My Surprise Baby Shower!

Eight years ago, my dear friend Pam threw me a baby shower for my firstborn. She made a killer Chinese chicken salad, and we enjoyed manicures in her living room with family and close friends. I even remember a shower game of “celebrity baby” or two (think less North and more Apple). It was awesome, and it was way before Project Nursery came into our lives.

Fast-forward to today and I am expecting a little girl in a matter of weeks. The thought of a shower, a sprinkle or, in this case, a spritz…given that it’s baby #3, I would have said, “Pam, save your energy.” But alas, Team Project Nursery is family, and over the years, this family has been fortunate to forge wonderful partnerships with incredible brands in order to bring our readers the latest and greatest. It was only fitting to celebrate this baby with friends of Project Nursery in what my team calls #projectbabygirl and what I refer to as a completely insane surprise baby shower!

The setting itself was over the top, with magical views of New York City from the Penthouse of the Mondrian SoHo.

Can you believe I was kept in the dark? Kristin and Pam did all the planning undercover and behind my back over the last two months. I had no idea my colleagues were all so sneaky! Fortunately, the girls know me well enough that if I showed up to the shower in my maternity sweats, I’d kill them. So just a few days before the big event, a beautifully weighted, luxe invitation arrived in my mailbox inviting me to my own baby shower. Insert a dropped jaw here.

Given that I was just released from ten whole weeks of “modified bed-rest,” I was itching to get into the city and see what was in store. Needless to say, I was blown away. While guests didn’t see all of my emotions, there were lots of near tear moments and an overwhelming feeling of gratefulness that continues to this day.

First up, I learned that Natasha Lawler offered to style my party with the assistance of Rock Paper Scissors Events, and I was giddy. Natasha is a genuine talent and works for one of my favorite stationery brands Minted. (Psst… You must check out both her personal and professional events we’ve covered on the blog.) From chic spotted fabric runners to glittery garlands to gorgeous florals by Cristina Lozito that spelled BABY, it was pure party perfection.

Even the smallest details were executed with style and sophistication.

While the seasoned group of bloggers, magazine editors and guests from top children’s brands noshed on lovely lunch fare and drank iced tea out of rose colored glasses (loved that decorative touch), maternity guru, and friend of Project Nursery, Rosie Pope shared her tips on managing birth and life with a new baby and siblings. Her wisdom was not only wise but hysterical because she’s so real herself, having experienced it all as a savvy business woman and mother of four!

It was a treat not only to spend time with Rosie but to wear her stylish maternity dress, which kept me comfortable and feeling great on the big day.

Now, here’s what really blew my mind. I am a self-proclaimed “Amazon Junkie.” When I referred to my ten weeks of bed rest a bit earlier, my online shopping addiction to Amazon was at an all-time high. The convenience of being an Amazon Mom and Amazon Prime member is a total game changer for a busy, and suddenly stranded-in-bed, mother of two. Planning for baby was no different. Because there is a bigger age gap between my youngest and this new baby, I am pretty much starting from scratch. Naturally, given my love affair with free two-day shipping, I saved my picks under my Amazon Baby Registry to help me identify my must-haves for baby.

Two months later my top baby picks magically appeared in the Penthouse. The older, I mean wiser, and experienced mom that I am now was beside herself. The pot was sweetened by the fact that I chose everything myself, and there would be no returns—all the products were tried and true.

The festivities continued with a dress up photo op of all things girly, and I truly enjoyed my time chatting with everyone in attendance. Given how we all live in this virtual world of online media, it was that much more special to have some face-to-face time together.

Of course, a Project Nursery party would not be complete without a little nursery design fun and friendly competition! The baby shower game presented by Minted was genius, and I look forward to breaking down the DIY details for you in the coming weeks. Magnetic boards were passed out, and each team designed a nursery using magnet photos of products from Amazon, Minted and The Project Nursery Shop to create a dream nursery for my baby girl. There was some serious concentration and design inspiration taking place.

The winning team from Skip Hop dreamed up a hot, on trend, gold nursery design that simply sang to me. As a result they walked away with a $500 gift card to Minted!

Guests left with my all-time favorite Skip Hop diaper bag, Chelsea, packed with goodies, like really incredible goodies—it sounds kind of like candle, ends with fire—from Amazon.

What more can I tell you? It was a surprise baby shower I will always cherish. I love you Pam and Kristin for not only your hard work and dedication to Project Nursery but for your forever friendship. A heartfelt thank you to all who made it possible!

Stay tuned because not only will we be giving away the gift bags I mentioned to our Project Nursery readers, but EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING from my Amazon Baby Registry will be won by one very lucky Project Nursery reader!

Photos by Charlie Juliet Photography