Handpicked | Button Baby Shower Inspiration

Need a great idea for a baby shower theme? How about "Cute as a Button!"?!?!

1) Button embellished name cards - So easy and fun :)
2) Button Straws - Great little accent for the decor.
3) Cute as a Button Cake - Love this!
4) Button Favors - Great for those extra buttons you have laying around.
5) Button Cookies - From the great Martha herself!
6) Button Embellished Mason Jars - Little extras make a big difference :)
7) Cute as a Button Invitations - Awesome way to add dimension to your stationery!
8) Party Streamers - Easily done with some circle paper cutters!
9) Framed Button Letter - Great gift idea for a baby's room.

baci's babies week :: baci designs | Carrie's Baby Shower Stationery {Tallmadge, Ohio}

Early last Spring, Ilario's cousin Maria asked me to create stationery for her daughter-in-law Carrie's upcoming baby shower!  Carrie knew she was having a little girl and they had already chosen a name - Anna Maria - so with that in mind and using the adorable bird's egg soap in nest favor as inspiration we designed a gorgeous suite, complete with thank you notes and a Baby Shower Memory/Guest Book, on Handmade Seeded Stock.  I honestly can't get enough of the little nest and bird designs - they turned out so stinking cute :o)

Images by Caroline Hardoby

baci's babies week :: baci's baking | Baby Shower Mocktails

Before we get started, we just want to wish our baby brother, Andy, a very Happy 18th Birthday!!!  Wow, that makes me feel old ;o)

While mimosas are a staple at most showers, having something the guest of honor can't drink isn't the most polite thing to do.  So if you're hosting a Baby Shower, serve up some fabulous mocktails!!  Oh, and Fre makes an alcohol-free champange so you can still make "mimosas" for the mommy-to-be if she'd like :o)

Here are three tasty mocktail recipes that would be perfect for any Baby Shower!

Creamsicle Punch

Original Recipe from HGTV

Makes about 16 servings.

Ingredients:
1/2 gallon fresh orange juice, chilled
one 1-oz. package vanilla instant non-fat pudding
1 liter ginger ale, chilled
1 pint non-fat vanilla frozen yogurt

Directions:
Put the orange juice into a large punch bowl and whisk in the pudding mix until completely dissolved. When ready to serve, drop small scoops of the yogurt into the punch and pour in the ginger ale. Serve immediately.

Sparkling Sunshine Punch

Original Recipe from HGTV

Makes about 16 servings.

Ingredients:
half gallon white grape juice, chilled
12 red seedless grapes
1 bottle (750 ml) sparkling red grape juice cocktail, chilled
1 liter lemon-flavored mineral water or seltzer, chilled

Directions:
Pour two cups of the grape juice into a pitcher. Fill the compartments of a 12-portion mini-muffin tin 3/4 of the way full and place in the freezer until frozen, about two hours. Meanwhile, cut each grape lengthwise into 8 even wedges. When the juice in the muffin tin has frozen, arrange one grape in a concentric circle, overlapping slightly, in each compartment, resembling a flower. Very slowly fill each muffin cup to the rim with more grape juice without disturbing the pattern. Freeze until firm. Make several batches of the blossoming grape ice cubes and refresh them as they melt in the punch.

To make the punch, fill a large punch bowl with the white grape juice, then add the sparkling red grape juice and lemon seltzer. Remove the muffin tin from the freezer and let stand five minutes for the cubes to release from the pan. Carefully remove the frozen grape "flowers" from the muffin tin with a small spatula and float them in the punch. Serve immediately.

Sparkling Rosemary Limeade

Original Recipe from The Kitchn

Makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients:
1 cup lime juice (from about 6 limes)
3/4 cup sugar
Peel of 2 limes
Two 4-inch sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more to serve
4 to 6 cups chilled sparkling water

Directions:
Stir the lime juice with the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Lower the heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the lime peel and the rosemary sprigs. Simmer for another minute, then turn off the heat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Strain out the lime peel and rosemary and mix with the chilled sparkling water in a sealed jar or bottle. Taste and add more water if you want a lighter flavor.

Serve over ice with a small sprig of rosemary muddled into the drink.

baci's babies week :: Handpicked | Baby Shower Gifts

Earlier this year we dedicated an entire week to one thing everyone loves - BABIES!!  And we're back at it again this week to share great tips, gift ideas and some beautiful baby-focused designs we've been working on :o)  First up, fabulous baby shower gift ideas!

As with any shower, it's always best to shop from the registry - after all momma and daddy-to-be have thought long and hard (and probably researched, argued and debated - lol!) about what they need.  Besides, figuring out how to care for a newborn baby and hassling to return unwanted items all at the same time is just no fun.  So whenever possible shop the registry -  keep some of these great gifts in mind when picking from their provided options, I'm sure they're bound to include a few!

I've listened to all of my mommy friends over the years about their opinions and advice about what the "must haves" are - here are just a few of them :o)

1)  A Travel System - this in "non-baby having terms" means the car seat and stroller work together as one unit.  These little lovelies have car seats that pop into bases buckled into the car (be sure to buy a second one for daddy's car!) so you don't have to unbuckle every time.  The car seat also fastens into the stroller (having one that is simple enough to fold up with one hand is a must!) and later when the baby is bigger the stroller works all on its own.  Since travel systems are pricey they're a great group gift option!

2)  A Great-looking Diaper Bag Neutral Enough for Dad to Carry -  Diaper bags are a necessary evil, but they don't have to ugly anymore (everyone say, "YAY!").  Pick one out that is fashionable enough for mommy to carry (let's leave the cartoon characters elsewhere), yet not too girly for dad to haul around (because you know he will).

3)  Sophie the Giraffe Teether - I've seen this adorable little teether everywhere I turn - it  the perfect "gift topper"!

4)  Bumbo Baby Sitter - My sister-in-law and brother-in-law swore by this seat - it helps the baby sit upright until is can sit up all by itself.  Great after the six month mark when the baby starts eating solid foods!

5) Baby Carrier or Sling - Keeps baby close and momma hands free!  The BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier is a classic.

6)  Disposable Diapers - Even if mom and dad intend to diaper their baby in the cloth numbers, they'll most likely still use disposables when traveling or sending the baby to grandma and grandpa's - meaning every one will still need diapers at some point.  I've been told Pampers Swaddlers are where it's at by all of my baby-toting friends!  Note:  Don't buy too many newborn diapers - little ones don't stay in these long enough to warrant boxes and boxes of them.

7)  Nipple Cream - There isn't a lady out there who hasn't told me there is one thing you can't live without when breast feeding - Nipple Cream.  If your pregnant friend doesn't realize she'll need it - help her out and add a tub to her shower gift :o)

8)  Baby Prints Frame - Most hospitals only get footprints of the newborn while in the hospital, so help the new mom and dad out by buying them a keepsake frame for both those adorable piddy and hand prints!

9)  Books - You can never go wrong buying books for a new baby - starting a library for a young children is forever giving!  Check out Amazon's list of top children's books for ideas!

baci's baking | Individual Savory Three-cheese Quiches

Today I'm going to share some yumminess that I made for Laurinda's Baby Shower in April - Individual Savory Three-cheese Quiches!  Since I can't simply just make a recipe, I combined two to make these using the Individual Quiches recipe from Rachel Ray and one of my favorites from the Food Network.

Individual Savory Three-cheese Quiches

Original Recipes from Rachel Ray and the Food Network

{Printer-friendly Link}

1 cup half-and-half
4 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 T. grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
1/4 t. dried majoram
1/2 t. dried basil
1/2 t. garlic powder

1 package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed according to package directions (preferably Pepperidge Farm brand)
Flour, as needed for rolling out the dough
1 cup Gruyere or Swiss cheese, grated
1/2 cup grated Colby-jack cheese
1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
Cooking spray

1) Preheat oven to 400°F.
2) In a large bowl, combine the half-and-half, eggs, egg yolks, salt, pepper, Romano, majoram, basil and garlic powder in a medium-size bowl.
3) Lightly spray the muffin tins with cooking spray. Roll the puff pastry sheet out on a lightly floured work surface into a 9"x12" rectangle. Cut the rectangle into 6 equal squares and place each square into the each muffin round so that the dough extends slightly over the top of the muffin tin, Repeat with second sheet to create 12 total squares.
4) Divide the Gruyere, Colby-jack and spinach between each of the cups and fill them with the egg custard just to the top of the cup line. Fold each overlapping corner of each square over top of the filling to enclose it. You can bake the quiches immediately or freeze and bake them later.
5) Pop the quiches into the oven and bake about 20 minutes, switching the position of the tins halfway through baking, until the filling is puffed and the crust is golden brown.

Makes 12 Individual Quiches

baci designs | Laurinda's Baby Shower {Akron, Ohio}

When I was asked by mom, Carolyn, and sister-in-law, Lexy, to be a part of our Laurinda's Baby Shower (yay for another addition to baci's babies!!), I was thrilled - the Moore clan has always been like family to Ilario and I so to be included was very touching.

Carolyn, Lexy and I sat down and decided that a Tea Party Brunch would be just the perfect shower to host for Laurinda!  I started by creating the delicate stationery suite in soft pinks, greens and yellows - using thick white felt stock, girly fonts and feminine patterns.

The menus got a little extra touch with floral hole punches to decorate the corners.

I was lucky to be planning with such amazing ladies - Carolyn has a stash of green depression glass that couldn't have been more perfect for our tea party!!  The light appetizers - cucumber sandwiches, deviled eggs, cheese and crackers - were absolutely delightful.

I must say the dessert table was my favorite :o)  Carolyn made lemon squares, Lexy made her infamous madeleines and I baked adorable little tea pot sugar cookies and fresh fruit tartlets!  Everything was unbelievably delicious!!

The table set-up was beautiful with a lace table cloth, pink toile runner, green depression glass, gingham napkins, pink vases with wheat grass and finished off with the menus and place card/favor tea cup planters!

I couldn't have asked to be a part of something so special with such wonderful ladies - Lexy, Laurinda, Carolyn and I with the "One Moore Baby" tree :o)

{All Images by Amanda, Lexy and Laurinda}

Jess' Baby Shower Brunch | 07.03.10 {Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio}

I'm not really sure how I let this little beauty slip past the blog, but it is most certainly better shared late than never!

You might remember Jess from the other life events baci has been a part of, starting with the engagement party Ilario and I hosted at our home for her and Glenn, their 2009 wedding held at Goodale Park and even their holiday card from last year :o)  Well right in the midst of all that wonderfulness, I, along with her sister and two sister-in-laws hosted a Chic Black, White and Yellow Baby Shower Brunch for her - right here in baci's back yard :o)

It all started with the incredibly unique paper and fabric invitations I designed and printed in-house.  They were finished off with a hand-stamped dahlia and machine sewed to a coordinating dahlia print fabric.

 The plain white invitation envelope was spiced up with another hand-stamped dahlia and gorgeous abstract postage.  The menu for the day was also designed and printed in-house by baci.

 The event decor continued with the black, white and yellow color scheme - we even added a pop of zebra, which Jess adores!

The menu for the day went as follows and it certainly didn't disappoint!

Appetizers

Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches

Fresh Fruit Kabobs Served with Marshmallow Dip

Main Course

Schtone

Rosemary Potatoes

Herb Roasted Bacon

Spinach, Apple and Walnut Salad

Cinnamon Toast with Blueberry Compote

Dessert

Madeleine Cookies

Beverages

Mimosa

Lime Sherbet Punch

Canada Dry Ginger Ale

San Pellegrino Sparkling Water

Dark Roast or House Blend Coffee

Even the gifts for the shower games matched the decor!

The favors were Homemade Lemon Iced Sugar Cookies, using my Grandmother's Recipe, of course!

We even grabbed a photo of all the ladies at the end of the event!  Though the heat was definitely intense that day we all had a wonderful time :o)

A special thank you to:

Brandy J Photography for the amazing photos of the custom designed stationery

Alexis Moore and Klaus Rothe for the wonderful event photos

Sitting Pretty Linens for the beautiful napkin rentals

Benny of Tallmadge Tents for the perfect white chairs

And of course, Ilario Cursaro, Alexis Moore, Laurinda Moore, Allison Rothe and Carolyn Moore for making this event possible!

baci designs | Kristen's Baby Shower Stationery {Akron, Ohio}

Many moons ago I shared Kristen's Baby Shower with you all and honestly, it is still one of the most fun events I've ever created!!  Today you get to enjoy the eye candy that is the beautiful photos by Brandy J Photography of all the baci designed shower stationery :o)

 Shower Favor

Invitation

 Coordinating Thank You

 Mad Lib Style Advice Cards