what a whirlwind week it’s been! i’m finally getting around to posting about my EPIC baby shower that took place on sunday january 27th, 2019! read on for the nitty gritty on my incredible vendors, the theme, and of course coverage of the party!
i could not have dreamed up a more perfect baby shower. i’m a picky one… and though i’m SO excited to be a #GIRLMOM, the thought of bright pink and ruffles and bows just kills me a little. it’s not my thing, so i started thinking about this party’s aesthetic almost immediately after my gender reveal. since it’s the dead of winter, i opted to go for a “BABY it’s cold outside” theme – winter white, rose gold metallics, and pops of mauve. pink…. but not, wouldn’t you say?
after choosing the lodge at stonehouse in warren, nj as our rustic and airy venue, i began looking for local vendors that would ‘get me’ – and i did not come up short! first things first: invitations! i turned to my friend joanna, calligrapher and owner of order she wrote to create a classy invitation suite that would incorporate my winter theme. she also nailed our table numbers at the party! i loved having at least one person who is a vendor but also a friend on my team. the invitations came out gorgeous and set the tone for what the event was going to ultimately be. fun fact: joanna also created my logo for this very site!
as a blogger it’s important that the day be documented to perfection. since i can’t go around taking all of my own pictures for an event like this, it was up to some true professionals to get the job done – and that’s why i’m so excited to announce my partnership with little nest of westfield! they specialize in boutique baby, child & family photography and their westfield, nj location is fairly new! i instantly connected with the owner and have decided to work with them through baby’s first year for some majorly photographable moments… so you’ll be seeing plenty more where this came from! they absolutely nailed the photo coverage, and i’m so grateful to have had them by my side for this event.
we’re celebrating a delicious little girl coming into the world and that means the party needed sweets! so i enlisted the help of my pals over at splurge bakery in millburn, nj to create (another) fabulous cake. i worked with splurge on my gender reveal cake, and as though that couldn’t be topped… they showed up with the most beautiful mauve-and-metallic masterpiece! three tiers of ‘modern mom’ bliss. and guess what? it tasted great too! i will never go anywhere for a cake again. their impeccable eye and attention to detail is truly hard to find. this bakery can do (almost literally) anything.
and on the topic of sweets… guests went home with customized cookies courtesy of sugarworks, a local company based in northern, nj! owner myrna created the most perfect winter-baby-themed treats…. she even made ‘cable knit’ onesies!!!! i LOVE a good theme, especially when it’s consistent, and these were such a nice touch at every place setting (and overlflowing onto the dessert table, of course!)
when it came to decor, i wanted there to be a ‘focal point’ in the room. not a traditional photo booth… but a beautiful statement piece that could double as the perfect backdrop. in came katherine elizabeth events based in red bank, nj with a stunning paper flower wall in varying shades of winter white. when this thing went up in the room and i first laid eyes on it….. WOW, i almost died!!!! it’s the first thing people saw as they entered the space and it was perfectly feminine and modern and i can’t stop thinking about it. i wish i could have strapped it to my car roof and taken it home with me!!! it was an absolute hit with the guests, and i could not recommend this rental more if you’re hosting a party in the area and need some unique decor that will certainly start a conversation.
speaking of conversation-starters… every single person in that room (myself included) was blown away by the shower’s floral design. i found blue jasmine on instagram and fangirled when i realized they were local. and by local…. i mean SUPER LOCAL. they’re based in the town of berkeley heights, which is the town where i grew up! i spent middle school and highschool there, and only in the last few months has my family moved to a neighboring town. once i met the staff and saw their new studio… i knew it was a done deal. the team at blue jasmine really understands what’s IN right now when it comes to flowers. there’s a very specific vibe i was looking for and this is the only way i can accurately describe it: if you could turn the store anthropologie into a bouquet of flowers, that’s what i want. a little bit rustic, a little bit classic, a little bit modern, muted colors – without being lackluster. they created exquisite centerpieces for each table that spoke to the party’s winter theme, and i received so many compliments on them throughout (and after!) the event. a few people asked for their information, and recommended them to local brides-to-be. that’s a sign of a successful collaboration, if you ask me! i can’t thank this team enough for their artistry because what they do is truly art. i should add… they’ve got a pretty impressive and inspo-worthy instagram following.
last but not least… i couldn’t walk into such planned party perfection without looking the part! so i enlisted the help of drybar in summit, nj to give me a fresh blowout the morning of my shower. danielle arci did my makeup flawlessly – incorporating the mauvey metallic wave i was riding! i’m so thankful for her artistry because i had (and have) been feeling all sorts of puffy and swollen this late into my 3rd trimester. danielle made my skin glow and contoured for her life to chisel this jawline!!!
in sticking with my ‘baby it’s cold outside‘ theme, my gown was sponsored by the incredible leah maria couture. the maternity dresses they make are absolutely exquisite and they worked with me to ensure this look was the exact shape and vibe i was going for. i went with velvet, because it screams winter, and opted for a dusty rose color that checked the ‘pink but not too pink’ box. if you’re looking to get gussied up for your own baby shower or maternity photoshoot (or even a wedding!) leah maria couture pieces are unique and beautiful high-quality creations. in the spirit of being sentimental, i accessorized my baby shower look with the same hair clip, earrings and bracelets that i wore to my wedding! this was the only other time i ever wore them, and the only other time i felt worthy of them coming out of their box.
the party was a blast… the playlist bumped and i was surrounded by my closest friends and family from all walks of life. people traveled by car, bus, train and PLANE to be here for this event and it means so much more than anyone would ever realize. we played baby bingo, what’s in your purse, and of course had a diaper raffle (which i highly recommend… stephen and i are set for MONTHS and diapers are pricey!!!) – baby girl eidelman got so many beautiful and generous gifts (some of which i am still working on opening!!!). i can’t thank everyone enough for showering this little girl with so much love. i know i’m super hormonal right now…. but it seriously tugs at my heart strings to know that she will enter this world being so loved and supported and cherished and adored.
follow along on instagram to stay in the loop of all-things-baby and to see some of these vendors spotlighted over the next few weeks! i hope that this serves as some fun party planning inspo, and i’d love to hear your thoughts on the event as a whole!
