Couture Life

Rooms To Inspire Learning

Back-2-School 2023

As the Summer Comes to A close, It is Time to start getting ready for Back to School. And that does not just include shopping for clothes and school supplies. As a parent and through my own experiences: I've discovered children need a place to unwind with structure and stability. Its beneficial for focus and development. Whether your children are participating in online or in-person schooling this year; here are some ideas to inspire learning fit for any age.

A Room to Inspire Imagination,

Girl Age 5 -9

Theme : Parisian Princess

It all started with a stencil that I created of the Fleur De Lis. I painted a focal wall yellow and traced the stencil out and painted it gold to stand out against the yellow.

While shopping around I found a decal of the Eiffel Tower at my local Target. It was perfect for the look we were going for .At the time My Daughter was obsessed with the frozen movie so we got her the Elsa decal as well as a picture to hang up in her room. All of which was purchased locally at Target.

Below we created a cozy reading nook to inspire the imagination.My Daughter is a avid reader Who loves to read on end. And at the time She was reading Nancy Drew mysteries and stories about Princess in faraway places. So I wanted to give her a space where she could just sit back and relax into a good book.

And you can't have a Parisian Princess theme without the original Princess Her self, Madeline. We hung the picture of Madeline and two ballet themed framed art pieces in the nook. and added an ottoman for seating along with a canopy to help cozy it up a bit.

Above Veronica at 5 yrs old Entering kidnergarten

Of course we did some Back to School shopping ;but when you do all that shopping you have to have some where to put the items you just purchased.So I started with a cleaned out closet.We threw away items that she couldn't fit, hasn't worn, and didn't like.We organized her accessories and outfits that she wanted to wear in the first week of school.

I took her closet doors down for additional space in her bedroom and added a Hunter Douglas shade that I thrifted at my local goodwill. to finish it off i added a cute pink valence. I find that a organized wardrobe will get you off to a good start that first week of school as it's essential to time management. You will find that when you have their clothes laid out the night before it makes it so much easier to head out the door. (esp if you ever are running late) Also with good practice and follow through: it will be easier to keep up once you get it started.

So with yellow being the focal point. I wanted to add a secondary color that would compliment and add warmth.My Daughters favorite color was pink; so it was only natural. I painted the bedroom furniture bubble gum pink. Then We Added pink and purple bed sheets to add balance to the room and create a cohesive look throughout .

A Room To Inspire Play

Boys Age 5-9

Theme : Fun with Colors

So for my Son who had just started kindergarten: He got His own room.( We moved to a bigger place)He was now my Little Big Boy. My Son was very active and playful and active. Unlike His Sister Who was very mature for her age; He only like to read when it was time for bed. So playing on his strengths I created a room where when He got home from school He could unwind. I took items that He had when He was a Baby and added them to his room. By up styling them to grow as He was growing. His changing table was converted into a to and book shelf then I painted. As well as His television stand cobalt blue. It was perfect for the brightness and pop of color. His first blanket we kept and I stapled it above His bed and swapped out poo for spider man and blaze and the monster machines. With the colorful welcome sign on His bedroom door. He now could have a place to kick off His shoes enjoy his after school snack, and with My help complete His homework. Then relax before He has to go to school again.

I decided to create a space where We could display His art projects;once He got home from School. Also I incorporated colorful themed art that had been purchased via Target and my local Goodwill.He loved cars and trains; so I purchased area rugs that look like roads and little towns and displayed them around His Thomas train so that He Could play with his cars and boys allowing him to unwind and his imagination to thrive.

A Room where To Express Their Interest

Boys and Girls Ages 11-15

Theme: Their Vision Boards

This year my Children were given the choice if they wanted to attend Public School or Online School and They decided that They wanted to continue their education via Online and I support it wholeheartedly. last year my daughter switched to online and She loved it and My Son following in His Sisters footsteps loves it as well. We don't have to rush in the mornings or stand out in the freezing cold waiting on the school bus. And you know that first week where the Kids come back sick. Everyone Is Healthy and thriving.

For me this just shows how important it is for them to have a space where they can thrive at their own pace and are able to focus. this time around i let them pick out what they wanted in their room and what They wanted to visualize as the goals to Their success. I already done the work in the past. Now they have a clear understanding how to get there and it always starts at home having structure and a routine setup.

To the Right are the final touches to bring the room together. Veronica found a pink shelf that she wanted for her books and to go under her vision board We were also able to display Tanaka's LEGO creations that he built. We have them put up high so that Their little Sister cannot get to them(8 MTHS) Shes in the "EXPLORING" stage.

To also make the room cohesive I did a window treatment. Even though They have blinds, It helps regulate the temperature of the room keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter, Also allowing for privacy.

For the closet They have a large walk in, which allows for Them to each have a side dedicated to their stuff. To make it easy for them to fall into a routine; even though they are at home i made sure that Their clothes were washed and folded then put away in an orderly fashion. so that they can find what they need as well as function properly.

Here Veronica got to Pick the Bedroom furniture. She got the same frame set for Her and Her Brother; but She got Hers white and His black then She matched them with complimentary comforters. and we just kept the design simple as we just moved in and we needed to get them ready to start school. They created vision boards of their goals that they want to accomplish then We put them where They could look at them and stay encouraged to achieve set goals.

I am extremely proud of how far We have come. Just in writing this article it was a trip down memory lane for me.

How my children have evolved; as well the one of the many ways that i have supported their journey on this path of life.

I have come to discover that it's not decorating and making a room pretty. it is seeing your child's needs and making it somewhere they want to be and providing the space for them to be themselves. That's the key to building their confidence as well.

And once I took a step back this year I allowed them to make the choices for themselves. And in doing so I was not disappointed. they made the decision to go to school from home. And that comes with responsibility. They have to show up everyday, participate with self guided study. Yes it has been challenging but They are overcoming those challenges and They are supported as well in a environment that's conducive to learning and thriving.

Thank You for taking this journey with me and I hope this article brings you some ideas as well as incite on how We as parents can help our children thrive everyday in life.

As Always Stay Fabulous. Couture Honeys

Smooches, Courtney L.

2023 Spring and Summer Patio Decor

Getting The Most out Of Your Outdoor Space

By Courtney Liptrot

Creating a Private Oasis

Now that the weather has arrived. we no longer have to stay indoors to entertain, or to enjoy a book or a cup of coffee. especially if you have an apartment with a deck or patio. You should look at it as an extension of your home that you can get the most enjoyment out of even if it is a little space; there is so much that you can incorporate to to make it a place of your own. With just a few items you can have an oasis of your own.

Above is an example of my own personal deck that I have created. My deck was on the first level of my condo, and I wanted to create a space where I could enjoy my coffee in the morning. In the picture on the far top I have an iron table and chair set (Bistro style). I re-upholstered the chairs with a teal silk fabric; I actually bought two curtain panels from

walmart for 14.99;that was my fabric for the chairs. To accentuate the colors I purchased some throw pillows from target (the dollar spot). The center piece for the table is a Gold leaf vase with pink hydrangeas, a Buddha fountain with two patchouli candles for atmosphere

everything purchased at my neighborhood Ross for $30. For contrast I made a tablecloth that was sewn by yours truly, fabric purchased at Hobby Lobby for 1.99 a yard.

Added curtains for privacy and curtain clips for scale, I now had a deck that I could enjoy those brisk spring mornings.

Below is my current situation ;We scaled up.Now I am on the 7th floor with a patio able to enjoy a beautiful view of the mountains and city lights of DTC (denver tech center); as well as privacy since i'm so high up. Thus it's like a home away from home. So using the same bistro style table and chairs I just changed my color scheme. With the patio being an extension of my home I carried the same theme to my patio. This time I covered the chair with slip covers

( purchased from amazon for $24.99) added a chaise that I reupholstered. Used the same curtains from my previous deck( see photo to the left). Table cloth and pillow cases are from an old shower curtain that was perfect for a pop of color but water proof; perfect for outside. The pillows on the chase were found to match at my local Five below for $5 each; as well as the rug $10 to match. The centerpiece is the upstyled basket tray from my deck ( see photo to left) I painted it cobalt blue and added two matching pillar candles a succulent fountain and cherry blossom bonsai tree. For night I added a simple string of uv led Fairy Lights to set the atmosphere.

I can come onto my patio via my living room or bedroom door. I love to enjoy my favorite book ,work tea coffee we also entertain as you can see my husband has his grill out here as well with plenty of space for guests.