BRIDAL SHOWER RECAP.. & SUCH.

This weekend was my friend Melissa's Bridal Shower, and it turned out perfecto! I've been working on it for the last couple of the months, and I was just so happy with the outcome.. Most importantly, Melissa LOVED it, which in the end was all that matters. As I blogged about before, the theme was Tiffany & Co. or in our case "Melissa & Co." Here's some pictures from the party; NO detail was left unnoticed (I'm starting to feel like the "little things" are my speciality:

Here's a pic of the hostesses with the lovely Guest of Honor..

I just love this girl!

Guest List:

(All of the guests hadn't yet arrived.. still cute, all the while)

 

Letter Block:

This last-minute detail looked super cute as decor on Mel's big day, and we gave it to her after the shower to bring home or even use at the wedding. A new friend & longtime neighbor of my grandma whipped this bad boy up for me just in the knick of time, and BOY am I glad she did. She has the sweetest little boy with killer blue eyes that's just weeks younger than Cash. I just wanted one letter, but she typically does "Name Blocks" for baby rooms or even home decor. Can you think of a cuter Shower gift for boy OR girl?! Here's her page for more info and pics from some of her work..

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Creative-Creations-by-Lindsey/181254875234885

Thanks Lindsey!

 

Since Melissa and her future hubby already have a sweet baby of their own, I wanted to incorporate Raegan in some of the shower details. This sign by the Advice Cards box said "A girl meets a boy and they fall in love.. Then came a baby, a gift from above. They may have done it backwards but their love is here to stay. Now the bride needs helpful tips to guide her on her way." Yes people, I was Dr. Seuss in a past life. Melissa got a kick out of this sign and it was a nice touch. I also included Raegan on the "Nutritional Facts" of the Water Bottles. The front of them were super cute as well, but for some reason we didn't get a pic.

Fresh flowers, lots of photos, tiffany boxes & "Something Blue's" decorated an already beautiful home..

The bar area was a big hit as well (especially for me) ;) The signature cocktails were "Melissa Mimosas" and "Bridal Bellinis" with fresh Raspberries to garnish.

The favors were individual Tiffany boxes filled with chocolate covered almonds, and some bling.

Another big hit in my book.. THE FOOD! Since it was a cocktail hour, we didn't have anything too heavy. On the menu: Chicken Salad with Croissants, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Vanilla Cupcakes, Oreo Cheesecake Bites, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and other Assorted Fruit. It was all super yummy, but the Oreo Cheesecake Bites were a new recipe, and they didn't turn out quite how I expected, visual wise. Everyone was raving about how good they were (although I thought maybe they were just picking with me because they looked HORRIBLE) but they DID end up tasting fabulous. I decided to include the recipe for Spinach & Artichoke Dip and the Oreo Cheesecake Bites, although if you're trying to please esthetically, I'd steer clear of the Oreo Cheesecake Bites. If you could care less how they look & want them for the taste.. GO FOR IT!

PAULA DEEN'S HOT SPINACH & ARTICHOKE DIP:

NEED:

- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach

(I used a bag of fresh Spinach, that I cooked down. Liked it ALOT better that way!)

- 1/2 can (13 3/4-ounce) cans artichoke hearts ]

(Paula called for two whole cans, but what does SHE know? ;) Half of one was plenty!!)

- 1/2 cup mayonnaise

- 1/2 cup sour cream

- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

- 1 cup grated pepper jack cheese

 

STEPS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a casserole dish with nonstick spray. Doesn't need spray!

2. Heat the spinach in a microwave oven on high for 5 minutes and squeeze dry. Cook the bag of spinach down in water until it shrinks down and resembles the 'shtuff in a can.

3. Drain the artichoke hearts and coarsely chop in a food processor.

4. Combine all the ingredients except the jack cheese in a large bowl. Stir well.

5. Scrape into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the jack cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes.

6. Transfer to serving dish and serve with pita chips, crusty bread or in our case, TOSTITOS!

 

OREO CHEESECAKE BITES:

NEED:

- 36 Oreo Cookies, divided.

- 1/2 cup butter

- 1 tub Cream cheese (16 oz.) softened, (meaning let it sit out for awhile!)

- 1 cup sugar

- 1 cup Sour Cream

- 1 tsp. Vanilla

- 3 eggs

- 4 squares Chocolate Melting Bark (found in baking isle!)

STEPS:

1. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends extending over sides.

2. Finely crush 24 cookies (the side without icing!)

3. Melt 1/4 cup butter; mix with crumbs. Press onto bottom of prepared pan.

4. Beat cream cheese and sugar with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well.

5. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each just until blended.

6. Chop remaining cookies. Gently stir into batter, and try not to eat all of it before it goes into the pan.

7.Pour over crust.

8. Bake 45 minutes or until center is almost set.

9. Meanwhile, microwave chocolate and remaining butter in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 minute; stir until smooth.

10. Spread over top of cooked cheesecake.

11. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better.

12. Use foil handles to lift cheesecake from pan before cutting to serve.

* Mine softened up very quickly and it was hard to cut through the chocolate without breaking the rest. If you can manage to cut into slightly pretty pieces, it's worth sharing with friends!

 

I'll leave you with a new segment of my blog, geniusly entitled:

"Things I''d Totally Obsess Over If I Was Materialistic, Which I'm Not.":

 

Louis Vuitton "Delightful PM":

Okay, I'll admit two things. 1) I carry my diaper bag 24/7 as my purse. 2) I've yet to purchase a new handbag since Cash was born.. Okay, I admitted it. Isn't that the first step? This comes in handy during my everyday life, but on the rare occasions that I DO get out without Cash, I'm stuck with either the option of looking lame and still carrying the diaper bag, or carrying a purse from 2005. Not any more.. I'm going ahead and splurging & buying this bad boy. Not sure about you, but it surely "delights" me. In a not-so-creepy way that a purse may delight a slightly shallow, yet honest & humble individual like myself. I've weighed out my options and decided that splurging on this handbag is right for my sanity because 1) I may cry if I don't get it and 2) I'll be carrying it until Cash's kids are graduating from college.

Speaking of Cash, long time - no see huh? He's pretty busy calling phone operators, bringing out my panties while we have visitors, using his potty and growing waay too quickly. Here's proof:

Somebody had just woken up & is long overdue for a haircut..

All together now... "AWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEE"