Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Hello, hello! It's so much fun to start the week off with creative inspiration, 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:

~Living Room Makeover via Attempts at Domestication

~DIY Instagram Coasters via May Richer Fuller Be

~Toy Nook via Life and Home at 2102

Showcase YOUR Best Post of the Week!

Hi there! Have you enjoyed your weekend so far? I'd love to see you at this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Hop on over to showcase your creativity if you're a blogger. Not a blogger? Don't miss all the cool "Pinable" projects! Today's the last day...it ends at 10 pm EST tonight!

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. Over 100 linked up so far!

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 have a fantastic weekend.

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

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. I'm currently on "maternity leave" to enjoy our brand new baby boy, so this party is all about you guys! I will be doing my best to keep up with weekly features until I am "back in the game."

My best post of the week? I shared about Michaela Byrd's LalaLoopsy Ballet Birthday Party!

**Also, the Best of the Blogosphere will be up at Centsational Girl some time today! Kate and I have rounded up some fab DIY to share with you as we kick off a new year full of inspiration. Head over to see the BOTB after you link up here!**

Time to link up your best post of the week!

LalaLoopsy Ballet Birthday Party {at the dance studio}

Michaela Byrd turned six years old in January and requested a LalaLoopsy themed birthday party. With a month old new baby and limited time on my hands, I wisely called the girls' dance studio and booked a date. I wanted to share a few pictures from Byrdie's LalaLoopsy Ballet Birthday Party today.

I can't stress enough how much this party didn't stress me out! Still struggling with adjusting to life with a newborn, juggling schedules with the older two, etc., I knew there was no way I'd be up to hosting something in our home just a month after my c-section. With the excitement over all the fun the teachers had planned, the girls didn't notice that I kept the decorations, food, and drink to a minimum.

For a small fee, our party included:
use of a dance classroom
two teachers
dress up tutus for the kids to use while they played
set-up time

The girls who led the class were amazing. One is a regular instructor at the studio and the other is a dancer. They helped with set-up, ran all of the party games and activities, and helped us with take-down. Many studios offer this kind of service, and I am so glad ours does!

The birthday girl (and her big sis) didn't feel like wearing their leotards and tights, so we opted for ballet shirts and leggings. Michaela Byrd's tutu is a hand-me-down from her sis and comes from Harper's Hat Box. They both wore their ballet slippers.

As I said before, I made life a whole lot simpler on myself by purchasing a party pack at the local party store.

Our party store carries LalaLoopsy decorations, invitations, plates, and plain colored table cloths. Honestly, the kids could have cared less that I didn't have a chance to make the button garland I had planned to create, and that I forgot to order balloons. I'm sure Byrdie would have loved the extra decor, but she certainly didn't miss it or ask why I left things out!

Activities included stretches and warm-ups (obviously with a fun twist to it), movements across the floor, "musical dots," and learning a choreographed dance to their favorite Frozen song! I loved that part (not something we did at Natalie's Tinkerbell party), and Michaela Byrd got to be the soloist since she was the birthday girl!

They also played freeze dance, and we had cake and juice boxes...I made a picnic on the dance floor with a plastic table cloth, and the birthday girl got to open her gifts.

Favors were a coloring book and an "art pack" for each girl that I picked up in Target's Dollar Spot months ago. All I did was add some ribbon and a little "thanks for coming to my party" note that I whipped up on Microsoft Publisher.

All in all, very simple, but a great morning. Several parents approached me the next week to remark over how much fun their daughters had, and one little girl even signed up to start taking ballet with Michaela.

I might not have saved as much money as I would have if we hosted at home or if I had used my craft stash to whip up some decorations, but I kept things simple and saved myself time by purchasing a few items (and using Byrdie's LalaLoopsy figurines), and that was perfection for me!

If you have a dance studio in your area, you should suggest a dance party if they don't already offer them. It was perfect for a winter birthday...so hard when the kids can't get outside!

What's your favorite outside-the-home venue for parties?

*You can view Natalie's Tinkerbell Ballet Party here. I've also shared our American Girl Store Bistro party, a Barbie Party at Home, a Cinderella party, and an Under the Sea 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.

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Hello, hello! It's so much fun to start the week off with creative inspiration, 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:

~Home Makeover (Staging) via price style and design

~Frozen Themed Birthday Party via Creative and Domestic

~Sharpie Bowl via Circus Berry

Showcase YOUR Best Post of the Week!

Hi there! Have you enjoyed your weekend so far? I'd love to see you at this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Hop on over to showcase your creativity if you're a blogger. Not a blogger? Don't miss all the cool "Pinable" projects! Today's the last day...it ends at 10 pm EST tonight!

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. Over 100 linked up so far!

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 have a fantastic weekend.

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

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 share the link to 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. I'm currently on "maternity leave" to enjoy our brand new baby boy, so this party is all about you guys! I will be doing my best to keep up with weekly features until I am "back in the game."

My best post of the week? These awesome Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies...and they're dairy free too!

Time to link up your best post of the week!

My Spring Reading List (2014)

It's been awhile since I've shared a reading list with you all. I have a few books on my "to read" list for the upcoming Spring season. I doubt I'll get much reading done with the girls home for Spring break, but a girl can hope, right? Without further ado, here's my book list for the next couple of months.

What Alice Forgot- Liane Moriarty

Planning on this for the next time I host book club. From what I gather, Alice wakes up with no memory of having three kids and assumes that her marriage is on the right track. She assumes wrong. I've only read a bit of the first chapter, and while I wouldn't call it "chick lit," the main character has some humorous insights, so it may be a lighter read than I thought. 

Orphan Train- Christina Baker Kline

Follows the story of a misunderstood foster kid finishing up her community service hours. She bonds with Vivian, who was once one of the children sent west on the famous (infamous?) orphan train. Vivian's story is told in flashbacks. I bet this one will tug at the heartstrings!

War Brides- Helen Bryan

Confession. Already read this one. Loved it. A very bittersweet story of friendship and courage, set in the World War Two era. 

Balancing It All: My Story of Juggling Priorities and Purpose- Candace Cameron Bure

Yes, little DJ Tanner from Full House (TGIF!) is all grown up. The title is self-explanatory. I downloaded this one to my kindle paperwhite...hoping to find some encouragement.

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode- Crystal Paine

Crystal writes the popular blog, Money Saving Mom. I'd have started this one already, but I'm still in survival mode. No, seriously. {wink} I believe this book can speak to a mom in any stage of life who is having a tough time getting it all done.

The Antelope in the Living Room- Melanie Shankle

I loved Big Mama's first book. It was poignant and funny...so much I could relate to. This one takes on the tale of her marriage to P, one of my favorite "characters" on her blog because he reminds me so much of T. 

I'm sure there will be a few others I toss in to the list. I am dyyyying to read Mary Kay Andrews' newest novel, Save the Date. It comes out in June. She's my favorite author--love her sense of humor and style. If you haven't read anything of hers, start with Hissy Fit. You won't be disappointed! We're getting our book club back up and running...hoping to keep it running this summer. Last year, it kind of petered out after a summer break. I look forward to that one night a month when I can relax with girlfriends, enjoy good food and drink, and talk about books (and other stuff).

Do you have a book club you participate in? Read any good books lately? Leave me a comment with your favorite recent titles!

*Bloggers, don't forget to swing by Serenity Now tomorrow with the link to your best post of the week. Bloggers from all over will be showcasing cool project ideas {crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing tips, and more}. Party opens at 8 am EST...be there!

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.

Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies (Dairy Free Recipe)

One of the worst things about going dairy free for the baby's diet was the fact that I had to abstain from chocolate, one of favorite treats in the world. Thanks to my friend the internet, I found some great homemade dairy-free brownie recipes online. Honestly, they're as easy to make as the boxed version (easier--save a trip to the store!) because I had all of the staple ingredients in my pantry. I liked this recipe from Baker Bette, but I wanted to add my own twist, hence Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies.

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup cocoa

1 heaping spoonful of peanut butter

Powdered Sugar (optional) OR candy bits

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 8 x 8 pan well.

2. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs well. Add the flour and cocoa and stir until combined, being careful not to overmix.

3. Pour about 3/4 of the brownie mix (it is thick) into the bottom of your greased pan. Set aside.

4. Place a plastic bag inside a small glass and spoon your peanut butter into the bag. The top should be open, like this:

5. Microwave the peanut butter for 6 to 8 seconds and then snip a tiny hole in one corner of the bottom of the bag. Use this hole to drizzle the peanut butter over the brownie batter:

6. Top with the remainder of the batter. You can swirl it some more if you want to.

7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes.

8. (Optional) Sift the tiniest bit of powdered sugar over the brownies once they have cooled.

Y.U.M.

There's really no need to buy those "chewy fudge" brownie box mixes again. These are tasty!!

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.

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Hello, hello! It's so much fun to start the week off with creative inspiration, 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:

~Feathered Gallery Wall via Shabby Love

~Seasoned Chicken Wraps via Amanda Jane Brown

~DIY Glitter Striped Candlesticks via DIY on the Cheap