Welcome Baby Evie - Vintage Classroom & Storybook Shower

It all starts with a theme - when the mom-to-be is an English teacher extraordinaire and has a vintage flair, choosing a vintage classroom and storybook theme is the obvious way to go. 

As I have said before, an invitation should provide a preview to your guests of what your overall theme will be. Whether you turn to Etsy to find what you are looking for or decide to make them yourself (as I did here), don't settle for anything short of what you envisioned. I wanted the invitation to mimic flashcards and lined the envelopes with actual pages from classic children's books. 

(Note: I am not a "techy" person nor do I have fancy editing or photoshop software - I literally made these using Word and some free graphics found online)

As far as the decor goes, between friends and family most of the books, suitcases and 

Coca Cola items were borrowed (can you say $$$$ saver)!

The entry table to the shower was a landing spot for library inspired advice cards for guests to provide the mom-to-be with words of wisdom and the "Name that Character/Book" came cards where guests were prompted to find all of the character pieces spread throughout the venue and identify the name or title of the book associated with the character. And of course, the winner got a prize!!

(Library advice cards available on my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/listing/234114947/advice-cards-baby-shower-advice-cards)

I loved the Literature (E shaped book courtesy of Anthropologie), Science (B covered with the periodic table) and Mathematics (G with ruler ribbon) themed initials displayed for baby Evie...

I have to give a shout out to my husband for all of his help making the wood game pieces that displayed all of the characters throughout the shower...several coats of modge podge later and viola!

For the centerpieces, I used empty paint cans (found at any hardware store) and added 

ruler ribbon and bakers twine with vintage flashcards displayed on the front. 

I LOVE these custom paper straws that featured cursive font flags. 

I can't take credit for this perfectly coordinated diaper cake, but Miss Kayla is super talented!

Lunch featured popcorn with self-serve bags, sliders (hamburger style & ham'n'cheese), 

cupcakes, fruit salad, banana pudding & super adorable notepad and ruler cookies. 

The cupcakes featured mini flashcard shaped alphabet cupcake toppers 

(available on my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/listing/234172240/alphabet-cupcake-flags-cupcake-flags)

This has been one of the funnest themes I have worked with and thanks to all the family and friends who made it all happen!!!

Let there be tea.

Warning -- this is not your Grandmother's formal tea party...

I had been wanting to throw a ladies luncheon and tea party for some time and had an idea of a sort of eclectic, bohemian theme with bright contrasting colors and patterns. Must have colors were navy (duh), mint and coral.  I have found a greatly decorated party all starts with the perfect invitation. An invitation should be used as an opportunity to provide a visual preview of your event's overall theme. 

I found these blank note cards with coordinating envelopes and instantly knew they could be transformed into the perfect invitation for the event...add a tea pot stamp and some scrapbook paper to make the cards look like tea bags--and viola!! All done for less than $5 bucks for 12 invitations.

Believe it or not this luncheon took place in early November and I was thrilled to have perfect weather on the day of. Although the event was in Fall, I knew I wanted bright & colorful floral centerpieces versus your typical autumn leaves and mums. Tip: don't feel limited by the season or setting as far as your theme goes-- you can transform any space to create your vision. 

Another way to achieve the look you are going for is to borrow key pieces from family or friends. I was thrilled when my Mother-in-Law offered to let me use her authentic Calico tea pot and salt & pepper shakers (the navy and white floral patterned pieces below). This china is only made in Staffordshire, England and really gave a connection to the true inventors of how to do afternoon tea-- the BRITS!

When hosting a party, anything you can accomplish before the event will SAVE you the day of... i cannot stress this enough. I made all the centerpieces two days before the event and they held up wonderfully. Whole Foods surprisingly had a a great selection of bright flowers considering it was Fall.

And now for the details...I found these gift tags at the Crate & Barrell outlet and knew they would be great place settings. Each guest had a personalized name tag attached to mixed patterned mugs (as I mentioned the theme was eclectic, bohemian so no need to be matchy matchy). In fact, I fully embraced mixing my "china" patterns on this one.

And every mug had a different flavor tea...

After lunch at the more formal table inside, we moved outside for tea and dessert (and to take in the AMAZING weather)...

I found this to be the perfect opportunity to make use of my antique snack sets- glass plate sets with coordinating glass punch cups that fit securely on the plate . Snack sets were popular in the 1920's through the 1940's for afternoon tea and bridge parties. Most of them even feature a place around the edge to set down your cigarette (a true tell of the habits of most women during that time).

And I love these sugar cookies shaped like honeycombs from a bee hive...after all, what is a cup of tea without honey??

Always remember that your menu is another opportunity to bring together your theme. I felt Mediterranean classics would be the perfect pairing for a bohemian themed tea party. Lunch featured pita bread with hummus & tabouli salad and chicken kabobs, saffron rice & roasted vegetables.