I hope your Memorial Day weekend looks just like the photo above. Mine won't be exactly like that, but I am hoping to squeeze in a picnic at the park along with a pool day. Somehow Memorial Day crept up on us like the way my dog, Emma, does whenever I'm eating something. I think between Cora's birthday party and Steve traveling for 3 days, we were just really preoccupied. And of course, now I'm regretting that we didn't plan something for this long weekend. Because the weekends are everything now, ya know.
But it might actually be a good thing that we're not going anywhere this weekend, because as you know, the house went through a few renovations (i.e. Steve's wall was finally built, a new powder room light was installed, and our closet got a makeover). Yup, lots happened in the past week and we are still living in squalor. Yes, I said squalor because there's no other word to describe it. The entire contents of our master closet was moved to the guest room (a.k.a. Cora's future playroom), and well, let's just say that moving it all back into our closet is going to be one heck of a project. And Steve's office-to-be desperately needs to be cleaned because there is a film of drywall dust everywhere. And don't get me started on our living room -- books everywhere along with cardboard boxes and remnants of Cora's party. So, like I said before, it might actually be a good thing that we're staying home because we have lots to do to get the house back in tip top shape.
Even though I'm envious of you all that are heading to the beach this weekend, I gotta say, this week was absolutely fantastic. To start off the week, I was featured on Brittany's blog, Classically B, sharing my Favorite Four Finds. And then Cora's nursery was featured on Lindsay's blog, Sadie + Stella. I am so thankful and honored that both ladies asked me to be on their blogs. The response from both has been unexpectedly wonderful! Thank you to all who left such sweet and encouraging comments! Makes a girl feel so loved. So all of this wonderfulness definitely helps the blow of not going somewhere warm and beachy.
If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably already seen these shots, but for those of you who don't, here are a few sneak peeks at what's going on at home.
Steve and I are still in disbelief that the wall is up. We've been talking about getting this wall built for two years and now that it's done, its just hard to believe. Funny, huh? And as if that wasn't awesome enough, we got a TV mounted above the fireplace. Yep, Steve is one happy guy right now.
Bought this from Anthropologie.com for $20! Really regretting I didn't buy more since they're sold out now.
I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! I'll be back on Monday with some beachy finds! XOXO
Happy Wednesday everyone! Today, I have some very, very exciting news. Lindsay, from Sadie + Stella, asked me to share with her readers my favorite room that I've ever designed/decorated. I was and am so honored to be over there today sharing Cora's nursery, so please show her some love and head on over there to check it out! I know I've shared with you all her nursery already, but this time I've really gone a little deeper with the details. And if you ever wanted to know where I got certain pieces from her room, there's a Source List to let you know where to find it!
A huuuuge thanks to Lindsay for having me over at Sadie + Stella today!
Ahh, Cora's 1st birthday party...it was a such a wonderful party and so much fun to plan. Definitely stressful at times during the planning process, but nevertheless fun. And the real fun didn't come into play until every single element was completed and in its proper place. Like I said in my post yesterday, family and friends really came together to pull this party off. Everyone had an integral part in making the party plans come to life.
I think any child's first birthday is a really big deal. I mean, you only turn one once, right? Gotta make a big deal about it. And it's no different in the Korean culture. I've covered Cora's 100th day celebration and did mention that we'd do a big bash for her first birthday since both occasions are important. So with that in mind, the underlying theme of the party was, well obviously Korean.
There was Korean food that was catered, the Korean custom of Cora picking out objects that would somehow tell us of her future career (she picked a calculator first, but then quickly picked up everything else in the line up), and of course Cora's Korean traditional outfit. But seeing as how I rarely get to throw a big party, I wanted so desperately to incorporate a French theme to the mix. Crazy, I know. Korean and French? Weird, but I was dead-set on having both at this party. So I figured, after much time researching on Pinterest, that a French-themed dessert bar, complete with a black & white awning would be the thing to have. And not to stop the French-theme there, I also decided that we had to have some kind of Photobooth. I found some amazing ideas (like this one and that one), but after much deliberation, Steve decided to take on the unbelievable (and aaamazing) task of painting (on a giant canvas) a Parisian perspective of the Eiffel Tower. Now, I know you're probably saying that that seems like a lot of effort for just a birthday party. And you'd probably be right, but we also thought that we could put it in Cora's Playroom as wall art. So that settled it! A photobooth wall AND wall art for her playroom.
I'll stop talking about it all and let you see for yourself how it all turned out. Enjoy!
That tassel garland really completed the whole French dessert buffet look, don't ya think? I followed Stephanie's DIY tutorial on creating the tassel garland and it was easy peasy, so I highly recommend making it for your next fête.
Towers of rice cakes that symbolizes a life of prosperity for Cora. These are faux rice cakes since real ones would've cost a fortune.
We, of course, had some bubbly for the occasion, but also provided some Pink Citrus Lemonade with fresh cut up strawberries to add.
The hubby's masterpiece. Still can't believe he created this in 4 hours! I really should get on him to paint more, huh?
My parents having some fun with the photobooth. That mustache looks awfully natural on my dad, no?
This little girl had a blast walking around in her traditional Korean Hanbok.
This was the best family photo we got of all three of us.
The Awning
Supplies for the awning: scissors, pen, disposable cup (or anything circular), stapler, Command Medium Hooks, duck tape, and fabric.
Cardboard was the route I went. It's easy, cheap and well easy. I didn't really have any DIY instructions to go by, so I just kind of came up with my own way. Of course, I didn't document the process at all because I was in such a rush to get it done. My apologies for that! I'll try to explain how I did it here as best I can. If you all really want me to, I can make another one and document it for a future post, just let me know!
I cut tiny holes on that flap and had the Command Medium Hooks go in there.
Ready to go up!
Had to end the party on a sweet note. The fun goodie bags are from Waiting On Martha (love Mandy's shop!) and the printable stickers are from Michael's. The goodie bags were filled with yummy macarons from Praline Bakery.
Happy Monday! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I sure did. In fact, I'm somewhat recovering from all of the preparations and festivities that occurred. Cora's 1st birthday party was on Saturday and preparing for it was all my family and I did all week long. Honestly, I should've prepared for it a little further in advance, but that's just not my style, right? I'm a last minute preparer, always have and always will be I guess. But with all of my stressing over the party, it all went off without a hitch. And I have my incredible family and best friends to thank. You all made the party the most amazing celebration of Cora's first birthday possible and it was so wonderful to share the special occasion with you all. A special thanks to my parents for hosting the fabulous fête and for being the best host & hostess imaginable. Thank you mom and dad!
I have lots more photos from the party and even a DIY to share with you this week. But here's just a sneak peek of the awning I created for the dessert bar. And yes, there was a French theme involved. You know me, I'm a Francophile. I couldn't help myself.
And even more exciting news today. I'm featured on Brittany's blog, Classically B, today! I met Brittany through Instagram (another reason why I love that social media app) and am so glad I did because I learned about her blog and her stunning pillow line! Head on over to her blog to see what my Favorite Four Finds are right now!
All photos are owned by Proper Hunt LLC unless stated otherwise. Please email me and cite Proper Hunt if you'd like to use any of the photos taken by me. Thank you!
What I'm Fancying
How cheery is this little number? Such a great summer dress, no?
Want a less frilly type of bottle stopper? Then these wooden ones are just the thing.
