You couldn’t script a friendship story sweeter than that of Emily Owen and Rachelle Schwartz. The duo first met at a private design studio and immediately hit it off. Fast forward 11 years: they’re still besties, plus the head honchos behind a successful paper studio, and currently, both expecting. Fairytale friendship, right? Our whole team was in love with the eco-friendly and sustainable stationery that the girls create at Wiley Valentine, but once we laid eyes on this sweet baby shower brunch that Emily hosted for Rochelle (with the help of event planner and friend, Nili Stevens), our fandom reached new levels. Click through for all the lovely details…
*photography by Andrea Patricia Photography
Emily, tell us about the precious invitation suite you designed for the brunch?
E: Obviously paper is always a big part of any shower that we throw given that it’s what we do for a living! I really wanted the invite to have some sort of botanical element to it that felt alive, which is why I went with a watercolor. I felt like the watercolor wreath combined with the indentation of the letterpress made for a nice pairing.
E: The shower was originally going to be at a friends house, but due to some unforeseen events we had to move it at the last minute! Thankfully, Fig & Olive was actually Rachelle’s dads idea and it ended up being a great one… they were amazing! Their décor is so gorgeous yet simple and understated. It’s so light and bright inside the restaurant, perfect for what I had envisioned.
Rachelle, what did you love about the event?
R: I really loved the flow of the shower. The day began with passed hors d’ouevres and mimosas and a lot of mingling. This is so key when hosting an event at a restaurant, so everyone has a chance to walk around and talk. Then we sat down and chose our courses from gorgeous menus Emily created, and I bounced around once the dessert course came so I could visit with everyone. It was the most perfect day!
As besties, it must be so fun being pregnant at the same time. Would you say it’s bonded you even more?
R: It’s beyond exciting that Emily and I are both pregnant. We are truly able to share the joys and the frustrations of pregnancy together. It makes such a difference to have someone so close to me to share these experiences with, and the thought that our little one’s will be so close in age this time around is so exciting. I cannot wait to see the friendship that forms!
Tell us about the color scheme and concept you ended up going with.
E: The gender of Rachelle’s baby is a surprise, so I wanted the overall feel of the shower to be beautiful and soft without having to be yellow and green. At the end of the day, Rachelle is a pink girl, so I was never going to stray too far away from it! I went with more peaches, creams and mint greens to add to our bright and warm (but not overly stuffy) environment.
Did you use a professional floral designer for these gorgeous arrangements?
E: My mom did them! I have always said my mom can literally do anything and she really can! She is so amazing & multi-talented in so many different creative outlets. I just told her the colors and the feel I wanted, I picked out the flowers and then, she went from there! Again, she’s amazing.
Now, for the good stuff. What was on the menu?
Appetizers
- Crostini – Chef’s Choice
- Butternut Squash & Chestnut Velouté
- Fig & Olive Salad
- Fig Gorgonzola Tartlet
Main Course
- French Omelet
- Grilled Thyme Chicken Paillard
- Riviera Organic Salmon
Dessert
- Caramelized Apple Tart
- Chocolate Pot de Creme
- Crunchy Praline Financiers & Vanilla Cream
*drool*
The whole event looks magical, but if you had to choose, what would you saw was the most memorable moment of your shower?
R: I think the most memorable part was walking into the beautiful space and seeing all the women closest to me. I was greeted with such love and affection it made me feel so special and loved.
We always love a flower crown. Did you make these yourselves?
E: Yes, my mom flew back from Kauai to get the crowns less than 48 hours before the shower! She found this sweet little old lady that made the crowns by hand and flew them back with her on the plane. She then added some of our flowers and greenery to coordinate with the event.
Worst and best part about being pregnant… go:
R: This time around it’s definitely been much more uncomforatable. Lots of aches and pains, and sickness. A lot of frustration that I can’t be my normal self. But there is something so special and magical about feeling this little person move inside my belly all day.
What is the story behind those adorable vintage baby shoes.
E: I wish I knew what it was about them, but I just HAD to buy them! Just as I was leaving Found Vintage Rentals, owner Jeni Maus, came out from the basement waving these little shoes saying, “You HAVE to have these too!” I obviously said yes! Since they appear to be a boys shoe I felt like that was the one thing I brought that represented the possibility that she might actually not be having another girl. Everyone at Found Vintage Rentals is amazing and Jeni’s collection of items is by far the best I have ever seen.
Did you have any games or interactive elements?
E:I knew based on how much stuff Rachelle already had that she didn’t need a bunch of handmade onesies, or painted blocks or bunting flags across the room. So, I wanted us to make something that had a piece of each of us on it that could be a reminder of how much we love him or her. Once the baby is born one of our calligraphers will write the baby’s name at the top!
