Tag: decorations

Year in Review… Where Did the Time Go?

by Erika Cook, posted in Lifestyle

You guys… what a year! And what in the time warp? My daughter, Aria, turned one and I can hardly believe the transformation that she’s made in just that short a time. I know people say time flies but I literally just gave birth to her yesterday. How is she already a year old? Well, over the year, as you know, I’ve given here a different career every month to encourage her to imagine, play and dream big. Here’s that year in review.

One Month Old – Fairy

Two Months Old – Diva/Social Butterfly

Three Months Old – Baker

Four Months Old – Ballerina

Five Months Old – Cheerleader

Six Months Old – Astronaut

Seven Months Old – Fashion Designer

Eight Months Old – Pediatrician

Nine Months Old – News Anchor

Ten Months Old – Conservationist and Safari Guide

Eleven Months Old – Writer Good Morning Toes

Twelve Months Old – Service – Firefighter, Police Officer, Marine

Thank you for watching her journey and encouraging her for greatness. Even though the picture series is over, cultivating her imagination never is. Always tell your kids how great they are and that nothing is impossible.

XOXO đź’‹

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Aria in Onederland

by Erika Cook, posted in DIY, Food, Home DĂ©cor, Lifestyle, Motherhood

My Bug just turned one and let me tell you, what an event it was. I had the most fun celebrating her and with her. As a crafty, EXTRA, mom (I told ya’ll I’m very extra) I had to everything and do everything big. We are in Texas after all. So this post is dedicated to everything Aria… in Onederland.

Insanely Gorgeous Summer Tables… On the Cheap

by Erika Cook, posted in DIY, Home DĂ©cor, Lifestyle

Don’t you love it when you pass by Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel and you see those beautifully set tables. I do. I always think to myself, I want my table to look like that. So one day I did it. Here’s how:

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The first thing is I decided what theme I wanted. Since it’s warm out, I wanted something bright and pretty. So I decided on a pastel floral theme. And I’m obsessed with this gold flatware that we got as a wedding gift from Crate and Barrel – so I knew I would be incorporating that. I think Target (pronounced TargĂ©) has a less expensive version in their home section, so if you’re pinching the pennies, go for that.

This is what you have to do:

  1. Decide your theme. Already discussed… moving right along.
  2. Check around your house. Chances are you already have most of the elements that you need sitting around the house. Those fake flowers sitting on the coffee table that are gathering dust, grab those. The birthday party decorations that you shoved in the attic that you wondered what you would do with after the party, yep, go through that too. Check out these cool Ikea lanterns that we had leftover from our engagement party nearly three years ago.img_4685.jpg
  3. Repurpose, repurpose, repurpose. Use unconventional containers as accents and other decorative elements. For example, my flower display sits on one of my cake stands. IMG_4697
  4. Use color and cool patterns! I can’t stress this one enough. Color draws the eye and just makes everything so much prettier. The patterns make them interesting. I used color from the flowers and bowls and patterns from the plates and chargers. I also threw in a little texture from my glasses. img_4686
  5. Use candles. The soft glow can’t be beat! Again, I repurposed some fake ones that we had from our engagement party. I prefer real ones, but these old tealights were handy. If you do use real one, just remember to keep them out of the way of the kiddos and to blow them out when you’re done.
  6. Use cool placemats and napkins. I had to buy mine. But they were el-cheapo from TargĂ©. Also, don’t foget to add tiny touches and personal details. I wrote sweet little messages and stuck them inside butterfly placecard holders.
  7. Arrange it all together and you have your very own fancy tablescape – on a dime!!!

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