showering bebe carrier

It doesn't seem like it's been that long since my older sister got married, but we are already celebrating the baby to come. Sheesh! Time flies! Planning a shower means that the 7 bridesmaids were reunited.  I think we threw a pretty awesome bridal shower, and I think we were pretty awesome again in throwing a baby shower!

My sister and brother in law went to France for their babymoon so we knew a French themed shower would be perfect. With the help of my BFF, this super cute RSVP and invitation was created. As you will see, the shower was inspired by the French, old school silent movie, The Red Balloon. Watch here. 

The shower was held at the Culver Hotel and since it was such a beautiful space, we didn't have to do much with decorations.

 

For favors, french baguettes and tiny packets of Nutella were placed for guests to grab as they left the shower.

It then turned into a mini maternity photo shoot!  Isn't my sister super cute with that belly?!

Guests kept busy by chatting, eating, and scribbling on diapers. Jenny and I kept busy with the cutest kid ever! Cutey Sienna somehow snuck into this adult only party. I'm glad she did because seriously, she's a hoot!

 

 

And my fave picture from the day...

*Pictures taken by Cakies 

Here's a video the lil sis made:

Bebe Carrier from jenny kim on Vimeo.

waitin' for baby peanut

Ellen and Vitaly are expecting their first child in September and we all can't wait to meet lil peanut (they haven't decided on a name yet)! Not too long ago we had a gender reveal party and just this past weekend I helped put together a baby shower for the parents-to-be. I am not very organized, nor am I good at party planning, so I just volunteered to put together just some of the decorations. It made my house messier than usual and it was like a death trap with tape, hot glue gun materials, dye, string, and paper all sprawled out in the living room. But man, I was having some major fun!

I didn't get very many pictures with my point and shoot but I managed to take a few pictures.

First things first. I was pulled into the new nursery because Ellen wanted to show me that she had saved a gift that I had made her for her 16th birthday. That was only 5 years ago, because... we're only 21! (Yeah, right.) Let's just say, that was many moons ago and she saved it until now! Her family moved away to Virginia when we were in high school so I mailed it to her and she kept it the entire time. I am shocked it now sits in baby peanut's room.

I thought it was only appropriate that we did a "peanut" themed party for lil peanut! The only problem was everything I was thinking up was too brown. I know the Turins like color, so I had to add something other than brown. Thank goodness for pinterest! With some research I came across an amazing doily garland so I started dying the doilies with food coloring. They came out so bright and festive I thought I'd make some fun pom pom balls too.

I made these toothpick flags days before dying the doilies but was pleasantly surprised when all the colors matched! I guess I didn't really "make" anything for this. I just wrapped Japanese washi tape around a toothpick. Easy smeasy, lemon squeezy, as my kiddos would say.

I created simple cards for guests to write notes to the parents-to-be along with an instruction card. As I was uploading the pictures, I realized there was a typo on the instruction card. Ah! So embarrassing. I read it several times before I printed it, and so did John (my editor for all things)... we both missed it. Ugh.*face palm*

Now for some peanut fun!

I bought these cute peanut baggies on etsy as soon as the first baby shower email went out. So cute! I had to have them! For the peanuts, my mom was randomly telling me that some guy comes by my parents store in downtown LA selling peanuts. So perfect! My dad got me a bag and I just plopped the bag right in the vintage crate (borrowed from Rubes) alongside the cute bags. Killing 2 birds with one stone; cute decor and an easy party favor.

Using this no bake recipe I made some peanuty favors. They came out looking way messy but they were quite tastey. If you like peanut butter, you have to try making them! Drooool....

Bagged and beautified by the cakies lady. Her penmanship > my chicken scratch. For sure.

Now for some proper photos. Ellen's friend, Alex Lui took these pictures.

(Ugh. I'm haunted by the typo.)

The gorgeous momma-to-be.

And just for kicks, I'll leave you all with a picture of Ellen and me circa 1996.

Ellen - You like the picture?! You're welcome. HAHA! We look like babies!

waitin' for babycakies #4

The bff insisted she didn't want another baby shower, but I think anyone who carries a child in her belly for 9 months deserves a party! A simple get together with good friends is what any mom-to-be needs. So the planning began! Thank goodness I didn't have to plan on my own; Danni, the Navales family, and I joined powers and after a gazillion emails back and forth, we were ready to throw Ruby a party!

For baby #3, aka Soul, we were able to pull off an amazing surprise shower, but this time around we kept her in the loop so she could pick out a cute outfit and get all dolled up for the event.

Ruby and Danni threw a cake party not too long ago, and even before then, Ruby has been talking about having a cupcake party. I was pretending to ignore her but I was actually thinking "That's a brilliant idea for your shower for baby #4!" So her shower was pretty much her own idea! Ha!

Danni created this amazing invitation! When I was mailing them out the post man felt something funny in the envelope and asked what was inside. I told him "sprinkles" and he gave me the weirdest look. Haha! Only if he saw what was inside! He would have also seen the cleverly written words. I have no idea how this girl does it. She's brilliant. Thank you so much Helen!

The day of, I was running late as usual, so I was super glad that the lil sis and Helen were there to help out Danni and me. This is the disaster we started with...

Then it was organized effortlessly and perfectly by the Danni! Yes, THE Danni. She's so awesome she gets an article in front of her name. We spent the night before crafting/baking together and cracking up about nothing... but mostly talking about how amazing our husbands are! Are you reading this Nick and John?!!!

Moving on...

Ruby's mom is party queen and the most amazing cook! She prepared a delicious feast for all of us and, of course, in Mrs. Navales's style, brought us her nice China to use instead of paper plates. I felt super fancy shmancy eating off a nice plate at the park.

The Danni. My partner in crime!

Ruby is like a walking advertisement for P90X. "Wanna look this amazing when you're preggers? Do P90X!"

Baby bumps! I am really crossing my fingers that these 2 do not give birth on the same day! Auntie duties must be spread out!

What is that 4 you ask?! A sparkler!!!!

Truey's creation.

My creation... chillin' on Ruby's belly.

These cupcakes were fighting for the "ugliest cupcake" title.

Neen's cupcake took home the prize! I thought it was super cute til she explained what the swirly brown stuff at the top was supposed to be....

Self timer is amazerz.

Dearest Ruby,

I can't wait to get the "I'm in labor" call! I can't wait for our traditional Japanese food dinner feast at the hospital. I can't wait to hold baby #4. I can't wait to see Johnny freak out about holding a tiny infant (again). I can't wait to hear about how you birthed baby #4 without any drugs. I just can't wait! Love ya!

Okay. Was that a picture overload?! I will leave you all with a video made by my sis.

Babycakies #4-Ruby's babyshower from jenny kim on Vimeo.

I have another baby shower on Saturday so more crafting to continue through out the week! I wouldn't wanna spend my summer break any other way! Ahh! I can't wait to meet these babies!