In anticipation of the little lady’s impending arrival, my mother and sister recently hosted a baby shower at our family’s home in Danville. I’ll be honest: at first, I was strongly, fervently and adamantly anti-baby shower. The hus-b and I just got married last year for pete’s sake, and after bicoastal engagement parties, three bridal showers, one rager of a bachelorette weekend and three days of wedding festivities, I figured that I had been more than sufficiently celebrated. But once I embraced the spirit of the occasion (which is really about welcoming the little lady) *and* got the hostesses to agree to no games or themes (sorry, not signing up for folks guessing my girth), it turned out to be a wonderful day that I am so thankful to have had.
This is not to say that it still wasn’t a little surreal to attend my own baby shower…for my own baby… (We’re up to our pearl-clad ears in mommy-to-be denial at the moment.) Even looking at these pictures now, I still can’t believe that I was the one beached in a giant chair opening up packages of teeny tiny clothes and blankets for a little lady that is soon to enter the world, our home and my life forever, and is essentially the human equivalent of the ultimate final sale item. And to think that I freaked out about buying diamond earrings on Gilt…
The hostesses enjoying well-deserved raspberry bellinis after all of their hard work. (And yes, my mother really is *that* tiny and looks *that* young. I won’t depress you by sharing which birthday she’s about to celebrate this week. Now you can see why the woman refuses to be called grandma in favor of the decidedly more gamine “Gigi”.)
We were so fortunate to be blessed with gorgeous weather!
Chatting with my dear friends, Tara (whose dapper little gent is due to arrive this September) and Lindsay (our designer extraordinaire whose darling son, Hawken, just celebrated his first birthday).
A charming tablescape featuring polka dot linens from La Tavola (a fabulous resource that we also used for our wedding linens), preppy pink-and-green ribbon accents and darling carriage cookie favors from the Old Towne Danville Bakery.
Fat girl posted up by the food. Quelle surprise.
Speaking of food, the luncheon spread was fantastic and oh-so-perfect for the occasion. Summer panzanella, shrimp and mango salad in lettuce cups, soba noodle salad (one of our favorites from the Hali’imaile General Store Cookbook ), a stunning fresh fruit platter and decadent butterflake rolls (also from the Old Towne Danville Bakery).
Ladies lunching!
Opening a sentimental gift from my crafty sister (and soon to be “cool aunt”), Lisa: a handmade tooth fairy pillow identical to the ones our late grandmother made for us. My sister found the original pattern just days before the shower and was inspired to make one for the little lady!
Posing with my mother-in law (and the little lady’s nana-to-be), who was so kind as to help with the shower as well as take all of these lovely pictures!