So, you can imagine the delight I had when Annmarie called with news that a baby girl was on the way! It wasn't long after her test was positive that the shower planning began. Our goal--to find a private, outdoor, urban space with insanely delicious food. Enter The Urban Garden at the James Soho Hotel, with catering by in-house chef David Burke (of David Burke Kitchen). We knew the menu would blow all of Annmarie's equally-foodie friends away.
Guests were invited with a beautiful letterpress invitation by Smock, an amazing company we were introduced to by Jaye at Village Invites. Actually intended as a birth announcement, we had fun replacing the monogram with a statement that truly was perfect for Annmarie: "Oh Baby! Annmarie's going to be a Mommy."
Upon arrival, the ladies sipped elderflower-champagne cocktails and lychee martinis in the hotel's executive suite--which we quickly dressed up with a dramatic rug, hand-sewn silk throw pillows, and draping. See the details -- and all the fabulous images from the day -- take by Stacey Ilyse (with the exception of the mini-ice cream cone pic I snapped!).
The James' impeccable staff passed HD's like sugar-maple bacon skewers, truffled chicken salad sandwiches and lobster rolls as the guests rolled in. For the three-course sit-down late afternoon meal (call it, Lupper;), Annmarie and her friends took their seats in under a modern clear-framed tent (NY Tent Company) at tables we designed with our dear friend Anne Miller (Little Flower Shoppe, Ridgewood, NJ). The steel grey linens and succulents played off the Urban Garden's concrete atmosphere, while sterling roses and hydrangea made the space chicly modern, yet feminine. I fell in love with the fabulous icy chargers I pulled from Party Rental Ltd., and found the succulent to be the perfect little placecard holder.
As the girls dined on decadent black bass, angry spaghetti (spicy!), and the heartiest steak I've seen ladies sink their teeth into--the room filled with laughter, joy and elation at Annmarie's baby-to-be.
As Annmarie opened her myriad of gifts (including teensy weensy Burberry and Polo fashions, everything on her registry, and baby Stuart Weitzman booties), the venue topped off the day's festivities with cappuccinos and the restaurant's famous cheesecake lollipops and mini ice cream cones.
Annmarie's little one Riley has now arrived! .... and we only hope we get to be a part of the many birthday bashes to come.
