Serenity Now

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

2012-01-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday! Are you enjoying your weekend? Please pop in to link up YOUR best post of the week at my Weekend Bloggy Reading party.

All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, home remedies, room makeovers, crafts, fashion advice, book reviews, and more! The code for the button is near the end of this post.

There are a lot of fabulous posts this weekend! If you haven't yet, please be sure to visit some of the other links from the party and say a quick howdy to those who have taken the time to visit you. I'd also really appreciate it if you'd take the time to add a direct link back to me within your post(s)...I like to return the favor by Featuring the bloggers who follow through with good blogging etiquette!

Keep reading to see just a few of the posts that caught my eye so far.

~Closet Organizer for Her via Lookie What I Did

~China Hutch Makeover via My Crafty Home Life

~Homemade Sugar Hearts via Texas Cottage

~Play Doh Valentines with Printable via Random Thoughts of a SUPERMOM

~Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pie via Keeping Up with the Cyperts

~Animal Theme Party via Beauty in Bloom

~Bookcase Makeover via The Weekend Homemaker

So, what did you have up your sleeve this week? Come by and share it with us here! Be sure to check out some of the other bloggers' work too. Here's the button in case you'd rather use that than a text link back.

I'm working at commenting as well as balancing my family and fun time this weekend...thanks for your patience! More Features coming tomorrow!

If I've featured you, feel free to snag this button for your blog:

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

2012-01-27T08:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Weekend Bloggy Reading. I hope you'll link up your best post of the week today, and maybe leave me some comment love! Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link!

All kinds of posts are welcome--recipes, crafts, funny stories, home decor, etc.; but please do not link to Etsy shops, businesses, items for sale, etc. (I have a Sponsors section, if you'd like to Advertise with me.)

Here are a few of my faves from this week:

sources listed below

~Setting Goals for Your Blog via The Inspired Room

~DIY Photo Backdrop via The DIY Show-Off

~Pinterest "Netiquette" Rules via My 3 Boybarians

~Kids' Cottage Play Kitchen via Remodelaholic

~And Me? This week featured:

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Rules:

Please link back to me within your post. I will not feature your link if you don't link back to me.*
No items for sale, shops, etc. and please don't link up the same post week after week.
Remember this party is for your best post of the week. Don't link up 10 posts...that's really not in the spirit of this party.
Please visit some of the other links--that's how a good blog party works--participation!

*A text link-back (ex- Linking to Serenity Now) is fantastic, but here's the button code if you'd prefer to use that rather than a text link-back:

Party is open until 10 pm (ET) on Sunday night.

What are you up to this weekend? Tonight is Moms' Night Out! We're doing movie and a makeover at my friend Michelle's house, and I am so excited. But before I can enjoy myself, I have to take the girls to the pediatrician for their yearly check-ups this afternoon...which generally means much wailing and gnashing of teeth. So please wish us all luck!

I hope to be back tomorrow with some highlights from Weekend Bloggy Reading!

(This Code is for blogs that I featured today!):

Date Night Ideas (A Pinterest Round-Up)

2012-01-26T08:01:00.005-05:00

If you stopped in for Date Night Ideas, you came to the right place! I searched high and low on Pinterest for some fun links to share with you today. I hope your "Pinning" fingers are ready for the inspiration.

Before I even launch into the rest of this post, I'll tell you that it is just as much for my benefit as it is for yours! I'm being a selfish blogger today and I am totally okay with it because....

T and I stink at date night...really and truly. We've been married for 10 years and have two beautiful little girls, but rarely do we make going out together, alone, a priority. I go out with friends fairly often, and he occasionally leaves the comfort of the leather couch long enough to grab a beer or see a game with buddies...but we don't go on dates. He works a lot, long hours, but we need to stop using that as an excuse to be lazy. One of my 2012 Goals is to plan more dates, so I'm hoping this round-up of Pinterest Inspiration will help me as much as it will help you!

Some of these Pins lead to entire lists of tips and date ideas, so be sure to click over to check them out!

Source: loveishere.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: missloviecreations.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: pinstersisters.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: themomcrowd.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: howdoesshe.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: ellesees.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: loveactually-blog-ideas.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: shannonbrown.typepad.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: thedatingdivas.com via Amanda on Pinterest

That last Pin is a whole amazing blog devoted to Dating Ideas. Definitely worth clicking over for. Yes, Valentine's Day is coming up, but shouldn't we make an effort year round?

I'm curious. Do you "date" your spouse or significant other? Is it hard for you to make that special time a priority with everything else in your life? Am I the only one??

What's your favorite date night idea?

I hope you'll come back tomorrow to link up YOUR best post of the week to Weekend Bloggy Reading. Recipes, crafts, home decor, book reviews, funny stories, you name it. Come prepared to showcase your blog and find some great weekend reads.

A Day at the American Girl Store

2012-01-25T08:01:00.001-05:00

I admit it. I was just as excited as my girls (if not more so) to head up to the American Girl store in Washington DC two Saturdays ago. A lot of readers from my Facebook page wanted to know how it went, so today I'll take you on a little tour of our American Girl store. I never had an American Girl doll, which is probably why I was so excited when my girls both received dolls for Christmas. It worked out nicely that as part of Michaela Byrd's January birthday, my mom and I decided to take the girls up to check it all out.

(Photos from my point and shoot, so forgive the quality)

American Girl has no idea who I am, so this is not in any way a sponsored post. Just a real look at two real "American Girls" enjoying their first time in the store.

Side note: If you aren't familiar with American Girl dolls, the company offers a line of dolls and books from different historical periods. They also carry dolls, books, and accessories geared towards modern day girls. The neat part is that they really stress good character, creativity, and good self-esteem.

The Washington DC store is actually about an hour from our house, in the Tyson's Corner mall, which is a complete nightmare to get to if you are not a fan of high traffic roadways. Luckily, my mom grew up in the area, so she navigated!

We parked in the first parking spot we could find and trekked through the mall to the store. Luckily, Michaela Byrd's "Bitty Twins" came with their own roller cart, and Natalie promised that she could carry Kit without losing her in a Nordstrom rack somewhere:

The shop is every little girl's dream come true. Lots of light, bright colors, happy faces everywhere. Wide open space with pretty stuff everywhere you look!

It was busy, but nearly so bad as the NYC store at Christmastime. There was plenty of room to walk around and gaze at the displays, and the wait for check-out wasn't bad at all. The girls were overwhelmed by the doll salon, t-shirt shop, and real bistro where you can dine with your dolly friends.

It was so much fun to see the excitement on my girls' faces as they hopped from one display to the next. The AG people are so clever with their displays. They set things up so that girls want to rip stuff right off and play right there in the store. Good thing most sets are in cases. Michaela Byrd couldn't stop exclaiming, "Oo, I want 'dat one! I want 'dat one too!"

There is nothing like a gigantic toy store to bring out the kid in you. I oohed and aahed over all the goodies as much as the kids did!

Natalie chose a violin set for Kit, and Michaela Byrd picked out a snack set for her Bitty Twins...apparently they were hungry after a long morning of shopping. We also picked up a copy of the Kit Kittredge DVD, which they have viewed approximately 56 times this month.

The girls loved the photo opp on the way out with the new doll of the year.

My only complaint was that it doesn't seem like they planned well for the size of the bistro. It books up weeks in advance...we couldn't even go in for a snack or drink. We'll plan ahead next time, but we managed to lure the girls out of the store with a promise of lunch at Panera.

Then it was time to hop on I-95 South and brave the traffic home, thinking the whole time about when we could go up again! If you're planning on visiting a city with an American Girl store, and you have your kids with you, I highly suggest making a stop. It was an all-around enjoyable day, and I hope my girls hold special memories of our fun for years to come. Can't wait to head back up!

Do you still remember a special outing that you went on as a child?

What's in My Camera Bag? (Camera Accessories for Beginners)

2012-01-24T08:01:00.004-05:00

I have some fantastic Camera Accessories for Beginners in my stash! My thoughtful husband raided the local camera store last month and gave me some really cool camera goodies for Christmas. I thought it would be fun to show you what I lug around in my camera bag. Those of you with birthdays or special events coming up might like to see this post in case you have camera accessories on your wish list! This is NOT a sponsored post in any way...I just wanted to share with you.

The alternate title to this post could, of course, be "Pimp My Camera." {wink} Anyone else remember seeing commercials for that Pimp My Ride show on MTV back in the day? They'd take someone's trashy car and turn it into a "luxury" vehicle with a fridge, stereo system, king size bed, hot tub, etc. I don't have a hot tub in my camera bag, but I do have some cool stuff:

Truthful statement #1: I don't carry all of this stuff with me all of the time. I keep my old Sony and my iPhone in my purse for those "oooo I gotta snap a pic of that" moments. But if we're heading somewhere that I know I'll want some nicer pictures, I try to take my Nikon.

Truthful statement #2: I am scared of or don't know how to use a few of these items. But one of my 2012 personal goals is to read my Nikon D3000 for Dummies book and learn about the settings on my camera so that I can use my equipment! My Nikon isn't top of the line. It's what we could afford...we're not into the whole "let's throw it on the credit card just because we can" idea.

So here are a few fun accessory ideas that are great to get started with:

1. Extra lens. My extra lens is a 55-200 mm for zooming.

2. Light Scoop. These babies are super cool. They bounce your flash off the ceiling to create softer, more flattering pictures. T gave me these for my birthday (last year) and I still haven't quite figured them out because they require that the user be able to adjust some of those dials and numbers on their camera. The combination of letters and numbers on my camera screen reminds me of algebra, which I barely scraped by in. I've seen lots of reviews/Giveaways for Light Scoop online, but Veronica wrote the first "non-sponsored" review I've seen! These are great for Home/DIY/Craft bloggers...no more crying when the natural light isn't perfect for your photo shoot.

3. UV Filter. Clean your lens and snap that baby on top to protect it!

4. Extra camera cards. Mine hold anywhere from 1000 to 2000 pictures. I asked for an extra one for Christmas, and was surprised with two. They're nice to have in case of loss or malfunction.

5. Lens cleaner wipes and/or microfiber cloth. The lens cleaner came in a little packet, and I use the microfiber to clean off the camera's screen.

6. Extra battery

7. Battery Charger

8. Remote Control- No more hitting the camera timer and rushing to get in the shot before the shutter flashes. I can hold the remote in the palm of my hand and snap away as I please.

Other stuff?

Pretty Camera Strap- I kept the Nikon strap that my camera came with because T is not a particular fan of my girlie August Blossoms strap that I won last summer.

Camera Bag- As for my camera bag, I usually keep my Nikon in the blue and black utilitarian bag you saw earlier. It's small, fits a few extras, and is good for those times that we'll be in a busy place or somewhere I need something "tough" to protect my camera. When I'm headed somewhere a bit fancier, I use my Jo Totes bag. I bought it last summer...pleased with the design, but it's not as sturdy or spacious as I had hoped.

Tripod- If you shoot in auto, a tripod is a good thing to have to stabilize your camera. Also nice for those group shots! Our tripod is actually a cheap freebie that we got with our video camera a few years back. It does the trick.

Lens Cleaner- I got this guy in my Christmas stocking. Fits perfectly in my camera bag and makes cleaning my lens a breeze!

I feel like I should end this post with a note that I am not, nor do I consider myself to be any kind of photographer. I haven't taken any classes, and my knowledge of photography lingo is very very limited. But I've loved taking pictures since my first elementary school camera. I think the photos on my blog have improved some since I upgraded from my Sony point and shoot to my Nikon DSLR last January. I don't shoot in manual often, and I have a lot to learn, but it sure is fun learning.

Do you have a favorite camera accessory or something on your wishlist?

Nutella Peanut Butter Chocolate Croissants

2012-01-23T08:01:00.002-05:00

Yes, you read that correctly. Nutella. And peanut butter. And chocolate. All wrapped up in a croissant like a tiny package of deliciousness. If you're snowed in (like I wish we were), a plate of Nutella Peanut Butter Chocolate Croissants will make your family dance for joy.

Only a few ingredients in this one, but they sure pack a tasty punch!

Package of refrigerated crescent rolls (Pillsbury or store brand)
Peanut Butter
Nutella
Milk Chocolate Chips

These are made pretty much the same as my Easy Chocolate Croissants recipe. Here's how you make your own:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Unroll dough and separate into triangles. Lay the crescent rolls out flat on a baking sheet. Spread with peanut butter, then Nutella. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top. (I was experimenting, so I used different variations for each of these)

2. Roll the crescent rolls up, starting at the straight edge and ending with the point:

3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 11 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown.

-For the Chocolate Drizzle-
* Place a plastic sandwich baggie in a glass and fold the edges over the top. Fill with chocolate chips. Microwave and stir until melted.

* Twist the top of the bag to form a makeshift pastry bag and snip the end off with kitchen shears.

4. Drizzle the chocolate topping across the croissants and serve while still warm:

Serve these at your next gathering with girlfriends and you'll win Most Popular for sure!

Linking to Home Stories A to Z, Positively Splendid

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

2012-01-21T10:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday! Are you enjoying your weekend? Please pop in to link up YOUR best post of the week at my Weekend Bloggy Reading party.

All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, home remedies, room makeovers, crafts, fashion advice, book reviews, and more! The code for the button is near the end of this post.

There are a lot of fabulous posts this weekend! If you haven't yet, please be sure to visit some of the other links from the party and say a quick howdy to those who have taken the time to visit you. I'd also really appreciate it if you'd take the time to add a direct link back to me within your post(s)...I like to return the favor by Featuring the bloggers who follow through with good blogging etiquette!

Things got a little crazy yesterday with prep for Michaela Byrd's birthday party, so I haven't had a chance to sit down and look at links yet. Extra long Features post coming your way tomorrow--I promise!

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

2012-01-20T08:01:00.001-05:00

Here are a few of my faves from this week:

sources listed below

~Google+ and Creative Bloggers (a series) via Mural Maker and More

~Being Real via Young House Love

~Pottery Barn Teen Inspired Platform Bed via Shanty 2 Chic

~Cake Batter Truffles on a Stick via Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

~And Me? This week featured:

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Rules:

Please link back to me within your post. I will not feature your link if you don't link back to me.*
No items for sale, shops, etc. and please don't link up the same post week after week.
Remember this party is for your best post of the week. Don't link up 10 posts...that's really not in the spirit of this party.
Please visit some of the other links--that's how a good blog party works--participation!

*A text link-back (ex- Linking to Serenity Now) is fantastic, but here's the button code if you'd prefer to use that rather than a text link-back:

Party is open until 10 pm (ET) on Sunday night.

What are you up to this weekend? Tomorrow is Michaela Byrd's 4th birthday party and I am sooo far behind it's not even funny. Today will be spent cleaning, decorating, baking, and putting everything together.

I hope to be back tomorrow with some highlights from Weekend Bloggy Reading!

(This Code is for blogs that I featured today!):

The Floor of the Play Area...

2012-01-19T08:01:00.001-05:00

...is where I will spend most of today. Sherry from Young House Love posted about the real life that happens behind the scenes of their famous blog, and it inspired me to show you all a pic of what I need to be working on today:

No, there was no tornado. No, FEMA has not turned this area into a Barbie refugee camp. If you don't have kids yet, I bet this blurry (sorry) photo is really good birth control. In fact, let me break it down for you:

1. Box of houses and small town toys that they have not played with in months. I eased it out of the bin on the shelf and into this cardboard box. Next, I will ease it into the back of my van and then ease it to the consignment sale. You have to handle these things delicately, lest you alert small children to the loss of their stuff. Then all hell breaks loose.

2. Barbie House. Those Barbies are hoarders. I've never seen people live like that, unless maybe you count the people who live in the room in the picture there. Oh wait, that's us...

3. RV. The Fisher Price Loving Family has had enough of this mess. They're loading up into their RV and going on vacation. I have half a mind to join them.

4. Vacuum on its side. I have no words for this. Maybe it is easier to feed the toys into the vacuum when I have it turned over like this.

5. Two pink tutus. Because it's nice to be able to pick up a tutu off the floor and put it on. So long as the dog isn't laying on it.

6. Stethoscope. I can't believe someone was operating a medical practice in there. Doesn't seem very sanitary. I think I'll write to the AMA.

So there you have it. A real look at how our play area looked as of yesterday afternoon. Hopefully it won't look like that by Saturday morning when Michaela Byrd's little friends show up for her birthday party. Because we want it to be clean before they trash it again. Right?

Y'all wish me luck in this organizing venture today! Do you have a problem area in your house that you need to tackle?

I hope you'll come back tomorrow to link up YOUR best post of the week to Weekend Bloggy Reading. Recipes, crafts, home decor, book reviews, funny stories, you name it. Come prepared to showcase your blog and find some great weekend reads.

IKEA Decorating Inspiration (Our Shopping Fun)

2012-01-18T08:01:00.001-05:00

You should know by now that IKEA is one of my favorite places on earth to browse and find ideas for my home. Last week, I shared Home Organizing Ideas from a recent IKEA shopping trip. Today, I wanted to show you a bunch more fabulous IKEA decor and design ideas.

I can't think of many things more fun than heading up to IKEA with one of my best people, my friend Christy. We like to pretend that we are Swedish models, Ilsa and Olga; picking out things for our fabulous New York City apartments. We had most of our kids in tow this time, which sort of spoils the fantasy of being young single models, but thanks to the "Smaland" (kids area), we had a bit of free time to roam and take inspiration pics.

I featured most of the pictures in the organizing ideas post, but I have some new ones today. As with the last post, these shots were taken with a point and shoot, so the quality is not uber fantastic, but you get the picture...literally.

Living Areas:

Kitchens and Dining Spaces:

I loooooved the shade on this dining room pendant. Great for a more casual eating area:

How may I serve you? (Our kids love pretending in the showrooms)

Bedrooms:

Some people got tired at this point and needed a rest....

Odds and ends:

Then we shoved three kids in a cart and headed into the market mecca of pretty things. Maybe not all of them were happy about it.

But how can you not be happy when digging through bins of beautiful pillows and fun sheet sets that look my Nannie's vintage stuff?

And then it was time to wait in line with our fabulous finds. Some of us were maybe more excited than others....

What did I score?

Among other things, this awesome tea cup and mug tray that I plan on using not as a tea cup tray. But using it will require T to help me in a small remodeling venture that he has conveniently forgotten about.

Do you have an IKEA nearby? What's your favorite area of the store to browse?

Glitter Snowflake Wreath (Leftover Ornaments)

2012-01-17T08:01:00.003-05:00

When I saw packs of delightfully shiny and glittery snowflake ornaments on sale at Target for 90% off, I knew I had to stock up. They were the star of today's project, a Glitter Snowflake Wreath! Yesterday, I showed you how to make a free wreath form. Today, I'll show you how I made my new winter wreath.

Here's what you need to get started:

Close-up of the beautiful glitter...can you tell I like shiny things? (I'm really a raccoon)

Flat wreath form (learn how to make your own here)
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Glitter Snowflake Ornaments (got mine at Target, but I've seen similar ones elsewhere)
Coordinating Ribbon

This is how I put my wreath together:

1. Measure and cut your ribbon for the correct length for your door and loop it through the form. Place a strip of hot glue on top of the wreath form.
2. Fold the ribbon over the hot glue and press to secure (It's okay if it bleeds through. You'll be covering it up)

3. Lay out one layer of snowflakes to fit your form, fitting them in like a puzzle.
4. Hot glue the snowflakes down, one by one. Start with the snowflake on top that goes over the ribbon.

5. Repeat the same steps with your second color layer.
6. Add your third color layer. There's no right or wrong number of snowflakes. I just added them until I liked the way it looked!

*If you have a metal door like I do, you can follow my tutorial on how to hang a wreath on a metal door with ribbon!

A few beauty shots?

I still have bunches of the ornaments left to decorate our girlie tree with next Christmas. You can't beat $0.10 a pack! This wreath will grace our front door for another week or so until I haul the Valentine's Day stuff out of the attic. Despite the lack of snow around here, I'm still in a wintery cozy mood. Bring on the snowflakes!

How do you decorate your front door after Christmas?

Linking to Positively Splendid, Today's Creative Blog

How to Make a Free Wreath Form

2012-01-16T08:01:00.004-05:00

I'm going to show you how to make your own wreath form (for free!) today. I've used this method a couple of times now, and I'll show you my most recent wreath tomorrow! It's not exactly beautiful, but it's free and it does the trick.

Nothing stinks more than getting the itch to do something crafty and realizing that you don't have all of the supplies you need. I've spent money on wreath forms before, but making my own using the steps I'll show you today costs zero dollars (the best amount to spend) and works great for wreaths that don't need a thick form.

Here's what you need to get started:

Box or box lid
Two round things (I used two mixing bowls)
Pencil
Box cutter or x-acto knife
Sharpie (optional)

I chose a box with a white background (thank you Costco, for your awesome box pile by the check out!) so I wouldn't have to spray paint anything. Your color choice will depend on the type of project you're doing. Will brown cardboard show through?

Instructions:

1. Turn the box/box lid upside down and trace your larger bowl/circle in the center.

2. Trace a smaller circle in the middle of the first large circle.

*The size should depend on how wide you want your form to be. I needed something very thin, so I chose two bowls close in size.

You end up with this:

3. Carefully cut out the center of your circle first.

I started with an x-acto knife, which did not work at all because the cardboard was much too thick. I switched to T's box cutter (once I found it!), and it did the trick!

4. Punch out the center and then use your box cutter to carefully cut the outer edge of the form.

Now you have a wreath form--and it was free! The edges are kind of choppy, but I could afford imperfections with the project I had planned. If you need clean lines, you'd want to take care with trimming the cardboard.

No, not the most beautiful thing you'll ever see, but the point is that it's supposed to be covered up! Come back tomorrow to see what I made with my wreath form.

What's your favorite cost cutting measure when it comes to decorating or crafting?

Linking to Today's Creative Blog, Home Stories A to Z

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

2012-01-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

~White Chocolate Reeses Peanut Butter Hearts via Peas and Crayons

~How to Make Your Jeans Fit via Pig and Paint

~DIY Roman Shade via The Life of CK and Nate

~Nursery Reveal via Domesti-Cate

~My Little Pony Play Mat via In the Shadow of Grace

~Triple Bunkbed and Small Space Organizing via Organizing Made Fun

~Stereo Stand to Craft Tower via Casa de Berry

~Making the Case for Meal Planning via Creative 2x Mom

So, what did you have up your sleeve this week? Come by and share it with us here! Be sure to check out some of the other bloggers' work too. Here's the button in case you'd rather use that than a link back.

I'm working at commenting as well as balancing my family and fun time this weekend...thanks for your patience! More Features coming tomorrow!

If I've featured you, feel free to snag this button for your blog:

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

2012-01-13T08:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Weekend Bloggy Reading. I hope you'll link up your best post of the week today, and maybe leave me some comment love! Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link! I also have a great Decorative Pillow Giveaway going on right now.

All kinds of posts are welcome--recipes, crafts, funny stories, home decor, etc.; but please do not link to Etsy shops, businesses, items for sale, etc. (I have a Sponsors section, if you'd like to Advertise with me.)

Here are a few of my faves from this week:

sources listed below

~Wrapping Paper Backed Cabinets via Tatertots and Jello

~Blueberry Dump Cake via My Blessed Life

~50 Things to Write About When You Have Writer's Block via Centsational Girl

~Bead Board Bathroom Reveal via Sand and Sisal

~And Me? This week featured:

Decorative Pillow Giveaway- head over to enter before Sunday!
Tinkerbell Ballet Birthday Party (on a Budget)
My Home Goals for 2012
Home Organizing Ideas (from my IKEA Shopping Trip)

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Rules:

Please link back to me within your post. I will not feature your link if you don't link back to me.
No items for sale, shops, etc. and please don't link up the same post week after week.
Remember this party is for your best post of the week. Please don't link up 10 posts...that's really not in the spirit of this party.
Please visit some of the other links--that's how a good blog party works--participation!

A text link-back (ex- Linking to Serenity Now) is fantastic, but here's the button code if you'd prefer to use that rather than a text link-back:

Party is open until 10 pm (ET) on Sunday night.

What are you up to this weekend? Due to some scheduling conflicts last weekend, I'm taking the girls up to the Washington DC American Girl store tomorrow. They are so excited...and I'm not gonna lie...so am I!

I hope to be back tomorrow with some highlights from Weekend Bloggy Reading!

(This Code is for blogs that were featured today!):

Decorative Pillow Giveaway- Pillows by Dezign

2012-01-12T08:01:00.003-05:00

-This Giveaway is now Closed-

We've chatted a lot lately about Organizing and Home Goals for 2012. Another reason I love this time of year is that I have a clean decorating slate. It's fun to find new ways to update and accessories your home without spending a lot of money, isn't it? Today's Giveaway from Pillows by Dezign is going to help you do just that....Keep reading to find out how you can win a $65 credit to the shop!

If you haven't heard about Pillows by Dezign, the shop offers designer fabric pillows without forcing you to pay designer prices. All of the pillows on the site are made in the USA, and the prices include the down/feather blend form!

I found the Pillows by Dezign site to be very easy to navigate. The best feature is that when you click on a pillow design, you have the option to scroll down and see how it looks on a sofa, chair, or bed! They offer Throw Pillows, Lumbar Pillows, Bed Pillows, Outdoor Pillows, and even Custom Pillows. You'll see fabric choices from Ralph Lauren Home, Robert Allen, Kravit, and more!

Here are just a few examples of the pieces they offer:

One lucky Serenity Now reader will win a $65 credit to Pillows by Dezign.

Here's how you can enter. Please leave me a separate comment for each entry method you choose!*

1. (Required) Leave a nice comment on the Pillows by Dezign Facebook Page letting them know you're there from Serenity Now. Maybe tell them what type of pillow you'd most like to win? (throw, lumbar, bed, etc) Be sure to come back here and let me know you commented there!

-For extra Entries-
2. Facebook this Giveaway with a link to this post.
3. Tweet the Following (copy and paste): Decorative Throw Pillow #Giveaway! Win a $65 credit to @PillowsbyDezign via @SerenityNowGirl! http://bit.ly/nAcbbB
4. Sign up to Follow Serenity Now via Google Friend Connect (so your pretty picture shows up there on my sidebar) or let me know if you are already a Follower.
5. Join my Weekend Bloggy Reading party this weekend and link back to my blog within your post for an extra entry.

*Giveaway open until 10 pm ET on Sunday, January 15th. Open to US residents only. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received.*

*Update: GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

Tinkerbell Ballet Birthday Party on a Budget

2012-01-11T08:01:00.002-05:00

Early last month, we hosted a Ballet birthday party with a Tinkerbell theme for Natalie at the studio where she takes weekly lessons. As with many families, our December budget is always a little tight with the holidays and two birthdays close together. This party isn't a beautifully styled, feature-worthy fete. But I thought I'd go ahead and share some pictures because I firmly believe that even if your family is on a budget, you can still throw an enjoyable party that your child will have fond memories of.

The only real downside to the party was that they stuck us in the "ghetto" studio, most likely because they didn't want little girls with plates of cake wrecking up their floors during Nutcracker rehearsal season. Due to Nutcracker rehearsals, they only gave us thirty minutes to set up...that meant no extravagant decorations.

But you know what? The roomful of little girls was so excited to get their party on that they could have cared less about whether or not the food coordinated with the decor or the fact that we only had a few balloons. They had a blast!

The tablecloths (plastic), plates, and napkins came from Wal-Mart. The banner came from Target, as did the paper decorations, which came in a party pack with all sorts of punch-outs, including a runner and placemats. The "centerpiece" (I use that term loosely- remember, we only had thirty minutes!) was one of the girls' dress-up tutus and my old pointe shoes from my dancing days.

The cake is another story, entirely. I normally make my own cupcakes, but wanted to keep this party as low-stress as possible since I had an event the night before. I ordered it from a well-known "high end" grocery bakery and ended up with something my dog very well could have decorated. I won't be ordering from them again.

The young ladies who served as instructors kept the girls busy the entire time with stretches, simple ballet exercises, moving across the floor, solos, and dance games!

Pass the slipper! (Hot Potato)

The only party time the studio could give me was right in the middle of lunch hour, so we had a pizza picnic...right on the dance floor! A $1 plastic tablecloth and runners/decorations from the Target party pack made a perfect picnic- for lunch and cake!

We all love presents...

And what did my girls wear?

Natalie and Michaela Byrd already had tights and ballet slippers; and the tutu Michaela Byrd wore is one that her aunt SuSu gave her a couple of years ago. I found the pink leotards cheap at Wal-Mart (Danskin) and the leg warmers are from Target. They are able to wear the leg warmers to ballet class, so we've gotten our money's worth out of them! Natalie's tutu is from Harper's Hat Box, and the headband is actually mine-- from Nikycole. Both are fabulously easy to work with!

This was the first birthday party that we've had outside our home. Lots of dance studios offer children's birthday parties as a way for their older students to gain teaching experience (and make some extra money).

While it hurt to pay for the studio time and teachers, the extra cost was worth it to me this year because it meant I didn't have to stress about decorating my home for Christmas and a birthday party in the short week after Thanksgiving. I paid for the studio time over the course of several months, so we didn't have to shell out $$$ the week of the party. Clearly, we also saved with decorations. Because it was a drop-off party, we also didn't have to worry about providing food for adults, which was a plus!

No, it is not the fanciest party you'll ever see...but the birthday girl looked pretty pleased, don't you think?

And that's really all that matters, isn't it?

Linking to Tatertots and Jello

My Home Goals for 2012

2012-01-10T08:01:00.002-05:00

"Most men appear never to have considered what a house is, and are actually thought needlessly poor all their lives because they think they must have
such a house as their neighbors have."

-Henry David Thoreau

The Thoreau quote has been at the front of my mind as I plan Goals for My Home for 2012. I shared my (Mostly Realistic) Personal Goals for 2012 last week, so I thought why not open up to the good old world wide web and share the goals I hope to reach for my home this year. My home goals from last year didn't fair too well, but I've felt an extra surge of motivation in the last couple of weeks.

1. Love my house-

This is an ongoing goal for me, and this is where the Thoreau quote from the top of this post comes in. I'm tired of constantly comparing my home to those of my friends. Even friends I've made through blogging. It makes me cranky.

This year is about being grateful for the home we live in, thankful that we don't live above our means, and remembering how blessed we are compared to so many others. No, I don't have a basement, garage, or my own sound-proof craft room...but I have a roof over my head and many nice things to be thankful for.

2. Update Family room-

I don't hate this room. I'm just ready to make some changes after a very long time of living with the same look. A few purchases have been made and some plans are in the works. Nothing pricey or extravagant...just some simple updates to make the space reflect my personality a little more, since I spend the most time in there.

3. Organize!

There's a reason I've been really obsessed with organizing lately. My house needs it! I have Decorating/Project ADD. I get distracted and sometimes get to the point where I realize I have all sorts of clutter going on and then I struggle with how to get it all under control.

Part is this process is what my friend Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick calls "decrapification." I've been going through stuff to donate, and it feels good to get rid of things! I feel less twitchy when there is less *stuff* to look at...imagine that.

4. Work on the girls' room-

I started last winter with styling their bunkbeds, but then pretty much allowed the girls to turn their room into a disaster zone. I'm currently working on organizing their toys, and hoping to "fluff" the room some as I go. It's pretty much a blank slate right now. I'm excited to share one simple organizing solution I came up with soon.

5. Clean!

Find a housekeeping schedule and make it work! I have some awesome printables from a cool etsy shop...but they don't work if I don't print 'em out! {wink} My plan for this weekend is to put a household notebook together and combine that with some of my personal goals (meal planning, couponing) for 2012.

I'd love to say that I'll get my dining room and kitchen painted, new light fixtures, and make over my bedroom...but I'm taking baby steps this year! Maybe if I can accomplish these things, I can add a few more to the To Do List.

What are some of your goals for your home this year?

Linking to The Nester.

Home Organizing Ideas-from My IKEA Shopping

2012-01-09T08:01:00.003-05:00

It's January--officially that time of year when we all become obsessed with organizing and straightening our homes for these cozy winter months. During a recent shopping trip to IKEA, I told my friend Christy that I had seen enough to do an entire post dedicated to home organization. Today I'll break down the photos with Organizing Ideas by areas of the home, and later this week or next week I'll share some Decorating Inspiration photos. (Forgive the photos...taken with a point and shoot, not the best lighting)

I know I'm not the only one with fetishes for organizing and IKEA...photos like this with examples of a beautiful fresh white slipcover and a sofa table with nice clean lines and bins (bins, I say!!) make us all swoon:

I know, right? So without further ado...

Family and Living Rooms-

Maybe no room for a bookshelf, so they used a shelf mounted to the wall for extra display and/or storage. Check out the hooks for keys, hats, mittens, or small bags. Love that they used the small cabinet for an extra pillow, blanket, and a basket:

This imaginary family has a small art center in their living space for the kids. I love how realistic this is...young children rarely want to color or paint all alone in their rooms. They want to be included with the rest of the family. Check out the art display options with the magnets!

Matching boxes and magazine storage bins!

Mudrooms, Pantries, and Bathrooms-

More hooks in this narrow mudroom space--just like the sign says, "The simplest storage of all." Space them out more for backpacks or briefcases.

Not a fan of the hooks under the glass shelf here, but I do like that they took these bathroom shelves all the way up to the ceiling, providing extra space for toiletries, hand towels, etc:

How cute would this little cart be to store in a large pantry and pull out into the kitchen when you need it?

Kitchens-

Dividers for plates and pots, and lots of plastic food storage options!

The designers use every available space:

Bedrooms and Closets-

Love this unobtrusive rack for hanging quilts or blankets. They don't have to take up tons of extra space!

Love this use of an Expedit bookcase as a room divider, and this one even has drawers!

Clean white bins and drawers in a child's playroom or bedroom can easily be embellished and brightened with homemade labels:

Office or Craft Room-

Lots of nice little carts and drawer units to fit underneath your workspace.

Here, the designers really utilized the desktop space by placing the printer on a small shelf with room underneath for office supplies.

If looking at all the pictures overwhelms you rather than inspires you, I recommend taking a few notes from each room and writing down something that you like or can implement from each one. I've learned that it makes things look much more doable!

Can you see now why I have an entire Organizing Pinterest Board? I have a lot to work on this year, and this particular IKEA trip gave me lots of ideas. I can't wait to show you some more of the rooms Christy and I saw while our kids went wild in the kiddie area downstairs.

Which areas of your home are you looking to organize in 2012?

Linking to Positively Splendid

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

2012-01-07T10:31:00.000-05:00

~Homemade Dog Treats via Me and My Pink Mixer

~Portable Art Studio via One Orange Giraffe

~Chicken and Whole Grain Rice Soup via Dwell on Joy

~Glossy Blue Dresser via Decor Adventures

~Berry Basket Daily Calendar via Ducks in a Row

~Sweet and Simple Chocolate Mousse via Our Family Journey

~Mr. Popper's Penguins Family Night Idea via Vignettes

So, what did you have up your sleeve this week? Come by and share it with us here! Be sure to check out some of the other bloggers' work too. Here's the button in case you'd rather use that than a link back.

I'm working at commenting as well as balancing my family and fun time this weekend...thanks for your patience!

If I've featured you, feel free to snag this button for your blog:

Saturday Stop and Shop

2012-01-07T06:31:00.001-05:00

Are you here for the Weekend Bloggy Reading party? Stop by to link up your best post of the week! I'll be back later today with some highlights from the party, which is open until 10 pm (ET) on Sunday.

I thought I'd share a few quick shop highlights from my Sponsors, who always have something neat going on. Check out what they have in store for you this month!

~The Cat's Paw
To me, January is a great time to stay warm and cozy inside...getting my house in order and accomplishing a few crafty things. How lovely is this Timeless Treasures fabric? I can see any number of pretty crafts made with this! Barbara's shop features affordable fabrics, vintage buttons, and handmade fabric baskets.

~Scentsy
Order from Theresa's Scentsy shop and your home will smell so delicious and cozy...you won't want to leave! I think this Hazelnut Latte scent sounds like perfection:

~Shabby Apple
I love clicking through the Shabby Apple site, hunting for new looks. I didn't know that they carry aprons until last night. Love this whimsical Key Lime Apron:

~Shaklee
Save 15% on your first order from Shaklee today. The Get Clean Household Mini Kit looks like the perfect way to start your New Year with a fresh home!

~ Silhouette
I don't have one (I guess I missed that bulletin), but the new CAMEO would sure be helpful in getting those New Year's Resolutions projects completed. If you head over to the Silhouette shop, please be sure to use the code SERENITY when you check out.

~Tres Magnifique
Mom in High Heels stocks her shop with all sorts of goodies she finds at European flea markets. One of these Vintage French Baguette Boards would be the perfect year-round accent in any home. I love the beautiful, aged look of the wood!

{Happy Shopping!}

*If you are interested in partnering with me this year as a Sponsor, I have a slot available! Please email me at amandaserenitynow(at)gmail(dot)com for details. My rates are very competitive!*

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

2012-01-06T08:01:00.003-05:00

Here are a few of my faves from this week:

sources listed below

~Growing Your Blog Series (Photography and Styling) via Miss Mustard Seed
(See also Building Community and Social Media, Making Money Blogging, Authenticity and Blogging, and Your Blog and the Great Juggling Act)- Excellent Series!

~Stenciled, Fabric Upholstered Headboard via Infarrantly Creative

~Winter Organizing Tips via Martha Stewart

~Cozy Casseroles via Pillsbury

~Craft Room Organizing Ideas via Houzz.com

~And Me? This week featured:

Time to link up your best post of the week. Please remember that this party is dedicated to showcasing your best post of the week--we've had some issues with people linking up 10 or more posts each week, and some of them for multiple weeks in a row.

Rules:

Please link back to me within your post. I will not feature your link if you don't link back to me.
No items for sale, shops, etc. and please don't link up the same post week after week.
Please visit some of the other links--that's how a good blog party works--participation!

Here's the button code if you'd prefer to use that rather than a text link-back:

Party is open until 10 pm (ET) on Sunday night.

What are you up to this weekend? I have things around the house to do today and tomorrow, and on Sunday, the girls are heading up with me and my mom to the Washington DC American Girl store. It's part of Michaela Byrd's birthday. They're introducing a new doll this week, so the store has some crafts and activities planned. My girls are so excited to take their dolls up to play and explore!

I hope to be back tomorrow with some highlights from Weekend Bloggy Reading!

(This Code is for blogs featured today!):

My Winter Reading List for 2012

2012-01-05T08:01:00.001-05:00

If we had a fireplace, I don't think I'd get much of anything done in the winter months. Nothing sounds cozier that curling up in a comfy chair and diving into a new book. I haven't had much time to read lately, but I thought I'd put together a Winter Reading List to work on...fireplace or not.

1. Tsh Oxenreider's Organized Simplicity
My mother-in-law gave it to me for Christmas (after possibly witnessing my disaster of a home once too many times). I'm really excited to go through it, as getting areas of our home organized is one of my goals for 2012.

2. Janet Evanovich's Two for the Dough
After seeing the preview for the first Stephanie Plum movie (with Katherine Heigl-- love!), I read the first book in the series, One for the Money. Although Stephanie's wardrobe descriptions really date the book, I just changed her outfits in my head and really loved the story. Hoping this second book is as good as the first.

3. Nikon for Dummies
Yeah, I know this was on last year's list. I just never got around to going through it. But I really want to get the most out of using my camera, so it's time to start reading!

4. Liz Curtis Higgs' Mine is the Night
This was also on a previous reading list, but I only just received it for Christmas, so there! This is a sequel to another novel, both set in 18th Century Scotland. I love historical fiction.

5. Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The previews for the movie looked odd...hard to tell what the plot is about. But so many people are talking about this book, I feel like I need to give it a try. I enjoy some suspense from time to time.

That's all I can think of for now. I'll probably start with the Higgs novel since I have it, and then work on the Organizing since I am obsessed with that theme right now.

What's on your reading list for this winter?

Serenity Now

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

Date Night Ideas (A Pinterest Round-Up)

A Day at the American Girl Store

What's in My Camera Bag? (Camera Accessories for Beginners)

Nutella Peanut Butter Chocolate Croissants

More Highlighted Links--Share Your Best Post!

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

The Floor of the Play Area...

IKEA Decorating Inspiration (Our Shopping Fun)

Glitter Snowflake Wreath (Leftover Ornaments)

How to Make a Free Wreath Form

More Highlighted Links--Share Your Best Post!

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

Decorative Pillow Giveaway- Pillows by Dezign

Tinkerbell Ballet Birthday Party on a Budget

My Home Goals for 2012

Home Organizing Ideas-from My IKEA Shopping

More Highlighted Links--Share Your Best Post!

Highlighted Weekend Links-- Share Your Best Post!

Saturday Stop and Shop

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

My Winter Reading List for 2012