A few weeks ago my sweet friend Katie Stoops came to take pictures of Connally, who we fondly call birdie girl,  just before her one month birthday. We’ll cherish these Katie, thank you!

photography by Katie Stoops

Hey ladybugs! Sorry for the radio silence last week. We were without power for most of it thanks to Irene, who nearly caused us to re-imagine and relocate my baby shower due to power outages and general havoc. But the shower prevailed and went on as planned. Power came back to hostess Emily’s house just in the nick of time and we were able to celebrate baby girl Connally, who we’re expecting in early October. Here are a few snaps from the weekend.

It was a late afternoon party, so my friends served small bites — tea sandwiches, cake, to-die-for macarons from Petites Bouchées, yummy cream cheese olive spread, fruit and crudités.

We ordered napkins from For Your Party and chose a font for “baby spencer” that matched one of the fonts we used on the invitation. (We sent the pink tulip blossom invitation by Linda & Harriet Paperless Post).

We served sparkling ginger-orange punch and regular (mama-friendly) ginger orange punch sans the sparkle.

Given the weather we’ve endured, last weekend’s weather was a welcomed relief. With a respite from the rain, we set up tables in the backyard, covered with custom chevron overlays made from fabric found at u-fab (love that place!). We ordered coral and white linens from La Tavola, while the other rentals (chairs, tables, glassware) were delivered by Classic Party Rentals of Virginia.

Ginny Rogan penned the buffet cards and drink tags in a pretty shade of orange on scalloped, white coasters re-purposed for the project. Meanwhile, I arranged celosia, zinnia, dahlia, billy buttons, marigolds and snapdragons, much of which I found at the South of the James Market that morning.

Deanna Miller of LOL Richmond was on hand to capture the fun (and my massive bump). She made an amazing photo booth backdrop with hand dyed dollies. There’s my sweet mom posing below with my friend Anna’s cuter-than-I-don’t-know-what baby. My mom is clearly loving getting practice!

Major thanks to all of my friends who celebrated with us this weekend but most of all to Elizabeth, Sarah and Emily for hostessing. You girls are the best! xo

With this post, it’s probably time to tell you that I’m going on a modified posting schedule. Maternity leave will begin soon and will extend through the new year. I will pop back here from time to time with news. I have a few fun stories that I am just dying to share with you, but I must wait until October when some of our work will be published that we haven’t been able to show off just yet.

I spotted this adorable shower for Abigail and Bebe Bjornard over at Oscar & Emma. Karly is such a talented designer.  Just check out the beautiful invitation she designed for Abigail — a screen printed onesie in a box lined with registry details, sealed with a wraparound label. Love the other sweet paper details too — handmade paper rosettes and striped popcorn boxes. Congratulations Abigail, and thanks for sharing, Karly!

images courtesy Oscar & Emma

I’m so super addicted to pinterest. Several months ago, a client encouraged me to join, and I did, having absolutely zero idea what the hype was about, but it’s truly one of the most useful tools that’s been introduced online in a long time. It satiates my need for visual organization in a major kind of way. Gone are the days of organizing + cross referencing thousands of images on my desktop.

I believe my obsession devotion has paid off since merriment has recently been recognized as a tastemaker in weddings + events! I’m pinning handfuls of boards thematically for weddings — from color stories, to paper details, to Richmond focused wedding inspiration. The classic board has to be one of my favorites though.

Phillipa Lepley wedding gown pinned here via Love My Dress; mint juleps photographed by Kate Headley via Calder Clark pinned here; bouquet designed by Matthew Robins via The Bride’s Guide pinned here

But, lately, I’ve been obsessing over pinning ideas for baby. From baby shower inspiration to a generalized board with all things bitty.

Do you pin? Would love to see you over at pinterest!

I’m not sure if I’ve told you, but we’re having a girl! Planning the nursery and baby shower couldn’t be more fun! Here is a sneak peek of some of the inspiration I’ve been collecting.

images: nursery designed by Erika at Small Shop; sorbet made & photographed by Cannelle et Vanille; ribbon via Ribbons Galore; the bar at Monday Morning Mimosas via Delphine Studio’s flickr; straws; pillow; macarons; letterpress cards by Seesaw Press; cake from Handmade Weddings via Design*Sponge; cocktails via Ritzy Bee, originally from Martha Stewart Weddings

How much fun are these mason jar meals designed by The Decorated Cookie? They’re perfect for baby showers, cocktail hour and casual backyard parties. Label the lid, tie a ribbon around the jar with a pretty napkin and utensils, display in a pretty tub of ice, and you’re all set!

Meals designed by The Decorated Cookie spotted on Design Crush

If you’ve noticed that things have been slower around here than usual, posts are late or they don’t come at all, that’s because we’re having a baby! Managing the first three months and getting ready for wedding season….it’s felt like a marathon. Things will stay strictly weddings & entertaining over here. I have no intention of blogging baby, but baby showers? Have you seen the new issue of Martha? And the Mother Goose baby shower? I’m not a themey kind of gal, but it’s super cute. Above, invitations with clip art you can download at MSL by Anna Bond of Rifle Design introduce the theme of the party. Below, “goldilox” tea sandwiches, Humpty Dumpty custard cups and Baker’s Man brownies continue the Mother Goose theme.

To see more baby shower inspiration, visit my collection here on Pinterest!

A few weeks ago my friend Jordan and I gave our friends Sarah and Andrew a baby shower with a menu in the theme of…drumroll…thanksgiving dinner. And it was all to celebrate little Alice who will be here in a matter of weeks. A matter of weeks! Get ready. She’s going to be an awesome little girl. There’s no way she couldn’t be with such cool parents. Here are a few details captured by Sarah’s talented sister-in-law, Ana Valentine.*

I covered the table in a basic white linen and made an overlay from a burlap remnant I found at Williams & Sherrill. The napkins are from For Your Party. We served warm apple cider, mommy’s time out wine (for those of us not expecting), turkey sandwiches with cranberry dressing, parmesan-rosemary shortbread rounds, veggies, cheese, a to-die-for apple cake, and a pecan tart, both made by Jenny at Sweetest Thing Bakery.

*I wouldn’t make Ana take credit for the awesomeness that is the last picture…that’s all me.

I have a playlist on the ready for baby showers that goes a little something like this…

Take Your Mama Out by Scissor Sisters

Your Mother Should Know by The Beatles

Dream Baby by Roy Orbison

My Baby Just Cares for Me by Nina Simone

Hey! Baby by Bruce Channel

Don’t Worry Baby by The Beach Boys

Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice

I Got the Feeling by James Brown

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by The Beatles

Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses

Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi Trio

Baby I Need Your Loving by the Four Tops

Baby Love by The Supremes

I Can’t Give You Anything but Love by Ella Fitzgerald

What’s on your baby playlist?

How much fun are these “mocktail” recipes from Kate Spade?