Pink & Yellow Spring Brunch

Kate of Studio LIME Design sent me these pics of a pretty brunch she hosted for mother's day.  The simple modern design would work perfectly for any ladies get-together and has some ideas that are easy to re-create.  I particularly like the pink and yellow color combo, and the recycled cans painted, tied with ribbon, and filled with flowers.  Read on for what Kate has to say about the brunch... 

"I wanted to host a sweet and simple brunch for my mom and mother-in-law to honor them and show how much my husband and I appreciate all of the hard work, dedication, and selflessness they've displayed and modeled for us {new parents ourselves!} over the years.

My tablescape was inspired by the beautiful and soft springy colors that surround us at this time of the year. I used a pale yellow fabric to cover my place mats and some brighter pink and yellow fabrics/ribbons to cover the vases holding floral blooms to infuse a little more color to my table. A large lantern with candles was used to anchor the table.

At each mothers' place setting was a ceramic pitcher filled with a floral bouquet and a simple white frame holding a picture of her with her children from a long, long time ago. This was a special touch for each guest of honor, added to springy vibe of the table, and doubled as each mom's Mother's Day gift as well.

Each guest also had a mini menu tucked inside their brunch napkin listing the eats for the day. The hit item on the menu was a "Banana Nut French Toast," which couldn't have been more simple to make {tips on my blog}. And mimosas were served to kick off the brunch because what's brunch without mimosas?!?!

I also created a sweets bar using the sideboard in my dining room. I propped a fabric covered backdrop to add a pop of color and a twig tree with hanging crystals. On to the good part -- the desserts -- mini powdered doughnuts, sugar cookies with flower fondant toppers, and a pound cake with cream cheese frosting to top it all off. One of my favorite quotes, which explains the awesome responsibility we have as mothers so perfectly, was also added to the dessert spread."

Thanks for sharing the lovely brunch with us, Kate.  All these ideas can be used in bridal showers, birthdays, and baby showers as well!

Paper items & styling - Studio LIME Design

Fondant Cake Toppers - Two Sugar Babies

Meet-The-Baby Shower

This baby shower by Loralee Lewis is so pretty with it's soft colors and it's vintage circus theme.  This was originally going to be a traditional baby shower for her friend, but sweet baby Beatrix decided to come 5 weeks early!  I think this "meet-the-baby shower" turned out just beautifully. 

Loralee created all the printable designs (which are available in her shop). She place small bags of popcorn at each place setting, for guests to nibble on while waiting for everyone else to arrive.  A light lunch of sandwiches, spinach salad, and chips was served, while mini cupcakes & decorated cookies were displayed for dessert.  Empty soda bottles were recycled and filled with a clear lime-flavored water.  Pretty little flags were attached to the stripe straws.

A couple of my favorite things from this party is the name card at each plate describing the origin of the baby's name "Beatrix," and the lovely cards available for motherly advice from the guests.  Finally each guest was given a clear pail filled with colorful gumballs, as a party favor. 

Thanks for the sweet inspiration, Loralee!

A Sewing Themed Baby Shower

If you love handmade parties and are a DIY'er yourself, then you are going to love today's featured baby shower from Andi of Beautiful Ordinary Day.  Andi and a few friends put together this shower to honor the mom-to-be, and baby Lucy's impending arrival.  This was truly a group effort as the ladies did everything themselves, from the hoop art above (spelling Lucy's name) to the decorated cookies, mini pies, and "Lucy cakes"(cupcakes) in a jar seen below. 

You will notice the overall theme and activity of the day is sewing and fabric crafts, as they all made personalized onesies for baby Lucy.  I love the supplies table set up with an array of materials to choose from, not to mention the fabulous vintage window-turned-chalkboard. 

Another detail of this party that I love is the reaccuring use of the embroidery hoops in different sizes, used for decor.  This is such an easy idea really - just place some coordinating fabric in each one to add great decorative touches all around the space.  If you like, you can add mini buntings or embroidered words or letters as well.

These ideas can be incorporated into any 'vintage', or shabby chic theme.  Thanks Andi, for allowing me to share this sweet handmade shower!

Note: See what inspired Andi's shower on Swoon - it's an adorable "Picnic Birthday Party."

Another Operation Shower Event!

Today I'm happy to share that I'm heading out to help with another Operation Shower event in Camp Lejeune, NC!  If you've been around a while, you know I've been lucky enough, and proud to be able to volunteer my services for this great cause.

 

I'll be spending these next 2 days setting up and helping pull everything together to shower a group of 40 expecting moms-to-be (wives of our soldiers) and can't WAIT to share the specifics afterwards (you can read a preview here).  Until then, I'll leave you with their most recent shower held in San Diego - Welcome to Sunshine Farms!

The San Diego event had some top-notch talent helping out: Marie of  Sweets Indeed created the incredible table above, Jaclyne of Heavenly Blooms provided all the gorgeous flowers, and Jenn of  Hostess With The Mostess designed the graphics & printable paper elements!  Amy is the shower coordinator and her events just keep getting better!  To see more, visit the Operation Shower website.  See you Thursday!

She's About To "POP" Baby Shower

This baby shower theme is so fun and whimsical, with all it's circle details and pretty colors, you'll be looking for an excuse to throw one your self!  Sent in by Katie of Katie Cassidy Photography, this "Pop" theme incorporates brownie POPS, POPcorn, soda POP, tootsie POPS, and ring POPS. Even the cake, cookies, and cupcakes had fondant circles to represent bubbles!

One of my favorite details in this shower is the embelished brownie pop sticks - SO unique!  There was also pretty charm-adorned paper cones to hold the popcorn, and adorable straw flags with a "bubble" attached, for the sodas.

As a parting favor Katie's sister made soap POPsicles with a pretty scent.  These were displayed along with a photo collage of a recent photo session that Katie had with the guest of honor.   

Thanks to Katie for sharing her beautiful and creative celebration with us.  These ideas are so inspiring!

Photography - Katie Cassidy Photography

Desserts - Layered Bake Shop

Parisian Inspired Baby Shower

This Parisian themed Baby Shower sent in by Carrie of C Stands for Carrie, is full of so many chic and interesting details, I couldn't wait to share it!  The theme was chosen to reflect the guest of honor's love of all things French and fashionable, and it was executed beautifully. 

Lots of chalk board signs (made from trays, platters, and frames), hanging umbrellas from Target (hung with push pins), and French books, flash cards, and food labels filled the party space.  There was also a special "logo" made for the party which was used on the invitations, labels, and other decorative accents.

A delicious French food spread included baguettes, croissants, a variety of cheeses, nuts, pate and fruit.  There was also traditional creme brulee, chocolate covered strawberries, and cupcake jars for dessert!

Some of the fantastic ideas Carrie used here are the Eiffle Tower-stamped cups, a diaper pen used to adorn food labels, and the wonderful chalkboard signs made from old platters.

The shower also included some fun themed activities: match the baby item with it's French word; name the baby animals (what specific animals are called as babies); and a photo area with the most amazing "French" backdrop.  Carrie created it by hanging a collage of French posters, pages from an old French book, a pennant, and a print from her living room.

To complete the project, she offered chocolate mustaches made from molds found at Bake It Pretty.

I love the chic look of this baby shower, and can definitely see this used for a bridal shower, or birthday party as well.  Thanks for sharing this lovely inspiration Carrie!