vintage storybook sip ‘n see shower

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I love a good sip ‘n see. And it’s twice as nice when you get to meet TWO sweet babies in one Saturday morning! Two of the families from dental school had babies in the last couple weeks- so a double sip ‘n see was definitely an order.

THEME

If y’all have been around the kojo blog for awhile, you’ve heard that I adore Anneliese’s Golden Books shower. Love it. And then this Sip ‘n See for some dental school friends came up and I decided this was my chance to finally do it. But when I started perusing my book collection, looking for all the Golden Books, I noticed all of the vintage storybooks that have made their way to our bookshelves. Wow, do I love those fabulous (seriously- fabulous!) stories and illustrations. And then the shower theme morphed from ‘just golden books’ to include all ‘vintage children’s books.’ I have to say- I’m so glad for the broadening. Do you see all of those books that got to be included with the switch? So fun!

DECOR

golden book brunch baby showergolden book baby shower brunch

Paper pinwheels (made out of pages from thrifted Little Golden Books and Martha Stewart wrapping paper that I’ve been hoarding for years- aren’t the patterns gorgeous? )

story book brunch shower

Wrapped books (borrowed the idea from this gorgeous storybook shower)

Book page garlands (very similar to the Cat in the Hat bunting, but with pom pom trim along the top edge instead of ribbon)

A vintage sheet table cloth

baby shower mimosa bar

An ornate golden frame with a “Mimosas” sign pennant

FOOD & DRINKS

I had a lot of help with the food, so I can’t take credit for all of the goodness. But, oh my, this brunch menu was sheer glory. There was french toast casserole and big crumb rhubarb coffee cake, there was a bacon and potato frittata and crispy bacon. There were red velvet pancake shooters and yogurt granola shooters. There were donuts and donut holes from Lamar’s. There was cake batter bark. There was fruit (lots of fruit!) and there were sweets (lots of sweets!).

There were water bottles, with book pages as bottle wraps. And there was a “Charlie and the COCOA Factory” station where you could doll up your cocoa with chocolate dipped marshmallows and whipped cream. And there were mimosas of every stripe (see “Mimosa Bar” below).

story book shower

Of course, I couldn’t help but name the menu items after various children’s books. Our complete list?

LITTLE RED velvet pancake shooters

MOTHER GOOSE granola shooters

CAPTAIN KANGAROO rhubarb coffee cake

FAIRY TALE baked french toast

HUMPTY DUMPTY bacon frittata

THREE LITTLE PIGS crispy bacon

HUNGRY CATERPILLAR fruit

GIVING TREE cake batter bark

WILLY WONKA’s sweet treats

CHARLIE AND THE chocolate marshmallows

CHARLIE AND THE chocolate cigars

CHARLIE AND THE cocoa FACTORY

HAPPILY EVER AFTER mimosas

TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO well water

 

MIMOSA BAR

It’s taken me months to add a Mimosa Bar to a shower or party menu (I’ve been crushing on these forever). It took all of five minutes after setting this up before the regret of not doing this sooner set in. And you’ll definitely see these again, friends. Certainly.

The juice mix-ins included the Classic (orange juice), the Tart (grapefruit juice), the Spring Break (strawberry lemonade), and the Ruby June (rhubarb strawberry juice). My personal favorite was the Spring Break (a little taste of warmer weather- delightful), but they were all delicious. The Ruby June was the biggest hit with the shower guests.

On top of the juices, there were all sorts of fruit mix-ins- strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and pineapple. Yum. Yum. Yum.

Add in champagne (and sparkling cranberry juice and sparkling peach juice for the nursing mama’s) and sweet vintage glasses and you have a set up for the Mimosa Bar of Glory.

Did I already mention how much I love this? There are more Mimosa Bar details (and pics) at Sips Etc. today!

EDITED TO ADD- There’s now a Mimosa Bar how to (and shopping list) here.

FAVORS

My favorite part of small get-togethers is that you can really go all out in the favors. The families that came to this little Sip ‘n See all headed home with a cache of loot- a stack of books, a bag of ‘book worms’ (gummy worms), and chocolate dipped marshmallow hearts. What fun!

All in all, what a great way to spend a Saturday morning- brunching with friends and meeting Miss Beatrice and Miss Navy!

EDITED TO ADD-

Mimosa Bar info (and a shopping list) is here.

The printable files for all of the labels for this shower (including all of the Mimosa Bar labels and signs) are available here.

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161 Comments

  1. oh.my.word! this is ridiculously adorable!! I totally love the vintage book theme and all the great book-related little details! I’m definitely bookmarking this for future reference 😉

  2. What a beautiful shower! I’ve not yet heard of a sip ‘n’ see shower, and I would really love to host one now that I’ve seen one! I love the paper pinwheels, but my favorite part is the wrapped books – what a beautiful touch. Thanks for more party ideas!

    1. Thanks for the compliments, Joanna! Both of the families waited to find out the baby’s genders, so we wanted to wait until after the babies were born to have the shower (that way we could load them up with girly goodness!). 🙂
      I loved the wrapped books too- Martha Stewart’s idea (and a good one at that!). 🙂

      1. I wish I had half as many good ideas as Martha! We waiting to find out with our second too, and I wish we had done a party like this! We talked about it, but then just never ended up getting it together. It would be even more fun to do with more than one baby!

  3. I am constantly in awe of the parties that you put together! I love the idea of a Sip and See shower. I had never heard of one either, but I am hoping to throw one once my sister has her baby. (They are also waiting to find out the gender.) Your creativity in the details is fantastic and the food looks delicious. Now I am craving fruit juice, gummy bears, and red velvet pancakes!

    1. Hahaha! I love this comment, Christina. Thanks for the compliments- gosh I do love the party planning! 🙂
      And YES, Sip ‘n See’s are so fun (especially for those pesky mama’s [like me!] that wait on finding out about gender).
      Also, we had red velvet pancakes for dinner the other night. Definitely not the most nutritious option, but SO GOOD! 🙂

  4. red velvet pancake shooters AND a mimosa bar?! i am pretty sure that my entire party pinterest board is dedicated to your blog! i’ve never heard of this type of shower before but i love it!

    1. dayna, you make me laugh! and you and I must have the same taste- those two things were my favorite part of the day (mimosas- YUM, anything red velvet- YUM YUM YUM!). 🙂

  5. No wonder you were needing a nap on Saturday! This looks amazing!!! Now I want to host one of these… if only my friends would have babies!!!!

    1. Jill, no kidding was I needing a nap! 🙂 And maybe you should move to Denver? Plenty of pregnant friends to go around. 🙂

  6. There is nothing I love more than Vintage decorations. I LOVE the theme of the shower!! I will definitely be bookmarking this page for ideas for my shower later this year 🙂

  7. What gorgeous ideas and what amazing photography! Now I have to hope someone I know gets pregnant so I can try out some of these lovely ideas! 🙂 I may find an excuse to try some of them out anyway.

  8. Wow! Talk about gorgeous! I’ve never seen anything like it. Very well done and so interesting that I couldn’t stop staring at those photos! I only wish I was talented and patient enough to pull something this off! Very well done. 🙂

  9. Wow what a beautiful setup. I wish they had all this when I was having babies and my friends were too. Now there all grown up and have kids of their own. Honestly, I know your friends just love you.

  10. I love the idea of a baby shower where you get to meet the baby! I’ve never heard of that before. You did a beautiful job and I think the theme is wonderful.

  11. That is seriously the cutest little party ever! My brother in law is having a baby in May so I would love to do something like that. Its adorable!

  12. Wow I have never seen anything like this done before with a shower. I Love it. It makes me wish I could do my own over. I Love books and so this would be a nice addition for any new mom but also for a child as a way to add to his library. So thanks for sharing and now I know of something new to do for my sons next birthday and new goodies to give out to the guest as well.

  13. Wow! Such pretty details. I really like your mimosa bar section with the labels on the vintage bottles and the wall decor, that is a keeper! Great work and thanks for sharing.

  14. Kirstin – This looks absolutely gorgeous. I live in India and the whole concept is rather new to me. However, I would love to be at one of these showers. Your creativity is absolutely amazing. I love the idea of the book theme ♥

  15. Oh my what fantastic things! I love all the colours and ideas I have so got to try them out.
    And the baby ah well words cannot say how cute lol
    Thanks for sharing

  16. I love that you covered books and included the menu on the book covering and then stacked them. That was pure genius and looked amazing! The vintage colors and patterns went very well with all those books as well. Very gorgeous.

  17. I’ve never heard of a sip and see, but it looks awesome! I love the idea of the Golden Books shower. I think every baby should come into this world with a great library already started. I had a friend who asked for books instead of cards at her baby shower. If you think about it, a really cute card these days costs like $4 or more, and you can get some children’s books for around that price or less too, so I thought it was a great idea.

    1. Nikki, I LOVE that idea- books instead of cards. And I always find fantastic books at Goodwill and Savers (our thrift stores) that are in great shape. For $4, I could load up! 🙂
      Thanks for the great idea- totally using that in the future!

  18. Oh my how beautiful. I have never heard of these kind of parties. Don’t know if I could put one together but would love to atten one.

  19. What a beautiful sip n see! I love the colors, and I LOOOOVE the theme. I got a bunch of Little Golden Books for a friend’s shower from a second hand book shop. The food looks amazing. Great job!

  20. Wow! I wish you hosted my shower!! I have never heard of sip-and-see either, but it sounds like a great idea. And what gorgeous things you made! I will definitely be following your blog from now on.

  21. I LOVE this idea. The food and Mimosas all looked so scrumptulous. I’ve never personally had a Mimosa but now it’s on my list of things to try! Your website and layout and pictures were to die for and if I were honest with myself I’m a little jealous. Gorgeous!

  22. Wow! How creative. What a cute theme as well. I love books and starting kids (very) young w/ little golden books is a great thing. I loved those books growing up, but I never thought to use them as decorations!

  23. Beautiful blog and such great ideas! I live in southern California and have never heard of a sip and see, what a beautiful way for friends and family to meet a new bundle of joy.

  24. I *love* book-themed showers! This one is gorgeous! Probably the prettiest I’ve ever seen. 🙂 You put a lot of work into the details – I’m sure your guests were blown away!

  25. Wow. What a way to start the morning, seeing all those gorgeous pictures of delicious food and beautiful decorations! I would love to attend a party like that. Nicely done!

  26. Wow!

    That is one amazing party! Very beautiful and crafty.

    I especially loved the hot chocolate ideas. I would have gained 10 pounds at this party… I’m pretty sure I gained at least 5 just looking at the great photos!

    Thanks for sharing! I liked your Facebook page as well; can’t wait to read more of your blog!

  27. What a delightful site. You are so very creative. I may be able to cook, but I don’t have a flair for decorating around my house. I have to rely on all my friends for help. What a wonderful gift you have. Thanks for sharing your ideas and talent. I am going to definitely keep you on my favorites list. Have a beautiful day!

  28. I love the decorations out of thrifted children’s books – I am so going to Goodwill to see what great children’s books I can find – I know they always have a ton! Thanks for all the great ideas!

  29. great looking party ideas!!! the childrens books one is great but i couldn’t do that too all my kids books would for sure have to hit the second hand store to do those things… I also have a severe craving for a mimosa currently so thank you for that lol!!

    1. haha! yes to the mimosas. and we have a thrift store near us with a HUGE children’s book section. I even found doubles of lots of the books I already had (Poky Little Puppy, Little Red Hen, etc.) to use for the decor.

    1. Dianna- My husband is graduating from dental school in a few months, so his grad party is my next big project. SO FUN!

  30. Oh my good golly! I want another baby and I want you to throw the shower for , lol! I’m sure you won’t mind since we’re best friends and all! oh, wait… that’s right I don’t know you yet. LOVE LOVE LOVE this!

    1. Haha- julie, so fun to *meet* you! Are you in Denver by chance? We could baby shower (or sip ‘n see) it up together! 🙂

  31. Super cute. Wish I would have done this instead of a baby shower…for all three of mine! Love that you used thrifted book pages for the decor..

  32. Absolutely amazing! A mimosa bar is brilliant. Now I’m trying to figure out a reason for a party in order to have the mimosa bar 🙂

  33. I love this sip n see. What a great idea for people who don’t want to find out the gender of their baby but also don’t want gender neutral colors and gifts!! Thanks for sharing!!

  34. WOW! I am in awe. I have a huge collection of vintage children’s books that I’ve been planning to craft with, but haven’t been able to bring myself to doing it yet… I just love your bunting with the pom-poms, though. Beautiful!

    1. Krissy, to be honest, I only used the books that I could find doubles of at our local thrift store to make the decor. Just couldn’t bear to cut them up if I only had one. 🙂

  35. Okay, first I just have to say that you used the word y’all and as a Southern Girl, I adore you.
    Now, Oh. My. Goodness. You are so talented and creative! I am in awe of your mad skills. Really , very very!

  36. Wow! That is amazing! I already have several of your designs in my “Stuff to Try” bookmarks and this may have to be added! My big question is how do you have time to do all of these amazing things???

    1. Haha- Jacqui- I don’t get enough sleep. 🙂 And have a husband who is super helpful around the house. 🙂

  37. I am pinning like crazy! I can organize ’til the cows come home, but I don’t have such cute creative ideas!

    I love how you made the menu out of a stack of covered books!

    My daughter would LOVE it if I had a birthday party for her like this. {Minus the alcohol of corse!}

    🙂
    Lisa

    1. Lisa, I think this would be such a great birthday party theme! And I’ll be over to get all your organizing help asap! 🙂

  38. What a great idea. What cute items. Wonderful pics. I’m new to your blog so I don’t know about your creative parties, but looking forward to hearing/reading/seeing more!

  39. What a wonderful idea. Everything looks so beautiful. I will have to think about making the chocolate dipped marshmellow on a stick to dress up the hot cocoa. I have made stirring spoons dipped in chocolate for others before but to add the marshmellow is such a good idea.

  40. OMG – i love love love loooooove it all! so absolutely gorgeous! every detail is perfect. your post makes me do grateful i finally have a little girl (our 3rd) because this would be a great little birthday party theme too.

    i am definitely signing up to follow you!

    1. Samantha- YES, what a great party theme! And we found so many golden books at the local Savers- you could stock up and do those as favors! 🙂 Send over pics if you do this theme- I’d love to see your take!

  41. Oh my word, this is just beautiful. I am blown away. I hope to use some of these ideas in the future as my BF is pregnant with her first baby!

    Absolutely stunning.

    I followed you on Pinterest as well:)

  42. I had never heard of a sip and see, but now can’t wait for someone to have a little one just so I can help put one on. I think this especially would be a good thing for #2, #3, etc. instead of a traditional babyshower. Or perhaps someone from out of town who comes in after their baby is born.

    As for the decorating, LOVE IT! The fact that it included books makes it even better. Can anyone have too many, really? In my next life, I think I’ll be a librarian. Would be now, except I like being outside too much.

    1. This was the second baby for both of these families, and you’re right- it’s perfect (especially since they both now have two girls and didn’t *need* a single thing!). 🙂
      My SIL is a librarian- I love all of her book suggestions. 🙂

  43. A sip and see shower! I love to sip. I love to see. What a great concept, I’d never heard of it. I’m currently 20 weeks pregnant and we are going to have a surprise. Sometimes it feels like I am the only person in Sweden not finding out what flavour it will be!

    I’m totally in love with this shower idea. I loved the wrapped book idea. I loved the labels for all the juices. I love the idea of nip of something on a Saturday morning – but will have to wait with that. Golden books were my favourite too, so I adore the pinwheels.

    Is her name really Navy? that is so cool if it is…

    1. Lou Lou, I love this comment! I didn’t find out either- LOVED it. Best surprise in the whole world. 🙂 And, there aren’t many people who don’t find out here either!
      And, yep, Navy is her name. So sweet, right???
      So fun to *meet* you over the internet- CONGRATS on your babycakes-to-come!!!

  44. wow! you are so crafty. i am gonna have to you give you a few ideas that i have come up with when i do craft cooking. these all look so great and yummy. way to go!

  45. Holy Creativity Batman! Wow! I’m in awe! This is amazing! I LOVE the mimosa bar, but the refreshments are all to die for! Well, done! “Pinned” 😉

  46. What a wonderful idea for a themed party! And perfect for a shower! I am joining the droves of folks who have never heard of a sip and see before and I’m from the south where we have parties for everything! Ha! Thanks so much for letting us take a peek!

    suzy

  47. Wow, so gorgeous and so sweet. Thanks for taking the time to set up all those pics for us. I love children’s books–great idea!

  48. I have never heard of a Sip N See, but this is probably the cutest theme I have ever seen for a shower! I love the Golden books, but would never think to include them in a theme like this. So creative! And I love the stack of books for the menu. 🙂

  49. I feel so relaxed and happy from visiting your site. You have fed the creative side in me. Beautiful! I can’t wait to host a baby shower for one of my friends!

  50. My cousin had a Sip ‘n See a few weeks ago and that was the first time I had heard of such an event. My son is 9 and all my friend’s kids are much older – so I guess I am out of the loop on baby events. This is the most adorable and creative party I have ever seen! And I LOVE the vintage book theme!!!!

  51. I LOOOOOVE vintage theme. I’m actually visualizing my wedding with this theme. 😀

    By the way, the whole decorations are really great. hope I have the same creative mind and all the supplies to put together to create such wonderful decoration.

  52. What gorgeous decorations you have. I hope you don’t mind if I share these with my daughter. She’s having out first grandchild and we will be planning a baby shower soon. She also loves the Little Golden Books and collects them at yard sales and Goodwill Stores. Thank you for sharing this.

  53. I had the chance to buy 20 vintage children’s books for $20 and I didn’t. Now I am kicking myself. I love this idea of having a vintage book baby shower. I wish I could have attended this party. LOVE IT!

    Thanks for sharing! I pinned this one to my Party ideas board on Pinterest.

  54. This is a fantastic post! I love your party decor. The pinwheels are beautiful, and what a great vintage feel.  I am going to have to make the bunting. Pom pom trim is a lovely touch!

  55. That is absolutely AMAZING! I’ve never heard of a sip and see before. I quite like this idea, and your decor and creations are quite brilliant! I love it! I especially like the ideas behind your strawberry Rhubarb juice and the Rhubarb Coffee Cake, as I absolutely Love Rhubarb!

    1. Amber, I share your rhubarb love!!! We grow it in our garden every year- can’t wait until Spring! 🙂

  56. Lovely! I was just telling my husband the other day that adopted kids’ baby showers are THE BEST EVER! because the baby gets to be there, and everyone gets to meet the baby. I had no idea that it was a thing for all babies – a real traditional Southern thing with a real name (although I’m from the North-maybe that’s it?). I also like the modern trend of couples wedding showers/baby showers-and apparently my husband doesn’t mind because it involves free food. Ha! Anyways, love this post. Love it, love it.

  57. This is fantastic!! Awesome idea, and great pics to go along! This is something that belongs in BHG, thanks so much for sharing!

  58. I absolutely love this theme! There are so many different possibilities and things you could do around a vintage storybook theme. Sounds like so much fun…

  59. I have never heard of a sip and see shower! It is so rare in this day and age for a couple to not know the gender ahead of time. What a wonderful way to welcome the little one into the world and have friends and family over to meet. Beautiful photos and the food looked amazing!

  60. I just almost feel like I was at the sip and see (which I have never heard of before now but love it)! The only problem is…I didn’t actually get to sip 🙁 Nor did I get to sniff the baby head! But wow, this looks absolutely wonderful and so much fun!

  61. oh, how i love this. and poky little puppy and tiki tiki tembo are childhood favorites of mine- so many people have forgotten lots of these classics! GORGEOUS party!

  62. Okay, I’m seriously trying to not be jealous. Trying to remember that craftiness and this type of creativity is not my talent… Um, nope. Didn’t work. 🙂 This is so cute and such great ideas! And I love the Little Golden Books! I have a huge collection from my childhood that now sit on my kids’ bookshelves.

  63. LOVE your decor, your ideas and how you brought everything together! I’ll definitely be back for ideas in the future since decorating is not my forte.

    The mimosa bar is an amazing idea. I would love to set this up at a party.

    I also had never heard of a “sip and see” but recently at my work we forced into one since the guest of honour went into labour a few hour before our scheduled shower! We were forced to re-schedule, and it was a much nicer event with the baby there!

  64. I don’t think I’ve ever been to your blog before but I can tell you that I will be back. I love all the detail in your posts and such wonderful, wonderful ideas! My son is turning 3 soon, I will have to dig around further!

    1. Susie, I have a three year old son. Fun age, right???
      And so glad you like the posts- dig to your hearts content. 🙂

  65. That is absolutely gorgeous! Come and design a party for me anytime. I love all of those ideas and am in love with vintage storybooks. This one is completely up my alley!

  66. Oh my word!! This is beautiful! I love what you’ve done with the food and the way you used the lovely papers for make the book covers and decorations. Nice work!

  67. Beautiful! I am so not the creative type, but this is great inspiration – if I even took a few of the ideas for the next shower I throw, it would be lightyears ahead of anything I could do myself.

  68. Love it! Everything looks so special and beautiful. What a great theme. I’m sure everyone had a great time and I have lots of great ideas for my next get together!

  69. I love all the picture you’ve included. It looks like you had a wonderful shower. I’ll definitely keep the theme and wonderful decorating ideas in mind next time I am planning an event!

  70. Wow, this was beautiful! For the next shower I have to through, I will definitely have to use some of these ideas! Thanks for sharing them, it was very cute and the menu names are super creative!

  71. Wonderful shower and ideas! I was wondering if the Once Upon a Brunch sign, menu sign, etc were printables you found somewhere or did you design them yourself. Would love to replicate. Thanks!

    1. Hey Amanda- thank you!
      And, yep, I designed all of it myself. There isn’t a ton of signage (the “Once Upon a Brunch” banner, the “favors” sign and the labels/cupcake toppers). Many of our party printable sets are listed in our etsy shop- these aren’t listed because the set is not very extensive. I will list it for $5 (instead of the usual $12-$15) if you can’t find anything else you love- just let me know and I’ll get that up.
      I love it that you’re doing one of these showers, by the way- so fun!

      1. Kirstin-
        I’d love that and would definitely purchase. Just let me know if you’re able to get it up on your etsy shop. Thanks so much!

        1. Amanda- it’s up for you (under “once upon a brunch printable PDFs”)- the etsy shop is at kojodesigns.etsy.com.
          Hope that helps! 🙂

  72. Oh how HAPPY I am that I stumbled onto this blog! I am actually busy getting ideas together for our very own Sip ‘n See in October! What is more is that my father actually had me signed up with the Little Golden Books book club when I was little and I would frequently get new books and of course all of Dr. Seuss and more. Great thing is my father had the books packed nicely into boxes when I moved away years ago and they are in beautiful shape! I might change the menu a bit as we are going to be doing a lunchy/dessert kind of theme with dessert shooters and mini tacos etc, but I think that everything else is wonderful! A mimosa bar?? AMAZE! I can’t wait!

    1. Jessie, I love it that you’re doing something similar- and how great that you have so many Golden Books. How fun!
      I think this theme would pretty much work for breakfast, lunch, dinner, even just dessert. So fun.
      And so glad you found us! 🙂

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