There was a time over the hard lockdown that I thought that there was no way I would be able to celebrate our baby at her very own baby shower. It made me sad as I believe that every child should be celebrated and she deserved to as well.

As lockdown eased and small gatherings were allowed I knew exactly what I wanted to do… a small and intimate gathering with 10 of my closest friends, in a private space, we’d enjoy a glass of champagne, have brunch and cake and we’d open gifts…

I knew just the person / place I wanted to have the shower and that was the incredibly talented and humble Joani Mitchell… I had the pleasure of meeting Joani seven years ago at her home just a few months after she appeared on MasterChef South Africa in 2003. I was the first journalist to interview and photograph her after she fell out of the show in Season 1. She went on to appear on the cover of the magazine I was working for at the time.

Over the last few years we have remained in touch via social media and often bumping into each other at events and around our neighbourhood.

Since MasterChef, Joani’s incredible passion for the kitchen sparked a whole career for the ex-fashion designer and homemaker. She has pursued a career in food and hospitality running her food and catering business Joanis Meza from her home, Woodbury House in La Lucia which is also a luxurious, professional bed & breakfast and THE most beautiful venue in which Joani hosts both private and corporate events at.

I just knew a baby shower at Joani’s would be INCREDIBLE – for so many reasons… the venue – being private and intimate… perfect given the current climate of COVID and picturesque and the FOOD would be an absolute treat!

When Joani and I firmed up a date and a menu the next call was to my insanely talented friend Tash at The Creativity Lab to see if she’d be keen to conceptualise the event decor for me and she had free rein!

Fast forward a month later…

MY BABY SHOWER…

To say that it was perfect is an understatement! It truly was everything I could have ever have dreamt of and MORE! From the venue to the decor, the food, the friends, the gifts and the spoils, and sharing it all with my daughter for her soon-to-be sister… it was beyond special!

THE DECOR:
My request – classic feminine! The result… macrame, dried florals and pampas grass, touches of terra-cotta, soft fabric, shades of pink, rose gold, blush and copper…

The result… beyond beautiful!

Tash and her team at The Creativity Lab set the most beautiful table with a mix of macrame and straw placemats, dried florals and pampas as centre pieces amongst beautiful jars and tall candle stick holders. Gold and white cutlery with grey plates paired with gold chairs. Two peacock chairs were set up for Maddie and I to open presents in front of a beautiful macrame backdrop, terra-cotta vase with dried florals and pampas and the most gorgeous ‘Oh Baby’ lit up pink sign.

My cake table was set up on cart with an assortment of balloons put together by the team at Mad Hatters Balloons in Ballito and the table also featured an assortment of macarons made by Monz Macarons in my colour palate. Ruby Tuesday Biscuit Studio did an assortment of beautiful themed biscuits which were displayed in giant closhes. A personalised biscuit from was also made and displayed at each guest’s place mat at the table. Our beautiful feature cake, made by Hey Batter Batter Cakes was a five layer vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream icing with an ombre effect, dripped in white chocolate and topped with roses and macarons.

THE FOOD:

Joani put together the MOST DELICIOUS spread for my guests and I! The brunch included four courses;

Hermanus Fontein sparkling wine on arrival with an assortment of light canapés around the pool area…

Followed by a seated starter of yoghurt and fruit parfait…

This was followed by a bacon/salmon rose, avo stack on a rye base topped with poached eggs, rosa tomatoes and seasoned mushrooms…

And ended off with a selection of Joani’s signature pastries and cakes including a decadent chocolate cake, a carrot cake and a cheese cake with a cheese and preserve board served with tea and coffee…

Needless to say we were well fed and BLOWN AWAY by the food! Joani is an incredibly talented chef and prepares all her incredible dishes in her kitchen with ease! Absolutely effortless and so yummy! A ten out of ten for the food!

THE GUESTS:
Due to COVID and being 35 weeks pregnant I chose to only invite 10 of my closest friends to join in the celebration. It was also important for me to ensure that all my guests who were invited felt comfortable being around each other so I really tried to keep it small and intimate. It meant a lot for each one of my special friends – both old and new to join us in the celebration given the current climate.

These ladies will truly never know what it meant to me to have them apart of mine and Maddie’s special day!

THE GIFTS:

Maddie’s highlight of the morning – opening the presents!

We were so incredibly spoilt by our friends and Maddie absolutley loved unwrapping and unpacking all the spoils for her baby sister!

THANK YOU GIFTS:

I put together thank you boxes for each of my guests to take home which included a selection of items I love from a few of my favourite local brands. Each box was personalised with the guest’s name using Prezzie‘s rose gold labels and the box included; a Bianca Warren face mask, a thank you biscuit from Ruby Tuesday Biscuit Studio, a pack of macarons from Monz Macarons, a pair of Luxe Leather Earrings and a satin scrunchie from Kimo Scrunchies. Any opportunity to spoil the ones I love!

All in all, I honestly had the most special baby shower, filled with incredible memories I will never forget!

Here’s a short video of the day…

SUPPLIERS & SERVICE PROVIDERS:
A huge thank you to the following suppliers for jumping on board for my baby shower:

@furniturelabkzn for the furniture hire
@artesenseonline for the macrame backdrop
@thecreativity.lab for conceptualising the event
@functionfoundry for the decor and florals
@flare_glare_sa for the Oh Baby sign
@mitchelljoani for the venue and catering
@hpf_skapie for the champagne
@monz_macarons for the macarons
@ruby_tuesdaysbiscuitstudio for the themed biscuits
@heybatterbatter_cakes for the feature cake
@madhatterspartyshopballito for balloons
@biancawarrensa for dressing me and for spoiling my guests with masks
@luxe_leatherearrings for dressing my ears and allowing me to spoil my guests with a pair of earrings
@prezzie_za for making personalised labels for my gift boxes
@kimoscrunchies for scrunchies for my guests
@stories_by_goya for photographing my special day

Until next time, 

www.beingmaddiesmom.com | @being_maddies_mom
mondevill@gmail.com