A Sweet & Simple Baby Shower for Lil' Miss London

Nothing says girly-girl like baby pink!

And is especially cute when paired with sweet little owls!

My husband and I recently hosted an office party "slash" baby shower for our Manager

at a restaurant in the town where the branch is located. 

Our Manager is expecting her first, a little girl, who will be named London!  

Isn't that a precious name!

I wanted to make the shower somewhat personal, but knew I was at a disadvantage and limited 

on what I could take to the shower for the lack of table room.

(...after you account for the different menus, wine list, appetizers, bread baskets and plates, etc....)

And I was working with whatever Walmart and Dollar Tree had to offer, 

...pretty much all that's available locally close to my home.

I put together a few simple, inexpensive things I thought I'd share.

The little favor bags were found at The Dollar Tree,
and spruced up with a white bow hot-glued to the girl's head.
Not an earth-shattering creation, but I thought they turned out cute! :)

The bags were filled with pastel colored Mike and Ikes, (Tropical Typhoon flavors),
also from DT.  They were really good, ...tasted a lot like Jelly Belly Jellybeans, but much cheaper!

For "corsages" for the Mom and Dad to be,
I found the button idea, below, on Pinterest.

Some of the ribbon was from my stash, some was new from Walmart.
I would've loved to have had scissors to make a pretty, whimsical edge for the circles,
but couldn't seem to locate any.

On the back, I added toggle jewelry pin backs.
Didn't want the buttons to be creased by a straight pin when attached to their clothing!

In keeping with the "pink owl theme,"

I found pink and white striped suckers in the cake decorating section at Walmart.

(In boxes of 24)

Printed off the owls onto scrapbooking cardstock, cut them out with a circle cutter, 

and hot-glued them with just a dab to the sucker.

The red-velvet cupcakes (recipe below), were baked in white liners, and once cooled, dropped in the pretty pink ones, also found at Walmart.  A ribbon tie was added to the base of each sucker.

I really wish I'd had room for a pretty floral arrangement, but instead, one of the girls from the office

bought balloons to be tied to the salt shakers along the table.  Worked out well, and afterwards, our little Mommy-to-be released them into the air.  I heard tell it may become a tradition for each birthday!

So, as I said, nothing earth-shattering...

But I do think the pink owls really made the event extra special and added that desired cuteness!  :)

Below are Owl Clip-art Images I used,

<via google images.>

I'm editing pictures now from a recent country wedding,

so I hope you'll swing back over and see those soon.

     "OWL be looking for you!"  :)

___________________________________________

Red  Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

(Courtesy of Paula Deen, 2007)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

 1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups oil

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 tbs red food coloring

1 tsp white distilled vinegar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.  In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld mixer.  Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled.  Bake in oven for about 20 minutes (18 for me), turning the pans once, halfway through.  Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness.  Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 pound cream cheese, softened

2 stick butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth.  Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated.  Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.