Category Archives: Baby Shower

Lovely Little Lady Baby Celebration

Maybe it is the second child in me, but I feel like every baby deserves a celebration. So when we found out our very own Anne was expecting her second little girl this spring, we just had to throw a little soiree. We called this a baby celebration, rather than a shower. We gathered on a Sunday afternoon for some sweet treats and hot drinks in celebration of the newest lovely little lady!

Guests were invited with the bunting flag invites which set the scene for the pink sweets table (for sale in my Etsy shop here!).

 

We set up a sweets table in the basement that included thumbprint cookies, cherry chip cookies, fruit and fluff dip and a snickerdoodle cake. Little pink touches were added throughout with plates, napkins, ribbons and flowers. Homemade pink and white tissue pom poms hung from the ceiling. Guests were also treated to a hot chocolate & coffee bar with lots of fun mix-ins, including Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, Amaretto liquor, vanilla syrup, infused whipped creams, and hand-dipped marshmallows.

A Snickerdoodle Cake with Brown Sugar Buttercream was served. It was topped with a little bunting flag printed on scrapbook paper, threaded and tied to bamboo skewers. The recipe for the cake can be found on Foodie with Family.

We had a great time chatting, eating, drinking and celebrating the upcoming birth of what we know we will be a lovely little lady! February was quite the month for parties and I was thrilled to end the month on such a bright cheery note! We wish Anne and her family the very best as they anticipate the arrival of baby number two!

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{Baby Shower} Gather in the Garden

We are so excited that HAP’s very own Katie will be welcoming a new little bundle this summer. Last weekend, we “Gathered in the Garden” for a garden-themed baby shower in her honor. This baby shower was just like Katie, a little fancy and a little rustic. With fresh, summer salads and cool beverages, we were able to celebrate the coming of this sweet baby boy on a warm summer day in the shade.

For the invitations, we printed the information on kraft paper, which can be found at your local craft store or paper store, using the font Made with B. For the carrot in the lower corner, we used a wine cork, cut a few slices out of the bottom and dipped it in ink. The leaves and roots were drawn freehand with a permanent green thin-tipped marker. These invitations were very easy to make and can be done by anyone with a computer and printer.

The table was set shaded in the garden. We used white and silver china place settings on white table clothes. A strip of green burlap ran down the middle of the table with potted herbs scattered throughout.

The ladies sipped on raspberry lemonade cocktails: half Simply Lemonade (raspberry flavor), half champagne. They were topped with mint and frozen strawberries. Very refreshing on a hot summer day!

All the lunch dishes featured fresh herbs from Stef’s garden. The Peach Caprese was a big hit. Just a twist on the traditional tomato salad: Sliced peaches, sliced fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and a drizzle of white balsamic vinegar.

Waldorf Penne, a recipe from Rachel Ray Magazine, was served with fresh chives.

A crisp Summer Barley Salad included: mixed greens, barley, red & yellow peppers, grape tomatoes, feta cheese, walnuts, basil and a homemade balsamic dressing with garlic and shallots.

Anne made dirt cups placed in small mason jars, topped with miniature flowers and tied kraft paper with each guests name around the edge. Katie and Stef ate “sand” instead of “dirt” due to their uncommon aversion to chocolate.

All guests were previously asked to send the hosts a baby picture. The pictures were printed and tied on a makeshift clothes line with some newborn onesies. Guests were given a worksheet and asked to figure out each baby in the pictures. It turned out much more difficult than expected, but a lot of fun!

The second game was “Name that Herb.” All centerpiece herbs were numbered, using the same font and kraft paper as the invitation. The winners of each game won homemade jam or conserve made by fellow blogger Colleen of Flee Fly Flown. The herbs were passed out as party favors at the end of the day.

We look forward to welcoming our next haute baby into the group!

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Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice: A Baby Shower

My family and I recently hosted a baby shower for my cousin’s wife Christy and their little girl on the way this April. There is no better time of year than Valentine’s time to celebrate all things sugary! With bold colors and sweet treats all around, this Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice shower brought smiles to the hearts and tummies of all the guests, especially the mom-to-be!

Jars filled with bold colored candies and cupcake stands with homemade Red Velvet and Coconut cupcakes sat atop scrapbook paper table runners. Tags with words like baby, girl, pretty, sugar and spice were placed in the cupcakes.

Silverware was rolled in bright pink napkins and tied together with scrapbook paper napkin rings and name tag place cards for each guest.

These little signs, similar to the cupcake tags, hung from the chandelier above the table in the dining room.

Vases were filled with everything from Sweetarts to Gummy Worms to Rock Candy to Chocolate Balls.

Guests were treated to homemade caramels made by a family friend as a favor for attending the shower.

Raspberry Dream cocktails were served as guests entered. To make: take one cookie dough scoop full of raspberry sherbet and top with champagne. For a sweeter taste, use a variety like Asti for a sharper texture and taste, use and Extra Dry Brut.

Guests were asked to bring a one-year or younger photo of themselves. Photos were collected at the door and placed on a poster board. Throughout the party, guests were able to view the board and make their guesses on a worksheet. The winners received candles in the shape of lollipops.

All guests were given baggies at the end of the shower and were able to scoop up and bring home some of the candy from the vase centerpieces.

We had so much fun and we look forward to meeting this little darling in the near future. We are sure she will be as sweet as this shower!

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Peter Rabbit Baby Shower

I was recently hired to put together some ideas for a Peter Rabbit inspired baby shower. The first thought that came to my mind: Mr. McGregor’s garden. The reason Peter Rabbit has stayed such a classic children’s book is because of the beautiful and recognizable illustrations. My recommendations took the soft, muted color palette from the book and played with the idea of Mr. McGregor’s garden and the “adventures” of Peter.

I recently received the pictures from the shower and love what was done! The tables used flower pot shaped glass centerpieces filled with river rocks and carrots and each table had a picture cube of images from the book. Guest tags were in the shape of Peter’s blue sweater and were given homemade cookies in the shape of bunnies and carrots. The mom-to-be received a beautiful Peter Rabbit diaper cake, which adorned the gift table.

Check out some more inspirations for a Peter Rabbit baby shower!

Photo credits: BHS Gifts ‘n Stuff, Jitters Events, Ribbonangel.com, The Preppy Wedding


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Lions and Tigers and Bears…Oh My! A Safari Baby Shower

As some of you know, fellow HAP blogger Stef is pregnant with her first child.  Katie and I got together to throw her a baby shower for close friends. We knew her nursery was a safari theme, so we decided to throw her a “Lions and Tigers and Bears…oh my!” themed shower.

Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

The invitations were created by Katie and set the tone for the adorable party.

Lions, Tigers & Bears, Safari Baby Shower Invitation

The table was set with burlap fabric and a tiger print runner, which we picked up at a fabric store and left unfinished for a rustic feel. Silverware was wrapped in a napkin and tied with coordinating ribbon.

Safari Baby Shower Ideas

Guests snacked on basil chicken club sandwiches, turkey and cranberry paninis, a mixed green salad and exotic fruit skewers.  All food was served in wood or rustic platters and labeled with place cards also designed by Katie.

Basil Chicken Club Sandwich, Fruit Kabobs

Guests enjoyed a tropical punch that was mixed with either champagne or ginger ale.

For dessert, we had Chai Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Frosting and sugar cookie leaves.

Vanilla Bean & Chai Cupcakes

As party favors, everyone was invited to join in the fun of a candy buffet!  The ladies filled spice shaker jars with various green and brown candies to match the decor.  Candies were set out in vases and apothecary jars adorned with raffia and “Lions and Tigers and Bears” theme tags that matched the invitations.

Green and Brown Candy Buffet

Safari Candy Buffet

We all had such an amazing time putting this baby shower together!  Stay tuned to meet the newest member of the Haute Apple Pie family!

Haute Apple Pie baby shower

Anne, Stef & Katie

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Bird’s Nest Baby Shower

My sister and I have been blessed with sharing our first pregnancies together, due only two weeks apart from each other! Our family recently threw us a joint bird’s nest baby shower. All the details were too cute not to share!

All guests received the following invitation, designed by yours truly. Most of the invitations made to order for two babies were for twins. So we created the bird’s nest theme. My sister is having a girl and I am having a boy, which was represented by pink and blue eggs.

The nest theme was continued at the shower, with bird’s nest and bird house table decor placed throughout the room.

Bird’s nest cupcakes, inspired by a Martha Stewart recipe, were served for dessert. The vanilla cupcakes with my mom’s homemade buttercream frosting and toasted coconut were delicious and quite a hit!

Bakery cookies in blue and pink were given as favors, depending on the guests “mom of honor.”

My sister and I were both given egg timers as we began opening gifts. We set the timers and gifts were given when the timer rang to those whose gifts we were opening at that time. Gifts included bird candles and matches from The Home Market.

The party was a great success! Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special!

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