Sunday, April 12, 2009

A Vision In Tissue

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Saturday I threw a baby shower for my good friend, Jeanine. She moved in last summer and it has been such a pleasure to get to know her--you will be missed! Jeanine was actually friends with Justin his freshman year of college. From what I hear, he and his friends were trouble makers, so I'm glad she didn't run the other way when we met :) The stories can't all be true!

I don't usually have the chance to do parties, so it was fun to do these little projects I've been eyeing for a while. Plus, the time I get to spend with my friends here is ticking away, and I wanted to make this lunch special.

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And those coveted chocolate-filled eggs from Martha Stewart. Remember how I wanted to do them last Easter? But couldn't justify the time? Well, a party right before Easter was the perfect reason.

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Instructions here. Although, I've come to a conclusion. Martha, Martha. You set me up every time. I've decided you either need her creative team or you need to, indeed, be Martha for the projects to turn out like the pictures. My eggs did not have near the glossy sheen they should. I know it has to do with tempering the chocolate, next time I need to be more strict about the temperature. And/Or buy really expensive chocolate, ha ha!

Cheesecake Pops--I saw this on Erin's cooking blog just in time. Dessert that can double as a centerpiece? Yes, please. But you know how sometimes the pretty desserts aren't as tasty? That was a risk I was willing to take :) Turns out...they. are. delicious!!!

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I forgot to get a picture with everyone, too many things on my mind. But we set up a tripod and snapped one with Tina and Amy before they left. {sorry i spaced that, jeanine}

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But that mind slip paled in comparison to what happened later. Justin left to meet up with Abbey at an egg hunt as the party ended. I decided to leave Hayden while I helped Jeanine out with the gifts. My mind was racing and I had the half-thought to leave my front door ajar, but it shut right behind me, locking me outside. I promised myself LAST time that this would never happen again. Justin forgets to turn the ringer on on his phone but luckily Heather was nearby him at the park. They were still a good 15 minutes away and Jeanine helped me from going crazy, scaling the house, and busting a window. Hayden was fine, a little clingy, but fine. Someone please tell me when I'll get my brain cells back. This is getting annoying.

Easter today is pretty low-key. I'm spent.
Even though I had an incredibly helpful toddler :)

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24 comments:

Nicole said...

Dude. I can't BELIEVE you did all those beautiful decorations and food yourself! And the pictures made everything look even more surreal.

Nice to know someone else has issues with Martha Stewart. I buy her Easter magazine issue every time and I still have the crappiest looking Easter eggs.

allegra said...

well, we all know martha is a little dishonest. perhaps she's keeping the real secrets on perfection to herself.
but hey, your martha stewart theory isn't all correct. your martha stewart balls turned out lovely! better than hers! so there. i threw a shower last month for my friend gina and made those same exact balls. they were surprisingly easy and fun. now, i didn't attempt the decorations and food creativity that you had. ash, you're amazing!! cheescake pops?! yes please. can you please mail me some....

oh, yeah and i had to laugh at this post. small world. Jeanine!? THE jeanine? In all our married conversations over the years Dan mentioned how freshman year he liked this girl Jeanine a lot...it's fun to finally "meet" her. hahah. tell her hi and congrats on her baby from both of us!:) She's so cute....That is too funny you live by each other.

allegra said...

oh yeah, and i meant to say.... that is scary about being locked out. i'm glad she was ok. my most forgetful moments have been when i'm pregnant. i'm a complete ditz preggo....hmmmm, makes me wonder.... especially b/c you're not a ditz in the slightest usually.

Ashley said...

Are you saying that because I look pregnant in that picture?!? It's an illuuuusion. No m'am. No babies in this house for a few years, I'm barely hacking it as it is.

Nicole, did you try the ones she had on the cover for this year? They looked really cute, like maybe they just used stickers or something. I didn't look too closely because I knew I wouldn't get around to that sort of thing this year.

Unknown said...

it was a wonderful party bu a fantastic hostess. Thansk for sharing your puffs with Katie. It made her day and out Easter a little brighter :). Heather

Angie said...

Okay, I am wondering Ashley if there is anything that you can royally screw up...you always have such cute ideas and they always turn out great. you are so talented. Sorry you got locked out again. That's scary!

allegra said...

oh, man. oops. NO WAY do you look preggo. not at all you skinny madam. i just thought b/c you were forgetful....:) just had a thought and was rambling. i'm good at that...

hope you had a fabulous easter!

melissa said...

What a pretty party! I want to go to there. Cheesecake pops! Are you kidding me?! Best. Idea. Ever.

p.s. Congrats to Justin for finishing school!

Melody said...

Are you kidding me?? You called me for advise? You are a genius. What a gorgeous party. Girl, I want to grow up to be like you.

val said...

ok so how do we learn to make those darling tissue balls? i've got to know!
wowsers on all the decor and eats. you go girl.

Ashley said...

Oh, the tissue balls! Martha, again. Pretty much safe to assume I steal all my ideas from her.

The Hodsons said...

Your party looks good enough to eat!! Beautiful :)

Unknown said...

Best shower I've been to in a long time!! Everything was gorgeous and festive. It was nice to come and just sit and relax. Thank you for a wonderful excuse to come and eat cheesecake!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh Ashley! You are quite the entertainer...you must have spent hours putting that shower together. What a nice friend you are! Just plan on me calling you when it's my turn to be a host. By the way...I'm so excited that you guys are moving on and moving out to the next phase. I hope everything with the packing and moving goes well. When do you move exactly? miss and love you and your family!

Corie said...

Ashley, your decorations and treats were amazing! And I can't imagine how you had the time to make everything so picture-perfect with your two little ones to take care of. I am in awe. :)

Ashley said...

A good, patient husband. That's how.

Melissa, why didn't we think to do a 30 Rock marathon while you were here?!?

Jeanine said...

I just have to say....I felt like a Queen for the day! You really know how to throw a party! Everything was so beautiful, and the food was amazing. I am really excited that we have a little elephant of our own now too. Thank You!!!

Tristie hearts Dax said...

so sorry about the loss of brain cells. i feel your pain. i just made me an appointment to get some happy pills from my OB-GYN. have always been able to shake the baby blues before this. I am so ready to feel like myself!

p.s. i am so confused on how to fill out amended return form to get my $8000 from Obama for buying a house. who should I talk to?

Ashley said...

Me! Ha ha, I'll email you my phone number and we can chat about credits and taxes.

I'm glad you're doing what you need to to get over those blues. I've seen friends spiral further and further down when they can't admit something isn't right. Love you, girl.

Katherine said...

WOW, I'm so impressed. Those boxes are amazing and your tissue balls are absolutely perfect. What a great friend you are!

Justin and Melissa said...

You are amazing, I need to learn some of your mad decorating and party throwing skills. All that stuff looks fantastic.

adam and erica said...

K, for reals Ash. I know it has been said by many other comments but you get a gold medal in creativity. You always have the best ideas/pictures for something homemade and cute. I need to come and stay with you for a week...maybe some of it will rub off on me:)

DeGooyer Family said...

WOW - you are so talented you intimidate me... Seriously.

Alisa and Crowells said...

Okay so do you want to throw me a shower...just for fun! WAY cute tissue balls! Too perfect Mrs. Pace!! Your pics totally make me want to be there. Um seriously...with my next kid, I'll pay you to throw me a shower like this darling! :)