It was a sea of pink at the Memorial swankienda of Barbra and Jack Markman when they opened the doors to friends of Erica Rose, ready to celebrate the arrival of The Bachelor veteran's baby girl in September. The mom-to-be had requested that everyone wear pink. And most of them did.
In a CultureMap exclusive, Erica reveals that the baby will be named Holland Rose Gentry. Holland is a combination of Erica's late aunt's name, Holly, and the homeland of her Dutch fiancé Galen Gentry. The couple is engaged, house shopping and planning on wedding after the birth of their first child. "It's a Hollywood thing," Erica's mother, Cindi Rose, explains of the unusual order.
"The baby shower was epic," said Cindi. "It was probably the world's best baby shower. It was like a wedding." And, she allowed, the "Tickled Pink" event cost enough to be a small wedding.
The party took over the ground floor of the 10,000 square foot house and spread outdoors to the pool, which was filled with flowers for the occasion. Entertainments for guests included a Phlash Phactory photo booth, a candy bar and oodles of food from Napoli, served by nine waiters and three bartenders hired to handle the midday crush of the 97 guests.
With Lily Paxson of Lily's Events handling the organization, Nancy Marcus Golden providing her magic decorative touches and Cindi Rose creating silhouettes for more than half of the guests, it was quite the fete. Barbie Dolls proliferated amid the colorful, girly party decor. Cindi's contributions included creating "diaper cakes," which are rolled up diapers in cake pans that are whimsically decorated.
A second baby shower will be held in Los Angeles where former Houstonian Amanda Mills and Sequoia di Angelo will host.
Among the 96 guests were Staci Watson, Dr. Franklin Rose, Brittany Reichek Klingler, Nancy Reichek, Matt Burrus and Michael Pearce, Abby Lestin, Angelica Ximines Chapman, J. Michael Soliz, Dr. Monica Patel, Nicole Fertitta Stresau, Beth Bryant, Sharon Brier, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Ben Rose and Laura Max Rose, The Bachelor star's sister-in-law, herself expecting a baby girl in August.
Erica Rose in the purple ribbon surrounded by girlfriends at her baby shower.
