My Kind of Baby Shower
Baby showers can evoke lots of cutesy images. Diaper cakes, onesie painting stations, and a very pregnant mother-to-be to be at the center of it all. While this might be a dream for some expectant women it was not what I had in mind for my own shower. Even at eight months pregnant I am still a girl that loves putting on a sexy dress and heels and going to a cocktail party. So, when my mom and sister offered to throw me a shower I had a few requests: it had to be a Saturday night, there had to be cocktails for my guests, the food had to be light and healthful, and it needed to be somewhere I could feel appropriate in a cocktail dress, big statement earring and heels.
To say my shower was perfect would be an understatement. I got to spend an evening with my closest friends and family eating great food, laughing, and celebrating the little girl we can't wait to meet. Plus, it was probably the last time I will be wearing 4" heels for awhile!
The decor could not have been more me, tons of gorgeous cherry blossoms everywhere!
The evenings menu was focused on light, delicious plant based dishes (with some fish) that would satiate without stuffing the guests. My sister let me work with the kitchen at Soho House to fully customize a menu that fit my tastes. The chefs were incredibly accommodating to my ideas and suggestions for creating a very SJM menu!
There were large crudité platters with fresh guacamole and salsa for dipping. Many of the typical passed hors d'oeuvres on the catering menu were not items I would eat. So, I got creative and made some suggestions to the chefs about what to pass during cocktails. These chilled shots of gazpacho, corn soup and avocado soup were refreshing and delicious! Using cucumber rounds instead of crackers or chips as a "vessel" these bites of ratatouille and sun dried tomato tapenade were the perfect crunchy, savory morsel.
The buffet style dinner featured many vegetables including these two fresh salads, an assortment of roasted vegetables, and grilled corn (which got me so excited for summer).
Dessert was a very special treat. Miniature bites of heaven from Pure Food and Wine! There were brownies, lemon bars, tiramisu and cookies. I think many of my guests didn't even realize their dessert was raw and vegan!
While my shower may not have been typical I did stick to one tradition- opening baby gifts! My friends and family were all so incredibly generous. My little girl is now fully stocked with clothes, gear and everything else a tiny person could need. I especially loved this "I Love Veggies" bib we were given!!!
