Baby shower event

I had the pleasure of cooking for a baby shower event today.  The menu was light and easy to eat- mostly finger foods.  My client- Jamie Brennan wanted to keep it simple without sacrificing flavor or elegance.  The look on the mom-to-be's face when she first saw the spread was priceless.  It makes all the hard work worth while.

Double vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese icing topped with pink chocolate shavings

Fudgy chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing

Veggie cakes with a creamy basil dip

fruit skewers, chicken cranberry on croissant, cheddar & chive scone

FUN in the sun

Chris blowing up the little wading pool for 'lil mister Leon.  It's been warm in LA and it's only going to get warmer so this will come in real handy.  Endless fun and a very tired baby afterwards ready for his afternoon nap.

He totally LOVED the pool!

photo shoot with Leslie Barton

These are just some of my favorites from the photo shoot.  Leslie took over 100 shots and so many turned out beautiful.  Thank you Leslie Barton!  We had a great time and these pictures will be treasured forever.

 

Leon is now 1 year and 2 months old-  it's hard to grasp just how fast time flew by.  My heart sinks each time Leon practices his independence.  He likes to feed himself now and would even push a baby spoon away if I try to feed him.  The first time he grabbed the spoon and placed it right in his mouth I was proud and yet a tiny bit sad that my baby is now a full pledged toddler.  Chris does a good job reminding me that all the confidence oozing from this lil kid is a great sign.  Of course it is!

happy 1st Leon!

I've been a very bad blogger!  LIFE happens and next thing I know I've missed writing updates on here.  First things first-  Leon had a super fun 1st birthday!  His baby friends came along with their wonderful parents (our great friends) and we all partied at The Coop in Studio City, CA.

Here's a video I put together....

Leon is 1!!!! from Anna Cherubini on Vimeo.

I tend to overdo preparations for a party mainly because of what I do for a living.  I can't help it most times.  I always think to myself that if I'm going to put any effort into anything then it might as well be totally superb.  Leon's party was different.  I told myself to relax and enjoy every minute with my son and my husband.  I didn't want to miss anything because I was too busy fretting on the food.

We had simple food mostly ordered from very good local places and some home made with the help of my awesome friend- Lara.  Thank you Lala!  Simple food presented wonderfully is always the key.

 

roasted pears w/ lavender sugar, ricotta and raspberries

Out of this world delicious.  Pears were slightly tart but with a sweet caramelized coating topped with raspberries.  Heaven on a plate!


I like days when my husband requests what dish I should make.  I create menus all the time for my clients and so at home I welcome special requests with open arms.  

Photos from today...

Some pictures I took today while getting to know Chris' Nikon D700.  Pretty sweet camera.  Of course, my models- Leon, Chris and Lucy

 

1 week away...

... before Leon's 1st birthday bash!  I'm so excited it seems as if the celebration is for me!  

In a way I see the party as a celebration for us as a family.  We made it through the 1st year- wow.  I recall times during the first couple of months of having Leon when I thought the sleepless nights and continuous crying were never going to end.  Leon was a really good baby- was never colicky, slept real well but he had his moments.  Chris and I were so new at being parents that there were many times when we were unsure of what we needed to do for our new baby.  I have to admit it was not easy.  Newborn phase is not my favorite stage.  But here we are just a week away from Leon's 1 year birthday.  It definitely calls for a celebration!  We LOVE our 'lil boy.  He is a constant source of entertainment around the house and pretty much everywhere. 

Yesterday we checked out "The Coop" the venue of the birthday party.  After checking out the coolest kid play place I've ever seen I got even more excited.  Chris and I walked around this place like we were kids again.  So fun.  Leon found the lit floor totally amazing and of course he loved being submerged in the pool of balls.