Baby shower #1

Yay!

It's that time...Baby shower time!

I had my first baby shower this past weekend in my hometown, Indianapolis.

My mom and sister put it on and it was divine!

There was a chocolate fountain that interested me more than the presents...well, almost.

But seriously:

Dipping things (mostly my fingers) in chocolate is always #1 in my book.

There were people there from my church growing up, family members, high school friends, long lost family members and college friends. It was perfect.

I am one of those super blessed people who gets TWO showers.

WOOT WOOT!

Highlights..

This cute little invitation.

Precious, I'd say.

Bright mini-bouquets on every table. Adorable!

The Table of Heaven..

Me, partaking in the Table of Heaven

"I LOVE PRESENTS!!!!"

seriously, it's my secondary love language :)

Not the most flattering picture but hey, what pictures ARE flattering these days?

I loved that John got to be there. Even though he refused to talk while he was sitting there and just handed me gifts like my Lady in Waiting. It was strange.  He gets a tadge awkward when all eyes are on him.

It's cute. On our wedding day (sidenote, by the way) all throughout our ceremony I was certain he was not happy he was marrying me. But alas, he was just nervous to be in front of other people while declaring his love for me (kind of strange and out of character if you know him!).  Anyway. He's my favorite baby daddy ever. Word.

And he is glad he married me..(I just asked)

First present of the day..

My second hostess with the mostess, Christianna Grace.

I got my bassinet! This handy piece of paper was telling me it is being shipped to my house.

Woot!

4 Generations!

Me and my cousin, Mandie, who I haven't seen in seriously 15 years.

Yay for reunions!

Some of my high school girls. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

The man of the hour, Dahlia's Daddy.

And us, the Parents to-be. 

OH. MAN.

She's going to be here soon..

 And I should have a picture of all of our loot but I don't. I guess the fact that there are people celebrating this little miracle inside of me was first on my priority list that day. I cried while getting ready that morning.

It was very surreal.

People were so excited about MY baby. What!!?

My mom cried when she talked about it, which made me cry.

We were all crying at the shower..

But for once, tears of joy!

My cup runneth over.

We are overjoyed that we are getting to experience this 9 month miracle which took 23 months to get here..

She's such a celebrated baby. I KNOW she is going to be an amazing little person who does great things for the Lord. I just can't wait to see her!

Until then, I will sort her ADORABLE stash of baby things and prepare the best I know how.

Now, I eagerly await shower #2!

Yee haw!

Shower Success

I loved throwing this past shower for my friend Joan. Rebecca and I are quite the team.

She works the food and I work the decor. It's completely fun. It's completely challenging too.

Finding the cutest, inexpensive ways to create something marvelous for the mother-to-be. We had a lot of help this time. Friends from our small group brought food, helped set up, tear down. It was so nice to have lots of help this time!

Baby Daphne is expected at the beginning of next month.

Seeing Joan get some of her most desired essentials was great. 

It's so easy and wonderful to throw a shower for such a sweet and appreciative beauty.

We had a tea party type shower. Complete with real vintage china and homemade scones!

Orchids! Mommy Joan's favorite!

My other hostesses with the mostest

Homemade tissue poms

Hard to see but it says "Welcome, Daphne!"

Some of the most delish cakes I have ever eaten. I frequented the chocolate one!

isn't she cute??

homemade bath salts for our guests!

Hadley and Mandolin make the most out of the table 

decorations

Some of my best small group girls!

Who knows what Krysti was laughing about.. it was definitely something good!

Aren't girls so fun to dress?!

Overcome with emotion...she's still gorgeous!

Some more cute guests *snuggles and squeals*

So as you can see,.it was beautiful. Joan was the centerpiece to the occasion and she glowed. She is one of the most beautiful people I know and pregnancy only enhances her natural beauty!

I can't wait for the next one! 

Showers are the funnest!

Born to Party

I have always L O V E D planning parties. Especially when there is a purpose i.e,: baby shower, wedding shower, graduations, birthdays etc. I really enjoy it. I think I would do it for a living if I could (hmmm...).

I have thrown approximately 10 baby showers and probably around 5 bridal showers. I try to make every birthday for my husband something special.

I. Heart. Events!

I.Heart. Decorating! 

I absolutely heart it.

Since my partner in crime, Rebecca, and I are in the midst of planning our second shower together I am in event planning mode for sure. I am usually in charge of theme and decorations while Rebecca is in charge of the lovely designer foods she makes.

Our theme for this shower is all things girly and feminine. Tea Party style baby shower with fresh flowers, lace doilies, fine China and more. 

Did I mention already that I could do this for the rest of my life??

Today as I was looking around for some further inspiration for our dear heart, Joan's, shower, I stumbled across some GLORIOUS party planning blogs. They are out of my league for sure but WOW! something to be inspired by and reach towards. I don't even know where to start! So off for Tea Party inspiration I went ..

..and I got a bit side-tracked:

A mix between Snippet and Ink and Bella Grace Party Designs check this inspiration board out for a beautiful honey bee party. I like how she is going to use it for a 2nd birthday party (can you even imagine having the resources, time and money to get such a beautiful 2nd birthday party?! I would be lucky to get this for my 50th, I think!)

And this sweet adorable 3rd birthday party inspiration!

(I am partial to bee themes because my name is Greek for "Honey Bee"- betcha' didn't know that??)

Then this:

The Party Dress is an amazing site I found today that has the most exquisite themes. This makes me want to get married again, and have lots of rich friends throwing me a shower.

Woodland Fairy Birthday Party by Kate Landers Events

how cute would it be if each little girl at every party got one of these?:

And one more little girl party here

SLUMBER PARTTTY!!!. And those bags are filled with custom made pj's for each of the attending little girls. Gah!  I can't handle it. 

(WHO HAS THIS MUCH MONEY!?!?!)

So anyway. I could post picture after picture of  lavish parties that I adore but I must stay focused on the task at hand. And place my dreams of a party planning business to the side. I am getting lots of excellent practice and am learning to do it on a budget. 

If you can think  of any names for a prospective party/shower business , send them my way. My creativity is focused elsewhere at the moment and I can't think of anything cute!

Oh, one more little picture. This would have been my jam when I was younger..

from: The Party Dress