Towards the end of April, I hosted a baby shower for Jim's cousin. Other family members had offered to help, but I was hell bent on getting it done by myself. One of his other cousins laughed when I told her this - she said she is the exact same way and not to let everyone's offers to help derail me. Man, I love his family!
Actually getting everything done took a full 2.5 days of working non-stop. The majority of the prep was spent on food stuff. Not the best pictures, but this is what the kitchen looks like during the middle of a food storm.
By the time the morning of the shower rolled around, things were finally looking pretty and clean. We cleared out and rearranged our livingroom so we could bring in tables and chairs for a full sit-down lunch. I think it turned out really well. Looking back though, I think we could easily accomodate even more people next time and since our house is so white and neutral, I could definitely go with colored linens to really liven up.
After all the work in the kitchen, the food turned out great! One of his aunts thought I had bought everything already made and she was speechless when she found out that everything (dressings included) was made from scratch, with the exception of the bread. The only thing I didn't get a chance to photograph was dessert - it was just too hectic changing from lunch to dessert set-up. The options included mini cheesecakes, carrot cake cupcakes with ginger-orange cream cheese frosting and white cupcakes with strawberry buttercream frosting.
The food didn't stop at dessert. Those cookies cooling on the racks above? They are mini two-bite cookies that I put into takeout boxes for the favors. I think they might be my favorite thing of the whole set-up. :)
Overall, the shower went really well. Everything turned out as I envisioned it and his cousin and the rest of the guests seemed to have a really good time. While it was a ton of work, I was so happy with the finished product. :)
Wow! Everything looks amazing. I love the pink-orange color theme :) and all the food looks deeelicious. I can't believe you made everything by yourself (though I absolutely understand the reasoning behind it, hee). Dang it, I really want an island in my kitchen.
ReplyDeleteWow! Your hostessing skills are amazing; everything looks fantastic! :)
ReplyDeleteAs I predicted, everything looks gorgeous and delicious! I knew it was going to be amazing!
ReplyDeleteAMBER! How awesome! LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteSigned,
Bad blog commentor
P.S. I miss you!!! Em does, too!
You did such a great job, Amber!
ReplyDeleteI don't care if it's late -- I'm really glad you posted. :)
very nice! especially since you did it all by yourself. love the colors, too, of course.
ReplyDeleteoh! and you should post the bougainvillea photos.
ReplyDeleteYou are crazy martha stewart! Holy fucking handbags.
ReplyDeleteI am hiring you to throw me a baby shower...if that day ever comes, that is. everything looked amazing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job! I can't believe you made all the food yourself. You are a brave, brave woman.
ReplyDeletei can't say anything that the others haven't already. such an awesome job, dude - but you know i expected nothing less!
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! You could make a living as a party planner!
ReplyDeletekudos on an awesome shower. i have some bulk take-out boxes lying around too, that i might just have to use for my next shindig
ReplyDeleteI am never going to host parties with any mutual friends of ours because there's no way I can live up to this level of awesomeness :)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful shower! love all the color and girliness! so very impressed you did this all by yourself!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi there! I found your blog through Nanner's. OMG ... if I ever have a party for myself in the future, can you throw it for me? hehe :) BEAUTIFUL job. OMG. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThat all looks amazing! You are so creative, it definitely puts my hostessing to shame :)
ReplyDeletewow! so impressive!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!! I am super impressed! What a beautiful shower!
ReplyDelete