2011 Goals...For My House

I almost didn't write this post. By nature, I tend to shy away from challenges for fear of failure. And shame. And then eating too many brownies.

But The Nester is hosting a link-up for bloggers, asking them to share their goals for their homes in 2011. It struck me when she ended her invitation with a reminder to "be realistic but challenge yourself."

Ooooo...that could be problematic. It would be so super easy for me to list these as my goals: Vacuum once a month, wash the dishes, and lock the front door when I leave. Check, check, aaaand check.

That was easy.

...Except for the part where The Nester asked me to challenge myself. Several blog posts I came across this week shared about being fearless and stepping outside of your comfort zone. I took that as God's teeny tiny hint that maybe it's time to stop worrying about messing up and start trying new things.

So here's what I came up with:

1. Learn to L-O-V-E my house. 

Quit wishing for a basement, a garage, a sound-proof craft room, and start looking for little things to appreciate.

2. Update:

• Take more time to learn what exactly my style is. What do I love?
• Paint--it's supposed to be the easiest (and one of the least expensive) ways to change a room's look. The kitchen and the dining room both need to be painted...I'm leaning towards a light gray. 
• Kitchen hardware--we need to say buh-bye to the brass on the cabinets. That is all.
• Thrifty replacements--start scouring Salvation Army for a new coffee table and end tables for the family room. Explain to T that just because furniture is "solid" and real wood and "perfectly good," doesn't mean we should keep it if it makes my eyes bleed. 

3. Organize

• Girls' Room--we moved them into the same bedroom in September, but the closets have been in limbo ever since. They need an organizational overhaul. I'm hoping a Saturday drive to IKEA can remedy that.
• Donate--continue the naptime toy bin raids and go through my own closet for clothes that I have been delusional about ever fitting into again.

4. Enjoy!

• What fun is a house if you don't take the time to savor a café mocha on the deck while the kids play in the backyard? Stay HOME more often and enjoy the blessings God has gifted us with.

I could go on for ages with the projects I'd love to complete this year, but I'm attempting to be realistic. 

I hope you'll be here to see how we do with these goals!

{Do you have any changes you'd like to implement at home in 2011?}

*Hope you'll come back tomorrow to link your favorite post of the week up to Weekend Bloggy Reading!*

Simplified Celebration

Something I've learned over the past several years is that it is much less stressful for me when I keep birthday celebrations simple.

"KISS" (Keep It Simple Sistah) should be my new motto, after of course "NWAHLC" (Never Waste a Hobby Lobby Coupon).

My little one, Michaela Byrd, turned 3 yesterday. With a birthday so close to Christmas, we do her party a bit later in January, and that works out nicely for everyone. She gets to stretch the birthday magic out a bit, we don't go broke after just celebrating Christmas, and I keep my sanity for just a short while longer.

Michaela Byrd is having a Cinderella party, very much like the one we threw for her sister just last month. We do homemade decorations (T is going to have to build another castle because he left the other one out in the snow and it got ruined), homemade games, and homemade cupcakes. I don't spend a ton of money or a ton of time putting everything together...

Because they are 5 and 3. They are impressed when I take them to Costco, so pretty much anything outside of watching cartoons is going to be a big deal for them.

Just because her birthday party isn't for a few weeks doesn't mean we couldn't do a wee bit of celebrating now. I surprised the girls with sprinkle donuts from Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. I got a mocha, which wasn't a surprise, but it was very nice. We even got to meet my sister and wee baby niece for a special lunch Chick-fil-a. Natalie helped her sister open a few gifts at home: some books, a Barbie dress, and a new Barbie that is a pilot, a vet, and an ice skater. This Barbie must be so stressed out with her multiple careers!

And while the girlies watched Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale (one of the better Barbie movies, in my humble opinion), I made a quick cake with Betty Crocker mix and, yes, store-bought Betty Crocker icing.

I needed to get rid of some chocolate icing from New Year's Eve, so I used it in the middle layer before adding vanilla and sprinkles on top.

And you know what?

It was good! I didn't need to impress anybody, because it wasn't about me...it was about her! And she thought the sprinkles were perfection!

So did I...

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!*