Baby Shower: Sweet As Pi

I adore throwing parties for my friends and I love even more when I get to co-host with great people!  Lindsey and I have known Andrew and Shauni for years and we were so lucky to connect wihth Shauni's dear friend Amy to throw a shower for the fabulous couple to celebrate the impending arrival of cuteness, little lady James. 

Shauni and Andrew are some of my favorite people, probably because they are as gorgeous inside as they are out.  Shauni was planning a science themed nursery, a personal passion of her own.  Don't you love that?  I was swooning and full of ideas as soon as I heard the theme and colors scheme orange/coral and mint, which we knew we had to use as well.  I like to call this party "Pretty Nerdy".

I had been trying to work in a cute sign that said "Cute As Pi" but after a little discovery, found out that pie was in fact their favorite dessert.  Done and done!  Under a banner saying "Sweet As Pi 3.14" we had peach, apple and pecan pies fresh out of the oven, perfect for the comfort food-style of the afternoon. 

And seriously, how amazing is this piece of art?  Yep, Lindsey already had that in her dining room.  Obsessed!!!

The food was an amazing collaboration by amazing friends.  I have never met a group of ladies so willing to pitch in and collaborate.  They say it takes a village to raise a kid.  We say it helps to have a village of fabulous people to throw a shower in honor of that kid.  To keep the theme going, I made some cute little signs inspired by the periodic table.  (Taking some elemental liberties of course.  Like I remember anything from science class people.)

Pulled BBQ pork and chicken mini sandwiches, mac and cheese cupcakes, chopped salad, fresh fruit and veggies with some yummy dips plus fresh lemonade and a rather delicious lemonade beer cocktail made our bellies and hearts full!

With a mix of co-ed friends, colleagues and family we had to find some fun games/activities that weren't too cheesy, lady-centric and for this couple, totally original.  For this game, we asked all of the guests to bring their own baby picture.  After posting all of these super cute images along a fence, we had Shauni and Andrew compete against each other and guess who was who.  As you can imagine, one of our handsome friends was a total golden haired toe-head as a child and looked as pretty as any of the ladies. It was a riot! 

A truly perfect day for wonderful friends!  And funny enough, little lady James was born on 3.14, Pi Day!!! 

Baby Shower: A Colorful Safari

Josh and Karyn Forge are a few of my favorite people.  This might have been because I caught them holding hands during a Chiefs game and said to El Husbando, "I wonder if they are dating?"  Many years after accidentally outing them, I could not have been more thrilled to throw a colorful safari themed shower to celebrate the arrival of the little lady to be.

With the sun beaming down on one of the warmest days of the year, a co-ed party of fifty gathered to celebrate what we know will be one of the most amazingly beautiful and kind baby girls to grace of with her presence.

In lieu of a traditional guest book, attendees shared a special wish for Baby Girl Forge in a photo book of maternity photos taken by Cara Garcia Photography.

The colorful safari theme was the perfect fit for this festive day.  Invitations found on TinyPrints.com guided the color scheme to turquoise, pink and orange.  Similar signage was made for stations throughout the party.

I adore party favors, especially when they can be a personal reflection on the honorees.  Even better when it reminds you fondly of your childhood!  In white takeout boxes and clear bags, decorated with custom stickers and ribbon, I opted for a Midwestern favorite, homemade Puppy Chow, a nod to the daddy-to-be's roots in Kansas City.  If you haven't experienced puppy chow, let me just say, holy moly.  You are totes missing out!  This amazing mix of Chex, peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar is the perfect treat and very reminiscent of our childhoods.  (I said it was delish.  I didn't say it was good for you.)

Cupcakes from Buttercake Bakert in West Hollywood are not only a personal favorite but the perfect centerpiece to this gorgeous buffet.  I create a pretty, simply display with signage, a variety of platters and sixty home polka dot flags.

It was a perfect, warm day, full of warmer wishes for two very special friends and their new little lady, Camden.

Baby Shower: Monkey'n Around

I believe that Mindy told me she was pregnant and asked if I would throw her shower in the same breath.  After all, we had discussed our grand plans of babies and showers more times than I can count. I was seriously SO excited for this day to come!

Ass the first baby in our little group of LA translpants, a co-ed shower was a must.  Those that know the daddy-to-be know that he is obsessed with monkeys.  While I couldn't fulfill his wish of dressing a monkey in a tux and asking him to serve cake, the monkey theme was the most obvious and adorable choice.

I adored the aqua, brown and green theme, inspired by the invitations from TinyPrints.com.  Susie Cakes, of Brentwood, created this amazing two-tier chocolate and red velvet cake. This delicious treat was a must per the Mommy-to-be and tasted better than it looked, if you can believe it.  Some gorgeous belly pictures provided the backdrop for a guest book full of wishes for Baby Connor.

A guest list of around 60 guided us to host the event in the family's large backyard. Tables were adorned with more stuffed monkeys purchased at local toy stores, custom lollypops and white gerber daisies and tulips in bud vases.

If your friends are anything like mine, the drink selection is of the utmost importance and the table, like a kitchen, becomes the social center of the party. For this shower we offered homemade lemonade,  cucumber water, beer and sparkling wine. And of course, all glasses were adorned with hanging cocktail monkeys. 

Such a sweet and perfect day in honor of what we all know to be a sweet and perfect little baby boy!