Three plus years ago, when I started this little blog, my intention was just to have a new hobby and a place to keep track of my growth as a cook and baker. It’s now so, so much more. You see, my dear readers, I never anticipated making so many friends with so many wonderful people. People who know what my mom has taught me from a very young age–that food is love. Food brings people together. It gives people a reason to celebrate and share a little piece of themselves with those they care about.
Shortly after my engagement, Amy, the warm and welcoming hostess of Sing for Your Supper e-mailed me to ask if she could possibly throw a virtual bridal shower for me. I was so overjoyed. I’m not ashamed to admit I actually teared up a little bit. The thought of someone I’ve never actually met in real life (we need to fix that, girl!) offering to throw me a shower was just so darn sweet. I accepted and have been anticipating it ever since. So now, just nine days before I become a mrs, I get to share this post, which shows just how thoughtful, giving, and generally incredible all my blogging friends are. Amy has a roundup on her blog as well, so be sure to click here to check it out!
Courtney of Cook Like a Champion starts the shower off right with these gorgeous, feminine peach and strawberry bellinis. They’re perfect for a shower or any girly gathering because they’re simple to make and can be adapted to use any of your favorite fruits. Cheers!
Karen keeps the party going with these champagne cocktails. They’re bubbly and pretty, just the way a girly drink should be! To get the recipe, head on over to her blog Loves To Eat.
Cara of Cara’s Cravings keeps the feminine theme going with this fantastic spiced beet soup. I love beets, so this soup with its vibrant color, Asian spices, and super cute garnish are right up my alley!
Shawnda, the uber talented hostess ofConfections of a Foodie Brideknows what I like, as well. I love purses, so how could I possibly say no to phyllo purses filled with oozy with goat cheese and crispy pancetta filling?
Bridget, the master of comparison posts and author of The Way The Cookie Crumbles, brought another sure winner. These shrimp canapes are little toasts topped with salted butter, shrimp, dill, and mayonnaise. Simple but delicious, and so perfect for a bridal shower. Thanks Bridget!
Nikki, the creative force behind Pennies on a Platter, combined veggies with sandwiches with these savory Dijon ham and asparagus roll-ups. In just a few steps, she created this elegant appetizer, which would also make for a great lunch or a light dinner.
Despite the name of her blog Peace, Love, and French Fries, Lindsay brought this healthy salad, which she calls the Indulge Salad. It’s a copycat of one of her restaurant favorites and strikes the perfect balance of flavors–a little creaminess from the goat cheese and avocado, and a nice crunch from the pistachios, all topped with an easy homemade Italian dressing. It feels indulgent, but we get to save our calories for dessert!
Branny, as we all call her, hosts Branny Boils Over. Much like Cara, she is always sharing healthy and flavorful recipes. I learn so much from her blog and I’m sure you will, too. Branny contributed this yummy-looking pizza to my shower. As if pizza couldn’t get any better, this one has a pink crust!
Josie hosts Pink Parsley, a decidedly Southern blog. Being from Oklahoma, I love my Southern food and I just love her recipes. She brought these incredible cinnamon crescents, which are made from yeasted dough, coated in cinnamon sugar, and stuffed with golden raisins. She says the flavor is similar to that of churros. Who wouldn’t love that?
Amy, aka The Nifty Foodie, couldn’t have possibly known how perfect these treats are when she made them. First off, I love s’mores…always have, always will. But when you make those s’mores with homemade graham crackers, homemade mixed berry marshmallows, and nutella…heaven!
I talked about how much M loves lemon desserts, so I think I’ll just keep these gems away from him. Jen, the Beantown Baker, made lemon meringue cupcakes filled with homemade lemon curd and toasted marshmallow meringue frosting. Oh yum!
Amy, our hostess with the mostest, made a dessert that is not only eye-catching but sentimental, as well. Her peach bellini cupcakes are bound to hit the spot. After all, who on Earth could resist moist champagne cake with peach schnapps and bits of diced peaches baked in, then topped with a peachy champagne buttercream frosting? I certainly wouldn’t be able to resist these or Courtney’s bellini cocktails and neither would Stephanie, the sister I lost last year who loved everything peachy, especially bellinis. Amy, thank you so much for hosting this shower for me and for making sure my sister was there…if only through peaches, champagne, and frosting.
Annie, of Annie’s Eats, is the only blogging friend I’ve had the chance to meet in real life. We were both on Kiawah Island, South Carolina at the same time one summer and knew we couldn’t miss the chance to meet up. (To see our meet up, click over to her blog!) Of course, Annie is just as sweet in person as she comes across on her blog.
Always the gracious hostess, she made favors for everyone. And not just any favors…truffles! Coconut, blackberry, lemon chiffon, and strawberry cheesecake, oh my! Ever thoughtful, she even e-mailed me to ask about my wedding colors so she could make fillings using those colors and wrap the boxes up in ribbons to match!
Thank you so much for hosting this virtual event in my honor. Your hard work and thoughtfulness have made me feel so special. As if I couldn’t be any more excited for the big day, this shower has really put it all over the top. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
perfect bridal shower,..;-)
Happy shower, Kelsey! Everyone did such a beautiful job, which is exactly what you deserve. I am so happy for you and Michael. Cheers!
This spread sure would make a great shower! Congrats again – so happy for you.
Everyone did such an awesome job! I'm so sorry I couldn't participate. I'm so excited for you and Michael, you deserve everything wonderful that's come, and is coming, to you.
THese are great! Congrats!
Congrats again, Kelsey – I'm so happy for you. This shower was so much fun – maybe one day we'll be able to do something like this in person!
Everything looks amazing and congratulations!!
Congrats Kelsey – I hope you have a wonderful wedding and a beautiful future together!
Happy Shower Day! We're all very happy for you!
Congrats Kelsey! Best wishes to you and M as your big day approaches!
Dearest Kelsey, you inspired HOPE to me when I was going through my separation/heartache/divorce last year, THANK YOU.You've found real love, that will last. YAY!<3 Sadie
Congrats again, Kelsey! We're so happy for you and hope you have a fantastic wedding day and marriage!
Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming nuptials, Kelsey! All of these dishes are just divine, and you are such a lucky girl to have such close blogging friends to do this for you. Thanks for sharing this lovely post. You have a beautiful blog and I look forward to seeing more! 🙂
Um, this post totally just made me tear up! I love what you said about your sister. So sweet. It was my absolute pleasure to do this for you- thank you for letting me! I wish you and Michael all the very best! You're going to be SO happy together, I know it! 🙂 Love you girl!
Congratulations!
Had so much fun doing this, Congrats Kelsey!
This is such a sweet and fantastic idea! All of that food looks beautiful and is making me hungry!
Thank you so much, everyone! I have been on cloud nine all day with all the beautiful food, friends, and comments about Michael, me, and our life together. I am so, so blessed!
what an awesome turn out! you're so popular! i love reading my seestor's blog!
What a fabulous idea to have a virtual shower. Thank you, ladies, for making my daughter feel so very special just a few days before she becomes Mrs. M. I can't wait to they your ideas. Kelsey, Thank you for always loving to cook with me. We have created many wonderful memories through food. You are so right, cooking for those you care about is a very special way to show our love. After all, what fun is it to have a great recipe if you can't share it with someone you love. Happy 8 days before your wedding. I love you!
Congratulations on the wedding!! Came over here from Annie's site. Looks like you've made some awesome bloggy friends 🙂
I also stumbled upon your blog after seeing the lovely truffles Annie made for your shower and have already bookmarked several of your recipes. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and have a fabulous time in Hawaii!
Kelsey, thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of your wonderful shower! I cannot wait to see your wedding pictures, and I'm so happy for you and Michael! I hope we can have a shindig like this in person one day. 🙂