Nicole from Tradewind Tiaras has done it again. This time, she has designed a gorgeous baby shower that made us swoon! We are so thrilled to share this with you.

From Nicole….I had the great delight of creating a baby shower this weekend.  The theme was “The Secret Garden,” and I immediately knew I wanted to take the design in a romantic, girly direction–but with a modern, fantastical edge.  I’ve always loved paper sculpture, and the magnificent backdrop from the Chanel 2009 runway show immediately came to mind.  I knew that was the starting point.

I wanted to play with texture more than color for this party, which fit perfectly with the sculptural paper backdrop that got all its interest from shape and shadow.

 I tried a brush-embroidery  technique on the sugar cookies for the first time, and was delighted with the easy, elegant, intricate effect it created.  It was exactly what I wanted for this celebration.

 I tried a brush-embroidery  technique on the sugar cookies for the first time, and was delighted with the easy, elegant, intricate effect it created.    It was exactly what I wanted for this celebration. The cupcakes brought in an extra element of whimsy.  More colorful and playful, with pink (it is a girl, after all!) as the predominant accent color and a muted color palette.  The meandering path crossing the cupcakes seemed perfect for a Secret Garden theme.

Russian Tea Cakes came to mind as I was putting the concept for the dessert table together, but I decided I wanted a twist.  I created a new recipe for Pink Lemonade Tea Cakes.  All the tender, buttery goodness of Russian Tea Cakes, but with a bright citrus flavor and pink hue.  I’ll definitely make these again!

Lemon tartlets in the shape of flowers fit the garden theme perfectly as well.

Any excuse to use my miniature trifle dishes is a good one, so I served raspberry mousse as well.  (More pink food!)

While planning the dessert table, I remembered an amazing pillowy, pink cookie that my friend’s mother used to make around the holidays.  She was gracious enough to share her family recipe for biscotti with me for the baby shower.  They were as divine as I remember–lightly sweet, with a delicate vanilla and almond flavor.

Savory offerings for this afternoon party included bacon, date, and goat cheese strudel; crudites; cheese and homemade rosemary sea-salt crackers with fresh raspberries and champagne grapes (baby grapes!  so cute and tiny!); spinach artichoke filo bites; and mini pork tenderloin sandwiches with a creamy horseradish mustard spread.

For an activity, I used the bedding the mom had registered for as an inspiration.  I created paint-by-number canvases for the guests to paint to match the nursery bedding.  Each guest painted a bit of the painting, then signed the work of art.  An activity, a gift for the parents, nursery decor, and a loving reminder of everyone who came to celebrate the baby’s coming, all wrapped into one.

Nicole…once again, that you for sharing your magnificence with us!