A Country Shower for Jen and Baby Samuel

 OK, same as last time, get all comfy-like, there are lots of pics.

As well, I'd like to apologize in advance for the copious amounts of flower, food and table pictures. 

I promise there actually were people at this shower.

I'd also like to apologize to my mom.

She had the pleasure of meeting pre-party Ali.

She ain't pretty.

Sorry!

Here we go!

Thanks to my mom for the fresh hydrangeas, hand dyed quail eggs and the most decadent truffles!! 

(oh yeah and the house cleaning...)

My second attempt at subway art. Jen got to take it home for baby Sam's room.

My latest bargain find. Vintage aqua glasses, full set of 8. 25 cents each!!! 

If you don't think I didn't YOINK those right off the shelf....

My baby, who was SO good while I was setting up.

Coffee and Frappaccino bar.

Beautiful antique blue mason jars, courtesy of my mom.

Each of the guests got to take a mini-mason jar filled with lemon blueberry seed sugar scrub.

Prettiest oreo truffles ever! It was almost hard to eat them....Almost.

Dipped in light turquoise colored chocolate and dusted with gold lustre dust.

Frozen lemon slices and key limes kept the water cool.

Vintage aqua pottery and books kept the country feel.

The food table.

And my pathetic attempt at editing.

One daylight shot and one faded antique one.

Click on the pics to make them bigger.

 So, For food we had harvest bacon on a stick, sausage in ketchup cups, belgian waffles with syrup in a cup, vanilla bean pound cake with champagne buttercream filling, oreo truffles, almond roca covered cookie dough truffles, chocolate ganache truffles and salted caramel apple coffee cake.

For drinks we had champagne mimosas, mocha frappaccinos, and of course fresh brewed coffee.

Whew!

And finally, one of the guests of honor, baby Samuel with his grandma, my Auntie Val.

 Overall, I think a good time was had by all, although I don't have the pictures to prove it..... Sorry Jen!

I just have to add that my cousin Jen is like my big sister. She has lived in Vancouver for the past 10 years and finally moved back here just last year. She has 2 other kids, Katie who will be 5 in the fall and Luke, who just turned 2 this spring. 

It was just SO awesome being able to celebrate Samuel's birth with her and have all the family around, not a province away.

Love you Jen!!

A Lavender Baby Shower for Stephanie and Amelia

 This is going to be a large post. 

So just get good and comfy OK?

Got your coffee? Check.

Comfortable seating? Check.

Kids asleep? Check.

Ok, let s do this thing!

My sister in law, Stephanie, had her sweet baby girl in April, and we were able to celebrate Amelia's birth this Sunday.

Little baby booties met everyone at the front door, along with the Bebe hanging arrangement from Martha's Site. I couldn't get a good shot of it because I had it hung in front of a mirror.

Some of the glassware. I mostly posted this because it's the only picture I have of my kitchen. 

Clean, that is. 

And I'm lovin' my fridge/freezer fronts!

Banner from Martha Stewart Crafts. I used scrapbook paper behind the letters to tie in the lavender coloured theme and so the letters would 'pop' against the windows.

Of course, tissue paper pom poms, a party staple.

My first attempt at Subway art. It turned out really well, I think. It went home with Stephanie to go in Amelia's new room.

These turned out SO good as well. Spice cake mix, made into whoopie pies, filled with 1 jar of marshmallow fluff, 1 block of cream cheese, and 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries.

Yummy!

This was an original recipe from me! 

I really don't like Almond flavouring, so traditional petite fours were kind of a no-go for me. 

Instead, I used a super dense pound cake recipe from this blog.

 I added a vanilla bean, to the batter and baked it in a 9x13 pan, lined with parchment paper.

I infused whole milk with lavender, by simmering the milk with 2 tablespoons of lavender buds, then straining with cheese cloth.

I used this milk to make a standard buttercream, and added a little violet  gel paste.

I also used the lavender milk to make a glaze.

I used a circle cutter for cutting the pound cake, spread with buttercream, top with another circle of pound cake, glaze and decorate.

Please click on the pictures to make them bigger. They are prettier bigger.

Thanks.

I used Amethyst disco dust, Lilac sugar pearls, and Wilton's new edible paper decorations. 

 I used my paper punch for the fleur de lis. I would never buy a special 'cake' punch.

That's just crazy talk.

 These had a lot of steps to make, but each step was easy. The decorating was so much fun!

 You can really tailor these to any theme or event.

My other sister in law, Charla, made some wickedly delicious chicken salad to go on top of mini bagels. The cranberries added sweetness and tied them in with the colour theme.

My friend Ang, brought some gourmet tea and blended the Lavender buds with a delicate Jasmine tea.

 My new glass drink dispenser made her debut! A steal from Homesense! 

I didn't actually steal this. 

It was just so cheap for the size and detail on it, and the fact that it's actually glass!

It was filled with Starbucks Green Tea Lemonade, with just a splash of lavender syrup.

OK, so I'm going to post two pictures of the table. 

Lame, yes.

Let me explain.

I like the brighter of the two, but the it has a chandelier at the top, and I was too lazy to do any editing.

So I put the darker one too. 

Just so you know that I can take a picture.

Ang also brought the bubbly! 

We added Lavender syrup to each glass for the fragrance of lavender and a touch of sweetness.

I read that people sometimes put a sugar cube in their champagne. 

I thought it might give the same effect.

I'm classy like that.

 Gift opening!

Venice was quite the little helper...

Giselle was in there like a dirty shirt too.

Lastly, homemade lavender bath bombs.

 I think you can find that recipe here...

All nestled in on a bed of moss, in a glassed in terrarium that I found at the Salvation Army.

It was black and dusty, but the glass was in perfect condition, and removable.

Hello, spray paint!

 Ang, me, Amelia, Stephanie, Charla, Giselle, and Meryl Streep Venice in the front.

My peanut and the beautiful Amelia.

I would like to say a big thanks to Stacey from Hattrick Designs, who did the water bottle labels, that turned out SO cute!! I can't believe that I didn't get a picture of them! Sorry Stac!

Lavender Bath Bombs

As I said before, it really feels like the party season has begun!

What better way to start it all, than with a baby shower?!

My sister-in-law, Stephanie just had her second baby girl, Amelia Sofie, and what a cutie pie she is!

I'm hosting a baby shower for her at the end of May with my other sister-in-law, Charla and our good friend Ang.

We're doing little bits and pieces, which makes me even more eager to see it all come together.

I usually don't like posting part of a party until after the parties over, but I just couldn't wait! 

That and I'm about THE worst secret keeper (of exciting things) ever.

Just ask my mom.

Everyone in family always knew what they were getting for Christmas in November.

Anyhoo, Here's what you need to make Lavender Bath Bombs:

Citric Acid
Baking Soda
Essential Oil (I used lavender vanilla)
Lavender buds
coconut oil
6 teaspoons of water
cute muffin tin or large mold if you have one

GO here-----> For instructions. 

I just love e-how!

I used a coffee grinder to blitz the lavender just a bit. Not necessary, but it really brought out fragrance!

Juuuuuust enough water to make it clump.

Pressed into the muffin tins.

Pop 'em out.

 Let air dry.

Then keep in an airtight container, until you're ready to wrap them up in cello bags or tissue paper.

That's it! Pretty party favors for all the guests.

I'll post the final project along with the rest of the baby shower at the end of May.

Meanwhile stay tuned for our kitchen cabinet do-over and some of my 40's Glam birthday party projects!