• Home
  • About
  • Contact

Tell it to your Neighbor

  • Art
  • Finds
  • Experiences
  • Home Ideas
  • Thoughts
  • Shop
    • SHOP MY #NSALE
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Shop My Favorites
    • NCL Mother Daughter Favorites

Archives for August 2012

baby gift, breakfast cupcake, cupcake book, gift wrap, the Artist, the Mommy, the Shopper | August 31, 2012

Free Gift Wrap

Sometimes it all comes together.  This was one of those times a bunch of random things came together for something special:

1. I love it when people say to babies, “I love you so much I could just eat you!”  I think I first heard my friend Morgan say the phrase, it was so descriptive and I totally felt what she was saying.  In the book, Where the Wild Things Are, Max is upset and says to his Mom “I’ll eat you up!” I find this endearing as well.

2.  I found a cute board book at Babies R Us, fell in love with it and bought 5!  The words are perfect, colors are fantastic and the raised lines are fun for the little ones to touch.  The title is You Are My Cupcake by Joyce Wan and all 5 of my copies have been sitting in my linen closet waiting for babies to be born.

3. Our used book covers were stacking up in a drawer and I couldn’t let them go, I’m weirdly attached.  I’ve seen my friend Lauren use everything from newspaper to bingo sheets as gift wrap so I thought I could do the same with our book covers!

4.  Always check end caps at Target for clearance items.  I’ve found great deals like grosgrain ribbon bows for 88¢!  I picked up a handful, they’re sitting in my bow bag waiting for celebrations.

5.  My friend Courtney just had her 3rd baby!  So I wanted to bring her some CRAVE breakfast cupcakes (my favorite ones from this post) and a gift to leave as a surprise at her doorstep.

And this is how all these things came together as something special ready for drop-off:

A super-cute baby book, a new use for old book covers, grosgrain bows on clearance and delicious breakfast for the Mom of a newborn.

6 Comments - Leave Yours

Cake For Breakfast

breakfast cupcake, crave, the Mommy, the Shopper | August 30, 2012

Cake For Breakfast

I've always said a muffin is like a cupcake without icing.  It's like eating cake for breakfast and I guess that's why I love baked goods for my first meal.  Two years ago when I received an e-mail from CRAVE Cupcakes in Houston declaring their breakfast cupcakes, I got it and I wanted to rush to Continue Reading

1 Comment - Leave Yours

Travel Edition: La Jolla, CA

friend, girls trip, La Jolla, the Tourist, Travel | August 27, 2012

Travel Edition: La Jolla, CA

****Email Subscribers, this post was getting a lot of spam.  I had to take it down and re-publish to hopefully stop the spam.  I apologize, you're getting it twice! Thank you, TITYN**** You might give some serious thought to getting away to La Jolla, California.  Everything about it adds up to a Continue Reading

6 Comments - Leave Yours

Mama’s Got a Brand New Chair

butterfly chair, living room, the Designer | August 23, 2012

Mama’s Got a Brand New Chair

The gift my family gave to me for Mother's Day was delivered this week!  I had been looking for a chair for our living room for over 3 years and always hesitated to make a big purchase but when it was given to me, I finally felt free to make it happen.  Here's how it all went Continue Reading

10 Comments - Leave Yours

Celebrate Good Times

give away, the Night Owl | August 21, 2012

Celebrate Good Times

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Come on!  It's a celebration!  Check out the new design of tell it to your neighbor!  Last week I said I was always looking for an excuse to order a cake.  And the new look of this blog isn't really an excuse to order a cake, but I think it's a Continue Reading

4 Comments - Leave Yours

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »


Hello Neighbor! I’m Erica Smith and this is where I share discoveries and tell a few stories!

More Discoveries Here:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

New Posts by Email

Popular Posts

  • Moon Garden
  • Slurried Brick
  • Coffee Cart at Home
  • Fall Feather Wreath
  • Service Series: Self-Serve Laminators
  • Wild Kratts Birthday Party for a Girl

Find It

The Archives

  • ►2018 (3)
    • ►September(1)
      • Texas Bluebonnet Award 2018-19 Books: A Visual List with Links
    • ►July(1)
      • Nordstrom Anniversary Kids Clothes
    • ►February(1)
      • Best Morning Ever Mug
  • ►2017 (14)
    • ►December(7)
      • Books Ship Quick
      • "All The Rage" for the Girls
      • Candles That Smell Like Home
      • 20 Favorites for the Guys
      • Kids Club Membership
      • Brickheadz for the Kidz
      • Let The Gifts Begin
    • ►November(1)
      • Semi-Cyber
    • ►October(1)
      • Haunted Gingerbread Houses and Cheers to Small Parties!
    • ►August(1)
      • My Favorite Lunch Box and Why
    • ►July(4)
      • Settling In 2 | Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
      • Settling In | Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
      • Back To School for Him | Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
      • Back To School for Her | Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
  • ►2016 (3)
    • ►July(1)
      • 3rd Annual Shopping Experiment
    • ►May(1)
      • #TITYNBUILDSAHOUSE + Invitation
    • ►January(1)
      • Start Here
  • ►2015 (8)
    • ►December(1)
      • Not Your Typical Gift Guide
    • ►September(1)
      • The Fall of Unfinished Business
    • ►August(1)
      • These Are My Keepers
    • ►July(1)
      • Shopping Experiment Take Two!
    • ►May(2)
      • Summer Style Shape Up Giveaway!
      • Just A Few Things About Grand Cayman
    • ►April(1)
      • Recommendations for Seaside!
    • ►January(1)
      • the SALE is This Weekend
  • ►2014 (41)
    • ►December(4)
      • The Art of Decluttering
      • 5 Tips to Help Your Holiday
      • Free Shipping: Who's got it and for how long?
      • Insta-card Round Up
    • ►September(3)
      • New Finds in Round Top
      • More Talking = Less Shame, More Hope
      • How To Give a Baby a Bath
    • ►July(3)
      • Shopping Experiment
      • United Colors of Wimbledon
      • Emma and I
    • ►June(2)
      • Here We Go Again!
      • A Few Birthday Party Tips
    • ►May(9)
      • Scooby-Doo Meets Batman Party
      • A Few Memorial Day / Summer Discoveries
      • My Sister's Big Top Party
      • Wild Kratts Birthday Party for a Girl
      • Mickey Mouse Orange Party
      • A Gift From...
      • What I Want for Mother's Day
      • Big Kid's Sand and Water Table + Update
      • TITYN DIY Night - Painted Antlers
    • ►April(6)
      • Sunday Takeaway
      • "Modern Goods For Happy Occasions"
      • Uptown Park's Lifestyle Blogger Series: Spring Edition
      • The MVP of Baby Gifts
      • 10 Steps to Easy (and Fun!) Bookcase Styling
      • Easy Easter Bunny Wreath
    • ►March(5)
      • Round Top Round Up Plus...
      • First-Ever Kite Festival
      • Very Important Post
      • Instant Oscars Party
      • World's Championship Bar-B-Que 2014
    • ►February(5)
      • Glass Knot Trend - Luxury vs. Mega Steal
      • The Crafting Box
      • Travel Edition: TRAVAASA Austin, Texas
      • Cookie Cake: Swedish Heart
      • My Clutter Recovery
    • ►January(4)
      • The Train Trunk and More
      • Inspired by a Fresh Looking Desk
      • Sevenly
      • My Sister's Post
  • ►2013 (88)
    • ►December(8)
      • The Clutter in My Mind
      • Merry Christmas!
      • Easy Christmas Cookies
      • Best Kid's Watch Ever
      • Free Shipping for Christmas Delivery
      • Old Tradition New Spin
      • Tiptus Finds
      • Stargazer Lights
    • ►November(6)
      • It's Clear to See
      • Fall Feather Wreath
      • A Nod to The Nod
      • Nutcracker Ready
      • Step It Up!
      • Numbered Cake Sparklers
    • ►October(4)
      • A Wedding on The Prairie
      • Great Party Supplies Stat
      • Dancing Crows
      • The Prairie By Rachel Ashwell
    • ►September(7)
      • Fun Halloween Finds
      • Instagramming From Round Top
      • Here Comes the Funny... Boom.
      • Now I See Me
      • Drug Store Favorites
      • Driving Around Again
      • Moon Garden
    • ►August(7)
      • Easy Mickey Mouse Invite + Free Template!
      • Preschool Separation Anxiety
      • A Creative Pep Talk
      • Red Sands Ranch
      • Thread
      • Cake Bunting in a Jiffy
      • Highlights from New York, New York
    • ►July(4)
      • A Nice Frame Ready-To-Go
      • Birthday Campout Inspiration
      • A Bunch of Stuff for Kids
      • Master Overhaul: Before and After
    • ►June(6)
      • Thank You!
      • A Platter Big Enough For Three
      • Summer Foodie Finds
      • Easy Homemade Father's Day Cakes
      • Slurried Brick
      • Minnie Mouse Birthday Party, Part 2
    • ►May(10)
      • To and Fro Swim School
      • One Hundred Winner!
      • One Hundred Posts Celebration and Giveaway!
      • Sneaker Secret
      • KEA-I-AY (pig latin)
      • For My Mom
      • Dining Room Rug
      • Minnie Mouse Birthday Party, Part 1
      • Waiting for Wind
      • Floral Workshop
    • ►April(8)
      • Welcome Home Baby
      • Southern Floral
      • Travel Edition: Punta Mita and The St. Regis
      • Jumping For Joy
      • Round Top Report Spring 2013
      • Best Slip Ever
      • The Headband Bowl
      • HC by JA at JCP
    • ►March(7)
      • Fresh Flowers for the Door
      • Master Plan and Inspiration
      • Gorgeous Easter Eggs
      • An Easter Basket For the Years
      • Free Advice
      • How To: Round Top, Part 2
      • How To: Round Top, Part 1
    • ►February(11)
      • Oscars Party
      • This Is Why I Love BBQ, Day 4
      • This Is Why I Love BBQ, Day 3
      • This Is Why I Love BBQ, Day 2
      • This Is Why I Love BBQ, Day 1
      • Be A Hero
      • Be Part of the eClub
      • Happy Valen-tine's Day
      • Classroom Valentines Plan
      • Good Night Sleep Chart
      • Service Series: Cut It Out!
    • ►January(10)
      • Fore The Love Of Golf
      • A Hug and a Kiss
      • Styling a Glass Cabinet
      • Service Series: Self-Serve Laminators
      • Coffee Cart at Home
      • Service Series: Same-Day Custom Notes
      • A Steamer Superb!
      • Wedding Inspiration
      • Thinking about Rodeo Tickets?
      • Obsessed with the COLOR BAR*
  • ▼2012 (56)
    • ►December(7)
      • New Year's Solo Cup Chandelier
      • Merry Christmas, Neighbor!
      • Toddler Christmas Activity
      • Santa's Tool Giveaway - Winners!
      • A Tool for Santa (That's You) - GIVEAWAY!
      • Big Battery Operated Lights
      • The Tree Is Up and It Is Good!
    • ►November(8)
      • The Kids' Remote
      • Split Second Elf Ideas
      • Give Sleep
      • Christmas Tree Intervention
      • Snowman Wreath, Dip Baby Dip
      • Crash Course on Nutcracker
      • No Need to Drill
      • Diaper Rash Wipes
    • ►October(9)
      • Happy Halloween
      • Inspiration Board
      • Pedicure for Two
      • Art Full Circle
      • Elf on the Shelf or Skeleton in the Yard?
      • Guest Bedroom Design, Everything on Sale
      • A Rapunzel Party Without Getting Tangled
      • Birthday Morning Surprise
      • Plato del Niño
    • ►September(9)
      • Headed to Round Top
      • This Song Moved Me
      • Halloween Solo Cup Wreath
      • There's A Spider on Your Head!
      • Thirst Be Gone, Mosquitos Be Gone
      • One Dollar Tuesdays
      • The One and Only Scooter
      • Think Outside The Jewelry Box, Part 2
      • Labor Day Sale
    • ▼August(11)
      • Free Gift Wrap
      • Cake For Breakfast
      • Travel Edition: La Jolla, CA
      • Mama's Got a Brand New Chair
      • Celebrate Good Times
      • Ice Ice Baby
      • Think Outside The Jewelry Box, Part 1
      • Hooked On Bundts
      • Black and White Trim
      • A Step Above the Fill-In Invitation
      • MadBox Update
    • ►July(10)
      • From Danger to New Hanger
      • Lunch Box Madness
      • Travel Edition: Jackson Hole, WY
      • Cottage Bathroom Renovation
      • Swedish Nursery
      • The Everlasting Bag
      • Game Changer, The Puddle Jumper
      • Paper Lantern Chandelier
      • Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness
      • Coca-Cola + Navy = Patio Redo
    • ►June(2)
      • Best Pool Bag Ever
      • American Flag Wreath

RSS My Sister’s Blog

  • In Case You Missed It…
    I hope you all had a great week! My sister and I went shopping together this week at Anthropologie and we were so excited to share with y’all what we loved! Check out our Anthro shopping finds here!   Looking for ways to style your sundresses? Here’s some styling tips… Dress: Staud, Earrings: Madewell, Bag: […]

Currently on Instagram

Thank you @stlukeshouston for helping us bring her Thank you @stlukeshouston for helping us bring her up! 🙏🏼 From @stlukesdayschool to @stlukeschildren to @stlukes_students, you mean so much to her and us! 🤗🥰Congratulations, Lilly, on your Baptism and Confirmation! Amen and tell it to your neighbor! 📣⛰ 
@joseph_1_smith @d2wey @julieellerbrock @robdulaney
The best gift tomorrow will be a boy turning 12! ♥️🥳

These streamers took me years to find. Years searching on the internet even though they were right under my nose! My Mom used to use them at every birthday, she’d throw them all over the chandeliers. They were messy fantastic! I finally figured out they are called Serpentine Throws or Streamers. And when you call them by the right name you can find them everywhere! 

#birthdaydoor #birthdaytradition
#notetoself “…the more we stand in awe of Him #notetoself “…the more we stand in awe of Him the less we’ll stand in judgment of others.” - @bobgoff 🌎🤩

Have y’all seen the @expedia Super Bowl commercial with Ewan McGregor? The ad of course is trying to get me to go to their site and travel but I like that it FIRST is trying to convince me to not spend on STUFF! It feels like they are putting my purpose before my money and I’m just going to believe that because I love it! 🙌 

The photos above are all mine and have all been taken since the last Earth Day. They are all #nofilter and if you swipe left you can see their location. Also my file for this post has 76 photos 😆 so it was hard to narrow down to the annual nine! Keep swiping for bonus Planet Earth!

#borntocreate #inawe #creator #earthday2022 #undistractedbook #lovedoes #bobgoffquotes #lessstuff #moreplaces #thankyougod
Easter snapshots 👆 and my notes from @thejohnst Easter snapshots 👆 and my notes from @thejohnstephens’ message we streamed from @levyparkhouston (because we didn’t want to leave our lovely family breakfast to get ready in time to be early enough to find a seat at @chapelwoodumc 👌):
•Created to value and focus on the intangibles.
•Set your heart on things above.
•Live in the light of the resurrection, that’s what Easter means.
•The WORST things are NEVER the LAST things. ♥️

I started listening to/reading the Bible back in February. It’s something I’ve wanted to do my whole adult life. I’m following a chronological Bible in a year plan, listening to cliff notes and trying to finish faster than the whole 365 days. It is a struggle and I can’t believe I’m actually doing it! 😫💪🏼 I’m on day 64 and I just looked up how far I have to go before I get to the event we celebrated this past weekend. I have to make it to Day 274 for the first mention of Jesus and Day 319 for the resurrection. My friends and family have heard me say quite often, “I can’t wait to get to Jesus.” And I’m also looking forward to the New Testament on @audible because I found a version read by @johnnycash! Now if I’m going to make it to Jesus and Johnny I’m going to have to change up what I’m doing for the Old Testament. Do y’all have any recommendations on audible? I’m looking for the impossible: a voice that’s captivating and storytelling but not dramatic and cheesy. And a version that’s easier to read in general. Any help in the comments below would be great for all to read! 👇 Thank you and Happy Easter! 🙏🏼

#easterinthepark #chapelwood #bibleinayear #imnotatheologian #easter #theyearofthedonkey #thelegendofthedonkeyscross #easterbasketsforever
Houston, we have a @buffcitysoap! I’ve been driv Houston, we have a @buffcitysoap! I’ve been driving to @buffcitysoap.pearlandtexas because I’ve been hooked on their Narcissist scented laundry soap and dryer balls since my cousin’s daughter introduced us to it in Dallas last Thanksgiving. (Thank you, Lane! @tsno06) Now it’s just a drive to The Heights and I’m already scheming for a soap making party. 🧼 Go check it out! 👃🏼@buffcitysoap.northheights  #buffcitysoap #htown #houstonshops #titynshops
This was her Christmas gift from 2019! When we gav This was her Christmas gift from 2019! When we gave it to her she was 12 years old and she thought it would be hard to Wait For It until July 2020! 😆 How about March 2022?! Worth the wait to see Hamilton live a 2nd time. She was still in awe! 🙏🏼 And if a mask 😷 had not been required I might have put one on anyway because It’s Quiet Uptown and I didn’t have a tissue. 😭😭🤧🤧🥺🥺 

#hamiltonmusical @hamiltonmusical @hobbycenterhouston #waitforit #itsquietuptown #americanhistory #alexanderhamilton @joseph_1_smith

Copyright © Tell it to your Neighbor 2022 · design by Alpine Lane