Winner!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter my New Year's Giveaway. 

I am so grateful for each and every one of my readers! There are some really cute new products in my shop, and you can even view the new Spring catalog here. Ordering from my online shop is simple, and the products are shipped straight to your door via FedEx. Can't beat that!

The winner of the Giveaway is #18, Tania of Sew Into Crafts. Tania, please email me within 48 hours with your information so I can get your items sent off!

When in Doubt, Throw it Out

...well, maybe not all the way out. But into a big box for Salvation Army will do.

Hint: there's not really a leaf blower in that box.

I started getting twitchy the day after Christmas...just too much *stuff* out around here! I think the piles of new toys bestowed upon the girls by well-meaning grandparents just made the situation worse. During naptimes, I've been stealthily going through toy bins in the addition, weeding through stuff that hasn't seen the light of day in months. I have a nice pile of toddler sized clothes in the girls' room that needs to be cataloged before I can stuff it in the donate box as well.

As for my own closet...I went on a huge clothing binge a few years ago and donated dozens and dozens of pairs of pants, sweaters, tops, you name it. I came to the conclusion that not only was I no longer a size 6,  a lot of the outfits were dated. There were hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that got sent to Salvation Army. I don't have nearly what I used to on my side of the closet, but it's feeling stuffy again...time to purge!

I noticed that my cabinets were starting to feel a bit cluttered. When I took a closer look, I saw that I had a whole pile of mugs that hadn't been used in ages. And I do mean ages. T rarely drinks coffee at home, and no one mama needs 256 mugs to make mochas at home. So I did some editing. These guys didn't make the cut:

I've learned that when you start feeling claustrophobic and you know you need to get rid of some stuff, it's best not to over-analyze. If it hasn't been used or worn in a year, it's gone. I've been tossing things right and left...and it feels so good!

My cabinets are thanking me, and I hope to soon receive a note of thanks from the family room...once I sort through the top layer of Christmas gifts that are still strewn every which way.

{Have you started any New Year's decrapification (to borrow from Sarah)?}

Chick Flick Club Revival

It's back to the daily grind today...preschool drop-off, errands, wearing real clothes all day....

One of the things that started strong in 2010 and fizzled out later was my Chick Flick Club, and it was completely my fault. I can complain about a shortage of good chick flicks, but I know I got in over my head with activities and commitments.

Friendships need nurturing and one of my goals for 2011 is to find stress-free ways to get together with my girlfriends. Starting up the Chick Flick Club again is a good beginning.

Here are a few possibilities for January and February:

Ashton Kutcher is surprisingly good in chick flicks, and he's certainly easy on the eyes.



Jennifer Aniston can do no wrong. I judge a lot of movies by the heroine's hair (yes, I know I'm shallow), and she always has fabulous hair. I haven't seen Adam Sandler in a film since 50 First Dates, so I'm looking forward to seeing their chemistry together.



I'm not even a big country music fan, but I like Gwyneth. She also gets good hair points in this one, and her voice sounds great!



So...a few cute selections. Nothing too serious or thought-provoking. Just a couple of fun movies to take our minds off of reality for a short while. We usually like to grab coffee or dessert beforehand. We have a really nice new theater in town now behind the newer section of our mall. If it's not too frigid outside, I just might make time for a stop in Sephora beforehand. Mama needs a makeover!

{What's your favorite thing to do with your best girls?}

*Don't forget to swing by and enter my New Year's Giveaway! Open until 10 pm (ET) tonight.

Sunday Shopping Showcase: After Christmas Sales!

You all know I am a huge fan of the shopping. Love the shopping.

Melissa over at 320 Sycamore had a great post with some After Holiday Shopping Tips, and it was a great reminder that as hard as it is to bypass all the new Spring stuff in stores right now, this is the best time to buy holiday stuff for next Christmas! Wal-Mart's Christmas section was 50% off on Friday, and Target had everything marked down to 75% off yesterday.

I took Melissa's advice to heart and picked up a few things that I knew would come in handy next Christmas. Now I'll have a nice surprise in the attic in November!

I always buy one "Show-Offs" ornament storage box after clearance. Picked this one up for $6.00. (sorry for the bad pictures..Blogger isn't liking me today)

Silver and red tinsel garland, 75% off at Target and 50% off at WM. Cute "Merry Christmas" garland from Target for $1.50.

Love these cute little "lawn picks" from WM. They ended up being about $1 each.

Box of cute gold shatterproof ornaments from WM, $2.50 for 8.

Not bad, considering our local stores were hit hard the day after Christmas. There's not much left now, even if Target does go to 90% off!

{Do you shop after Christmas to stock up for next year?}


Can't believe it's back to the grind tomorrow. As much as I am looking forward to sending my oldest back to preschool 3 days a week, it was nice to have some lazy days at home!

*Have you entered my New Year's Giveaway yet? Open til Monday at 10 pm (ET).

Saturday Stop and Shop (and a 'lil Giveaway)

Happy New Year! If you stopped by to enter my New Year's Giveaway, it's still open!

Did Santa bring you any Christmas money this year? I have a little Christmas cash, and it's burnin' a hole in my pocket. Let me help you spend yours too. {wink}

~The Cat's Paw
Barbara's Lollipop Pink Swirl Coasters would make a great Valentine's Day gift for a special friend. I can see my favorite mocha-filled mug resting on one of these babies!

~Crafty Girls Workshop
One of my goals for the New Year is to try and work with patterns (I'm skeered!!). Anna's Flower Banner will make the perfect addition to Spring tea parties! Check out her 25 Yard Dash promo here. Get 10% off your order when you use the code: SERENITYNOW

~Homebody
I consider Holly an expert at finding frugal, yet stylish ways to decorate her home. Her monthly Knock-Off Party (geared towards Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and Ballard Designs) is a treasure trove of ideas. The next one is scheduled for January 27th, so be sure to mark your blogging calendars! Holly also hosts a weekly Money Saving Tips link-up each Monday. A must-read if budgeting is your goal for the New Year.

~Laura Jane Designs
New Year, new blog design? If you've decided to focus on blogging and grow your site this year, a custom design is a great way to capture a reader's attention. Laura Jane has some beautiful designs!

~one9designs
Kristin's unique pieces want to pop off the screen and into my jewelry box. {wink} These sky blue topaz earrings are simple enough to be worn every day, but still say something special.

~The Shabby Chic Cottage
I couldn't believe Gina has these fab ruched towels listed in her clearance section, but she has to make room for new items somehow, right? To me, these are inspiration for a kitchen or bathroom makeover!

~ Silhouette
Do you have one of these guys yet? I used some Santa money to order one...not sure when it will come in, but it's gonna be like Christmas all over again! I'm really excited to be partnering with Silhouette. There will be some neat promotions coming up here at Serenity Now...if you head over to the Silhouette shop, please be sure to use the code SERENITY when you check out.

~Stitch Sense Designs
Nadir's cotton chenille facial scrubbers make me wish I was heading for the spa. Or maybe a really nice bathroom I don't have to share with the rest of the fam. Another great Valentine's Day gift idea...pair this set of two with a nice facial scrub, some soft classical music, and some chocolates. Or just treat yourself.

~Willow House
January is Double Hostess month with Willow House and Carmella would love to be able to bless you with free products. Contact Carmella to find out how to reap rewards when you share her online store and/or catalog with friends and family.

~Blessings Unlimited
I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY this weekend with a few items from my shop and from DaySpring (which owns Blessings Unlimited). A great way to ring in the New Year with a calendar, day brightener, greeting cards, and cute tissues! Stop over to Friday's post to enter to win! You can view my catalog here (Spring version coming soon!).

{Happy Shopping!}

*If you are interested in partnering with me this year as a Sponsor, please email me at amandaserenitynow(at)gmail(dot)com. My rates are very competitive!*

A Little New Year's Giveaway from Me

I thought it would be a fun way to end the year by doing a small, last minute Giveaway for my readers.

I am so grateful (and more than a little surprised) that people stop by my little corner of the web each day to read and share with me. Thank you for a wonderful 2010, and here's to a completely fabulous 2011!!

What's up for grabs today? Just a few cute things I thought you might enjoy...

• A Sassy and Sophisticated 2011 Calendar
• Some Sassy and Sophisticated Greeting Cards from my Blessings Unlimited line
• A Sassy and Sophisticated Day Brightener...cute quotes and/or a Bible verse for each day
• Cutesy matching tissues for your bag. Just 'cause I liked them so much.

Back of Calendar:

{Some of these items are from my Blessings Unlimited shop, and some are made through DaySpring, the company that owns Blessings Unlimited.}

Here's how you can enter (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

1. (mandatory to enter) Visit my shop and leave me a comment with the name of your favorite item.
2. Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect, or let me know if you are already a Follower. (That means your cute picture shows up over on the sidebar where it says "Followers.")
3. Tweet this Giveaway with a link to this post.
4. Facebook this Giveaway with a link to this post.

Giveaway will be open until Monday evening at 10 pm (ET). Open to U.S. Residents Only.

I hope you have a fabulous New Year's Eve, and a completely wonderful 2011.

See you next year! {wink}

Well, This Can't Be Good...

Exhibit A:
3 Tupperware Bins of Christmas Goodies.

Perhaps I was a bit overzealous in the treat making department this year?

I suppose I could take one for the team and finish them off. Or, I could save them for company on New Year's Eve.

What to do? What to do?