Baby Willard's Gender Reveal Party!!!!

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe I am past the halfway mark in my pregnancy! 22 weeks to be exact! I have been blessed without all of the dreaded symptoms that go along with having a baby.  Some say it's because I am having a boy instead of a girl, others just call me plain old lucky.  I'll chalk it up to lucky...

Jason and I really wanted to do something special to reveal to our family and friends the sex of our baby.  So I decided on a Gender Reveal Party down at the Beach.  I opted to do a Balloon reveal and had a photographer on hand so I didn't have to give anyone camera duty that afternoon.  I wanted it to be gender neutral of course so it made it fun making up all of the little goodies. 

I put together little pails of appetizers to be enjoyed on the beach. I had stickers made that read, "Is Baby Willard a Boy or a Girl?" This became my overall theme on all my coordinating accompaniments.  In the sand pails, I included Prosciutto wrapped asparagus and orange aioli dipping sauce, Marinated Mozarella Caprese Skewers, Hummus and Pita Chips and a Chocolate Covered Strawberry.  These were a perfect beach side treat because everything could be made ahead of time and transferred well.  Our guests were pleasantly suprised when they were greeted with a pink or blue bucket to kick off the party!

I created both a Blue and Pink Punch.  The pink was strawberry lemonade in which I added some raspberries to for color and texture. I also made up a Blue Raspberry lemoanade and threw in a few blueberries for the same effect as the pink. 

Upon arrival I presented our guests with their choice of either pink or blue flip flops.  "Kick off your shoes and stay awhile." the tag read...

Now for the reveal...I sent Jason to the party supply store with an empty box and they filled it with blue balloons.  We then sealed up the box so NO PEEKING...

Drum roll please...

IT"S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”

 

Chicken Caprese

 I love the fresh flavors of each component that this dish has in it.  My favorite summertime side is Caprese with fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, Heirloom Tomatoes and Fresh Basil drizzled with the finest and most flavorful of Olive Oil and Vinegars.  A spin on the traditional caprese, I added chicken to this famous dish and created a salad like mixture with the fresh ingredients to place on top. No butter, no frying, just healthy, flavorful delicious goodness that your family will devour! 

I served mine with an angel hair pasta and drizzled fresh Parmesan on top of it all.  The pasta absorbed the oil and vinegars and each bite was absolutely heavenly.  The colors in the bruschetta like topping presented beautifully and it was definitely a fan favorite! 

 Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• cup & 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• cup extra virgin olive oil
• 8 slices fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese medallions
• 4 roma tomatoes (seeded & diced)
• 8 fresh basil leaves (stacked, rolled & thinly sliced into chiffonade)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

 
Preheat oven to 375F and spray baking dish with cooking spray.

1. Combine 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and olive oil in a bowl. Marinade the chicken in balsamic mixture for 15 minutes.
2. Place chicken breasts in baking dish, pour half of the mixture over the meat, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bake at 375F until chicken is cooked through (about 30 minutes), occasionally spooning the balsamic mixture back over the chicken.
4. During the last 2 minutes of baking, place 2 slices of cheese over the top of each chicken breast to melt.
5. In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, a pinch of salt and remaining balsamic. Toss gently to combine.
6. Place the chicken breasts on plates, top with tomato mixture and serve.

*Good Balsamic vinegar plays a key role in adding an extra something to any Italian dish.  My favorite vinegars come from a store called Olive oil & Beyond.  They can be ordered online or pop by the store for a sampling of the finest of vinegars.  My personal favorites are the Vanilla Balsamic and Blueberry Balsamic.  Meals will never be the same again...promise.

Subdued Smoky Eye

I love a smoky eye but it may be a bit too much for daytime.  My compromise is a subdued smoky and the look is achieved with matte colors. Always remember that less is more! The key to making a smoky eye work for daytime is all in how you apply it and blend, blend, blend!!! In regards to the look of the lip, I used to be opposed to anything but a nude lip with a smoky eye, however if the "smoky" is applied with subtlety, this look can be stunning! 

Products Used:

Mac Paint-Bare Canvas

Mac yogurt eyeshadow

Mac carbon eyeshadow

Makeup Forever aqua cream liner in matte black

Mac TechnaKohl Liner in graphblack

Fairy Drops Mascara-(One of my faves!!!)

Mac Dollymix Powder Blush

Lips:

Mac Dervish Liner

Mac Pink Poodle Lipstick
Mac Star Nova Lipglass 

Step 1 Apply a primer (I HEART Urban Decay's Primer Potion)

Step 2 Apply an eyeshadow base, I like to use Mac Paint in Bare Canvas.  It's fabulously neutral and helps to neutralize the lid color to give you a "Bare Canvas!"

Step 3 Sweep yogurt on the inner corners about halfway to the center of the lid then apply it on the brow bone

Step 4  Apply carbon on the outer part of the eye in a "v" shape. Blend toward the center but stop about halfway to the center. Blend again!

Step 5 Apply kohl pencil to the lower water line and apply the Makeup Forever gel liner to the top lash line, wing out slightly.   Apply mascara and voila!