A Pretty Pink Fall Shower

My best friend Emilie is one of those people that you love to hate because not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but she's also effortlessly good at everything she does.  And she's one of the funniest people I know, with razor sharp wit and hilarious observations.  And she's the definition of a true friend.  We've been best friends since the first day of the sixth grade.  She was envious of my Lip Smackers collection, and I liked her hot pink leggings and purple eye shadow.

Now we're all grown up with families of our own, and she is excitedly awaiting the arrival of her second child, a sweet baby girl.  I of course wanted to celebrate the occasion with a pretty pink shower!

While I love pink, and I love frilly, pretty, girly things, I didn't want the shower to be too "babyish." I went with a pink and gold motif, interspersed with fall harvest accents - lots of pumpkins, leaves, etc.  I used accents of lace, with just enough glitter to make everything sparkly and festive.

 

As for the menu, I wanted fall comfort foods, but elevated.  I love fancy finger foods and hors d'oeuvres. And who wants to eat a pot roast at a baby shower?  So the menu was as follows:

Braised Short Rib - Mashed Potato Bites with Cabarnet Sauce
Spicy Cranberry-Baked Brie
Caramelized Onion-Apple Tarts
Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms
Butternut Squash Soup Shots
Fall Harvest Pear Salad served in Parmesan Cups
Apple Pie Cookies
Caramel Corn
Pumpkin Cupcakes

Cranberry-Pomegranate Punch

I loved how the menu came together, and all the food seemed to be a hit with all the guests.  Everyone especially loved the short ribs, apple pie cookies, and the apple-onion tarts.

I got a little crafty with the decor, painting pumpkins, covering them with glitter, adding monograms (this is the south, after all), covering with lace, etc.  I didn't get a chance to snap a pic, but I also made a glittery leaf garland for the living room as well.  I gave Emilie the monogrammed pumpkin to take home, so hopefully her sweet baby girl will love having her own pumpkin for years to come :)

I was having too much fun catching up with old friends to take any pictures aside from phone pictures, but I loved the menu and ambiance so much that I wanted to share this with you.  I definitely think this menu would be great for not only a baby shower, but for a fall cocktail party, birthday party, or wedding shower.

This sweet baby girl is due to arrive any day now, and I can't wait to meet her!