Book party

My friend, Cali, is having her first child and did not find out what she is having. When I offered to throw her a shower I thought a book party was the perfect solution.

I immediately visited Martha Stewart's website for baby shower ideas. This is where I saw the idea for the book garland and wrapping up the books in coordinating paper.

For favors I purchased coordinating colored malt balls and wrapped them up.

The weather was so nice, we were able to start the shower up on our deck. Janelle came up with some cute baby shower games, one where you fill in the blank to the nursery rhyme and another where you guess the name for baby animals.

Loads of sugar and a little spice

Last night we enjoyed an evening of sugar overload and baby girl bliss. My friend, Jill, will soon be welcoming her first girl into her all male brood, so it was pink galore and butterflies aplenty. Athina, the chocolate goddess and cohost extraordinaire, whipped up these adorable pink chocolate butterflies to top off the cupcakes in a jar (note even the cupcakes are pink) in addition to all sorts of chocolate themed baby candies.

Of course we could only wipe our mouths on pink napkins,

and eat off of pink plates.

We played a couple of easy baby shower games like trying to avoid saying the word baby

and spent the rest of the evening chatting and eating.

I told Jill awhile back, I have only ever done girl baby showers which meant she was going to have to have a girl since I only have pink plates. Congrats Jill, you are one of the cutest pregnant gals around!!!

A green baby shower

Last night we had a recycled baby shower for Kim in which everything turned out perfect from the paper sack tablecloth to the awesome turnout and generosity of all guests. Janeece, Alyce and I had fun pulling off our first ever recycled baby shower where guests were encouraged to bring used baby items that they no longer needed to either swap with other guests or give to Kim. Kim is a fan of owls and so we tried to incorporate them into the theme from the shrinky dink invitations to these cupcakes that I made.

Kim went away from the night with enough clothes for multiple babies and just about every other baby item you might ever need. I came away with some great new baby shower gift ideas like the spoon that automatically dispenses little bits of baby food from its handle to a recipe for homemade baby wipes. I also learned by simply cooking a can of sweet and condensed milk for three hours it turns into the best caramel sauce I have ever eaten- Alyce you are know considered a genius in my book. Some of the other highlights of the night were the love and support that I could feel for Kim from all the ladies in the ward and the advice that I just happened to read that said, "You are so great, you do not need any advice" I mean who can top that sweet sentiment. Kim we love you and hope the best for you as you journey into your new phase of life-motherhood.