A Botanical Baby Shower

It was a real treat to collaborate with so many talented women who make so many beautiful thing and to combine our strengths to make an extra special Baby Shower for the lovely Stephanie Schur, owner of the incredible flower shop Botany.  Tastemaker Jenni Kayne shot the party for her blog and gathered all of the details, from florals to tabletop to recipes and more, and you should def check them all out on Rip Plus Tan!  It's such a joke that I think I know so many people when really I just admire their work and charming lives via Instagram (follow me!!).  Pathetic!  This party was a great chance to put voices to the faces and see their work up close.   Stephanie has a really pretty, soft and natural sense of style, which set the tone for the day.  The florals from Botany were beyond, lush with dahlias and queen anne's lace (a personal favorite).  My menu was inspired by the end of summer and the fact that Stephanie's a vegetarian.  Plus we both shared the fantasy of an over the top dessert display. Task accomplished.  I'm always excited when I get the chance to work with the amazing team at Casa de Perrin because their array of pretty table top things really makes the table soar - they have that perfect eye.  And photographs of Simone Le Blanc's custom gift giving business are always intriguing but the thoughtful quilting activity she created for Stephanie's shower truly blew me away (details on Rip Plus Tan!!).  So luxurious.  Yet so authentic.  I love celebrations and this was the perfect occasion for a good one - an especially pretty one.

The Menu

Sips

farmers market bellini bar

peach, pluot, blackberry, strawberry & fig

pimm's cup

pimm's no. 1, cucumber, strawberry, ginger, lemon

moroccan mint iced tea

cherry lemonade

Snacks

fresh corn shortcakes with creme fraiche & chives

wild mushroom, ricotta & thyme flatbread

To Start

chilled corn soup with avocado creme

pesto, artichoke & burrata tartine

curried egg salad with roast tomato tartine

To Share

stone fruit, arugula & marcona almond salad with sherry vinaigrette

nicoise sale with haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, capers & olives

farro salad with toasted hazelnuts, kale, pecorino & lemon

grilled vegetable platter with eggplant, zucchini, summer squash & red peppers

Sweet

raspberry pistachio eton mess

strawberry shortcakes with buttermilk biscuits & sweetened cream

lavender shortbread

cherry almond crumb bars

chocolate chip cookies with sea salt

meyer lemon olive oil cake

old fashioned chocolate cake

naked layer cake with almond buttercream, cherries & toasted almonds

Grilled Pizza Baby Shower

Salads are always appropriate for a ladies' luncheon, but they're even better when paired with grilled pizzas!!  For a friend's baby shower, a long table, filled with her amazing collection of crystal, china & flatware, invited guests to share in a leisurely feast, served family style.  We used Gwyneth Paltrow's pizza dough recipe from My Father's Daughter and the result was perfectly crunchy on the outside, doughy on the inside, with plenty of earthy flavor.  This will be my new go-to crust recipe, which I'll use for build your own pizza parties all summer (plus it held up great over night in the fridge).  And the pistachio, strawberry & vanilla bean layered semifreddo is worth the extra steps for a pretty, sweet finish.   Amy added special touches with printed menus, place cards and a baby photo guessing game.  All in all, a fun afternoon of rose & lunch from the grill, made all the more delicious by good friends, great weather and a baby on the way...

The Menu

sips

raspberry & peach bellinis

rose

snacks

burrata, artichoke & pesto crostini

fig jam, prosciutto & mint crostini

to share

grilled pizzas:

margherita: buffalo mozzarella, tomato & basil

wild mushroom, ricotta & arugula

finocchiona, caramelized fennel and onion & mozzarella

grilled caesar salad

california chopped: baby kale, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, avocado, chickpeas & basil vinaigrette

honeydew, cantaloupe & mint

sweet

strawberry, pistachio & vanilla bean semifreddo

chocolate espresso cookies with sea salt

It's A Girl

This food is pretty.  Bite sized.  Quaint.  Charming.  Appropriate for a baby shower, fitting for a tea.  But, if I'm honest, it's these gorgeous serving pieces that really elevate this whole spread.  I mean...assorted crystal cake stands change some wonder bread & cucumbers into a wow.  (Note, wonder bread is THE BEST for tea sandwiches).  So, while most of us can't run out and get dozens of these decorate trays--start collecting!  And for parties, transfer the idea of potlucking food, to potlucking cake stands.  It really makes a difference--especially for teas & showers.  Amy hung these handmade paper poufs above the buffet.  These photos don't do it justice--the quantity of her pink balls jammed together made a dramatic impact.  My menu was traditional tea time with a few highlights: watermelon radish tea sandwiches and lavender short bread.  The key ingredient in both: good butter!

 

 

  

 

The Menu

sips

pink champagne

tea selection: earl grey, english breakfast, ginger & mint

tea

cucumber & watercress tea sandwiches

watermelon radish & chive tea sandwiches

smoked salmon, cream cheese & dill on pumpernickel

prosciutto, fig jam & mint crostini

deviled quail eggs

steamed asparagus

currant scones

strawberry jam, orange marmalade & clotted cream

lemon chocolate tarts

raspberry & pistachio eton messes

earl grey cookies

lemon almond tea cake

carrot cake cookies

fresh strawberries

chocolate ganache bites

the favor

lavender shortbread & earl grey tea