DECORATING The Higher The Hair The Closer To God

Two children in pajamas sit on a bed covered with gifts. The younger child smiles at the camera while the older looks to the side. A nightstand with books, a clock, and a lamp is beside them. The photo is in black and white.

(Photo of me and my mom—please tell me you want to straighen that lampshade as much as I do.)

I may or may not have mentioned it before, but I’m all about my mother.

I found this picture of us from when I was little and to me it kinds of sums us up.

Me, full of mischief and giggles.

And my mother watching over me.

You see, quality time is her love language.

I can’t even begin to type all the times she has shown up for me.

I can’t even count all the dances she chaperoned and the cookies she baked, and friends she carpooled, and the student council posters she printed with “Vote for Kari She’s a Life Saver.”

Through the years she has lifted me up and kept me grounded over and over and over again

So I wanted to say thank you today.

Thank you for every single minute and hour and day that she made even more special.

Just like my sixteenth birthday.

Close-up of a branch with green leaves and red pomegranate fruit next to pink flowers by a window, with soft natural light illuminating the scene. The background is slightly out of focus, highlighting the vibrant colors and delicate details of the plants.

I remember the morning of my sixteenth birthday like it was yesterday.

Maybe because it was.

Just kidding.

You know I’m 22.

That morning I got dressed with my new pair of glittered legwarmers and ballet shoes and applied bright red lipstick, sprayed my bangs up to greet the heavens with a can of Aqua Net.

The higher the hair the closer to God.

Then I pranced downstairs in all my glory.

A vibrant bouquet featuring large, fluffy pink chrysanthemums in full bloom, with a small touch of green foliage in the background. The petals are lush and layered, creating a rich texture and depth.

Sixteen.

This was the big one.

I couldn’t wait to see the celebration.  Would they have balloons?  A banner?  A band?  A parade?  Lief Garrett driving up in a new convertible?

With a beating heart full of excitement, I nonchalantly strolled into the kitchen.

There they all sat.  My ever-supportive family.  Eating Wheaties and toast.

Silence greeted me.

No one even looked up when I walked into the room.

A cozy autumn-themed decor setup with a bouquet of pink and green flowers in a white textured vase. Wooden pumpkins are placed on a marble-topped table, and a rustic abacus with pastel beads hangs on the wall in the background.

I peered at them anxiously.  Did they see the amazing, incredible legwarmer-wearing, red lipstick applying SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD that stood in front of them?

Maybe it was hard to tell it was me through the aqua net haze.

I sighed dramatically for extra emphasis and plopped down in my chair.

And rolled my eyes.

And sighed again.

Nothing.

No response.  Not even a smile.

Apparently, that morning there was not….

…..a Happy Birthday in sight.

A close-up of a bouquet featuring large, pink chrysanthemum flowers and a budding green flower. The petals of the chrysanthemums are densely packed and layered, while the green bud is partially open, surrounded by soft, pink petals.

I stormed out the door in a huff, climbed into the station wagon, crossed my arms in protest and waited for my mother to drive me to school….

….because apparently Leif wasn’t showing up.

She opened the car door, put the keys in the ignition, started the car and slowly backed out of the driveway.

I let out a cross between a sigh and a grunt, promptly ignored her and slunk down in the seat.

About two blocks into the drive, I managed to pull my eyes away from my legwarmers to stare out the window.

I blinked.

And blinked again.

What?

There before my very eyes, a celebration unfolded.

Close-up of a small pomegranate on a branch surrounded by pink chrysanthemum blooms and a partially open green flower bud, with blurred background creating a soft, delicate atmosphere.

Sign after sign filled the side of the road.

Giant signs.

Full of glitter and sparkles and topped off with balloons.

There must have been dozens and dozens and dozens of them.

Filling every corner and stop sign between our house and the school.

And every sign was the same. “Happy Birthday KariAnne” they read.

Every single glittered line and word for me.

I turned to my mother with the biggest red lipstick smile a brand-new sixteen-year-old could muster.

“You remembered,” I said.  “I thought you forgot my birthday.  I thought you all forgot.”

She smiled back at me, shifting the station wagon into park and conveniently forgetting the earlier eye rolls and legwarmer tantrum.

“I love you,” she said. “May your birthday be the happiest one ever.”

And it was.

Even without Lief.

A collage of Mother’s Day gift ideas including blue and white dishes, jewelry, sunglasses, floral keychains, perfume, striped travel bag, bouquet of white roses, cleaning spray, camera, pen, bath soak, and a vintage record player.

And now? If you are looking for ideas for all those special women in your life next weekend?

mothers// daughters // grandmothers // granddaughters

Here are some of my favorite tried-and-true gift ideas:

  • these shower steamers
  • this vintage looking record player
  • this jewelry cleaner pen for rings
  • this vintage looking pitcher vase
  • this scarf set
  • these blue and white planters
  • this vintage-looking phone case
  • these expandable sponges
  • this weekend bag set
  • these sunglasses
  • this set of scarves
  • these pearly hoop earrings
  • this linen and room spray
  • this glotion
  • this Jo Malone perfume

And I wanted to share this amazing idea for Mother’s Day.

My friend, Stacy Ling, just published this planner for the garden that is so pretty (and super helpful).

You can see it here.

disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.

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Posted On: May 2, 2025

Written By: KariAnne Wood

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