I had such a fun day today talking about babies, playing with friends, eating good food and enjoying great weather!
We kicked things off with a visit to Casa Healthy Tipping Point for an out-of-town guests brunch : )
So fun to see their new house in person! It’s so big and bright and airy!
Caitlin + Kristien made a lovely brunch of french toast, eggs and fruit.
Does this look like an HTP meal to you?! I tried one of the gluten-free breads for fun and it was pretty good!
Next up there was a short walk in the neighborhood and a book signing (!!)
And then we headed to Fabo Café for the main event –
Mellow Mushroom donated the food for the event and we had pizza galore!
Plus lemonade + seltzer drinks, my fav. Nicole and Jen did a wonderful job with the shower details. Check out the fabulous straws they found on Etsy!
In preparation for the afternoon, Caitlin donned her guest of honor hat
I would say this baby is about 14 weeks gestation!? Ha.
Caitlin’s mom made the hat. She is truly a JOY to be around!
Caitlin had one game to play – a “guess what this is for” game involving all the things a new mom might encounter.
Any clues to what this is!? It was one of the few I didn’t know ….and the answer shocked me!
Kristien was such a good sport : ) I love having the dad in the house
Baby mamas in the house!
Our next game was called “eat the cupcakes!” They were from a local bakery (Polka Dot Bake Shop)
The best red velvet I’ve ever had! I usually feel like I can taste food coloring or something, but these were outstanding. Gluten-free too!?
After we were sweetened up, it was present time!
Gifts!
I bought them two prints off the registry – letterpress from Etsy. Such cute phrases!
When the shower concluded, I went back to Caitlin’s to play
We ended up having lots of girl talk in the nursery as we put away presents
Over afternoon tea! Kristien brought up the tray for the ladies to enjoy
Best cup of tea I’ve had in ages. He sure knows what he’s doing!
By dinnertime I reconnected with Matt and Liam (one had been at Conor’s new brewery, Birdsong, and one had been napping…)
We wanted to try out Cowfish for dinner, which I hear is amazing, but evidently so because the wait was too long, so we ended up at Zink, which was one of our favorite restaurants when we lived here, although it was Uptown and this space was M5!
Liam was pumped for patio dining under “brellas”
We shared the calamari to start
I wasn’t too hungry (I had had another bite of cupcake with my tea) so I went for a salad topped with pimento cheese fritters (!!) and salmon
I couldn’t even finish it – too full!
Matt had an incredible potato-crusted shrimp dish with fries (tried one of each)
And Liam said that his green beans were fab!
Goodnight!!!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
It looks like you had a great day – and Caitlin’s shower looks adorable! I’m glad you enjoyed the gluten free bread and cupcake – so many people assume that gluten free just isn’t as good, but that’s so not true! Just different! Glad you had a great time!
Allie@LiveLaughEat says
Fun fun! So many beautiful bellies.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Liam is so cute!!
Looks like a super fun day too! 🙂
Brittany (healthy slice of life) says
Aw, I’m so bummed I was out of town and missed the shower! It looks like it was a fun time and I would have loved to chat with you. Safe travels back home!
Wendy says
Hi Kath! Looked like it was a fun filled day! I was just wondering at what that white sheet things that Caitlin is holding. It was rather difficult to google 🙂 Thanks so much for your answer! Really enjoyed all the great food photos! Love all the beaming momma faces!!!
KathEats says
It’s a PAD you wear after birth because (according to the other moms) “Always Super Plus Ultra Absorbent isn’t strong enough”
susan says
It’s like wearing a diaper. Even with c-sections they are a (very unattractive) must-have.
I love the look on her face!
jessica says
woo hoo! i was almost right! looked kinda like the pad they put on the bed after birth but they’re a lot bigger than the ones in the photo. i have a couple friends who just wore diapers after (eek!)
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
Babies bloggers n cupcakes. So sweet!
Sana says
The shower looks like so much fun!
Lisa says
The top one is a breast pad.
The other one is a butt pad. I think
KathEats says
Correct 🙂
Cait's Plate says
Nipple pads for when she’s breast feeding? At least that’s what it looks like!
That’s so funny you had that experience with Cowfish because we had the EXACT same one. They told us 2.5 hours when we showed up. We contemplated Zink as well but ended up just going to Crate n Barrel and then doing Noodles & Co. cause it was so late. I WILL get to Cowfish one of these days!!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Aww the belly pic is so cute!!! So many new babies coming into the world this year!!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
such a wonderful afternoon! Looks like a lot of fun was had by all 🙂
Angela says
That looks like so much fun! The food photos are making me want blackberries 🙂
Therese says
That doll looks like it’s roughly the size of a 25 weeker we would get in the NICU. Looks like a fun shower!
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
Hahaha…the pads they gave me at the hospital were seriously big enough to wrap around my torso. And the scary part is…you need them!! 🙂
CF says
Is the tall pregnant woman (in the center of the pregnant women picture) a blogger? She looks SO familiar.
KathEats says
Yes, here: http://vivacatalina.com
And very strangely, I met her in a wine bar once in CLT before we moved and she just found KERF recently and emailed me that we are both expecting now!
CF says
HAHA. We used to live at the same apartment complex! I’m going to email her now. Thanks for the link!
KathEats says
So funny!
Katy @ Couch To 5Katy says
I LOVE the purple candles in the first photo! Looks like a great day!
CF says
Those cupcakes look great!
jenna k says
wow, their house is gorgeous! the dining room is so beautiful, and i wish my bedroom looked like their nursery. lovely!
Melinda says
Can you tell me if the tree and birds on the nursery wall are paint or vinyl? Love them with the grey walls!
KathEats says
They are paint! I’m sure she’ll post about them soon
Annette @FitnessPerks says
WHat a fun day!! I LOVE the nursery.
And I want one of those cupcakes now 🙂
Brittney says
It was nice to see you and the bump today! You are glowing :). Hope you enjoyed your visit and have a safe trip back!
KathEats says
🙂 you too Brittany!
j3nn says
Aww, all the preggie mamas look so pretty! Caitlin looks especially stunning on her baby shower day. Blue is her color!
All of the food looks fabulous from brunch to dinner. And I love how the tea was served! So much fun. 🙂
Ali says
I love baby showers! Looks like a fun time.
Allison k says
She must have used MODG’s nursery as an inspiration…they are sooooo similar!
Lily O'Dare says
Hi Kath!
How do you like Mellow Mushroom? My friends that live in Jacksonville, Florida are always there. I live in Miami and we don’t have one 🙁
Your day looked like so much fun! I love seltzer water drinks too.
xo Lily
KathEats says
Like it!
Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says
My favorite part of baby showers is watching the mom-to-be open her gifts – everything is just so cute!! I love the straws. And the pizza looks so good! I think it might be time for me to make pizza soon 🙂 I’m excited for Caitlin to do another post on her nursery (and the baby shower gifts filling it up now!) – it looks like the mural turned out so well!
Nicole @ Yuppie Yogini says
Zink!!! That is the restaurant that replaced M5! Thank you for making the trek to Charlotte for C’s baby shower–I know it meant a lot to her!
Lisa says
What is the yellowy-orange weiner dog shaped object? Looks like you had a blast!
KathEats says
A lamp!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
What a fantastic day!! The shower looks so fun and that nursery is ADORABLE!!
Lou says
Ha, never heard of/seen/used that mega pad…. I was fine with the regular kind 🙂 Lucky me!
Liz says
Looks like a fun day spent with friends! Love the prints that BabyKerf gave BabyHTP 😉
Sunnie(moderngirlnutrition.wordpress) says
Adorable brunch spread and the pizza looks fantastic! What a fun day:)
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
What a fun day! And the shot of all you pregnant ladies is fabulous…wow! There must be something in the water that you all are friends, and are all pregnant at the same time…crazy! 🙂
Grace @ Grace Dishes says
What a lovely get together. The food looks fabulous and you guys look like you had a wonderful time!
mary @ minutespermile says
what a day! matt’s dish looks delicious! and kids are so cute!
Ann says
Are the pics messed up to anyone else??
Kate says
Yes but I thought it was because I’m On my phone!
Simply Life says
oh that shower looks like too much fun!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Wow! What an incredibley fun looking day! Lots of great food and friends celebrating…always the best! I also enjoyed some gluten-free bread…Honey Quinoa and Cinnamon Raisin this weekend and dropped off some Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy and Peanut/Tree Nut Free Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Icing that I made for a friend. Gluten-free can be tasty!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Aww looks like such a fun day! That’s so great that you were able to make the trip to be there for her shower!
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
So much fun!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Looks like such a fun shower! 🙂
susan says
I must of missed the post that explained what the “Healthy Tipping Point” is – can you please tell me or refer me to the post? Thanks so much!
KathEats says
It’s my friend Caitlin’s blog: http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/
She talks about the meaning behind it on her About page
Katryn says
What a great picture of all you lovely expectant ladies! 🙂
Beautiful!
Jasper {crunchylittlebites} says
I always see so many happy mothers-to-be this time of year! Yesterday at church I thin I counted 15…that’s so cool! And it’s lovely to see your awesome recap of the time in Charlotte, Kath. What a fun shower! And our family always has afternoon tea at 3/4 pm. In school, I could count on it next door at my grandmother’s every afternoon. It looks like HTP family does know their tea time!
Angel7 says
Love the straws!
Looks like you had a fun time!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Erin says
Wait…Liam was at a brewery while Matt napped?!
😉
Lara @ TresLaLa to TinyLaLa says
Can you divulge how you were able to get Etsy things from a registry? Is that a MyRegistry.com thing? I haven’t heard of it, but think it’s an awesome idea! Thanks!
KathEats says
Yes, myregistry.com
Katharina says
Love the sneak peak of her nursery. It looks so cute! Love the grey color and tree. Do you know how/why the food for the shower was donated? Does she have a connection to the restaurant?
Kelsey says
So is conor the worlds most amazing donut maker? Did he open birdsong? I had one of the brews while I was in Charlotte + it was yummy!
KathEats says
Hiiiiiii! Yes, that’s him!
Christie says
I don’t really get it– why did Mellow Mushroom donate food for the baby shower? Was it a freebie because HTP/you/others (?) agreed to blog about it? I’m curious how that would work.
KathEats says
I think so, but I wasn’t involved
Zoe @ loseweightandgainhealth says
We don’t do baby showers in England – they look like fun. Do you do them just for first babies or all babies?
chris says
Such great ideas for a baby shower! I was wondering about games, and that looked like fun. Also read about putting a jar by the door for people to write their favorite boy or girl names down, and reading them later. Now I’ve got to go find a UVA onesie!!
Alisha says
I love Zink! They have the best turkey burger ever. And now your post made me hungry.
Lori Ellen says
I know the exact red velvet cupcakes you described from Polka Dot. Di-vine!!
Monica says
Haha, postpartum pads are super sassy! When the hospital sent me home with three of those I was grossed out, such is the healing process though.
MomHTP says
Hi Kath,
I so enjoyed being with you on shower day. I love your blog and it’s easy to see why your the top “dog” in blog world. PS: Liam is precious.
KathEats says
🙂 I very much enjoyed your company too!