Baby Shower For My Sister-In-Law

Back in December I helped create a baby shower my bother and sister in law. My family was all excited because this is the first grandchild. Typically I tend to lean more to the modern, classy, and catered to adult style parties. However, my sister in law wanted more babyish and cute. Trust me it was a major struggle for me in the beginning to get my head out of what I would like and more into what she would like. I think in the end I finally came up with something that worked...

Advice Table

I started with idea that I wanted a way for the guests (mostly other mothers) to leave little bits of advice for this first time mom-to-be. I used a basket my mom had lying around her house, then tied some blue and brown ribbon that I found at Michael's. I created the advice cared in InDesign from the background used for the shower invitations. Finally rounding out the advice table is a photo of my sister-in-law that I took and edited the day of the event. Thankfully no one noticed the fact that the mom-to-be was wearing the same outfit in the photo to the party.

Table Center Pieces

Next came the center pieces. Once I figured out my theme and design for the party this was the most fun to create. I found the animals pre-made at Hobby Lobby. Then using a hot glue gun I glued the animals to bbq skewers. Using paper boxes found at Michael's, I used floral foam in the bottom of the box to secure the skewers into then covered the foam up with pre-shredded paper from Micheal's.

The Spread

The spread of food was amazing. Both my mom and Calee's (mother-to-be) mom created a great assortment of food. We have chicken salad sandwiches, two different types of meatballs, a fruit tray, cheese and crackers, and my mom's famous punch. All really simple foods but great for any party.

Calee and My Mom playing a game

Amazing Cake

The Gifts

More Guests Playing Along

Mom and Aunts To Be

All in All thought my struggles with this one, I think this turned out to be a fantastic party. It was simple and still fun. Hopefully this will inspire you to have some fun with your next party.

-Live Well, Live Inspired

Chris

Weekend Getaway

Back in October some of my friends and I took a road trip down to Ohio for my friend Meghan's 25th birthday to do some wine tasting.  We followed the Lake Erie Shores and Islands trail to a total of nine wineries over two days extending from Toledo to Cleveland. It was one of my favorite birthday trips we have taken, and it wasn't even my birthday! 

The Birthday Girl

We rented the cutest beach house in a little neighborhood called Mitiwanga.  It worked out perfectly as the house was right about half way along the trail. On Saturday we went to all the wineries to the east of the house and Sunday comprised of all the wineries to the west along our way back to Michigan.

Us.... Although Pam, Ben's Mom, is not pictured as she took this photo

My two favorite wineries from this trip are Vermilion Valley Vineyards and Quarry Hill Winery. At Vermillion Valley I highly recommend the Cabernet Savignon and at Quarry Hill I love the Pinot Grigio.

Me Enjoying Some Wine

Me, Matt, Jason and Ben

All in all we had a great weekend, took way too many pictures, tried some of the best wine the midwest has to offer and made some memories that will last a life time.

Live Well, Live Inspired

 

Weclome

As this is my first blog post, I just wanted to take a few moments to say "thank you" for dropping by. Greg Anderson was once quoted in saying "When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life."  The purpose for this blog is for me to cronical my journey starting out as twenty-something in the great state of Michigan. Who knows, through my love of wine, home-made crafts, frequent travels, attempts at cooking or just being myself you to will find a way to live well and live inspired.

Be sure to subscribe to my blog via email, leave a comment, or just drop and email to share your inspired story with me.

Live Well. Live Inspired.
Chris