The Year of the Rabbit: Celebrating Margot Part I

Today is the first day in the Year of the Dragon.  Which made me think, predictably, about the Year of the Rabbit.  Last year, to be exact.  The Year of the Rabbit is particularly special because it was the year my little niece Margot was born.  And because her dad is Chinese, we went with a (loose) Year of the Rabbit theme for my sister's baby shower.  Although it was months ago now (Margot is about to start eating solid food!), I still love the details of this party enough to share them.

I think it is a fine line to walk when you are planning a baby shower (from a distance!) based around a theme like the Year of the Rabbit.  How to be focused but not cheesy?  How to reference the theme without beating the proverbial dead horse (or, as the case may be, the dead rabbit)?  I am pleased to say I think we struck the perfect note with Margot's shower.

Because red is not only lucky in Chinese culture, but also my sister's favorite color, we felt that we had to go with red for the shower.  Beginning with the invitations, I wanted the feel to be fresh and modern and clean and not stereotypical.   I was so pleased to work with edencreativestudio on the invitations:

With red and gray and rounded corners  and a sweet reference to a "little dumpling", I thought the invitations set the perfect tone.

The Rabbit theme continued, albeit subtly, at the event itself.  Beginning with Zach's amazing origami rabbits, which he lovingly folded for me in advance of the party and which I carried on the plane in order to prevent crushing.  Aren't they both so sophisticated and so sweet?

We put one at each place setting for a welcoming touch.

Speaking of place settings, we ended up going with simple, silver-rimmed white chine.  Very traditional but still very clean, we "fancied" up a white tablecloth with three wide grosgrain red ribbons.   The finishing touch for the table was a runner of centerpieces that also served as favors for all the guests.  Remember  Middle Kingdom?  My sister loves their pottery, so we bought each guest a small reddish-orange Middle Kingdom jar.  We took them to a local florist who crafted utterly beautiful and really modern centerpieces for us (and each centerpiece was only $6!  Such a steal!).  Single dahlia blooms, moss and puffballs of bright green were the perfect fresh touch.

Stay tuned for more details, including the menu and the activities!

Middle Kingdom (and Manor is online!)

You all know about my love for Manor Fine Wares, perhaps my favorite home store in Portland (not only for their excellent products but also because the owners are so nice- they make it a pleasure to shop there).  When Lissa was visiting, she spotted these beautiful bowls from Middle Kingdom.

I love these bowls for so many reasons.  The colors are beautiful and so fresh, and the contrasting tones on the inside and outside make for a striking display.  The porcelain is thin and fine.  The shape is utterly practical and yet completely feminine.  They are a modern representation of traditional Chinese porcelain.  (Also, they are really reasonably priced).

I have already given sets of nesting bowls as gifts, most often to celebrate a wedding, and they have been so well-received. 

You can now buy them online from Manor, since (happy day!) Manor now has an online shop!  It has been months in coming, and I have already spent too much time perusing their wares.  As if I didn't spend enough time physically in the shop, I now find myself wiling away the hours dreaming about which bed linens I should buy...