Painting My Little Pink Dream: Move-In Weekend at Painted Tree Cooper City

This week was finally move-in week for the Painted Tree location in Cooper City, Florida — and by golly, I still can’t believe this day finally came! It feels like forever ago that I first told you guys about this dream back in April, and after delay after delay (we were originally supposed to open in June!), the green light finally came through this past Saturday.

I can’t even explain how surreal it felt walking through those big open doors — and actually feeling cold air! For context, I’ve visited before during construction when there was no A/C, and let’s just say… it was steamy. So walking in and seeing all the open bays, vendors wheeling in carts and boxes, and that crisp air greeting us? Pure joy.

Everywhere you looked were towers of boxes, furniture, decor, and nervous excitement. And right there, among all the hustle, was me — standing out like a sore thumb with my old iPhone recording a time-lapse, my main phone on a stand, and my DJI camera in hand so I could make a full-length YouTube video about the process.

Yep. Not a single person had a camera out except me. 😂 But let’s be honest — standing out is kind of my normal at this point. 

Finding My Little Painted Tree Family

Before I even got to painting, I took a moment to connect with some of the sweet vendors I’d met through our private Facebook group. We’ve been chatting for months, so meeting in person felt like reuniting with old friends.

In the photo below, from left to right:
✨ Yahaira from JD Beauty – she sells beautiful natural skincare products.
✨ Nicole from The Ivory Hanger – she has the cutest boutique clothing.
✨ Heather from The Saltee Heifer – our veteran vendor who’s been a massive help, teaching us newbies the ropes.

These ladies have been so kind and welcoming. It’s already starting to feel like a little family here, and that means so much when you’re stepping into something new.

Mom to the Rescue (Cuban Sandwiches Save the Day)

Before I even dipped my paintbrush, my beautiful mom showed up with a big smile and a Cuban sandwich to fill my belly and fuel the day. 🥪

There were no chairs anywhere, so we sat in her car with the A/C blasting, laughing and chatting about my plans for the shop. She’s always been my biggest cheerleader, and honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without her. Don’t be surprised if you see a few of her knitted goodies pop up in my boutique later — I told her her cozy creations would add the perfect texture to all the laser goodness I’ll have in there.

The Perfect Shade of Pink

Once I finally got started painting, oh my goodness… I fell in love. The color I chose is called Hawaiian Shell by Glidden, and it could not be more perfect.

Most people painted their booths neutral, gray, or white — and a few went bold with teal or hot pink. But this soft blush? It’s sweet, inviting, and so me. And since my booth is on an endcap (which means it’s right on the corner), it really pops against all the beige tones around it.

If you’ve seen my time-lapse video, you know how happy I was with every brush stroke. The transformation from plain white walls to my signature TMWAL pink was pure magic.

Plans, Pergolas, and Pink Dreams

Now, if you’ve been following along since my first ChatGPT mock-up, you might remember I had a vision — delicate crepe paper flowers hanging from the ceiling, a dreamy little canopy moment.

Well… those plans got a tiny wrench thrown in them. 😅 Cooper City’s Painted Tree doesn’t allow hanging lights or decor from the ceiling. Womp womp.

But then, fate stepped in. My next-door boutique neighbor, Barbie from Four Hearts Creations, had this beautiful pergola setup. And as soon as I saw it, I messaged my husband and said, “Okay, I changed my mind. We need one.”

My sweet husband — my knight in shining armor — didn’t even hesitate. He said, “Let’s do it,” and that same night he went to Lowe’s, bought the wood, and started cutting. 🥹 So yes, friends… the pergola is happening. Which means my hanging floral lights are too! Check out my very elementary Canva mock-up below — can you see it?!

That Mom With A Laser Touch

You know me — if I’m building a space, it’s gotta show what I do. I couldn’t stop thinking about creating a laser-cut floral lattice panel for the side of my endcap. How amazing would that look with the pink wall and pergola?!

After all, I am That Mom With A Laser — and what better way to show off what’s possible with my incredible machines (and skill of course!) than to make my own décor? Here’s another “rough draft” mock-up so you can dream it to life with me:

I also added a washable rug that I’ll be layering over peel-and-stick vinyl flooring soon — and I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve that I think you’ll love once everything comes together. My goal is to create a stunning, shoppable space on a budget. I want to prove that with a little creativity (and a lot of laser power), you can transform even the simplest space into something beautiful and memorable.

A Few Sweet Surprises

While I was mid-painting, I got the sweetest surprise — a visit from a local laser couple, Melissa and Julio Rivera from GRM Custom, who have been watching my channel for years. They stopped by to introduce themselves, and my heart just melted. Their booth is right by the gorgeous Painted Tree fountain, and I can’t wait to see what they do with their space too.

Doctoberfest and Dachshund Races 🐾

The next day, we took a family break and went to something I didn’t even know existed — Doctoberfest!

Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like — dachshund races all day long. My son has been obsessed with dachshunds lately (he even wants to be one for Halloween), so this was basically his dream come true. It was adorable, hilarious, and such a fun family day after a long weekend of painting and setup. 

Right after the hot Florida festivities, my husband went straight back to cutting wood for the pergola that night. Me hero! 

Stay Tuned — The Countdown Is On!

There’s still so much left to do — flooring, displays, the floral lattice, lighting — but every single part of this has been worth the wait.

In just seven days, the Painted Tree Cooper City officially opens, and I can’t wait to share the finished boutique with you all.

If you’re local, come see it in person! And for everyone following along online — thank you for cheering me on, sharing your excitement, and being part of this wild, beautiful journey.

Stay tuned for updates, photos, and (of course) the YouTube video coming soon.
Wishing you lots of love,
💖
Emily
That Mom With A Laser