Apparently, I should be a professional baby shower thrower. I secretly (I guess not so secretly) would love to be a party planner. I feel like it is just in my blood, my nature, my calling if you will. Fortunately, I have lots of besties that I have had the opportunity to plan (co-plan) many of parties for, but this one, is my piece de resistance!
My dear friend Molly, received a little big surprise, when she found out at 27 weeks that she was pregnant. Yes, you read right. Sneaky baby girl went undetected for six months before giving her momma a sign that she was there. Molly, was not trying, and in fact vowed to be a 3 person family (having one daughter already). She jokes that she (baby Madison) is going to make her debut holding the “pill” in her hand. Funny.
When I received the call from Molly to let me in on her little big secret, and after the shock and awe, had somewhat went away, I immediately blurted out, “I am throwing your shower!”
You see, Molly and I are like two peas in a pod when it comes to creativity…we just kind of complete one another. I am like the Stewart to her Martha. It is she who I consult design decisions, and who I call to sew my children’s clothes, bedding etc. She is crafty as can be, and she has unleashed my inner craftiness and I am so glad that she did!
That being said, I knew what the theme of the shower would be before I hung up the phone. It had to be “secret garden.”
Secret baby, secret beautifully done shabby-chic garden shower. Brilliant.
Molly mentioned birds as a possible nursery theme, and I knew I could add the bird idea to my already ingenious plan.
With the help of two other dear friends of Molly’s, Jami and Liz, we came up with a soft, feminine, whimsical, vintage-esque shower, beautifully executed.
All guests received a variation on this invitation (with out the ****’s, of course)
If you can’t tell, I hand crafted these myself (with a little help) which I had a ton of fun doing.
Once the invites were out, the real planning began, and with a wonderful collaboration of ideas and personalities, this is what we came up with…
There was elegant touches from all angles of the house, including the birds on a wire I put behind my antique flea market window…remember this?
the banner that hung over the food table
and the refrigerator even has a little something special…quite cleverly done if I don’t say so myself.
The backyard was just breath taking…so much so, that I didn’t even get a picture of it in all it’s glory. I am hoping someone did, or else no one will believe how beautiful it really was.
Remember those up-cycled baby jars from the last shower I organized for Molly? Just look at the beautiful vintage tea-pot as the centerpiece.
Along the back fence hung this banner, with another one of my antique flea market finds, displaying Molly’s due date. Adorbs, right?
Now, no party can be complete, without a well stocked bar. In this case, a “bubbly bar!” Champagne and a variety of juices. Perfect for a brunch shower, or any other party for that matter.
The guests were all given mason jars with their name on the tag which also doubled as their assigned seating arrangement.
Molly, also had a beautiful turquoise chair to set her apart from the rest…as if the belly doesn’t already (he he).
I think everyone had a great time…
After we eat and played a nursery rhyme guessing game,
we went inside for cake, cookies, and presents.
After we brought them all inside, of course.
After all the adorable gifts were opened, the guests as their gifts, were asked to please take home a jar of homemade strawberry jam (courtesy of my dad, the great!)…
It was truly the perfect day. If there ever is such a thing.
I felt like Martha would not only be proud, she might even be jealous!
I can’t wait to meet you, Madison!
Such a lovely shower! Great Job, Stewart!
thanks, friend. I think you have a BIG part in my new found self as well!
A wonderfully awesome shower! I loved every second of it my Stewart!