Tuestorial - Baby Shower Planning

So this week I have exciting news - I'm going to be an Aunt! My big sister, Sarah, is having a baby boy...and it's my duty, as best future auntie ever - to throw her a baby shower that she'll never forget!

This week, I wanted to share my tips and tricks on how to plan a baby shower - or really any party without breaking your bank or your back in the process...all the while, looking like a professional party planner!

THE PRE-SHOWER PLANNING
My biggest advice for someone on a budget... use your resources! Ask your friends to take on a little bit here and there - and before you know it...you've got yourself a great party - with lots of meaningful details. This entry is broken down into two pieces...as you know, a lot goes into a great party...and I want to make sure I share my tips along the way.

The Theme for this party: Little Man

FIRST: Pick Your Color Story

For any party you might be planning, it's easiest to start by just picking the color story that you'd like to match everything to. Don't pick crazy colors - because in the end...it will be hard to find matching napkins...but look for something creative. I think I've mentioned this before, but Color Trends is a great online resource for all things COLOR. :) some people have already planned out great ideas for color stories.
Starting here is never a bad idea.

However, I started my planning a little different.
I looked to our own team member Shannon Hegarty who creates lovely digital scrapbook kits to provide the patterning for my invitations. I let her decide on the colors for the patterns – from there... I had my color story which I'll be carrying through the whole party.
Here's what she made:




SECOND: Invitations on the Fly

So this was my favorite part, because I got to use Shannon's patterns in my invitations & do a cute little baby drawing of my sister's baby boy - who has been given the name Odin (the Viking god). After I finished up my design (back and front) in Photoshop I actually ended up going to MOO.com and uploading three different color combinations for some extra whimsy. Look to your fellow Etsy team members if you're in need of a creative invitation for your upcoming party.




I also used my back design to make some great stickers at Moo later, which you will see on the cupcakes next week.

THIRD: Don't forget the cupcakes

I was going to order cupcakes from a local baker...but couldn't for the life of me think of where or how or or or...so many decisions! But then this little light bulb went off... my friend Cara! She runs a small bakery out of her home Brown Sugar Bakery over in the East Bay...and she would be willing to meet me on my way to the party so that my cupcakes are fresh and also don't get damaged.
Cara took the left over stickers I had from my invitation order for decorations... stay tuned for photos!

FORTH: Tie in the theme

To help tie in the theme (Little Man) into a couple other places. I made some Mustaches on a Stick which will be great for party photos.

Lastly, I purchased chocolate cigars as party favors to cheers to the occasion with a little fun sprinkled in!

---

If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!