Guess the Baby Food – Baby Shower Game

Doing a quick little post to share an easy, fun baby shower game I planned for one of my cousins!

This was back in Spring of 2021, so wanted to plan games that didn’t require a lot of person-to-person interaction, still upholding social distancing in large groups.

Enter the Guess the Baby Food Game..in individual form.

I have to say, I love how cute these little taster trays turned out. Looking back, I wish I would have planned the food color order a little better – maybe have an ombre moment or a rainbow-tized tray.

Either way, they were such a hit at the party and pretty easy to plan.

General details/tips if you plan to play this game at a baby shower:

  1. Paint trays from the dollar store are the perfect size
  2. I numbered each slot with a Sharpie
  3. I used baby food pouches and squeezed directly into the tray. One baby food pouch = ~16 tray slots
  4. For the game card, I had one line for every ingredient. So one flavor was Prunes, it had one line listed. If it was Avocado, Peas and Apples, it had 3 lines listed. We did one point per ingredient.
  5. Not pictured, we handed out little spoons for people to taste with.

Hope this inspires you to plan a fun baby food tasting game – please share if you do!

Warmly,
Mrs. Alex Paul

Perfectly Pink Floral Baby Shower

Adding a new baby girl to the family meant a perfectly pink, ultra feminine baby shower. Flowers and candles and wonderful memories!

My favorite part of any party – the tablescape:

Each placesetting had a wreath with a namecard, hand sanitizer and a pink mask as this was still during covid times.
The beverage station had refreshing cucumber water, passion fruit juice (or as us Peruvians call it, maracuya) as well as a champagne – juice mixing station.
Diaper Raffle Station
I love having guests write their address on the thank you card envelope – one less step for a new mom to worry about!

So proud of how this intimate pink and floral baby shower turned out – hope you enjoyed my little recap!

Santa Barbara Bachelorette Weekend

Back in 2019, I was the maid of honor for my best friend Ali. And other than the wedding, I was MOST excited to plan the bachelorette party.

The bride’s requests were: a fun, low-ley weekend making great memories with our friends in Santa Barbara. Added in two of the bride’s favorite things: rose gold & leopard.

Perfection.

So here you have it, a collection of pictures from the last girls getaway I had before the pandemic happened.

Custom Drink Stirrers from etsy
Attendee gifts
Charcuterie from Pickles and Swiss
The Perfect Husband game printable from etsy
Chalk wall at The Valley Project
Frose at The Lucky Penny
Lunch at The Lucky Penny
Wine Tasting at The Deep Sea Tasting Room
Santa Barbara Bachelorette Weekend Itinerary

Llama 2nd Birthday Party

My baby boy turned 2!

Being Peruvian, llamas have always been a part of my cultural identity..so a llama birthday theme was a no brainer. Plus, llamas are definitely haven’t a moment right now, so finding decor was beyond easy.

We had delicious strawberry shortcake birthday cake, Peruvian alfajores and amazing personalized cookies from @asweethabit. No shortage of sweets at this party!

And we had these adorable plates from Meri Meri to serve them on!

We had the party in my parents’ backyard. And I had the brilliant idea to do a balloon garland across their pergola.

What I didn’t realize, is that the total length was more than 40 feet.

Thank god for a balloon pump.

But overall, I love how it turned out. The colors were bright, festive..and it helped add a punch of decor to a big space.

We did some rental tables, linen, heaters – and even a rental softplay space for the kiddos! I highly recommend @ABCPlayrentals.

I didn’t get all the pictures I wanted of everything – like the food truck we rented for the party! BUT, we made incredible memories and really lived in the moment celebrating my baby’s 2nd birthday.

One of the best days I’ve had as a mom! <3

Care Package Centerpiece

There are few things I love more than a good centerpiece.

A romantic floral arrangement? A tall candelabra? A hurricane with beautiful shells? Yes, yes and yes.

So when my boss came to me one day and asked me for help with a centerpiece, I was all for it.

Then she handed me a piece of paper with a wishlist on it. Gallon Ziploc bags. Granola bars. Disposable spoons. Toothpaste. Our hotel was hosting an event for the local Ronald McDonald House and we needed care packages to serve as centerpieces. They’d be donated after the event.

I was stumped.

I know from my past work as a fundraiser that there are some amazing non-profit themed centerpieces out there. I’ve seen beautiful bowls of food for a Food Bank event. Unique pieces of art made by children of a Boys & Girls Club. But a care package as a centerpiece? That, I hadn’t seen.

I decided to start with the container itself. After going to so many stores and scouring the internet..I found the perfect item at Party City: A red, plastic trifle container. It has a little bit of height and is translucent so you can see what’s inside.

After finding this trifle container, everything else came easily. I focused on getting as many red & yellow items from the Wishlist, since those are the strongest colors associated with Ronald McDonald. Luckily, so many things out there have red & yellow packaging! Toothpaste (lots of red brands), mac-n-cheese single cups (very yellow), Glad storage bags are literally red and yellow.

So I had my red container, red and yellow care package items – I added a yellow ribbon with a gift tag featuring the Ronald McDonald House’s logo and voila – a care package centerpiece worthy of this fundraising event!

Hope this helps inspire you to make a centerpiece for a great cause that speaks to your heart!

L,

Mrs. Alex Paul

My 15 Must-Have Items for Baby’s First Year

As I’m sitting here, three weeks from Kesler’s 1st birthday, I can’t believe how fast time has gone.

But also how s l o w l y. Especially at night. When he wouldn’t sleep. And I had to pat his back for 87 hours.

But really, it feels like just yesterday I was researching what items to register for. Trying to figure out what things I absolutely had to have, what items I could skip, what items wouldn’t clutter up my small apartment.

SO. Now that I’m a year older and (hopefully) wiser, I thought I’d share my 13 must-have items for baby’s first year. Obviously I used WAY more stuff than this in his first year. But without these 13 items, I don’t think I could have survived.

Hopefully this list helps you as you start researching all the many, many things out there for babies!

Starting least expensive to most expensive…

  1. White Noise App: [FREE] We use this app EVERY SINGLE DAY. Ok, I know it’s not an item, but it is still crucial. We did register for an actual white noise machine that we use daily as well. But it just is not loud enough! This app is a lifesaver. And it’s awesome for when you travel, long car rides, etc. My husband, my mom and I all have it on our phones.
  2. Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes: [8.99] I have no words for how much my baby loves this toy. It’s so simple, so compact, so inexpensive…yet priceless. This toy is a survivor. My baby has thrown it, launched it, teethed on it and it still plays on. Also, I think it’s important to note that the songs aren’t annoying (unlike some other toys out there). It is seriously the best 9 dollars you’ll ever spend.
  3. Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water: [10.99] I had never heard of gripe water until our Nurse Practitioner recommended it for our gassy baby. It became a daily staple, especially before bed. This was most useful during the first 6 months of Kesler’s life. And honestly, I felt like it made a difference within 15 minutes.
  4. NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator: [15.99]: When I first heard about it, I wasn’t so sure about this NoseFrida business. I mean sucking out boogers? I got a bulb syringe from the hospital for free, I thought that would do the trick! WRONG. When our baby got his first cold at 10 months, the NoseFrida was the only way we could clear his nose so he could drink his bottle. The process it a little intense..obviously no baby is fond of having a tube up his nose vacuuming up his insides. But even though it’s probably a little traumatic, it is ABSOLUTELY worth it.
  5. Halo Sleepsack Swaddle: [19.99] We registered for a lot of different swaddling items. For the first few months, we used muslin swaddle blankets. All good. But when the time came that Kesler started to roll over and we could no longer swaddle him in the blanket. All. hell. broke. loose. He wouldn’t sleep, he couldn’t deal with having his arms loose. This little velcro’d swaddle saved us. We were able to train him on sleeping with just one arm out for a few weeks, then both arms out. It’s also nice that they have different fabrics depending on the time of year.
  6. Phillips Avent Fast Bottle Warmer: [20.49] I had a hard time choosing a bottle warmer. I read a lot of reviews but didn’t feel like there was a clear winner, so I took a chance on this Avent bottle warmer. I had chosen Avent baby bottles, so I figured I’d stick with this brand. So far, one year in, I have zero complaints! It heats up bottles super fast and has never malfunctioned. It just gets the job done and I never have to think about it. One less thing to worry about as a stressed out parent!
  7. Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer: [28.00] Speaking of warming things, let’s talk wipes. I know there’s a lot of debate out there about wipe warmers in general. But let me just say, I am a HUGE FAN. My baby has NEVER ONCE cried during a diaper change. EVER. In nearly a full year. Let that sink in. Never during any diaper change has a cold wipe woken him up in the middle of the night. I call that a major win. Also, I have had no issues with mold. Honestly the wipes never sit in the warmer that long. They’re constantly getting used and re-stocked. I say, GET THAT WARMER.
  8. Infantino Go Gaga Deluxe Twist & Fold Gym: [36.99] This little play mat was the first thing we ever registered for. My husband and I looked at a ton of mats, and for some reason we were both drawn to this one. It doesn’t have alllll the bells and whistles that other ones have. But it truly is the perfect play mat. Our baby was on this mat every. single. day. He absolutely loved the toys that came with it, the little mirror and especially the musical elephant. It’s going to be an emotional day in the Paul household when we have to put this play mat in storage.
  9. Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker: [44.99] First of all, I’d like to point out that we didn’t register for this item. We registered for the 4moms Rockaroo that we received and enjoyed. But this chair was infinitely more useful. It’s more portable, so I was able to take it with me to the kitchen while cooking, the bathroom while showering, the bedroom while putting away laundry, etc. It was just a wonderful little chair with delightful toys that kept our baby entertained long enough for us to get stuff done. I thought I’d love the more expensive chair more, but this little Fisher Price one is everything you need.
  10. Boppy Pillow: [49.98] I got the naked Boppy Pillow and registered for a slipcover. Such a simple idea: a pillow that curves to your body. But I honestly don’t think I could have survived this year without it. I used it every single day, usually 3+ times a day. The naked pillow came in a plastic carrying case, so i took it everywhere with us while traveling. (And the traveling case still had room for mother’s tea, extra nipple pads, etc.) If you plan on breastfeeding for longer than a few weeks, I highly recommend this pillow!
  11. 4moms Infant Tub: [59.99] Before I get into how much I love this tub, I need to specify that I don’t use it 100% as the directions say to. Rather than use it in the sink, I use it in our bathtub. I also went past the 6 month mark and am still using it at 11 months. Ok, back to praising the tub. I LOVE IT. I’m so thankful it has the built in temperature reader. I always take really hot showers, so I’m not great at knowing when water is exactly between 93 and 100. I know some reviews say their kids grew out of it too quickly, but honestly, mine will probably go until he is a year old. He’s not a short kid either, he’s in the 91st percentile for height.
  12. Skip Hop Activity Center: [119.99] We never registered for an activity center. Not sure why, I just assumed we wouldn’t need one? But boy was I wrong. This is an absolute necessity. It helps strengthen his legs and get him ready for standing. But most importantly, it entertains Kesler long enough for me to get stuff done! The little lights and sounds are delightful as are all the toys it comes with. And I love that it can turn into a kids table after he grows out of it!
  13. Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor: [299.99] We’ve reached the end of my list, #13. The most expensive but also the most valuable. I’m telling you now, I couldn’t not have lived without the Owlet. I didn’t register for it, but luckily I received it as a gift from my aunt. Words cannot describe the relief it provides. To be able to open the app and see that Kesler’s “readings are normal” is incredible. With SIDS always in the back of my mind, the Owlet allowed my husband and I to sleep soundly. We’re fortunate that we never had an episode that caused the alarm to go off, but I do have friends who have experienced some scary situations. And the Owlet absolutely saved their baby’s life. So I know this is incredibly pricey, but truly, it is worth every penny and more.

So there you have it. The 13 things I could not have lived without. Like I said earlier, there are SO many things you’ll need when caring for your little one, but these 13 items were the most valuable for my husband and I. As first time parents, now a year into parenthood, I hope this list helps you with your registry. And please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Warmly,
Mrs. Alex Paul

Romantic Huntington Beach Wedding

This year, Alex and I are celebrating our 7 year wedding anniversary.

SEVEN YEARS.

(And no itch here, lol)

I think about my wedding day often – not just because it was the absolute best day of my life – but because I’m lucky enough to work at the very place I got married. And each time I see couples get married on that lawn, I think about all the happy memories I celebrated in that same spot.

Cheers to July 30, 2011

Planner: Lisa Simpson
Venue: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
Photographer: Kathleen Clark
Lighting: PSAV
Florist: Fantasy Floral Designs
Chair Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals
Dress: Deborah’s Bridal

L,
Mrs. Alex Paul

A Nautical Nursery

It’s taken me a little while to post about my nursery..caring for a 3 month old is no joke.

But here it is, our nautical nursery.

It only took me about a minute to decide that I wanted a nautical nursery for our Kesler. I love the blues and grays for a little boy’s room and I especially love that the theme can be so versatile. From an East Coast Cape Cod feel to a laid back, California vibe, you can really make it all your own.

And living in Newport Beach, California – I’m partial to anything ocean related!

The central inspiration for the nursery was this whale print.

I’M OBSESSED.

It’s handmade in Portugal and after MONTHS of searching for the perfect above-the-crib artwork, I was so excited to find this on Etsy.

While the main pieces of furniture were more classic items, I focused the nautical theme on the smaller details: an anchor lamp, a sand dollar marquee, the octopus plush, etc.

There are some special, handmade items in Kesler’s nursery that makes it more personal. The marquee is from a small business, Junk Art Gypsyz. And the whale plush was handmade by my wonderful sister in law!

I was also lucky enough to receive these beautiful Pottery Barn baskets from a coworker whose kids no longer needed them. They couldn’t be more perfect!

 

One important aspect I wanted to focus on for the nursery (other than just decor) was storage. I wanted to be able to display some of the cute baby items but also hide them so the room didn’t look too cluttered. This storage cube system and navy striped bins are absolutely perfect.

One small detail that I’m extra in love with – these anchor drawer knobs. They add something special to an otherwise simple dresser.

And I love that pop of white on the dark wood.

Overall, I didn’t want the room to scream “a baby lives here” because I want all of these items to grow with him. I mean, even the crib will continue to be his bed as he gets older!

I’m so happy with how this room turned out and so excited for all the wonderful memories we have made – and will continue to make in this very special room.

Details:
I set a budget of $1,000 for all of the new, nautical themed items in the room. From the crib and dresser to the octopus plush and drawer knobs – the total came in at $995.67 for everything listed below. I was also lucky enough to be gifted many of these items for my baby shower.

Crib in Rustic White: Target
Anchor Lamp: Target
Cube Storage in Gray: Target
Navy Stripe Cube Storage Bin: Target
Whale Crib Bedding: Target
Whale Changing Pad Cover: Target
Dresser in Dark Gray: Ikea
Anchor Drawer Knobs: Hobby Lobby
Octopus Plush: Target
Sand Dollar Marquee: JunkArtGypsyz
Whales Canvas Poster: Arminho

Hope this helps you design a special nautical themed nursery for your own bundle of joy!

L,

Mrs. Alex Paul

Black and White Dinner Party

One of my New Year’s resolutions for this year was to entertain more.

I’m always saying to my husband, “we should have so-and-so over,” or “this recipe is delicious, we should make it for a dinner party.”

But here we are, married for 6 years and we rarely have people over. (All that serveware I registered for going to waste!)

So, this year, I decided to host a Cousin Potluck Dinner for the cousins on my dad’s side of the family. A dinner party that was 18 people big. #gobigorgohome

The main inspiration for this dinner party was this paper placemat. It’s elegant, yet casual and has a fun vintage feel to it.

I knew I wanted to highlight the design with a clear glass plate (9 inches) and silverware that mimicked the drawn cutlery.

I also wanted to keep the black and white theme with a marble placecard. These are actually marble subway tiles from a hardware store..less than $1 each!

The centerpieces were a combination of white hydrangeas, white roses and mini pink carnations.

 

Along with the black and white theme, I wanted it to feel warm and romantic. I found tall candelabras at Goodwill and paired them with small mercury glass votives filled with roses.

All in all, my first major dinner party was a success.

It was such a fun evening full of candlelight, beautiful flowers and amazing memories <3 Thank you to my wonderfully large family for joining me for our first annual Cousin Potluck Dinner!

Hope this helps you plan a black and white soiree of your own!

Rentals (Chiavari Chairs, plates, silverware, napkins, water glasses): Party Plus Rentals
Paper Placemats: Hester and Cook
Black and White Straws: Target
Marble Placecards: Lowe’s

L,
Mrs. Alex Paul

Greeting Card Keepsake DIY

Today, I hit 39 weeks of pregnancy. #terrifying

And this nesting business is in full force.

And you know what? It hasn’t made me the most rational human being. Yes, I want all the laundry done and bathrooms cleaned. But the one thing that was driving me crazy..the greeting cards from my baby shower.

I just NEEDED them to be organized.

So on my last Friday night before my c-section, that’s what I did. #livingmybestlife

I bought this mini-binder from Target (so many cute options!).

I arranged all the cards from smallest to biggest – then I started with my largest card and worked my way forward.

Did my friends & family get me the cutest cards or what?!

And voila – all my baby shower greeting cards arranged in one adorable little binder and displayed in the nursery!

Now I should probably get to the rest of my to-do list..like the actual stuff I need to get done before the baby gets here!

OR maybe I’ll just sit here and read these wonderful cards and ball my eyes out. #hormones

L,

Mrs. Alex Paul