Decorating for Autumn

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It isn’t our family’s turn to host Thanksgiving dinner this year, but that didn’t stop me from decorating for the season. Yes, seasonal decorating is most certainly a thing!

They have a saying in Texas, “Happy Fall Ya’ll!” I love hearing this phrase. It just oozes a sense of warmth, togetherness and southern charm!

Would you believe me if I told you I bought the fabric pumpkins at HEB last year post-Thanksgiving for about 35 cents a piece! If you are not from Texas, HEB is a grocery chain that stands for Here Everything’s Better. Everything is seriously better in Texas… well except for the two seasons we experience year round: hot and luke warm.

I purchased the Thankful Banner a few years ago on Etsy. But two weeks ago, I made a very similar banner for a few special friends to show just how thankful I am of them!

The vintage chalkboard tray is from Hobby Lobby for $20.99 with their 40% off coupon. Yes, I need to work on my chalkboard writing…. I am actually quite embarrassed by it. Do you know of any classes in the Houston area?

The garland is not actually a garland at all. It’s several floral stems (maybe 10 or so) another post-Thanksgiving treasure from a few years that were mere pennies at Hobby Lobby. I didn’t connect them, but just have each stem strategically placed on the mantle.

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Aren’t this pillows gorgeous? They were on sale at Target for $13.99 a few weeks ago! Get them while they last!

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Come join us to EAT here! No we actually don’t sit or eat here. Maybe 10 times are so, mostly in the last year… the visits to this table are rising! I have a confession to make: I actually like not using this room very often, because it makes me remember each occasion where we sat & celebrated here….and makes the setting even more special.

Never mind the builder’s inventory chandelier! I found a few light fixtures and I can not wait to show you! .

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I have always been very hesitant about buying seasonal centerpieces because they are just so darn expensive. For this fall centerpiece, the crate is from the Home Goods clearance aisle and the back of the crate actually says “Life’s a Beach”! (I will eventually sand off the wording someday.) The piece is from their summer collection and deeply discounted. See you do not have to buy individualized seasonal items to make it work. The floral arrangement are stems collected throughout the years. Do you see the burlap leaves on the 35 cent HEB pumpkins? The burlap wreaths are from Hobby Lobby, I believe a pack of 10 was a couple of dollars. The vases of flowers are usually white year round, but I added beige hydrangeas to the bouquet to make it look more “Fall.”

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The 4 framed items hanging on the walls are musical notes! It makes it feel so dreamy and whimsical in here.

I purchased the “Texas is Home” sign from the neighborhood resale page for a steal!

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Welcome to our entry hallway table! Isn’t it cozy! I think it’s time to put up an actual photo of our 2nd child. Do you see her first ever photo… the sonogram from my pregnancy ultrasound. She knows I’m in love with her though. I actually raised up the position of the hallway mirror, but still haven’t had a chance to take another photo. Re-doing something just doesn’t seem fun! Does anyone else tend to feel this way?

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I am so proud of these wreaths I made a few weeks ago where I co-hosted Wreath & WINE Night for the ladies in my neighborhood. In true Sarom fashion, I made one of the wreaths prior to the event so that I could socialize and of course enjoy a few cocktails during the workshop.

I need to water my plants!

Thanks for visiting ya’ll!

Behind the Brand

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I am actually surprised I have come to this point of my life. If anyone asked me 10 years ago what I would be doing today, it would definitely not be this. I pictured myself still in my career, having moved up the corporate ladder, working long hours crunching numbers, married and with children. I love numbers because the set of rules, everything is true or false, there is no room for error or thinking outside the box. Which is why sometimes it is so strange to me that I am where I am today. But then again, I have the type of personality that I have to be good at everything I do. When I was little girl, I always wanted to be a doctor, journalist, librarian or an actress. Well at least, I got the married with children part right.

I reside in the Houston area with my two children and husband, Minh. We purchased our first home the semester we were graduating from college. Sometimes, I still cringe thinking about some of the décor choices I made in our first home. Fast-forward five years later, we decided a bigger place was needed when our firstborn was 8 months old and purchased our second home. During the same time after months of consideration, making lists and going back & forth, I decided to quit my career as a financial controller with an oil & gas company that I had been with for 10 years so that I could stay home to raised our son, Bensen. Pretty soon after the big move, we discovered we were pregnant with our second blessing, Vera.

I found myself at home for the first time with no goals except keeping these two little humans alive. I started planning parties/hosting events and making crafts as a way for me to have goals and deadlines like I was accustomed to in my career. That is when I discovered my skills in home décor, crafting and event planning. This was my new outlet and an expression of myself. Being a mother and wife are my greatest joys in life, but these identities are contingent on my three love ones. There are multiple vague reasons why I started this website. But as soon as I hit the publish button, I felt a sense of re-birth. This is me. This is something of my very own. I’m back.

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Last year’s holiday card. Photo taken by B. True Photograph.

Website Launch

You asked and you shall receive! Throughout the years, friends have commented “you should start a blog….” I never took it seriously and laughed it off. I mean… what would I write about? But for some reason this week, something changed and I had a light blub moment. Why don’t I start a blog? I mean… I do have a lot to share with you and I can actually use my bachelor’s degree in English Literature for once!

Well with this website I hope to inspire family, friends and you through my journey in life with my love ones, decorating, crafting, event planning & hosting. travelling, photography and my quest for fitness. Yes, this is another lifestyle blog. I hope you are just as excited as I am!

In the meantime, head over to the Portfolio tab for a glimpse of what is to come!