Baby Lifestyles Love Love 2014 2014 Magazine Magazine
Baby Lifestyles LAUREN HALPERIN Publisher, Creative Director
TARA STEINLE Managing Editor
ELLEN FELDMAN, BETH MERAN Contributing Editors
LOLA STEEVENS Sales Director
AUSTIN “Mr. Z” RAPPAPORT Website Architect
MICHAEL GUSTMAN S.E.O. Management Visit Baby Lifestyles online at www.BabyLifestyles.com for inspiration, real baby showers, birthday parties, nursery reveals, hot products, news, updats, contests, giveaways, and more Would you like to contribute to Baby Lifestyles? Email our editorial staff at Editor@BabyLifestyles.com Submit your baby shower, birthday party or nursery to Baby Lifestyles at www.BabyLifestyles.com For information about advertising in Baby Lifestyles Magazine and online, contact Lola Steevens at advertise@babylifestyles.com Follow us on Twitter: @BabyLifestyles1 Baby Lifestyles is published bi-monthly by Baby Lifestyles, LLC. All contents ©2012 Baby Lifestyles, LLC. All rights reserved.
On the Cover We were blown away with the hot air balloon themed shoot by Dawn lopez featuring this cutie. Check out more on page
CONTENTS FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014
PAGE 6
PAGE 33
PAGE 127
PAGE 19
PAGE 97
PAGE 72
PAGE 112
PAGE 83
PAGE 122
Parisian Pinwheels Photography by Carrie Holbo
Vintage Love Flowers By Stylish Stems Photography By 35 Atlanta
When a floral designer from the Stylish Stems team has something to celebrate, fellow floral designers tend to go a little overboard with the festivities, especially the decor and you know, the flowers. The Stylish Stems team was delighted to host an elegant winter tea to honor one of their very own team members, Jacki, who is expecting her first child, a baby girl to be named Annabelle, in January. Since Jacki adores all things pretty, her baby’s nursery is decorated in a vintage mauve and lavender floral theme, which the hosts carried throughout the shower.Peonies and garden roses have always been favorites of Jacki’s and were plentiful along with lush hydrangea and delicate spray roses. Vessels included ceramic vases with crystal and pearl adornments, perfectly fitting for the elegant affair.
Linens, provided by Cover Ups, included lavender satin floor-length linens and mauve cloth napkins. Each place setting had its own vintage china pattern for guests to dine from. Baby pictures of the expecting mother and father were displayed on the window ledges and infant girl clothes were hanging across the windows as decor. To complete the look, tissue paper pom poms were suspended from the ceiling to add dimension behind the elegant crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. A custom tulle wreath and hand-painted letters spelling the baby’s name personalized the space for the celebration.
Guests dined on elegant brunch fare carefully made by the hosts and included petite chicken salad, pimento cheese and cucumber sandwiches, mixed fruit on a delicate pink floral skewer and miniature florentine and cheddar quiches. Hot beverages for the chilly winter day kept guests warm and included: hot spiked apple cider and hot peppermint tea complete with miniature candy cane. A gorgeous ruffled two-tiered pound cake with raspberry preserve filling was almost too pretty to eat. The cake served as both decor and dessert and was designed by Eileen Carter of Eileen Carter Creations.
Each guest was asked to write their sentiments inside a favorite children’s book instead of a traditional greeting card in order to start a library collection for baby Annabelle’s nursery. Books ranged from Dr. Seuss Classics to guests’ favorite Golden Books. At the end of the shower, after brunch, sharing words of wisdom with the expectant mother-to-be and opening fabulous gifts, guests received a favor of “Baby Doll Pink” nail polish with a tag that said “We’re tickled PINK that it’s a GIRL”. Nobody can contain their excitement for baby Annabelle’s arrival in a few weeks!
Luxury Tea Styling by Fernanda Krumm Photography by Jessica Ekern
Fernanda has always loved Afternoon High Tea at the Penin”sula Hotel in Chicago. “It's one of the few places in town where you can get that full experience of luxury - fine china, decadent sweets and cakes, delicious looseleaf teas, serenading violins... I knew it was where I wanted the shower to be.” However, planning it would be tricky because they only let you have 16 people at a table there, or they make you hold your event in a private room, which would take away the whole effect. So she had to parse her guest list down to her most intimate friends and family. “It wasn't easy, but in the end we had just enough.” The end result is a stunning baby shower with Fernanda’s nearest and dearest surrounded by love.
“The invitations were lovely. I ordered them from Paperless Post. The delicate watercolor flowers and shades of green border perfectly complimented the casual luxury of the day.” Fernanda began her planning inspiration with the cake - that would be the centerpiece that she could design the color scheme and decor around. “I knew Alliance Bakery in Chicago could make just about anything I found online. Alliance was able to recreate it to a tee - although I had it knocked down to two layers because I didn't want to go too overboard.” The beautiful gold and pastels were perfect colors for an afternoon tea. The cake was an almond genoise with pistachio buttercream in the top layer, and chocolate ganache in the bottom layer. Absolutely delicious!
The flower arrangements were inspired by the sugar flowers on the cake. “I couldn't believe how beautiful they turned out. They complemented the cake perfectly.” The favors were each a different vintage teacup, all British bone china patterns. The teacups were filled with delicious French dragees (jordan almonds). “Not all jordan almonds are alike the sugar coating must be thin and delicate, the almond inside meaty and tender. The very best are Dragees Maison Pecou. I selected them in white and pale pink.” Each cup was filled with yummy almonds and wrapped in tulle, tied with a delicate pink ribbon with a custom favor tag
Fernanda calls herself “a stationery freak”, which meant the paper goods for her shower had to be amazing. “The favor tags were custom designed to my specifications and made by Little Paper Farmhouse on Etsy. She designed the favor tags as well as matching wish cards to be filled out by the guests at the shower. I love Shakespeare, and when brainstorming something witty/cute to put on the tags, the line from Midsummer Night's Dream came to mind. I couldn't think of a better wish for my unborn baby girl. I want her to be strong and bold like her Mama. The quote was "...and though she be but little, she is fierce." It was just the bit of literary prose the party needed.”
Along with tea, each lady got to choose the looseleaf tea of her preference. Also served were brut champagne, sparkling rose, and Fernanda’s favorite Martinellis sparkling apple juice. “Overall, it was absolutely the most perfect day. They say if you want something done right... do it yourself. I was so pleased with how everything turned out. And I think all the ladies had a lovely time as well.” Fiona Gisele Krumm was born on August 8, 2013.
We Love This and You Photos by Miss Ann
Newspaper Announcements Announce your baby to the world with a completely customizable nuewspaper!
Birth Date Messages of Love from Family and Friends Personalized Crossword Puzzle Time Capsule So Much More!
www.NewspaperAnnouncements.com
A Mother’s Love Photos by AMA PhotogrAPhy & CineMA
Parasol Paradise Photography by Kathy Izaguirre of Browntography
It’s Raining Love By Simply Sweet Moments Photography
Love is in the Air Photos by Dawn Lopez Photography
Kissed by an Angel By Just a Dream Photography
The Queen of Hearts Photos by Miss Ann
XOXOXOXO By Jade Pondella of Jade Alayne
Pucker Up Photos by Bartlett Pair Photography