Wood-land Terrariums DIY

I have a confession to make, I am a murderer...of plants! I was in need of a low maintenance plant that would not die if I forgot to water it for a week err... a month or two. 

In Honolulu there is this adorable succulent DIY store called Paiko and it has become my new favorite place. They source local beautiful plants and pots and also offer coffee through the Brue bar. Everything about this place makes my heart happy. On Thursday evening the hubs and I took the Woodland Terrarium Class. It was so easy, I couldn't believe it. Our instructor went over layer by layer what our little self containing ecosystems would need to survive forever (literally). 

STEP 1: 

Get a glass container with an air-tight lid 

STEP 2: 

Put about an inch of clean gravel 

STEP 3: 

Place wet sphagnum moss over the gravel

Sphagnum moss can be purchased at most pet stores or even on amazon

It is super dry so just place it in a bowl of water 

for awhile until damp 

STEP 4: 

Next, place activated charcoal on top

STEP 5: 

Potting soil is next. Place a good 1 to 2 inches of an 

organic potting soil on top of the charcoal

STEP 6: 

The fun part! Putting in your plants. This is called a 

rabbit fern, because it has those furry "legs" that grow

off the side (sort of looks like a spider to me). 

Dig a small hole down to the moss and place your fern inside.

Make sure to really break up the roots of the fern before you place 

it in the dirt 

STEP 7: 

This is where you can get creative! Paiko had rocks, stones

moss, little twigs, and even little creatures and people we could add

We went with the hula and ukulele player because this is Hawaii, 

we also added moss, twigs and bark to give it texture 

Overhead view 

The last step, not pictured. With a spray bottle, you must spray 

your terrarium down A LOT. Make sure the soil is really wet 

and all the fern leaves are soaked. Place your lid on your terrarium 

and leave it in a dark room for 6 weeks. We were told that they do really 

well without a lot of sun light. So after 6 weeks it can be placed in a room 

with little sunlight. Apparently sunlight will be your main killer of your 

terrarium, so keep it in the dark. Other than that, you pretty much can't kill 

it, which is awesome for a plant murderer like me! 

It's ready to go home! Thanks Paiko for a wonderful class! 

Story-time baby shower

Back in december I had the wonderful privilege of co-hosting one of my oldest and dearest friends baby shower. Danielle and I have known each other since middle school, graduated high school together, were each others maids of honor, and have made so many great memories over the past 12+ years of friendship. 

Me, Danielle and Gigi 

Co-hosting a shower can be challenge, especially when you live thousands of miles from each other + 6 hour time change. But Mrs. Aguirre (Danielle's mom) and I emailed back and forth, shard Pinterest boards, and called & texted till we had a solid plan! Yah for team work! 

 

Love letters and swag on a fireplace mantel

I really love a theme, but I feel that theme's should enhance an event not take over it. Use a theme to guide colors, ideas and decor. When deciding on a theme for Danielle's shower I went to the source...Pinterest! How did we ever live without Pinterest? For a little boy's baby shower, I loved the idea of the story-time shower. 

Peter Rabbits garden of veggies 

yummy brunch food 

We correlated classic children's book with brunch time treats. Not every food had a book (enhance not take over, remember), but it was just enough that guests enjoyed the ideas and reminisced about there favorite childhood stories. One of my favorites pairings was "Charlotte's Web" with Ina Garten's bacon recipe. 

(thanks Jen for making the delicious bacon) 

I am personally believer that fresh florals make every event look top-notch. Plus most flowers are not super expensive and can be added to any fun container you have laying around the house. 

Love the combination of whites and greens together!

"If you give a dog a donut" 

(Now I want a donut)

For party favors I went with one of my favorite Pinterest ideas! Guests left with a beautiful bag of chocolate chip cookies and signed the guest book, "If you give a mouse a cookie!" The gift tags were purchased from etsy here and the perfect sized mini paper bags here. 

Since it was a brunch shower we offered coffee, tea and of course my favorite mimosas! Just because the mom-to-be can't drink doesn't mean the guests should have to suffer ;) 

We added more books and flowers to tie in the food table decor!

AND that my friends is how you throw a lovely story-time shower on an every-day budget!

Cannot WAIT to meet baby Noah!! 

**Special thanks to Kelsey for the photos and thank you Jen, Jenna and Rebecca for helping a ton the day of, could not have finished all the details without ya'lls help!**