If I had to name a super power I have I think throwing parties would be it.  I like to decorate and cook and have a glass of champs during the day so I especially like a shower.  Several months ago my friend Jessica asked if I wanted to cohost a shower for our Junior League sister, Whitney.  Whitney is fun and vibrant and loves all things floral and girly and southern and I just knew that throwing her a shower would be so much fun.  When we started planning it all started with a flower crown and things just fell into place from there.

Jessica was kind enough to host in her new home which is light and airy and the perfect place to entertain.  It lent itself well to the homey, warm feeling we were all hoping to achieve.  In addition the flowers we also incorporated children’s books, good food, easy entertainment and gold.  I made a flower crown for each of the hostesses and the mom to be which was fun but a challenge as I had never made a flower crown before.  Each crown matched the lady who wore its dress and personality…

I want to talk about the three main parts of the shower so I’ll take you through the day…

Décor

Everything started with a flower crown…  Abby found a beautiful invitation that had a flower crown or wreath on it so it set the tone for the whole event.  The invitation colors really were the inspiration for the event.  Light pinks, blues, gray with a touch of gold accents here and there.  Also flowers, birds and children’s books were used to keep the theme young and sweet.

 

 

Food

In the South food is life and love…  I handled the menu planning.  Two of the hostesses love to cook and two do not so the division of the menu was pretty easy.  Cake, cookies, veggies, fruit and chicken salad to the ones who didn’t cook and the rest to Jessica and I.

We definitely wanted the party to have a southern feel so pimento cheese, cucumber sandwiches, sausage rolls and cream cheese covered in pepper jelly were all a must.  We also included things like a light and citrusy orzo pasta and  chilled tortilla roll ups to keep things cool.

Pimento Cheese

8 oz cream cheese
2 cups chedder cheese
2 cups monterrey jack cheese
1/2 mayonnaise
1 jar of pimentos chopped
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl combing room temp cream cheese and mayonnaise and mix.  Add pimento (not drained), garlic powder, salt and pepper and combine.  Add shredded cheese in small amounts and combine.  Chill and serve.

Dill Cream Cheese Sauce (for cucumber sandwiches)

3 8oz packages of cream cheese at room temp
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp dill
1/2 tsp onion powder
pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients and chill.  Spread on bread and cover with cucumber and serve.

Orzo Lemon Spinach Pasta Salad

12oz orzo pasta cooked
2 cups grape tomatoes halved
1/4 cup chopped green onions
3 large handfuls of chopped fresh spinach
3 tbsp chopped basil
1 cup feta cheese
salt and pepper

Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp honey
1 squeeze fresh lemon

Chill pasta after cooking.  When cold combine all ingredients and serve.  Top with vinaigrette right before serving.

Corn Dip

3 cans Fiesta Corn (drained)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 4oz can of green chilis
Green Onions
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients, chill and serve with tortilla chips.

 

Party

How can you have fun without all of the shower games?  We are here to show you….

Flower Crown Making Station…  We purchased the premade flower crowns on Amazon.com and then provided the attendees with flowers and greenery to add as they desired.  Some ladies chose to wear their crown as it and some added their own flair to them.

Library Card Catalogue Guest Book…  Each Guest was asked to bring a children’s book with them to the shower.  They were also provided with a library card in the invitation.  This allowed each person to write a special note to Whitney and Ryan and Baby that they can keep in their library.  It was a treat to get to see each book the guests picked when Whitney was opening gifts.

Baby Bingo…  When it was time to open gifts each guest was provided with a bingo card.  They could fill in the squares with whatever baby items they thought Whitney would open.  This is a fun option for the mom to be who may not be into the traditional baby games but still gives guests something to participate in.

The shower was fun and sweet and everything that describes Whitney’s personality.  I enjoyed attending it as much as I enjoyed helping to plan it.

XO,

Tippy