Friday, August 29, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Happy Friday! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.

Did you miss any of this week's posts? I shared an inspiring Back to School Advice round-up on Tuesday, full of tips and ideas that both touched my heart and motivated me to start the school year off right. There were also some awesome features from last weekend's link party on Monday!



Time to link up your best post of the week!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Back to School Advice for Parents and Kids

My girls got their new teacher assignments for the year yesterday in the mail. In between excited phone calls to friends to compare notes, I started compiling a mental list of THINGS TO TELL THEM before school begins next Tuesday. Stuff like "don't-ever-share-a-comb-or-you'll-get-lice-and-die" and "you don't always have to do what everyone else is doing" and "look out for the kids who are lonely or get picked on." And then I thought, why not share some great back to school preparation ideas posts with you guys. Not the cutesy, crafty, teacher gift posts (though I am a sucker for them), but the ones about getting your son or daughter ready emotionally and spiritually for a new year. So, here you go...



If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

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Monday, August 25, 2014

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Happy Monday! How's your week going? This is our last week of summer vacay, and we're doing our best to relish it. I've got some creative inspiration for you, and today I'll be sharing some Features from the weekend link party. If you're new to the blog, I take a couple of days each week to let other bloggers showcase their project ideas here, and I take a day to feature a few of my faves. We have crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing, tips and tricks, seasonal projects, and more!

Here are some projects that caught my eye this week:

~DIY Modern Console Table (Free Plans and Photos!) via Build Basic

~Lavender Lemonade via Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


~Lake Cottage Late Summer Home Tour via The Happy Housie

Friday, August 22, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Hellooooooo, weekend! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.

Did you miss any of this week's posts? Features went up on Monday!


**Also, the Best of the Blogosphere will be up at Centsational Girl some time this weekend! Kate and I have rounded up some fab DIY to share with you. Head over to see the BOTB after you link up here!**


Time to link up your best post of the week!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Hello, hello! How's your week going? We're still enjoying summer vacation here for a few more weeks. I've got some creative inspiration for you, and today I'll be sharing some Features from the weekend link party. If you're new to the blog, I take a couple of days each week to let other bloggers showcase their project ideas here, and I take a day to feature a few of my faves. We have crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing, tips and tricks, seasonal projects, and more!

Here are some projects that caught my eye this week:

~DIY Home Tour via Lovely Etc

~Frozen Blueberry Cream Pie via The Kitchen is My Playground

~Monogram Zipper Pouch via The Scrap Shoppe








Friday, August 15, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Happy Friday! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects! And don't forget this week's Photo Canvas Giveaway!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.

Did you miss any of this week's posts? I joined a Blogland Tour on Monday, shared some awesome features from last weekend's link party, and I've got a great Giveaway going on right now for a Photo Canvas from Printcopia (plus free shipping!).

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Photo Canvas Giveaway from Printcopia!

This post brought you to you by Printcopia. All opinions are my own.//  I have a little love affair with photos on canvas. I love displaying family photos in our home, whether it's a copy of an heirloom portrait that's a hundred years old, a family photo, or something I shared on Instagram last week. Keeping those photos out on display is a form of inspiration for me. What better way to relive and cherish those people and moments than with a snapshot? It's my pleasure to offer a Printcopia Canvas (plus free shipping!) as a Giveaway for one Serenity Now reader. Keep reading to find out how to enter!


Printcopia was kind enough to send me a canvas to review, and I decided to test them. Rather than choosing something shot from my Nikon, I opted for an iPhone photo. I settled on one of my favorite candid iPhone shots...a pic I snapped of Harris' hand resting in my own. I love the simplicity of the photo...it reminds me of the quote "A son will hold your hand only for a little while, but he will hold your heart for a lifetime."



Ordering took me less than five minutes once I knew what I wanted. It was as simple as choosing a canvas size, uploading a photo, choosing a style (mirror image, border color, or image wrap), and choosing options such as color finishing or retouching.


When my canvas was complete, I received an email with tracking information, and the canvas arrived in a well-protected cardboard wrap/box. I was impressed with the quality of the image after transferring from an iPhone to a canvas. Sturdy frame, nice thick canvas.


Now I have a "mommy moment" I can cherish forever.


Guess what? Printcopia is giving away an 8 x 10 x .75 Photo Canvas to one reader, plus free shipping!

You can use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

Please note the terms in the Giveaway app. I do confirm entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This Giveaway will be open until 12 am EST on Monday, August 17th, 2014.

You can connect with Printcopia on Facebook and Twitter.

Good luck!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Follow on Bloglovin


I received a canvas from Printcopia in exchange for a review, but was not compensated financially for this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. I do not review products or brands that I am not interested in or that I feel will not be a good fit for my readers. 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Hello, hello! How's your week going? We're still enjoying summer vacation here for a few more weeks. I've got some creative inspiration for you, and today I'll be sharing some Features from the weekend link party. If you're new to the blog, I take a couple of days each week to let other bloggers showcase their project ideas here, and I take a day to feature a few of my faves. We have crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing, tips and tricks, seasonal projects, and more!

Here are some projects that caught my eye this week:

~DIY Ampersand (from foam!) via Hawthorne and Main


~Cheese Display via Celebrate and Decorate with Chloe Crabtree

~DIY Framed Wedding Seating Chart via Small Home Big Start

Monday, August 11, 2014

Hopping on the Blogland Tour

While I have immensely enjoyed spending more time with my little ones and baby over the past few months and less time editing, writing, and promoting posts, I feel like it's time to slowly wade back into the blogging waters. What better way to dip my toes in than to join in a fun Blogland Tour? What's a Blogland Tour? It's a way for you to learn a little more about me and my writing process and to meet a couple of wonderful bloggers.

My friend Paula from the Sweet Pea blog invited me to join in this round. Have you "met" Paula?


I've actually known Paula for much longer than I have been blogging. It's probably been close to ten years, even though we've only met in person one time! She is a creative, thoughtful person, and I love her blog posts because she often shares the history and stories behind the pieces she repurposes and reinvents.

Paula is a 7th grade teacher who loves to be active. She enjoys taking the time to run, cycle, and lift weights. Paula also loves being domestic. When she has free time, she likes gardening, cooking, decorating, sewing, and crafting. She and Mr. SP also have the most adorable pup, Sherman. 

One of my very favorite posts of Paula's is this genius DIY pallet wine rack, perfect for outdoor entertaining!

.......................................................................
About Me and My Blog:

I started my blog back in 2008, when my now middle child was a newborn. I was cooped up in the house during a hard winter and felt like I needed a creative outlet. I wrote a grand total of maybe three posts that year before taking a break and making the choice to start blogging regularly in 2009.


I am a stay-at-home mom of three kids: two girls and a baby boy. I've been married to T for thirteen years, and we live in Virginia. Our family also has two dogs...a ginormous beastly German Shepherd named Elinor Dashwood (Ellie) and a Pomeranian named Emma Woodhouse. When I have a spare moment to catch my breath, I enjoy reading, thrifting, decorating, crafting, shopping, and taking pictures.

I also contribute to Centsational Girl's BOTB column and the Best of DIY site.

What am I Working On Now?

I feel like I have a bit of project ADD at the moment.

I'm trying to nag T into helping me repair my thrift store bench so I can reveal the ongoing mini kitchen makeover. Also in the works are a girls' study area, completing our shared play/craft space, updating a pair of window treatments, a gallery wall for my family room, painting the dining room, a back-to-school wreath, and a possible Instagram display for an upcoming Martha Stewart Plaid campaign.


Hmm...so looking at that list, I think maybe I need to do a post solely dedicated to my to-do list. It's hard to fit all of this in when you've got a baby and two busy girls at home all day! But I do love to be creative.

How Does My Work Differ from Others in this Genre?

My blog straddles several different genres because when I do blog regularly (ie. before baby arrived), I tackle home decor, crafts, recipes, and home living.

But the phrase I'd use is "Realistic Inspiration." With many blogs becoming more and more like mini magazine spreads, it can start to feel like you'll never measure up...whether you're a reader or a blogger. A lot of the DIYs I see are sponsored by big companies who send bloggers materials and compensation. I've done some of those myself, and there's nothing wrong with it. But when you bill yourself as a budget blogger, it can start to sound a little stale when you've posted your fourth "budget room makeover" that was almost completely sponsored.

My family has tightened our financial belts over the past few years as many of yours have. I don't share a lot of large DIY and room makeover jobs because we just don't have the money. I share crafts and DIY projects when I have the extra cash or gift cards to spare. I'm through with posting crafts and other projects for the sake of posting. So...when I do post a project, you can bet that {unless it's under very special circumstances} it's going to be something you can replicate at home...without breaking the bank.

Why Do I Write/Create?

Simple: because my head would explode if I didn't.

How Does My Writing/Creative Process Work?

For the writing, I was very structured before baby #3 came along. I'd sit down every evening after the kids went to bed and put a post together...spending an hour or so writing, editing photos, and editing the writing. Posts went up like clock work at 8:01 EST every day from Monday to Friday...and at other intervals on Saturday and Sunday.

With three kids, one of them being a baby, I am no longer able to keep up with that schedule. I've probably only posted 5 or 6 creative posts in the past 6 months. I'm okay with it because I know there are seasons for everything, and my current season is about cherishing the little ones God has blessed me with.

As far as creating, I'll squeeze it in whenever I can. Usually during the hours of 1 to 3 pm, when Harris naps. Those are great spray painting hours, as far as I'm concerned!
......................................................................................

Where the Tour Through Blogland Goes Next:

If you haven't visited Chaney from May Richer Fuller Be, it is my pleasure to introduce you.

I love this girl's style! She contributed to my "Season of Serenity" Christmas series last year, and she is so creative. Chaney is a genetic counselor by day, but she also dabbles in graphic and interior design. Her blog is full of clear, bright photos...loads of inspiration. One of my favorite projects of Chaney's is this vintage kitchen cart makeover, so sweet!


I do hope you will take the time to visit Chaney's blog. You are sure to be inspired!

Thanks for joining me on this little tour of Blogland. I will have features from the weekend link party up in a day or two, and I'll be back later this week with a Canvas Giveaway and a link party!


If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Follow on Bloglovin

Friday, August 8, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Hellooooooo, weekend! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.

Did you miss any of this week's posts? Features went up on Monday!


**Also, the Best of the Blogosphere will be up at Centsational Girl some time this weekend! Kate and I have rounded up some fab DIY to share with you. Head over to see the BOTB after you link up here!**


Time to link up your best post of the week!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Good morning! Is your week off to a good start? T and I are celebrating 13 years of marriage today. Of course, he's working from 9 am to 9 pm, so I won't really see him, but an anniversary is an anniversary, right? I've got some creative inspiration for you, and today I'll be sharing some Features from the weekend link party. If you're new to the blog, I take a couple of days each week to let other bloggers showcase their project ideas here, and I take a day to feature a few of my faves. We have crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing, tips and tricks, seasonal projects, and more!

Here are some projects that caught my eye this week:

~Coastal Style Vintage Window Vignette via An Extraordinary Day


~Homemade Granola Recipe via Huckleberry Love



~Glitter Heat Transfer and Fabric Flower T-Shirt via Creative Ramblings

Friday, August 1, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Happy weekend! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!


*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.

Time to link up your best post of the week!