Baby Shower Decor and Inspiration

I am in the middle of trying to plan my sister in laws baby "sprinkle". I aspire to create beautiful settings that are unique and inspiring, but I will be the first to admit that this is a work in progress. In my attempt to create a beautiful setting for this baby "sprinkle" I scoured the internet looking for ideas and inspiration. To save you time and energy I am posting some of the inspiration I found along the way. One thing I noticed was that I was drawn to the beautiful decor that was shown when a long table was created with the theme sprinkled throughout the center. It helped to create a theme, add color and texture and allow for uniqueness, like this beach theme. There are also more simple and elegant styles that I loved like this green one. Beautiful showers don't mean expensive showers. Creating chinese laterns or paper flowers are a great way to fill space and make a beautiful atmosphere whether you are having your event inside, or outside during the day or evening. For instructions on how to make them check out marthastewart.com

Here are some additional place tags, diaper cakes and table decor that might get your creative juices flowing:

Waffle Bars

Lots of bridal and baby showers are held in the early afternoon on weekends and if you have ever thrown one for a friend or loved one then you know it can be pricey. Add in paying for all the trimmings if you are a bridesmaid and you will spend the next year catching up on your credit card. One great solution for how to be creative and make your brunch a success ( while not emptying your wallet) is a waffle bar. Borrow a couple waffle makers from friends and family, purchase ready mix batter from somewhere like costco( make sure the only ingredient you need to add is water to keep cost down) and begin cooking about 1 hour ahead if time if you can or at least have everything ready. Keep your oven on a low heat with a baking pan inside. as you finish waffles place them on the baking sheet to keep warm until it is time to serve them. Set up toppings like:

• Maple syrup
• boysenberry puree
• fresh berries
• whip cream
• peanut butter
• chocolate chips
• nutella
• butterscotch drizzle
• cooked cinnamon apples
• butter
• granola
• bananas
• powdered sugar

include some beverages like orange juice, coffee and tea and you are all set.
if you really want to get creative create cute themed name tags for each topping !

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Candy Stations

Candy stations are a really creative and unique way of adding a flare in your decor and creating a party favor all at the same time. Plus they are something anyone can create with a little inspiration. Print out labels and stick them to clear cellophane bags for guests to grab and fill up. Here are some of my favorite layouts and candy car ideas. Any of these at an event will be sure to be an eye catcher and the source of many compliments coming your way.

Cupcake it

Cupcakes are all the rage nowadays. A small yummy piece of heaven that you can customize to fit your occasion and get some great compliments as well. I find that this is the best dessert at bridal and baby showers and even weddings! Lots of boutique cupcake places are popping up all over the country- but they can be pricey. So here are some tips to make them yourself for half the cost ( and all the compliments:) Since Chocolate is a girl's best friend the recipe below is for chocolate cupcakes with butter cream frosting.

The Best Chocolate Cupcakes Ever (with chocolate mouse filling)

• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
• 1 and 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1tsp vanilla
• 2/3 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Beat the butter until soft. Add sugar and beat about 3 min. add eggs and beat again.
In a separate bowl add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a small size bowl and whisk to combine. Add about 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat. Add about half the milk/vanilla and beat. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop the batter into cupcake cups about 1/2 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

While your cupcakes are cooking, prepare the chocolate mousse filling:

• 8 squares semi sweet baking chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 cups whipping cream, whipped
• 2 tbsp butter (no substitutes)

In a microwave, heat chocolate, 1/4 cup water and butter until the chocolate and butter are melted. (Check on every 30 seconds). Cool for 10 minutes. In a small sauce pan, whisk egg yolks, sugar and remaining water. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160 degrees (check with cooking thermometer) about 1-2 minutes (may need to cook a little higher).Remove from heat and whisk into chocolate mixture. Set saucepan in ice and stir until cooled (about 5-10 minutes). Fold in whipped cream.

When you cupcakes have cooled to room temperature it is time to fill with the mousse.
Spoon the mousse into a plastic bag or pastry bag.

If you have a pastry bag with frosting tips:
Choose the sharpest point to use and gently stick tip into center of cupcake and squeeze mousse inside.

If you are using a plastic bag:
Squish the mouse to a corner of the bag and snip a small hole in the corner. Gently cut a hole in the top of the cupcake(don't worry the frosting will cover it) and squeeze mousse inside the cupcake. Replace the top.

Butter cream Frosting
I have tried a few different types of butter cream frosting recipes, including the famous magnolia bakery recipe. I have found that the easiest and best tasting one to use is from the book " hello cupcake" by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson:

• 1 container (16 oz) marshmallow fluff
• 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar ( plus extra if necessary)

Spoon fluff into large bowl and beat with electric mixer on low. Gradually add butter pieces until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Add more sugar if necessary to adjust texture.

Decorating ideas
You can use food coloring ( check out Michaels if you want a unique color). Do polkadots by frosting the cupcake in one color and dotting in another. Or for Additional Decorating ideas check out: http://www.wilton.com/ideas/browse.cfm?cat=cupcakes

Another Cute way to make your cupcake unique is by using special cupcake papers ( like the ones at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CupcakeSocial

Also try placing them in a cupcake tree! ( you can find one at Michaels, Target or Bed bath and beyond.

Happy baking!

Tip of the week

Along with blogging about new designs and getting your feedback- each week Whimsique will share a "Tip of the week". These tips are to bring about helpful ideas on how to through a shower, make your wedding unique and your party fabulous. We will share recipes, decor ideas and other websites that will help make you event a success! More to come. :)