Our oldest just turned 16 (!!!). When we started talking about Greta’s birthday, the timing worked out perfectly because she had a Valentine’s dance that same night. I kept coming back to this idea of “Peak Girlhood.” (“Peak” is a word my daughter uses often.) I was thinking about that specific, fleeting thrill of getting ready with your best friends: the chaos of hairspray and the non-stop chatter about who they were going to see at the dance… And a “theme” emerged.
We transformed the dining room into a total glam room, and the girls had SO much fun getting ready for the dance. I wanted this to feel elevated and grown-up, but still very “teenage girl.”
The table was set with a lighted mirror for each girl and individual cosmetic bags — stocked with hair clips and little beauty products they could take home.
I raided a few of my PR boxes and made a “beauty bar” for the girls to apply make-up and sample fragrances. I even put out some false lashes for girls who wanted to try them. They were invited to take home their favorites in their cosmetic “goodie” bags. (Also good for touch-ups at the dance.)
Since the girls were headed to dinner later, the “menu” was mostly fruit & candy — which felt totally on-theme for a “Sweet 16.”
Tumblers | Silver Tray (similar) | Footed Bowl
The girls also made “dirty sodas,” adding coconut syrup, creamer, lime juice and other mix-ins. It was fun to see how each girl customized her own drink and they gushed as they sampled each other’s — getting good ideas for their “next one.”
I got each girl her own hairbrush to decorate with paint pens. Seeing them huddled over their designs, laughing and catching up, was just total “Greta CORE.”
Once everyone was ready, Chris loaded the girls up and took them to Cowfish Restaurant — a great American-fusion spot with plenty of options for everyone and a good girls-night-out vibe. From there, he took them to the Valentine’s dance where they had a blast.
Greta absolutely loved the party — and I loved revisiting all of the gushy, girly nostalgia that it is to be 16. Our little girl is growing up. …Get ready with me :)
How lovely 🥰 Happy Birthday, Greta!
What does GRWM mean?
It’s essentially “Get Ready With Me”—a quiet, intentional look at the ritual of preparing for the day, usually filmed in a way that feels like you’re just chatting with a friend in a beautifully lit room.
Adorable!