Baby shower weekend #1 (DIY)

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! What a wonderful fast weekend we had celebrating a friends baby boy.  Planning a shower is always fun! Baby shower decorations can range from baby bottles and owls to fancy plates and banners, we chose the ladder.  I have to say it was more work then anticipated but turned out exactly as I visioned and had my friends name written all over it.  The day of was quit hectic due to set up and food prep (a special thanks to my husband who spent his morning picking up balloons) but everything came together wonderfully.

We focused on decor seeing the setting was a blank canvas and had some space to fill in. The party started at noon so I chose a "tea party" theme for food and drinks.  This went over very well and kept the food cost down, food tends to be the greatest expense.  I cut the cucumber sandwiches with a round cookie cutter and left the prosciutto and ham as open faced sandwiches.  This made for a cute display of  food and saved me time on labels (although I did plan on making them).  The best part of tea sandwiches is the finger food aspect, It limits silver wear therefor saving some $, I wrapped forks in bow tie napkins and placed them at each table setting.  Gold charges found here ($2 ea.)  adds a pop of sophistication top them with white glass plates for a clean stylish look.  

Table scape

Food display/banner

Decor: If you have never arranged flowers make a point to put an arrangement together this week.  Its relaxing, fun and saves a lot of money! I had some friends over the night before to help with arrangements in the gold boxes and glass jars.  The polka dot table clothes and burlap runner are from factory direct party here and I rented the white linens to go underneath.  This layering type of style adds dimension and style to the tables carrying a small cost. I ordered an array of blue colored balloons including some polka dot balloons and hung them all around the seatting area, you can never have to many balloons.

DIY flowers 

Games & Favors:  We played two games, baby scramble and baby name bags.  This keep everyone engaged before the opening of gifts and allowed for some guest interaction.  The winners of the games received a potted succulent.  I loved this idea because its cheap, pretty and they last forever!

Favors: Choosing favors is always challenging…. you want something guests will use while keeping the cost reasonable.  I chose carnival suckers, it adds some fun color and brings the child out in everyone.  For chocolate loving guests I bought some mini baby ruths and butterfinger candy bars.  

We set out a DIY cost saving but pretty shower and I have to say I was amazed and very happy with the way everything tuned out! I was worth ever ounce of energy, we had a successful shower for 24 people all under $1,000. 

Menu: 

Cucumber/ cream cheese & chive sandwiches

Prosciutto/ arugula & honey crostini  

Ham/ brie & apple 

Chicken curry lettuce wraps 

Smoked salmon plater/ fresh dill/ mini dill pickles/ capers/ herbs cream cheese & sliced french bread

Fruit platter with scones

Hummus with sliced veggies/carrots/cucumber & radishes

Kale salad

Olive tapenade 

Cake:

Ombre blues - Meringue bakery - here

Hit of the party

Drinks:

Champagne (6 bottles) 

OJ

Strawberry lemonade 

Lemonade

Ice Tea 

Cucumber & lemon infused water

Small mason jars 

Polka dot straws

Flowers:
Blue hydrangeas
White roses
Gold boxes
Blue mason jars

Decor:

Balloons 

Banner - DIY

Onesies 

Pom Poms 

Gold chargers 

Rentals: Baker party rentals

Chairs

White table linens 

Games:

Baby scramble 

Baby name bag game

Favors:

Mini candies 

Carnival round suckers 

Napkin bow ties {DIY}

I was going to keep this post a little secret until the total unveil of a up coming baby shower, but I just loved them so much I couldn't wait.   I only needed forks for a tea party style shower, but you could wrap whichever utensils you need.  These are cheap and easy to make, I love the blue bow tie for a baby shower, but it would also work well for a child's birthday so kids can grab and go.

What you will need:
Cute mini duck tape or satin ribbon tape like these found at Wal-mart or Michaels
Square paper napkins- color of choice
Utensils to wrap inside

Step one: Start by cutting a few pieces of the tape so you have them ready to go

Step two: Place the utensil in the middle of the napkin

Step three: Fold the napkin in half, by bringing the top to the middle, then bring the bottom up to meet the top halve and then fold in halve again (see 2nd photo).

Step four: Pinch the middle of the napkin (no need to twist) and wrap the tape around securing tightly.  Be sure not to wrap to tight or the napkin will tare.

 Step five: Gently flare out the sides to make a bow tie look a like.

display next to dessert plates 

Each one may be slightly different but so are bow ties.  Hope you love these as much as I do.  More DIY to come....

XoXo
ML

Banana peanut butter ice cream {paleo & gluten free}

Ready for a awesome low fat low cal summer dessert??? Me too!! I posted the photo below on Instagram and realized I needed to post the recipe ASAP.  Let's use the word "recipe" lightly because it is seriously so easy!!!!

2- Ripe semi frozen bananas (defrost for 60sec. If they have been in the freezer more then a day) 

2- Tbs Almond butter (or your favorite peanut butter)

2- Tbs almond milk 

Place everything in the blender and blend on high for 1-2 mins. Until well mixed. Scoop into bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in freezer for 10min or until ready to serve. Top with fruit or nuts enjoy!! 

ML 

Xoxox

Peanut butter protein cookies {gluten free}

Sweet treats mid week... Yes please. We love these high protein peanut butter cookies and can guarantee your taste buds and waist band will love them too. 

What you need:

1- mixing bowl

1- egg

1/2 C - brown sugar

1/2 C- granulated sugar 

3/4 C- peanut butter of choice * I used natural crunchy

1 Tbs- vanilla 

1/4 C- vanilla protein powder * I use Dr. Jays egg white protein 

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. 

Beat egg in mixing bowl add sugar and mix, blend in peanut butter, vanilla and protein powder.  Mix until creamy. 

Use 1Tbs to scoop batter onto baking sheet.  

Yields about 12-14 cookies 

Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. 

Enjoy

Xoxo 

Chocolate Chunk cookies {Dairy free, whole wheat}

I am always looking for a healthier cookie recipe, but one that actually satisfies the sweet treat craving.  This recipe contains whole wheat flour, oats, almond flour and dark brown sugar.  Give them a shot and I promise they will not only please you, but the pickiest of cookie monsters.  

*Yields about 10-12 cookies 

1  C. instant oatmeal

½ C. whole wheat flour

½ C. Almond flour or meal*

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt (optional)

¾  C. firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/3 C. canola oil

¼ C. almond milk

2  tsp vanilla extract

½ C. semisweet chocolate chips

Subsituttions

*Almond flour for Cashew or coconut flour find at Here

*Almond milk for rice or non fat milk

Pre heat oven to 350^o.  In large mixing bowl combine oats, whole wheat flour, almond flour, baking soda and salt.  In a medium bowl combine brown sugar, almond milk, oil, vanilla; mix well braking up brown sugar.  Pour into large bowl with flour and stir until combine.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Dough will be a little sticky just scoop on to baking dish do not worry about making a perfect ball. Bake 12-15 mins. Carefully remove from baking sheet and let cool on cooling rake {Very important, they will cool and harden staying soft in the middle}