Pancakes and Pajamas Theme Birthday Party

I was scrolling through some of the photos from Natalie's December birthday yesterday and realized that I never shared last year's party with you all! So, forgive the major delay, but today I'm showing off some pics from her 8th birthday party. The theme was Pancakes and Pajamas and we hosted it in our home last December. This is how we threw a budget-friendly party at home for our eight year old:

Including my own girls, this party maxed out at seven little girls. We live in a smaller, 1970s colonial, so allowing Natalie to invite every child from her class just wasn't going to work.

She invited five friends, and they each wore their favorite cozy pajamas! They had the most fun playing in our dress up trunk and putting on fashion shows.

(Invite from Party Invites and More --highly recommend!) 

Party Decorations and Food:
I bought some standard party decor from our local Hobby Lobby so that I could reuse them for future parties. Easy peasy!

The cake was from the grocery store, and I didn't serve ice cream because of all the sugar from breakfast. Drinks were water, orange juice, or milk. We used my mother-in-law's mini mason jars for cups with cute purple and white chevron paper straws. Also served were fresh fruit, vanilla yogurt, and granola. Sides were dished out from a vintage tea cart I got from my Nannie's house a few years ago. We also had whipped cream, flavored pancake syrups, chocolate syrup, classic maple syrup...and frozen pancakes from the store.

Hear me out...I had a baby just a few days earlier. There was no way I was going to whip up dozens of pancakes for this party. I wisely purchased some frozen pancakes in bulk. My mother-in -law cooked them in her oven and brought them to the party for me, wrapped up on a platter. The girls never knew the difference!

Favors:
Favors were the most adorable pajama cookies from a local baker. She was even kind enough to deliver them to my door when I told her I had a c-section and couldn't drive. If you're local, message or email me, and I can give you her information. Each girl also got to choose a nail polish to take home.

Party Activities:
We opted to do a small craft as the girls arrived instead of games. I purchased inexpensive white pillowcases from WalMart and the girls used Elmers Paint Pens to decorate their pillowcases however they wanted. That kept them busy for some time...it was wonderful! After Natalie opened her gifts, the girls had fun with her spa set and painted each other's nails until it was time to go home.

Side note: I was inspired by similarly themed parties from Tatertots and Jello and Hi Sugarplum. Thank goodness I did some early shopping and prepping, because I ended up giving birth to baby #3 via c-section just a few days before the party. And, to complicate matters, the whole fam rushed the baby to the E.R. in the wee hours the morning of the party (which kicked off the whole dairy-free-milk-protein-sensitivity drama).

We returned home just in time for me to pump, feed the baby, haphazardly apply some make-up, and complete the party food prep! So while the girls loved the party and had a blast, it was clearly not a fantabulous, Pinterest-worthy, jaw-dropping, styled party. But that's not why I threw it; so I'm okay with that!

For other party ideas I've shared:

• Barbie Party
• LaLaLoopsy Ballet Party at the Studio
• Hello Kitty Party
• American Girl Party at the American Girl Bistro
• Tinkerbell Ballet Birthday Party
• Cinderella Birthday Party
• Little Mermaid Birthday Party
• Sesame Street Birthday Party
• Budget Princess Party

What's the most fun party theme you've ever planned?

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, Facebook shares, and Tweets!

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!

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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!
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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.

Life, or the Blog?

Good morning! Today is more of a "business" post written for my regular readers, but I think anyone who is feeling torn will relate. I vaguely mentioned on Tuesday that there will be some changes here at Serenity Now over the next few months...or possibly longer. I wanted to chat about it some today.

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Blogging is a big job. If you're a blogger, you know this already. I don't just DIY, cook, or craft something up and then write up a quick post all in an hour's time. 

It involves shopping for supplies, putting the project together (taking photos along the way--in good light!), uploading and editing photos (resizing, fixing lighting, adding watermarks, cropping, adding titles and tags, etc), writing a post--possibly with a step-by-step tutorial, adding in photos, editing html, scheduling the post, and then promoting it via social media. 

Add all that in-every day, plus my schedule and the girls' separate school and dance schedules and the fact that we now have a three month old baby...you can imagine that it can be tough to accomplish much of anything.

I love sharing fun projects, recipes, and simple DIY with everyone, but I've had to stop and take into account the fact our life has changed. And I don't want to miss it because I'm strapped in at the computer all day. 

I want to craft, fluff my nest, cook, and try new DIY projects because I want to do it...not because I know if I don't post a new project, I'll lose readers and my traffic will drop.

I might feel differently if I had a huge ad network to bring the cash in every month. But I've purposefully stepped back from that because I don't like the pressure. I prefer to work with brands I know and love, on my own timeline. I'd rather accept opportunities for reviews and campaigns as they come along, instead of plugging away each day to get posts up to keep sponsors happy. It makes more sense to focus on putting together stuff for the Best of the Blogosphere and Best of DIY for Centsational Girl because those are paid positions. 

I still love blogging. I love sharing pieces of my life and creative ideas and introducing you to other bloggers. I'm just not in love with the pressures of blogging. 

I have some cute projects and makeovers to share with you all...and I will share them. But I'll be doing it on my own timeline, as I've come to the realization that posting 5 to 7 days a week is just not going to be possible for me any more. It felt so, so weird not to have a post up on the blog last Thursday and then again yesterday, but the universe did not implode, so I'm guessing it's okay.

I need to embrace life, enjoy my children, spend time getting healthy, care for my home, and complete projects. 

What can you expect here?

Link party:

The weekly link party will continue every Friday morning at 8 am EST. 

Features:

I will also take a day to hunt through the links to share features of fab projects that include a link back to the party/blog. I may take another day to share any note-worthy projects or posts I find around the web, rather than include them with the link party. I've found that most people are in such a rush to link up that they don't bother browsing that features I share on Fridays with the link party.

Crafts, Recipes, DIY, Home Decor:

I have a mini kitchen makeover, a complete nursery transformation, a WorkBox reveal (mom's crafting and kids' playspace), and a few crafts that are waiting to be posted. I also have a list of things I'd like to work on and share with you...so taking some time away from posting each week will help me finish those to-do items.

Series:

I started up a wonderful Birthday Party Planning series last year before morning sickness took over and I was a total party pooper after that. I hope to revive this series again soon. I also have a fun pregnancy/baby series I want to start up to help moms-to-be with their planning. I'm also considering starting up a weekly series that would introduce you to new bloggers. And, of course, my annual Christmas series will come around at the end of the year.

Pieces of Home:

As a reader, I always enjoy when bloggers share little glimpses of their home lives with us. I've always tried to do that, often with a dash of humor in the mix. I'll share photos and updates of our family.

Reviews and Giveaways:

I only work with brands, companies, and products that I like and/or think my readers will enjoy hearing about. Nothing has changed on that front. I am much more selective of these opportunities now. I will continue to host Giveaways for fun stuff, and will also review items I am interested in...just not as often. I've turned down dozens of opportunities over the past several months, and it has helped my stress level immensely. 

Guest Posts:

With the exception of my maternity leave and Christmas series that runs each December, I've always kept guest posts to a minimum because I feel like bloggers visit a blog because they connect with the writer and want to read more from him/her. I am planning to utilize guest posts on an "as-needed" basis, particularly for busy weeks or time during the summer when I need to be with my kids.

I know there are some women out there who can do it all...or at least most of it. I am not one of those women. I. can't. do. it. all. I hope this post hasn't turned you off or made you think I'm quitting blogging. I've put too much time into this spot over the last five years to just ditch it. But I need to focus on my home life and my paid work instead of putting in lots of time here each day. 

I'll be posting my projects and other inspiration here every few days. But I'm done with the pressure to have a post scheduled to go live at precisely 8:01 am EST every day. 

I hope you'll stick with me. I'm excited to share some of the updates I completed before Harris arrived. I appreciate each and every one of you who stop by to read each day!

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.

A Thank You Note from Me

Today is a big thank you from me to you. I ran my last guest post from my "maternity leave" last week. I know guest posts aren't always the most popular with readers, but they are important for a blogger who wants to keep fun, inspiring content fresh on her site when she is unable to share projects of her own. I had a truly smashing line-up of bloggers to fill in for me while I recovered from major surgery and got to know our new little guy. There will be some changes in the way I blog here for awhile, but for today I needed to say "thank you."

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Thank you, readers, for continuing to read this blog, even when I haven't been able to share a project in ages. Thank you for keeping up with me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thank you for encouraging me through some very discouraging times over the past couple of months. Thank you for being there...so many of you I've never even met. That means a lot.

And last but not least, thanks to the fabulous ladies who took time out from their own busy schedules to craft, create, write, photograph, and edit beautiful and inspiring posts for me to share here at Serenity Now. We started in November with crafts, went through December with my Season of Serenity at Home series, and ended last week with some fab DIY. 

These are the wonderful bloggers who took the time to help me out (listed in no particular order). Please, please take a moment to check out their amazing sites. Leave a comment, Pin a pic, fan a Facebook page. They're all so creative and inspiring!

Pretty Handy Girl

Sweet Pea

Circus Berry

The Country Chic Cottage

Infarrantly Creative

Madigan Made

Two Story Cottage

Craftaholics Anonymous

DIY on the Cheap

Honey We're Home

Domestic Fashionista

The Scrap Shoppe

Sand and Sisal

The Happy Housie

Thrifty Decor Chick

Uncommon Designs

At the Picket Fence

Cleverly Inspired

Organize and Decorate Everything

Dreaming About Someday

Nellie Bellie

The Thinking Closet 

Lovin' Our Chaos

Domestic Superhero

Craft Snob

Measured by the Heart

Mommy Envy

A Nest for All Seasons

View Along the Way

Girl in the Garage

Practically Functional

R and R Workshop

Imparting Grace

Crafty Texas Girls

The Kitchen is My Playground

May Richer Fuller Be

Michaela Noelle Designs

Homework

How to Nest for Less

Amanda Jane Brown

Wow, that's a lot of creativity in one space! (I hope I didn't leave anyone out)

I'll be sharing some updates soon and will chat about how I plan to blog for the foreseeable future. Until then, please do take the time to check out these ladies' blogs. You won't be disappointed!

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.

Top Serenity Now Posts from 2013

I can't end the year without taking a look back at what's happened here on the blog and in our life at home over the past year. We've had our ups and downs and I didn't have as many projects up this year as I have in the past due to morning sickness and the busy time I had prepping for our new arrival. But I'm hoping that 2014 will bring some fun posts and projects! Here's a look at our 2013:

{Home Updates}

Tissue Paper Pom Poms in the Girls' Room

10 Free Spring Cleaning Printables

DIY Garden Sunlight Chart

Sharing My Craft Supply Chaos (A Very Embarrassing Before)

{Organizing}

How to Store and Organize American Girl Doll Shoes and Accessories

DIY Storage and Display for American Girl Doll Clothes

28 Kids' Toy Storage and Organization Ideas

Top Organizing Resources

Shared Girls' Closet

{Crafts}

Photo Pendant Memory Necklace

DIY Mini Snowflake Canvases

Fast and Easy Flower Centerpiece

Printing Instagram Photos from Your Phone

DIY Kitchen Wall Art

{Party Ideas and Girls' Night Out Ideas}

Bistro Birthday Party at American Girl

Photography Workshop

Barbie Birthday Party at Home

Mega Bloks Barbie Play Date

Simple Baby Shower Brunch

"Frogs, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails" Themed Baby Shower

{Recipes}

How to Make a Cafe Mocha at Home

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Three Pepper Marinade or Rub

Three Cheese Spinach Quiche

Banana Bread with One Banana

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Chipotle Inspired Burritos

Apple Pie with Crumb Topping

{Pregnancy and Family}

Creative Way to Tell the Kids You're Pregnant

Best Websites and Blogs for Pregnancy

Affordable Maternity Fashion Ideas

How I Got a New Breast Pump for Free

When I look back at these posts, I remind myself that I did manage to squeeze in some good posts, despite spending some months feeling just "blah" with morning sickness and all the time I put in prepping for our new baby. Compared with most of my blogger friends, my list is puny, but I'm proud of what I was able to get done. Most of my most exciting projects were completed just before Harris arrived this month, and I haven't blogged about them yet, so here's to a fun 2014!

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2013?

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.

What to Expect..When I'm Not Expecting Anymore (Maternity Leave?)

**Don't miss the Shutterfly Giveaway from earlier today! $50 off an order and free shipping!** I know it might seem odd to mention "maternity leave" as a blogger, but it is definitely going to be a must for me. My tentative c-section date is November 22nd, following a scheduled amnio on the 20th, to be sure baby's lungs are well-developed. I wanted to let readers know what they can expect here at Serenity Now over the next two months or so....

This blog has been a five to seven day a week gig for several years now. To keep content current, and to keep me from losing my mind, I'll be taking a break here and there starting in a week or so, but the blog will still be up with new projects every day!

1. Fabulous Content!

I have some amazing (ah-mazing!!) guest posts lined up for you guys. Some are from bloggers we all know and love, and some are from newer bloggers who will have a chance to show off their stuff. They're all fabulous. I promise. There will be recipes, home decor, organizing and entertaining tips, sewing tutorials, style, and more. I've spent hours rounding up posts, editing, and scheduling them. It's going to be awesome.

Throughout the month of December, my annual Season of Serenity series will run. It's a series designed to give you low-cost, low-stress inspiration and ideas for the Christmas season. Basically, enjoy your holidays without going nuts! Some blogger friends agreed to help me out with the series this year. I may share a post or two, but I am counting on the creative genius of those ladies to make the series a success this year. It's going to be a must-read, so keep an eye out for it starting the first week in December!

2. The weekly link party will go on!

My weekly Weekend Bloggy Reading link party opens every Friday morning at 8 am EST. It will continue this way. I won't be sharing my faves on Fridays because I have pre-scheduled the parties, but I will do my best to share some features from the links each week after the party goes live. It may be on Sundays, it may be on Mondays...it will all depend on how I am feeling.

Something I'd love to have your help on is promoting the party each week and following through on linking back each post that you share at the party. 

If you have a moment to give the party a shout-out via Facebook or Twitter after linking up, I would really appreciate that! I've done my best to spread the love over the past few years...I'd be so grateful for your help in promoting the party while I am recovering!

3. I'll be back

I hope to pop in here and there to give you guys updates. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what's going on. I have a TON of projects that I've worked on over the past couple of months and just haven't been able to share due to commitments at home and with my family.

I've worked too hard on this blog over the past several years to just call it quits, but I recognize the fact that our life is getting ready to change drastically. I didn't have the blog when Michaela Byrd was born, and I know myself well enough to know that I can't balance a newborn and daily posting commitments over those first few months.

I am ever so grateful to the bloggers who have stepped up and offered their support through sharing their own creativity with me. You won't be bored, so please stick around!

Have you ever had to taper back on something you love? How did you do it?

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.

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.

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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!

Birthday Parties: Who are We Impressing?

Last week, I announced the start of a new series here at Serenity Now, Birthday Parties 101. The series is a how-to on birthday party planning...from start to finish. (You can read more about it here.) We're going to look at ways you can plan a memorable party for your child, without spending a ton of money. But before we get into all the fun and creative stuff, I think it's important to look at our motivations behind why we plan celebrations for our kids. Let's encourage each other this week, shall we? Birthday parties should be fun, not stress or guilt-inducing!

I'll be the first to admit that it can be very very easy to get swept away with party planning. I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to entertaining and party ideas. Part of my job for the BOTB series at Centsational Girl is to browse other blogs and websites and find inspiring ideas to share with others. I'm constantly seeing beautiful projects that I would love to replicate. I've found myself eyeing supplies and goodies in stores and thinking, "Oh wouldn't it be just too cool to try this for the party?" and before I know it, I've spent more than I intended.

                                                                              

For a creative person, it's invigorating to see all of the fabulous ideas out there on the 'net. At first. After the 47th party idea you've bookmarked, it can sometimes begin to be a little overwhelming. You begin to wonder if the cupcake tower you planned will be cute enough and will Johnny be crushed because you didn't hire that elephant to give rides at your circus party? It becomes more of an issue of measuring up than creating a fun environment for the kids.

And that's where we have to pause and examine our motivations. 

Who am I throwing the birthday party for? 

Is it for my child?

Is it for the other moms?

Is it for my blog?

Birthday parties are an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful gift of life. A day to make my child feel special. Ultimately, it's up to me to decide whether she needs a mini roller coaster in the backyard to see how much I love her. 

Am I having the mini backyard roller coaster built because I know it will impress the other moms, look better than what I did last year, and guarantee me some high traffic blog days? Or am I having the mini backyard roller coaster built because I know it will blow her mind and I can do it without going into debt or stretching our budget too far?

It's so important for readers (both bloggers and non-bloggers) to remember that many of those gorgeous Pinterest images you see are styled and photographed specifically for a blog post or website. Sometimes a blogger is paid to use specific products, or they receive them from a company hoping for a shout-out. Often, we only see a small part of the picture. You may see a super-cute project in front of a lovely backdrop...but you don't see the mess on the other side of the room. 

Case in point, my kitchen sideboard:

Yet it clearly doesn't look like that here:

My point is, we don't always see the full reality online! Don't beat yourself up if you don't have the extra cash to recreate a stylish party set-up you've seen, whether it was on a blog, a party site, or Pinned on Pinterest. If you truly love the idea you spotted, but it doesn't fit your budget as-is, then think of ways you can change it up to fit your needs!

I try to ask myself whether or not I like the idea because I think it will impress the other moms or blog readers, or if it will really add to the enjoyment of the day for my child. That litmus test usually tells me whether or not I'm going overboard.

                                                                                          Source: Amanda on Pinterest

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There's nothing wrong with planning a big party for your child if you can afford to, just like there's nothing wrong with doing a quiet dinner at home with family. It really all comes down to our inner-motivations. Do we hope to outdo ourselves and wow everyone, or do we want to celebrate our children and offer a fun time for guests? Birthday parties should be a time to cherish, not to stress and feel guilt over!

Do you struggle with feeling like you have to measure up come party time? How do you combat those feelings?

I'm still working out some details for the series...a fab blog friend made some great suggestions last week...I may expand it to include some features, a few guest posts, and an end-of-series link party. Hope you'll stop back by to stay updated!

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.