Real Baby Shower: An Old World Circus

Elizabeth and I are lucky enough to be able to look at a lot of over-the-top gorgeous baby showers.  We love that every day when we check our mailbox there's always something sweet that make our hearts go pitter-patter.  But, every now and then we get a particularly special email -- one that when we open the attachments we can't help but gasp -- because the details and photography transport us to another far off world for just a few magical moments.  And, this is exactly what happened when we saw Janae Hardy's glitzy glamourous photographs.  So get ready, dear readers, because this evening Janae is taking you on a photographic journey back in time to the circus!  Designed by the sweet Sharon of Sharon Taylor Designs this shower has it all -- camels from the Far East, caged lions and tigers (oh my!), plenty of sparkle, and a high glamor color palette!  The bottom line -- this shower is filled to the brim with lots of wonderful old world charm!  Our only regret is that we weren't able to sneak in and catch a few acts. :)
      














From Janae Hardy... I photographed another baby shower that Sharon of Sharon Taylor Designs designed. The guest of honor was Megan. Doesn’t she look beautiful? The shower was just perfect. Sharon really knows how to make things cute. She adds the smallest touches that make a BIG difference. Everything was darling, from the hats on the plastic animals to the marshmallows sprinkled atop the cookies. 

From Sharon... Highlights: The dessert/gift bar was designed w/the baby's nursery in mind. For the engine of the circus train {so to speak}...The pram was found at a local thrift store. It was in good shape when found, but needed some dressing up. The avocado green paint was chipping. So, Will and I fixed it up by giving it a high gloss black lacquer. Rhinestones were added to the wheels. It's over one hundred years old and is a Heywood Wakefield, which means it will never lose it's value. The mom to be will use this in the nursery to store all of the baby's diapers next to the baby changing station, that is currently being upcycled.

The circus train is actually a side table that I found at Hobby Lobby. I thought it's lines looked like a caged circus train. Vintage animals were dressed up to come along to this event. They will be my gift to the mom to be. I hope she likes them. The hippo box is a commissioned art piece made by my sister. The letter "H" will be the first initial of the sweet bebe. Two more darling art boxes have been created for the nursery as well...."B", and "C".

Cupcake toppers: Designed by my daughter, Eleanor Taylor. She was my wonderful assistant that day. Thank you Elle!!

Other Details: Delicious cookies, made by the sister-in-law, Annie, were tied to the circus train as an added twist to the standard dessert bar...the animals and guests gobbled them up in short order! A candy station was set up using an old $5 bookshelf that I painted a crisp white. Paper discs were made from green craft paper found at IPA.

This shower was a lot of fun, but I cannot wait to show you the nursery that is almost finished! 


Photography: Janae Hardy Photography / Planning & Design: Sharon Taylor Designs / Cupcakes: Amycakes / Other Sweets: Champagne, Fruit Punch w/Sorbet, Dippers w/assorted Fondues / Cupcake toppers: Eleanor Taylor / Flowers: The Nest {anemone, hypericum, wildflowers, gooseneck, green button mums, carnations} / Venue: Fedora Social House {Historic pub in downtown Sprinfield specializing in cocktails and fondues}