The birth of a French Style Baby Shower this Fall

A reader B. asked me for advice. She needs help decorating a baby shower that she is throwing for her friend who likes Toile fabric. Very French indeed!

I was giving a color palette to start with: brown, black, sage and a hint of pink. Not your typical baby shower color scheme. I like that! Different shades of greens, French vanilla and almost black are hot colors right now. Browns are still going strong. It is the Fall season, so I am making the best of it.

Where to start?

I selected items with a typical French style. My goal was that even if you have access to these specific products, you will be able to reproduce the look wherever you live.

You can mix epochs if you examine the pieces carefully. You do not need to be an expert to do it. For example, the Toile fabric dresses share similar thread styles with the Marie-Antoinette plate set although they refers to different social classes and periods.

The shapes of the plates by Rosanna suit a baby or bridal shower. Make the pleasure lasts longer; use the plates at the event and claimed that it is a rental. At the last minute, surprise the guest of honor by packing them in her take-home boxes.

The coasters are from Paula Scaletta. They do not match the greens of the Toile fabric. Natural green shades often goes together if they pass the test. Put them one over the other to see, stand about 1 foot away and check that nothing clashes.

The Breakfast in Paris set is practical. You will be using it in many occasions. It comes in a set of 4 mugs, mugs and plates at Wisteria. The sugar and cream service set adds the finishing touch.

Flower arrangement

The Fleur-de-Lis was the crest of the French monarchy for a while. Fleur-de-Lis means lily flower. Regular lilies smell strongly and they do lack sophistication; so avoid them at any cost.

Red burgundy or rusty orange calla lilies would be my flower of choices for this party. Three to five nicely laid sideways in a wide but narrow glass vase can go a long way. A large porcelain apothecary jar with a can be transformed into a vase for a day.

If you want to be more daring, I propose you a creative flower arrangement. It is impressive how the floral artists at Blume succeed in adding refinement with the Fall harvest theme. I will post a story about Blume later this week.

Baby shower favors

Your girl friends will adore you if the baby shower favor is the luxurious Provence soap. Basically, the lather is richer. These soaps are made from vegetal oils and their perfumes are extracted from flowers.

I proposed Savon de Marseille with crushed local flowers. At $9.50 a 300-gram bar, they are an indulgence but it is worth every penny. Pure lavender, Crushed verbena, Orange and Rose petals are available at French Soaps, a US and French online retailer and distributor. Buy one of each and save 10%.

For a modest budget, Pre de Provence sells 7 guest soap bars for $5.94 (buy 6, get one free offer). Imported from France, Pre de Provence soap scents are formulated by perfumers in Grasse, Provence. You are getting the real thing in a small size, 25 grams (0.88 oz). Sabina from Barefoot in the Orchard recommended Pre de Provence soaps last month in her blog.

That concludes my food for thought about a French Style baby shower party theme. Have fun B. designing and organizing your baby shower event.

SOURCING:
+ Toile Rustic Life in Sage at Fashion Fabrics Club – price: $15.99 / yard
+ Marie Antoinette by Rosanna Inc. – price: $40 USD for a set of 4 plates
+: Breakfast in Paris set of mug, bowl, and plate at Wisteria – price: $84 USD for 4 settings
+ The Paula Scaletta Coaster Collection by Studio Vertu
+ Web site of Blume
+ Savon de Marseille with crushed local flowers at French Soaps – price: $34.20 USD for 4 bars
+ Pre de Provence Guest Soaps at Pre de Provence Soaps – price: $5.94 for 7 bars
+ Via French Soap published on Barefoot in the Orchard