This weekend the twins attended their very first high school dance ever in the history of ever.

It’s called MORP.

Someone super clever named it.  It’s actually PROM spelled backwards.

The week was a flurry of activity.  We had to find dresses and shoes and jewelry and earrings and get hair done and nails painted.  The twins and their dates went with a big group and we invited them all over to the house for pictures before they left to eat.

Our first kind of party with people we weren’t related to.

Yikes.

So in the middle of hair and makeup and nails and dresses…

…I spent the week trying to make the house cute.

I started in the dining room.

Remember all your suggestions?  I started taking them.

I replaced the toolbox with this dough bowl.

It’s filled with fresh pots of jasmine from Trader Joe’s.

The dough bowl is amazing.  I purchased it from Painted Fox.

It’s rustic and authentic and has the sweetest metal accents.

If you are looking for a dough bowl like this one—be sure and measure your space.  It’s a little over-sized at four feet long.

I found these metal wreaths at Hobby Lobby.

40% off in their new spring collection.

The white brings in the white from the hutch and the pop against these antique windows.

I tried to make the front door cuter with this bookcase.

I moved it from another room and added a lamp and some organizing boxes from Target.

My husband built the planters by the front door for under $30 (you can see the DIY here).

I filled them with fresh boxwood.

I added fresh greens from Trader Joe’s (SUPER cheap resource for greenery).

This is right by the back door.

I wasn’t sure which door they were coming in, so I wanted them both to be cute.

I added a few pops of green and a new centerpiece on the island to the kitchen.

I filled the basket with greenery books and these silverware molds in a box my brother made for me.

Then I swept the floor and fluffed the pillows.

This industrial style cutting board is on one side in the kitchen.

You can see the DIY here.

I stacked a few books and some plants.

And added this cute little love note from my sister.

She made it for me.

You can flip the tiny bar around for different sayings that all start with “I love you.”

In the bathroom right by the back door, I added flowers.

Just a pop of green in all that gray and white.

I also added new hand soap and a fresh cotton guest towel.

All that trying.

All that decorating.

All that scurrying and deciding and planning.

All that hoping that the house would be extra cute in time for the party.

But I shouldn’t have worried about anything.

Not a bit.

No one even paid attention to the house.

And how could they?

When these two made the house cuter than it ever could have imagined. 🙂

PS  Have a day as amazing as you are. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Denise Cox Denise Cox

    They're as pretty as two peas in a pod, KariAnne! You have raised lovely, young ladies. I know they made wonderful memories that night that they both will remember...and share... for a lifetime.. 😉😊.

  2. Image for Carrie Carrie

    I can feel the love and laughter of beautiful girls and nervous boys all the way here in Pittsburgh! Having a group of kids all gather for photos and then having parents linger afterwards is priceless! So sweet that your beautiful girls wanted the party to start at their home. Your story telling is even more priceless! Thanks for sharing.

  3. Image for Lois Munn Lois Munn

    I love that you are cherishing every moment. It goes so fast, in the blink of an eye. You share a wonderful blog. Thank you.

  4. Image for Terry & Agatha Terry & Agatha

    Oh, the girls look so CUTE!!! The house is adorably cute too! I am headed to Hobby Lobby, that wreath is perfect for over my couch (which has been begging for a grey & white accent thank you!). The shiplap note from your sister is precious; she needs to make them and sell them to the world! Fondest Wags : )

  5. Image for Cathy Weber Cathy Weber

    Your house is always perfect, but I actually scrolled down to the bottom because I knew you had to have a picture of your girls! Beautiful girls and their dresses are so pretty.

  6. Image for Cynthia Lucarotti Cynthia Lucarotti

    YOUR. GIRLS. STUNNING💗 My kids are in their 30’s now.. so I was smiling when I was reading what you did to make your house CUTE.. because I always did same.. AND NOBODY CARES🤣! such fun years!! ENJOY.. and I’m going to hobby lobby for the wreath!

  7. Image for Lynn Mosher Lynn Mosher

    Sooo precious, KariAnne! Must bring you to tears. They look beautiful. Such fun! Hope they had a great time. And the house looks mar-va-lus as always! :D

  8. Image for Cathy L Cathy L

    Those girls are adorable! I can see why they have such pretty smiles, they have a mom who is giving them such a solid Homefront. I love to see all the pretty things you are doing to your home, today I am fascinated with the Hobby Lobby wreaths and the silverware molds!! Almost as unique as your precious girls!

  9. Image for Stephanie Stephanie

    They are just lovely! Hope they had a ball! Loved all the fresh flowers esp the daisies! How neat are those silverware molds! Loved those too! Can't wait to see you in April!

  10. Image for judy judy

    Your girls are growing into such lovely young women. I am sure you are such a proud mom! The house was also already for her MORP. Even if you didn't see it...I'm sure the other moms were taking in all the special little touches that you added for her (the houses) special night.

  11. Image for Peg Peg

    Twins, sisters, and best friends! It doesn't get any better!! Love the house and all it's glorious, understated finery!!! xoxo

  12. Image for Betty in Arlington Betty in Arlington

    Your twins are so beautiful, I could just cry - I am! Hoping they enjoyed their MORP. What fun! I can hardly wait until me grandniece, whom I care for, is older. She already wears crazy fancy to pre-school! I have a planter just like your open wicker vase/jar/candleholder!

  13. Image for Ronda Ronda

    Your girls look so beautiful! Their makeup, dresses, jewelry.... everything! It’s a bittersweet time for mom. You’re a wonderful mommie! Xoxo (P.S. the house looks super cute as ALWAYS)

  14. Image for Teddee Grace Teddee Grace

    It's a good thing we love doing cute...for ourselves! I thought, when I first started reading this post, that those boys aren't going to notice a thing! Well, sounds as if the girls were so excited about the celebration they didn't either! But I enjoyed all your new touches as I know did all of your other readers and it was fun seeing your daughters looking so pretty and grown up.

  15. Image for Leslie Leslie

    I loved all those cute photos of your sweet Thistles! My how time passes so very quickly. I love that you made that house cute—I’m sure there were those who observed and loved each special cute touch. My heart stopped with those silverware molds! And the bar from your sister. And, yes, Trader Joe’s is the best for all of those plants...and just for the record...your New/Old House is responding well to your wake up calls and loving touches. It radiates it’s joy!

  16. Image for Debra Debra

    As I am sure you know, with all your accomplishments, the most wonderful and fufilling are in the last picture. You are one lucky lady!

  17. Image for Linda Linda

    What a treasure trove of memories that were just created for your family and the generations to come. A beautiful result worth every moment of effort.

  18. Image for PJ PJ

    I scrolled through this post hoping to see a pic. of your girls and you did not disappoint.. They look so beautiful. (Compliments on their dress choices.... beautifully modest) Hope the MORP was fun for all.. Now, I need to go back and read the rest of this post. Thanks for sharing.

  19. Image for Linda Miller Linda Miller

    Adorable...times two! These are going to be such fun years! Thanks for sharing them with us. Happy Monday in your cute house. :-)

  20. Image for Patti Whitford Patti Whitford

    Love your style of cute. I bet they are still talking about your lovely home even if they didn't seem to notice. Your daughters are adorable and look just like their mom.

  21. Image for Rev. Suzanne Rev. Suzanne

    I truly enjoyed this blog, as I do all your writing. Your daughters are beautiful and have the same look of the Spirit in their eyes that you have.

  22. Image for MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

    KariAnne, your girls are so beautiful -- just like their precious Mom! You are so proud of them! Those special little touches you added to your lovely home are so pretty! Have a wonderful week! Blessings!

  23. Image for Detra Detra

    Right, who cares about the house when you have these two! LOL The house looks great. The girls are beautiful ! They have really changed in the last year. Beautiful !

  24. Image for Kathy Kathy

    I wasn't sure I could like this house as well as your last one but guess what! Better! It is beautiful and the twins are stunning! I wonder if Hobby Lobby has now sold out of the wreath. I love it!

  25. Image for Brandy Brandy

    Friend- Your house IS so cute!!!!! But these girls............... oh WOW!!!! The are stunningly beautiful!!! They are so grown up! When did that happen?? I know you are both are beyond proud. You have every reason to be. 😘 b

  26. Image for Cindy D Cindy D

    Oh my gosh. Did you take a cazilion pictures? I remember when my daughter went to her first dance. By the time they were ready to head out I got a great picture of them both rolling their eyes....enough Mom. lol. Some day she'll do the same thing. Enjoy those beautiful girls. I see you in their eyes. ;)

  27. Image for Deedra Deedra

    Your home is just beautiful! And your girls are just the icing on the beautiful cake. How could they not be- they take after their mom! You are amazingly blessed.

  28. Image for Tori Tori

    Your girls are beautiful! I remenbmamy a "photo op" at someone's house before our girls' school dances. ❤️ And keep adding those pops of color! It feels like the house is waking up to its new life, seeing the beautiful greens against they grays and whites and creamy colors. They're the perfect backdrop for color to shine! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Lovely!

  29. Image for Donna Kufus Donna Kufus

    Super adorable...sweet, sweet,sweet. Love the dresses too. I remember picking out a dress or two with my mom. Thanks for the memories.

  30. Image for Pamela Pamela

    UN...B...LEIVE...ABLE!!!! How gorgeous are those two girls?! They look so grown up and I hope they had a wonderful time. It's SO hard for boys that age to go up to pretty girls and when there are TWO identical gorgeous girls they can't even handle it, it is too formidable for most. Oh yeah, and the house looks super cute too 😉love the dining tablescape.

  31. Image for Mary Mary

    Love the new dough bowl on table. Beautiful and cute house it is. Girls are beautiful and now the braces are off you have a money left over every month. LOL

  32. Image for jillian jillian

    Love that photo of the girls...it has almost a long ago quality with the wavy hair, lace and long necklaces. sweet. Makes me so nostalgic when my kids were going to dances...ok, just one little tear.

  33. Image for Michele (Finch Rest) Michele (Finch Rest)

    Oh my, cute is RIGHT! They look beautiful - hope they had lots of fun! Those two cuties are growing much too fast.

  34. Image for Lorri Rauscher Lorri Rauscher

    Oh yes your girls are sooooo cute and growing ever so fast. I bet the girls are so proud of you making their home so welcoming.💓

  35. Image for Karen Karen

    Whoa! Weren't they just in Braces? Love this post! I'm sure everything was amazing! Did you make snacks? Blessings<3

  36. Image for Jane Jane

    You did good! And it was very selfless. The girls will alway remember and be so proud of their home and their mom. I'm always surprised at the things my daughters remember-right down to what I wore! Love the metal wreaths-I hope I can find them, I think I have the perfect spot. The greenery makes me smile. Spring!!! Finally, your girls are beautiful. Their good souls shine in every pic I see of them. I know they spread their positivity with everyone they know. Jane x

  37. Image for June M June M

    Your girls are super cute, your beautiful house will just have to try harder to be as cute. P.S. The jasmine is so pretty (glad you named it so I didn't have to guess 🙂)

  38. Image for Donnie Donnie

    Oh, it is happening, my friend. Those girls are growing up. Bittersweet time of life, such joy to see them mature and motherly sorrow that they are preparing for their adult life, and will be launching out in their own in a few years. I love seeing how you enjoy and savor these special days, they go by so quickly. And, the house, oh my, how splendid it is. Full of sunshine and love. Thanks for sharing!

  39. Image for Jolyn Jolyn

    Oh, my HEAVENS! Your girls, ahem... young ladies, are such beauties!! I have had those same feelings - you work and work, hoping the house is cute, clean, and acceptable, then everyone just has a good time, and nobody notices the house. I am trying to let that go and just enjoy the ride...

  40. Image for Terri Terri

    Cute is an understatement!! Those "Twinsies" are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!! (But the House gets an A+ for cute!!!) .... I just looked at those metal wreaths yesterday !!!! Should have went with my first instinct and took them home with me !!!! lolol

  41. Image for Susan Ronnfeldt Susan Ronnfeldt

    Your girls are beautiful! I have twin girls, and it is so much fun!! Yours look like lovely young ladies. They grow up all to soon! But then you get to enjoy their babies!!! And in our house the grands are all girls too!! We love it!

  42. Image for Brenda Brenda

    What size are the antique windows that you have the distressed white metal frames on? Girls are absolutely gorgeous!,

  43. Image for Kathy Kathy

    I already commented once....So, a worker at Hobby Lobby said the wreaths had flown off the shelves. What power you have, gf!!!!! I told my sister-cousin you have 58,000 instagram followers to hurry to the Richmond Hobby Lobbys but she was too late. Which size wreath did you buy and did you pull the leaves out a bit? (A friend was able to find one for me in a nearby town in NC.) Again, beautiful girls. I hope the dance was all they wanted and more!

  44. Image for Lisa Ronan Lisa Ronan

    Boy I miss those prom party days! Everyone and everything looks beautiful! Any chance I can find out where you got your two white end chairs in the dining room?

  45. Image for Sandi Sandi

    Those two are just images of you! Just Darling! Keep us posted with their activities! Love your blog and thanks for all you've introduced me to!

  46. Image for Theresa Theresa

    They are gorgeous. I bet it was so fun. I have a high school daughter & she just had Sadie Hawkins dance. I can relate. It’s super busy times but, gotta cherish every minute. Thanks for sharing this at the Inspiration Spotlight party. See you again soon.

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