Tuesday, June 23, 2015

A Shower for Baby B

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Diana, and the little boy she and my brother are expecting in September.  

It was a morning shower and since I was doing "brunchy" finger foods I decided to put a couple of pub height tables in my family room so people could stand and eat while watching her open gifts.  (This is one of those times when having a husband who does Food and Beverage for a country club comes in really handy. hahaha)


I picked up some bright and fun sunflowers and then added some baby pictures on skewers to "personalize" them :)




The baby pictures were a huge hit (I had them on an external hard drive from when I did the slideshow for their rehearsal dinner) and I had them printed 4x4 (with the square border) for less than $0.20 each at Sam's Club.



As guests arrived, they grabbed a permanent marker and wrote their "diaper thoughts" on the newborn sized diapers.






After everyone ate and while we waited for a few more guests to arrive before opening gifts, everyone filled out the "Pregnancy... How Sweet It Is" page where you match candy bars to pregnancy words (i.e. Hospital Bill matches up with Pay Day, anesthesiologist matches up with Mr. Goodbar, etc.).  I found it online and then just typed it up in the same fonts I used on the invitation.




We had a few extra minutes so we also had fun figuring out these alternative names for popular Children's Book titles.

Emerald yolky food with accompanying pig product = Green Eggs and Ham
Evening Salutations to the Celestial Orb = Goodnight Moon


For decor, I didn't want to go so much with a theme, but more with an eclectic feel that speaks to Mark and Diana's taste.




The Hip Hip Hooray sign is from Vine and Branches and I love how I'll be able to use it for all kinds of occasions.

I kept the menu really simple, mini quiche, pinwheels, pigs in a blanket and donut holes (along with fruit and cupcakes).



These little chalkboard signs I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  They were labeled "Spring" because they had a metal flower on stand, but I just twisted those off and tied a cute chevron ribbon around instead.



I made the cupcakes myself and kept them simple and then peonies were part of the very last shipment of the season.  BOO!!!







I made cherry limeade punch and had lemon water available as well.




The Cherry Limeade recipe I found on Kellys Korner YEARS ago and it is so easy and tasty!
- 1 can frozen limeade concentrate
- 1 two-liter bottle of Sprite
- 1 jar of Maraschino cherries
- a few limes sliced up

Combine all the ingredients and that's it!  I tripled the recipe to fill my drink container and I used one large jar of maraschino cherries instead of three small ones.


The wire arrow shelf I found at Homegoods and I used it for height and filled it with a few little visually interesting pieces from around my house as well as one of our favorite baby books for Baby B.





The wooden B came from HERE and the bulletin board used to hang in Griffin's room.


I moved the canvases that normally hang above my buffet to the wall across (on the right side of the picture), but left the nails in the wall to hang the pom pom garland on.


I decorated the bulletin board with baby pictures, a card, the invitation and a few ultrasound pictures I printed as well.  I found the little hat at GAP and knew I had to snag it for the baby since Mark has one really similar to it that he's worn since toddlerhood (and continues to wear).  I expect some serious #twinning this winter :)


The little chalkboard I picked up at Homegoods and wrote out one of my favorite quotes.


I used these same felt pom poms when I made the garland for Griffin's big girl room and, once again, the vendor was a delight to work with.  I emailed her a copy of the invitation and she came up with the perfect color combination and I had them in hand about 3 days later.  (this garland is 80 felt balls that I simply strung on a piece of embroidery floss using a regular needle).


(And after the party I squooshed the poms together a bit and hung the garland on the boys art wire!)



Lots of Diana's friends were able to come and we had the best time ooohing and aaahing over baby outfits and gear.


Griffin and Audrey (Diana's niece) were big helpers ;)






It was a sweet morning of celebrating Baby B.  Now all we need is to meet him and find out his name!  

When everyone left we hosted the after party on our fireplace hearth :)


Hoping that you found some fun inspiration if you're hosting a party in the coming weeks!

Don't forget - tomorrow is the last Wednesday of the month, which means Recipe Club!  Get some of your favorite summer recipes ready, girls!

41 comments :

  1. Love the decor! You always know how to pull things together so cohesively! Have a great day!

    Lauren
    www.postgradinprogress.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love love love baby showers

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those shower games look so fun! I'm going to look them up just so I can play them myself! :)
    And you had to put the I'll love you forever quote in there.... That book makes me bawl uncontrollably and this moment in no exception! At least no one's around to see me right now ha ha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That quote does me in as well! I can't read it to my kiddos, just like I can't watch the end of Toy Story 3:) hahaha

      Delete
  4. You just went above and beyond for this shower! Every little detail is absolute perfection!!! I especially love all of the personal details :).

    ReplyDelete
  5. Andrea!!! Love! Love! Love! You did a fabulous job!! Everything is so so cute!! What a lucky little guy to have you as an aunt!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So fun!! What a great party!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I got a ton of ideas from this post! I need some reason to throw a party so I could use them. Lol. Seriously, I think I'll volunteer to host girls night or book club just so I could put your ideas to use!! I know I say it all the time but you are fabulous! Oh and I'm all set for recipe club tomorrow. Woohoo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAY! I love sharing ideas so I'm glad you got a few :) Can't wait to see what you post for Recipe Club!

      Delete
  8. I love everything about this shower! You are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great ideas and such cute decorations! What do you use to write on Your chalkboards? Regular chalk, chalk pens? If using chalk pens are they permanent? Thank you for your help! Also, I ordered one of the shirts to support Nora! So thankful that they met their Goal! She has been on my prayer list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope this isn't confusing.... but on "rougher" boards I use regular chalk, but on smooth surfaces (ones where regular chalk doesn't work well, I use chalk pen. I usually try wiping the board with a damp paper towel first, and if that doesn't work I use magic eraser. And YES!!! SO HAPPY about Nora!!! Thank you for supporting her and praying!

      Delete
    2. Makes perfect sense! Thanks! I picked up a chalk pen this morning at Michael's! Can't wait to use it!

      Delete
  10. You did a great job, as always!!!!!!!! Such cute and fun details!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my gracious you are so good!!! I loved all the decorations! Makes me want to host a shower! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is so cute. You did a great job, simple yet cute!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The details are amazing! And I would love your buttercream recipe....yours looked like it turned out way better than mine always does.
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sarah! I haven't shared it before, so I might have to do that in a future recipe club!

      Delete
  14. Where did you get the frame that your chalkboard (on the fireplace)is in ? I've been looking for one exactly like that.

    Thanks,
    Teresa G.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually found it on Craigslist! So random! Sorry that's not much help!

      Delete
  15. Everything looks SO cute! Seriously....you are so talented! Where did you get your cherry limeade drink container? I LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Betsy! I actually got it at a local grocery store (Market Street) about 4 years ago.

      Delete
    2. I was just going to ask the same question! I have had the worst luck with drink containers...bought one from Tuesday Morning and one from Pier One and both leaked so badly that I had to return them! :(

      Delete
  16. I have been reading both you and Diana's blogs for a bit now, and didn't realize until today that you were related! This was such a wonderful shower you threw for her and clearly a lot of love was put into it.

    liz @ sundays with sophie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes ma'am! She married my brother a few years ago :)

      Delete
  17. I love all the details you put into this shower! What a lucky mama. And finger foods are just the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always feel like the details make it :) And yes! Finger foods all the way!

      Delete
  18. Love! It was so fun and special! Thank you so much!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Andrea, you're a great party host - as always!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow! This looks wonderful, Andrea!!! You bring the greatest details together that make unforgettable memories :)

    ReplyDelete

Blog design by Get Polished | Copyright 2016