One More Day to Link Up!

I'm giving everyone one more day to link up to this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party before I choose Features for tomorrow. I'd love to see you there! I've been running this party for several years now, and I'd like to see it grow a little more. I'm also busy enjoying some summer fun, so this gives me an extra day. I'll have a post with lots of Featured Project Ideas up tomorrow morning.

If you haven't joined the fun yet, please hop over to the party and add your best post of the week. We have Home Decor, Crafts, DIY, Recipes, Tips and Tricks, Party Ideas, and so much more! Lots of fun ideas to Pin and tuck away for future use.

If you've already linked up, be sure to browse some of the other projects. If you haven't added a link back to me within your post, please take a minute to do that if you'd like your project considered for a feature. It's good for both of our SEO, guys!

Hope you've had a fantastic weekend.

Share Your Best Post of the Week -- Link Up!

Happy Saturday! What are you up to today? I just wanted to offer you guys a quick "weekend update." Please pop in to link up YOUR best post of the week at my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Today's the day to link up because I'm busy rounding up more Features! I'd love to know which ones caught your eye.

All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, printables, tips and tricks, home decor, DIY, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is located over at the party, or you can add a text link back to me within your post. Remember, I only feature projects that have a link back to me within the post.

This is just a quick "sneak peek" snapshot (ie. you have to go to the party post to get the links to work) of all the awesome projects that have been shared at the party this week. You can click the party link above to check them out and share your own project! I'd love to Feature you in a post!

If you haven't linked up yet, hop on over! Be sure to browse some of the amazing projects that have been shared.

If you missed this week's posts at Serenity Now, here are some links for you:

• 10 Delicious Summer Cocktail Recipes
• And All That Jazz
• Google Reader is Retiring, Don't Lose Your Fave Blogs
• Featured Project Ideas

Features coming soon!

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. This is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, 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--it's good for both of our SEO!

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.

Here are a few of my faves I spotted around the web this week:

sources listed below

~Boy's Room via Floor 24 Designs

~Tabletop Flower Trough via Infarrantly Creative

~Personalized Wooden Flatware via Cottage in the Oaks

~Outdoor Dining Area via Nalle's House

~And Me? I'd love it if you have a moment to click over. This week featured:

• 10 Delicious Summer Cocktail Recipes
• And All That Jazz
• Google Reader is Retiring, Don't Lose Your Fave Blogs
• Featured Project Ideas

Time to link up your best post of the week!

And All That Jazz

Our neck of the woods has been busy with Vacation Bible School, swim lessons, errands, and enjoying summer. I'm starting to come out of that first trimester haze, but haven't had the energy (or the funds) to do any DIY or crafts lately. So I thought I'd share some pics from Natalie's dance recital earlier in the month.

She added jazz on top of ballet this year, and while the ballet class ended up being a bust (a teenager teacher with a class that was too large), she adored jazz and had to cutest dance for the show. Ballet was danced to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with a lovely tutu in a pretty shade of green. Jazz was a punchy disco number to "Boogie Shoes" and funky sequined costumes.

And on to the ballet....

And, I know this makes me a total "mommy blogger," but the jazz routine was too cute not to show you guys. It's clearly not professional level (this was just dress rehearsal), but these are a bunch of seven year olds who only take the class once a week. So, not bad. Natalie's the girl in the front row on the far left at the start.

Cute, huh?

Do your kids dance? Have a favorite routine or genre?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, 

10 Delicious Summer Cocktail Recipes

Summertime, relaxing on the deck with a magazine and a fruity drink. Something about being pregnant makes me see the grass as being greener on the other side when it comes to delicious, delicious alcohol. In other words, I have been salivating over gorgeous, summer cocktail photos in my Instagram feed and have not been able to partake, lest my child come out with three arms or something. I can "splurge" on lemonade or maybe the virgin version of these drinks. Meanwhile, you can enjoy!

~Sangria Tinto via Inspired by Charm

~Rum Punch via Martha Stewart

~Blueberry Lime Margarita via Eating Well

~Frozen Vodka Lemon Slush via Recipes Ranger

~Citrus Berry Sangria via A Night Owl

~Spiked Blueberry Lemonade via Veggie Belly

~Frozen Lime Margaritas via Fitness

~Watermelon Margarita via Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

~Peach Cooler via White on Rice Couple

~Lemonade Mojito via PopSugar

Don't Lose Your Favorite Blogs! (Google Reader is Going Away- Alternatives?)

Today's post is a quick Public Service Announcement for anyone who reads blogs. Since you're reading this, I assume you fall into that category! I know many of you are already aware of the fact that Google is retiring Google Reader, a favorite online "blog post organization service" for bloggers and readers everywhere, as of July 1, 2013. I didn't realize that they are also retiring Google Friend Connect (the little gadget on my sidebar with so many friendly reader faces). I wanted to share some alternatives with you today.

source

Why do I care? I've worked really hard on this little blog for the past few years, and I love to interact with my readers! I want you to keep dropping by to read posts here at Serenity Now.

I haven't used Google Reader, but I do use Google Friend Connect to keep tabs on many of the blogs I love to read. It looks a little something like this when I log into my Blogger account dashboard. I loved it because all the blogs I "Followed" through GFC showed up here:

Needless to say, if you've been using Google Reader or your Blogger dashboard, it looks like you'll need a new method as of the first of July. And, if you don't use a reader, you may want to consider it to streamline your reading experience and keep track of new posts!

How Can You Keep Up with My Blog if You Don't Have Google Reader Anymore?

I did some research and found that the two most recommended new readers out there are Bloglovin' and Feedly.

Feedly
Feedly will transfer over your existing subscriptions and your folders! From what I've heard, it's also fairly easy to navigate.

BlogLovin'
BlogLovin is highly popular right now with bloggers. It will transfer over your subscriptions, but not your folders. My blog is registered with BlogLovin', so feel free to follow me there too.


Other Ways to Keep Up with My Blog

Subscribe via Email
You can receive posts from your favorite blogs by simply signing up for each blog to send you a daily email. If you read a lot of blogs, that could really clutter up your inbox though!

Facebook
I regularly update my Facebook fan page with each day's post, as well as links to other projects and posts around the web. I also like to throw in some personal pics and funny stuff.

Twitter
My Twitter account always shares the latest posts from Serenity Now, as well as dozens of other projects, posts, and articles from bloggers, magazines, and companies.

Still have questions? I know it's a major bummer that Google is phasing out products that bloggers and readers truly enjoyed and relied on. I'll share some links here from other bloggers and sites who offer suggestions on Google Reader alternatives:

The SITS Girls
The Country Chic Cottage
Measured by the Heart
The Shed
PCMag.com
Tech Crunch

These are just a few. Do a web search for "alternatives to Google Reader" and page after page of results will pop up.

I do hope you'll consider joining me on a new reader, or even subscribing via email!

What's your favorite new way to read blogs?

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!

Featured Project Ideas {Link Party Features}

Happy Monday! How's your week starting out? As promised, I'm back with some Features from the weekend link party. There was a fantastic line-up of creative posts: Home Decor, DIY, Crafts, Recipes, Party Ideas, Tips and Tricks, and more. It's an awesome spot to find stuff to add to your Pinterest boards! Without further ado, here are some that I spotted this weekend:

~Pottery Barn Inspired Linen Pinboard via 'a casarella

~Triple Berry Punch Bowl Cake via The Kitchen is My Playground

~DIY Swimsuit Cover-Up via Oh Sew Crafty Life

One More day to Link Up and BOTB News

I'm giving everyone one more day to link up to this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party before I choose Features. I'd love to see you there! I've been running this party for several years now, and I'd like to see it grow a little more. I'm also busy enjoying some summer fun, so this gives me an extra day. I'll have a post with lots of Featured Project Ideas up tomorrow morning.

If you haven't joined the fun yet, please hop over to the party and add your best post of the week. We have Home Decor, Crafts, DIY, Recipes, Tips and Tricks, Party Ideas, and so much more! Lots of fun ideas to Pin and tuck away for future use.

If you've already linked up, be sure to browse some of the other projects. If you haven't added a link back to me within your post, please take a minute to do that. It's good for both of our SEO, guys!

Don't miss this weekend's edition of The BOTB over at Centsational Girl! Kate's moving the Best of the Blogosphere to Fridays for the summer, and there are some fantastically inspired projects for your weekend.

Hope you've had a fantastic weekend. 

Share Your Best Post of the Week--Link Up!

Happy Saturday! What are you up to today? I just wanted to offer you guys a quick "weekend update." Please pop in to link up YOUR best post of the week at my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Today's the day to link up because I'm busy rounding up more Features! I'd love to know which ones caught your eye.

All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, printables, tips and tricks, home decor, DIY, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is located over at the party, or you can add a text link back to me within your post. Remember, I only feature projects that have a link back to me within the post.

This is just a quick "sneak peek" snapshot (ie. you have to go to the party post to get the links to work) of all the awesome projects that have been shared at the party this week. You can click the party link above to check them out and share your own project! I'd love to Feature you in a post!

If you haven't linked up yet, hop on over! Be sure to browse some of the amazing projects that have been shared.

If you missed this week's posts at Serenity Now, here are some links for you:

• Adding On {Three's Company}
• My New Favorite Camera Bag
• Creative Way to Tell the Kids You're Pregnant (and Video)
• Featured Project Ideas

Features coming soon!

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. This is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, 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--it's good for both of our SEO!

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.

Here are a few of my faves I spotted around the web this week:

sources listed below

~DIY Rain Barrel via Two Twenty One

~Wood Bowl Art via Nalle's House

~Driftwood Vase via Simplicity in the South

~How to Keep Tiki Torches Secure via Daisy Mae Belle

~And Me? I'd love it if you have a moment to click over. This week featured:

• Adding On {Three's Company}
• My New Favorite Camera Bag
• Creative Way to Tell the Kids You're Pregnant (and Video)
• Featured Project Ideas

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Creative Way to Tell the Kids You're Pregnant (and Video)

When I shared our special news on Tuesday, I was so blessed by all the kind comments you all left here on the blog as well as on Facebook and Twitter. I promised to share some of the details of this experience (good and bad), so I thought I'd start with the good and show you all how we told the kids that they could expect a new sibling. I didn't want to spend any money, and didn't have time to do anything super-crafty, so this is what we came up with as a creative pregnancy announcement.

I had about three minutes to put this together because we had somewhere to go, so I grabbed some plain white paper and made a quick announcement card. Natalie was very excited because she thought we were going to give her some money.

The inside had a very early ultrasound photo taped on one side and a message on the other. We asked Natalie to read it to Michaela Byrd, who as you can see, took an extra moment to comprehend the news. 

I'll let you see their reaction with this video. (If you're in a reader or reading this via email, you'll need to click over to the blog to see the video) I will preface it by saying that Natalie's dance recital was earlier that day, hence the ridiculous sequined headband in her hair that she refused to take off.

I feel lucky that they took the news well. I've seen other videos on YouTube of kids crying or stalking off angrily. I'm sure my girls will have their *moments* with their new sibling, but for now it's all they can talk about. Natalie is, in her own words, "really good at babies."

Have you done any creative pregnancy announcements with kids? How did they handle the news?

*Bring your best post of the week to share tomorrow at the 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. 

My New Favorite Camera Bag

When I find something I reeeaaally love, I try to share it with you guys. I got a new camera bag not too long ago, and just had to show it off because I've had a lot of compliments on it. This post is not sponsored in any way...just a shout-out for a cool product I fell in love with. I snapped a few quick iPhone shots on the deck last night (couldn't find the old point and shoot). Here's my new camera bag! Don't you love the pattern?

As you can see, it's actually a back pack, which I love because I can take it on field trips, outings to the park, etc. and not worry about it getting banged up the way I do with my JoTotes bag. 

It comes with an insert of padded dividers for keeping your camera and equipment organized. They are completely removable, turning the bag into a real backpack. They are not as sturdy or thick as the padding in my JoTotes bag, but I can fit a lot more stuff in! I will probably add some padding around my Nikon just to be on the safe side. 

This is what I can fit in my bag so far:

1. Lens cleaner and camcorder TV hook-ups
2. Remote control shutter
3. Photography ebook from Kristen Duke
4. LCD wipes and extra lens cap
5. Extra camera battery, extra SD cards, mini tripod
6. Nikon
7. Zoom lens
8. Camcorder

Another cool feature is that the top of the backpack unzips and you can access items that way too. There's another zippered pouch there at the top where I keep the charger for our camcorder.

The bag also comes with a coordinating water bottle holder that's lined with that thermal stuff to keep your drink cool. I tested it with a large, half-frozen water bottle on the day of Natalie's field trip and it was a true life saver. Burning hot temps + out in the sun + ride on hot bus + pregnant mom = no fun. But my water stayed cold and kept me from passing out!

I'm not a huge fan of the one-shoulder design. It felt kind of awkward when I was toting it around. But I definitely love the idea of a backpack for my camera stuff!

I believe this bag, called an "Organizing Pack" on Thirty One's website, is available only as a hostess exclusive. Mine was a gift. But definitely worth hosting a party online or at home if you know a rep!!

How do you carry your camera equipment?

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!

Adding On {Three's Company}

I feel kind of weird posting this, as it's been a secret we've been keeping...but I have some news I wanted to share with my dear readers today.

Yep, we're "adding on" two more feet to the T household, literally. 

For the sake of keeping things real, I'll share more later this week. Things haven't exactly been a walk in the park, so to speak, and I know that's been reflected in my personal life and here on the blog. 

For now, I just wanted to share our news with you. I have a cute video of the creative way we told the girls (who were over-the-moon thrilled), so I'll have to show you guys that next time. 

Have a great day!

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

Featured Project Ideas {Link Party Features}

Happy Monday! How's your week starting out? As promised, I'm back with some Features from the weekend link party. There was a fantastic line-up of creative posts: Home Decor, DIY, Crafts, Recipes, Party Ideas, Tips and Tricks, and more. It's an awesome spot to find stuff to add to your Pinterest boards! Without further ado, here are some that I spotted this weekend:

~Home Office via Meredith and Gwyneth, the New Yorkie

~Creamy Tomato Basil Soup via The Salty Kitchen

~Adding Storage to the Kitchen via Living Laughing and Loving