CIAO BELLA FRANKIE BABY SHOWER

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

My best friend Aubree is expecting her first baby, a little girl named Frankie -- due in just a few weeks! So last month we showered her with a "Girly California" themed-party, with tons of pinks and succulents. We were so thrilled to have the shower recently featured on Style Me Pretty Living. Today I wanted to share even more details of the event with you!

All photos by Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography.

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

We held the shower at the beautiful home of our friend, Paige Long.  The shower ended up being on one of the hottest days of the year, so it was great that the guest-of-honor wanted an evening shower. We let the hot weather dictate the decor by minimizing florals and we opted out of making large arrangements (as we were afraid they would wilt too quickly). Instead, we used a ton of bud vases from our friends at Yummi Candles, mixed with Paige's stunning crystal cups, that she inherited from her grandmother. They added such a beautiful touch. I love having special items like that included in the decor! We used an abundance of succulents, which ended up being the crowd favorite and doubled as party favors! That's always a plus!

Because we decided to have the succulents be the main attraction, we focused on garden roses as the key flower. We used 4 colors (in the pink and coral families) of garden roses, and added peach stock and astilbe as accents.

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Mary, one of the other hostesses, had a variety of beautiful wooden boxes that she had made for her wedding last year. So we repurposed them as decor this table scape, creating height and a cool earthy vibe. 

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

We made the dip dye napkins by purchasing about 20 yards (we made 60 napkins!) of white gauze and pink dye from Joann Fabrics. To do this, cut gauze into 15" x 15" squares, bunch them up, fold them in half and dip only the first third of the napkin in the dye. Then place on some kind of plastic tarp (I used large garbage bags cut open). Allow to dry overnight and then wash on delicate. I washed these twice (on warm) as I wanted them to fade and bleed more. I loved the way they turned out!

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

The shower's youngest and cutest guest!

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Dinner was a favorite of our group of friends -- ComidaLA's South American street eats. They made the most delicious summery, corn and avocado salad, special for us, as the perfect accompaniment to their gluten-free arepas. It was perfect summer party food.

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

I really wanted the bar to be a major showpiece. Because it was such a hot day, I knew a variety of ice cold drinks would be an important factor in our guests happiness. I was obsessed with these blush fleur de lis glasses that we rented from Town & Country. Again, we created height using wooden crates, and we put a "pink spin" on all of the beverages, to continue our girly theme.

We made cherry lemonade by purΓ©eing fresh (de-pitted) cherries in the Vitamix and straining them. Then add the purΓ©e to your homemade lemonade and it's beyond yummy! The middle drink was strawberry-mint ice water and the right dispenser held the favorite of the night -- ror all of the non-pregnant guests -- a boozy watermelon aqua fesca, that was simply tons of watermelon blended with lime, a touch of fine sugar and water. Add fresh mint and vodka and you have got yourself a surefire hit! We also offered rosΓ© procecco and sparkling water. 

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

And then there's this. The dessert table. Whisk and Whittle killed it again with 4 cakes (gluten-free chocolate with cream cheese chocolate, lemon meringue, strawberry shortcake and carrot cake) and donuts. All more beautiful and delicious than the next. 

A week prior the shower, some of us hostesses got together and had a "craft night" where we created 5 huge paper flowers (using a template from Tania Fischer). Not only did they turn out beautifully, but it was such a fun way to bond with friends when creating an event together. 

To finish off the table we had to give a nod to baby girl Frankie! So we added this beautiful gold and silver acrylic bunting from our faves Meri Meri -- It read our evening’s hashtag #cioabellafrankie!

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Sis and I would like to thank the other hostesses who helped to make this happen! Love you, Beth, Brandy, Brie, Jodi, Mary, Paige & Paige! We can't wait to meet you, Frankie!! xx

Event Design: Twink + Sis | Photography: Jenna Elliott | Floral Design: Twink + Sis | Catering: ComidaLA| Beverages: Twink + Sis | Bud Vases: Yummi Candles | Bunting Letters And String: Meri Meri | Candles: Yummi Candles | Desserts: Whisk And Whittle | Dip Dye Napkins: Twink + Sis | Drink Dispensers And Buckets: Pottery Barn | Gauze And Dye For Napkins: Joann Fabrics | Paper Flower Template: Tania Fischer Design | Paper Flowers: Twink + Sis | Paper For Crafts: Paper Source | Paper Napkins: Meri Meri| Private Home: Paige Long | Rentals: Town And Country Rentals | RosΓ© Prosecco: Biokult Γ–sterreich | Succulents And Pots: Sunset Nursery | Wooden Forks: Amazon