- If you follow along on Instagram, you’ll know that I’ve been on a painting kick and recently gave the dining room a mini makeover. Expect a post with details soon!
- Lately I’ve been daydreaming about refreshing our bedroom and guest room as well, and want to share the process as I create the designs and source affordable decor for those spaces.
- Finally, I’m always on the hunt for great budget pieces and want to document my “research” here in the form of round-ups and shoppable posts to help you cultivate your home while sticking to a budget 🙂
Future Dreams
Honestly, I’m not sure where this blog will take me! In this season of life with young children, my days are full of snuggles, diapers, and not much free time. My blog, Instagram, and the friendships I have made through them are such a joy and inspiration to me, and I have hopes that they will blossom as I eventually gain more free time to devote to them. Maybe someday I’ll be blogging while my kids are at school, working with brands, or meeting with clients about interior design jobs… those are big dreams and I love to think about them. But I am so thankful to know that I do not need to rush or worry.
Thank you so much for joining me on this adventure, dear friends. I would love to hear your thoughts below. Specifically, let me know what you would like to see on the blog in the coming months!
Love and light,
