Hot Air Balloon Baby Shower

This is one of the cutest themes ever! I loved working with two of my darling friends to help plan a "flying high" hot air balloon themed baby shower. These two gals are super talented and created so many delightful touches using a teal, brown and green color palate. From the gourmet tea sandwiches and iced coffee set up to the bunting and hot air balloon centerpieces (inspired by this post on Hip Hip Hooray), the event was beyond adorable. This is the perfect theme for a baby shower because it lends itself to both genders and so many great details.

I had such a blast doing the dessert table, with goodies like cloud and hot air balloon sugar cookies, strawberry shortcake shots, crispy treats, triple chocolate crunch cupcakes, espresso cupcakes and cheesecakes.

My photos don't do the party justice, but here's a little taste of this sweet event.



Cotton candy with cloud labels were used as party favors.

These "It's a Boy" flags can be downloaded at Prudent Baby!

The mommy to be and sis -- aren't they gorgeous?

Brown and Blue Cake With Dessert Table

Just finished this first birthday party for a friend's adorable baby boy. We went with a clean and sweet chocolate brown and blue design for the three-tier cake. I covered it in fondant and added coordinating polka dot ribbon at the base. They also requested a sampling of mini desserts including apple pies, lemon dream bites, chocolate chip cookies, salted brown butter crispy treats (my new favorite recipe thanks to Smitten Kitchen) and vanilla bean cupcakes. The event was held at a park in Simi Valley and so the desserts had to stand up to some serious heat. All in all, this was the perfect selection for an outdoor summer party.

Here are some of the mini desserts. The pies came out really cute and the lemon bars were a success (my first time making them!).

I love the little ribbon flag detail on these crispy treats.


Hungry little hands got to one of the cookies before I could get a shot!


One more shot of the cake and birthday boy up close.