Brunch Club + Almost-A-Mom Celebration

One of my favorite things is brunch club.  This past summer I started meeting a couple of amazing women for brunch... after a couple of hours of chit chat at a local brunchy spot we decided that we had to make this a regular occurance.  You know how sometimes you really really mean to meet up with people more often but the whole planning part doesn't happen and before you know it  a considerable amount of time has passed?  Well, we decided to avoid that by setting up a standing date.  The third Sunday of every month I know that I will be meeting these seriously cute ladies for a fun couple of hours.  It is such a good thing.

I met these lovely ladies through blogging, way back when we were all up to our ears in wedding planning.  So it is not too much of a surprise that now a few members of brunch club have little buns in their oven.  And so for this month it was only fitting that we celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime moment for dear C.  It was not a baby shower but an Almost-A-Mother celebration!

 

 

I invited the ladies over to my home for a little brunch celebration... Bunting, white linens, burlap, bits of yellow, and a menu filled with citrus flavors (and yellow tones- I really couldn't help it!).

A Little Lamb Shower

I am beyond impressed and over the moon for the Little Lamb baby shower that Erika of Delphine Ephemera planned for her friend.  It is somehow chic and adorable at the same time.  Her attention to detail and design abilities really shine through and provide some beautiful "real celebration" eye candy for your Friday. 

How great to have a pretty backdrop ready for those group photos that you will want to have for years after the shower!  This is a nice idea to borrow from the weddings world for showers and really any celebration.

And possibly one of my favorites from Erika's posts on the baby shower is this shot that shows one of her tricks for set up; putting the serving dishes out with post its or the packaged item!  Honestly I wish I had thought of that for the showers I have hosted, it must be so helpful in giving those last minute helpers an easy way to know exactly where they can pitch in.

Erika's posts for this shower are filled with little tips, from sharing her sketches for the layout and inspiration during the planning to the reminder to "shop" at friends and family's houses for decoration pieces to borrow to help keep costs lower.  And while this is featuring a baby shower, those tips are relevant for any celebration you may be planning.  She has even shared printables for cute little lamb cupcake flags and straw flags that you can use for your party.  Thanks for sharing this gorgeous baby shower, Erika!

{photos by Jessica Davis Photography and shower by Delphine Ephemera}

A Cozy Baby Shower

Shower are such joyous celebrations.  Regardless whether it is a baby shower or a bridal shower there is such anticipation and the guest of honor is always glowing with happiness.   I am loving this baby shower posted by Christina Domingues.  The warm colors, use of pattern and shapes in the details, and deliciously displayed food kind of make you want to be there just by looking at the photos.

This shower has such a cohesive and simple look that goes a long way towards creating an effortless and intimate celebration.   Lovely.

{Photographs by Christina Domingues}

The Blue + Red + Iowa Baby Shower

For my sister's baby shower she requested that it be blue and red and be "Iowa-like."  So coming from a crafty family, we decided to focus on a simple, crafty decor with lots of fabric, ribbon, ric rac, and homemade elements. 

We kept any printed pieces (such as the games) consistent with the invitations that I made.  And used gingham throughout.  I finally found a use for the lace paper ribbon I purchased last fall...  The fabric rosettes to top the diaper cake were made with the left over fabric from the banners. I also made a little fabric corsage for the guest of honor but do not have a picture handy.

 

For the buffet display we painted a few pots and trays baby blue and added red ric rac and red waxed tissue paper (via Garnish).  Red gerber daisies and white daisies were in baby food jars tied with blue ric rac.  There was a slight miscommunication (what happens when the boys step into the middle of the planning!) on what we were going to do with the Jones soda so we ended up with cans instead of the bottles that I was envisioning for the white tub- but they were still a hit as the flavors were tasty.  And my mom squeezed lemons the morning of the shower for fresh lemonade...

I love my milk glass cake stand!  I made many batches of shortcakes for strawberry shortcakes instead of cake...  Homemade mints and cups (via Garnish) of nuts rounded it out.

I didn't get a very good picture of the banners- I made 4 of these fabric banners with red and blue patterned fabrics and love how it turned out. 

I fretted over not being able to do the cute candy buttons but am quite happy with the tiny chocolate chip cookies that I made instead.  I did a quick zig zag stitch to close the glassine bags and used a scrapbooking scissor to make a torn edge.

It was a lovely day.  The guest of honor had a smile and enjoyed herself and the guests all left with smiles so what more can one ask when hosting a shower. 

Bright, Cheerful Showers

Baby and bridal showers are such a happy moment in a lady's life and so why not chose a color palette that is full of instant cheer?  There is something about certain yellows that oozes bright, out-loud happiness. 

I put together this color inspiration board when we were trying to decide on a color scheme for my sister's upcoming shower.  There are hints of blue to add to the spring/summer airy feeling.  But yellow and white as the main colors are crisp and cheerful.  Just the mood for a day centered around such a joyous occasion. And cute little details like flower picks, milk glass, flagged drink stirrers, and pretty paper are as lovely for a shower (be it baby or bridal focused) as they are for a wedding.

{Sources: Martha Stewart, Snippet & Ink, Pearl's Events}