Meet my friend, Lindye! I know, I know. She’s so adorable, it’s both unjust and completely ridiculous.
In addition to being 33 weeks pregnant and stunning, Lindye is a wildly talented wedding, event and interior designer who continues to amaze me with her contemporary, super-chic, outside-the-box, simply inspired, standout stylings. This. Girl. Has. Skills. And vision and passion and everything else that makes a truly extraordinary designer.
Lindye is the owner and founder of Lindye Galloway Design; wife to husband, Winn; and mom-in-training to adorable pup, Ellye. The Galloways are definitely the hippest people alive and I’m actually surprised they’re willing to be seen in public with us. But I’m so glad they are!!!
Lindye is one of my dearest friends. We were essentially set up on a double date in 2010 by a mutual friend who thought the four of us would hit it off. Said mutual friend NAILED it and the rest is history. (Yes, I absolutely stalk possible couple friends in addition to mom friends.)
Even though Lindye’s my girl, you can imagine my massive intimidation when our other dear friend, Allison—also known fondly as Martha Stewart, but probably more efficient and gifted, as a big-four-accountant-turned-housewife—invited me to join her in taking on the monumental task of throwing LINDYE GALLOWAY an event, her baby shower. I mean, no presh. It just has to look like a Lindye Galloway event. Which apparently can’t be accomplished with things I keep around, like newspaper and Elmer’s glue.
(I take that back. Lindye could make that look ROCKIN’ and probably has before.)
In all seriousness, though, I was feeling pretty stressed and inadequate regarding this shower. I joke about it often, but Pinterest (not optional for party planning in 2014) truly doesn’t come naturally for me. It’s genuinely useful, but it also genuinely gives me hives. So. Many. Mason jars. I also find it a little unintuitive in terms of basic navigation… Though I do concede I might be the problem.
Design is Lindye’s thing. Being a phenomenal hostess is Allison’s thing. They are truly anointed at both of these things; you truly encounter God seeing their gifts in action. What did I bring to the table here?!
I will tell you what I believe I brought, and all I really think I needed: love for my friend and her coming son. I love this girl dearly. She was the one who brought me flowers right after my miscarriage. My husband flew to Colorado for Winn’s dad’s funeral two-and-a-half years ago, when he lost a brutal battle with cancer and the Lord took him home. We are there for the Big Stuff. And throwing the first baby shower definitely counts as Big Stuff.
I also brought a determined and humble heart. I might not be on top of color scheme trends or know where to buy fresh-cut flowers, but I’m REALLY good at taking direction, running errands and making ultra-easy egg + cheese casseroles.
It also helped that Martha Stewart herself was stressin’ out right there with me. How does ANYONE throw a baby shower for the event design goddess of Orange County?!
But we put our heads together and reminded ourselves of the truth: that one of our FAVORITE things about Lindye is that she is so ridiculously down-to-earth. No doubt, if we were to say, “And now presenting… In-N-Out on White Paper Goods!!!” she literally would’ve been floored. Like, “YOU GUYS know me SO WELL! Best shower EVERRRR!”
We also knew, however, that Lindye’s primary love languages are Kate Spade and waffles—and this was the perfect starting point.
Allison did most of the heavy lifting, while I more played around with three-pound dumbbells, but between her exquisite handcrafted centerpieces and my ability to buy paper, I think we threw a pretty cute party. Even more, we had an absolute BLAST.
Below are a bunch of photos from our Kate Spade-inspired “black + white with color pops” baby shower, honoring Lindye and the sweet little boy who will crash into the world next month and make it a better place. And obviously a more hip and beautiful place because you just can’t fight genetics.
Lindye, we love you!!! You are going to be the most creative, vivacious and loving mother to that incredibly lucky little stud. I’m so honored to have played a part in orchestrating this significant day.
And thank you for reminding me that good friends are there for the Big Stuff.
It turns out that love cures Pinterest hives.
P.S. ONLY per the request of the fabulous shower guests, I included the recipe for my easy egg + cheese casserole dish! I’m so baffled and happy it was such a crowd-pleaser! Thank you to my beloved Southern belle Lauren Sotelo for sharing it with me ages ago!
EGG & CHEESE CASSEROLE”
- 12 Eggs
- 3-4 C Shredded Jack Cheese
- 2 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 2 Large Ripe Tomatoes, diced
- 2 Avocados, diced
- ¾ C Green Onions, diced
- 7-8 oz. Cream Cheese cut into chunks
- ¾ C milk
**You can also add chicken sausage from TJ’s (Sweet Italian=delish)
Prepare 13×19 baking dish with non-stick preparation. Heat oven to 350. Mix eggs w/milk, beat well. Layer 2C Jack Cheese and 1C Cheddar cheese on bottom. Next layer remaining ingredients: avocados, tomatoes, green onions, cream cheese chunks. Cover with remaining cheese and cover all with egg/milk mixture.
Bake at 350 for approx. 45 minutes to 1 hour. Casserole is done when top is golden and knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Note: You can definitely make on the low-cal side—sub reduced fat cream cheese, low-fat milk, etc. But, obvs better with all the fat, because what isn’t!
ENJOY!
