Last summer, in the middle of another hot, hot, HOT heat wave like we’re experiencing this week, I hosted a bridal shower for my future step-daughter-in-law.  Although the outdoor garden party was situated in a charming courtyard, there really wasn’t anywhere we could go to get away from the intense July sun.  What to do, what to do?  I designed a cute little “cooling station” that allowed guests to grab their own personal hand fan, a spray bottle of chilled water, an asian parasol for shade or a white handkerchief they could dip in lemon-infused iced water.  By the end of the afternoon, the ladies were misting their legs, draping their heads in hankies and fanning each other under parasols. It was blistering but thank goodness for our cooling station!  Since the shower, I have designed similar fans, signs and bottles for other events from baby showers in backyards to tented weddings.  Only item I added to the mix were little individually branded bottles of sunscreen!  Thank you to Melissa Paul for her help in styling the event and Laura Novak for photographing the details.  To see more photos of Katie’s bridal shower, check out the Elizabeth Ann Designs Blog.