Today’s Real Party baby shower feature is especially near & dear… it was actually my own!

The shower was hosted earlier this month by 4 of my close friends – Leslie, Sarah, Mimi, and Jen… and they did such a great job – I was totally blown away! It was so odd to be on the receiving end this time… and I sincerely hope that the people I host showers for feel as special & loved as they made me feel at this one – thanks again girls! =)

Knowing my love for tropical flowers/foliage and all things giraffe, the girls created a “Modern Menagerie” (a.k.a. “modern jungle”) theme for the baby shower, which also coordinated with the nursery and felt especially thoughtful. I about died when I saw the huge giraffe-print paper lanterns!

The color palette was a fabulous bright pink, brown, and kelly green (no baby pastels!). The pink hue coordinated with the color of the gorgeous protea featured in the centerpieces (along with papyrus, china mums, & ti leaves)… and I absolutely adored the little toy animal figurines that were spray-painted copper and even glued to some of the vases!

Since the hostesses were from all over, the party was hosted at my own house, so it felt especially strange to not have to do anything for the party – from the design & set-up (which was a complete surprise!) to the serving & clean-up… but “strange” in a wonderful and very much appreciated way!

AND… being a ridiculous sweet tooth, of course this adorable candy & dessert buffet was one of my favorite elements of the party…

The buffet featured lots of colorful treats from ACandyStore.com, as well as sugar cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and frosted marshmallow brownies – all homemade by Leslie. YUM!

Another favorite part of the shower – the signature drink! Bartender Mimi served up both mocktail and cocktail versions of this ridiculously yummy (and pretty!) Raspberry-Apple Mojito:

And now for more sweet stuff… the adorable cake perfectly matched the Modern Menagerie shower invitations from Tiny Prints!

The matching stickers were also used on the take-out-style candy buffet boxes, and the coordinating mint tin favors were included in the table place settings (see image #3, above) – which really helped to tie the entire room together.

For more of the party details & resources, check out Leslie’s recap on her blog: Modern Menagerie Baby Shower: Part 1 and Part 2.

Thanks again to the hostesses and everyone that came to celebrate with us! I’m excited to include all these memories in an album and show Macy what a fabulous welcoming party was thrown in her honor one day =)