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Based in San Francisco, Amy Nichols Special Events recently planned a baby shower with a peacock theme. The dessert table was dressed with glittering chartreuse linens from La Tavola and blue and green floral arrangements from Laurel Designs.

In keeping with the theme, Sweet Lauren Cakes provided cake pops dusted with edible turquoise glitter. Little blue bows added a touch of childlike whimsy.

One of Biggs's clients recently asked her to design a baby shower with a "pink birdie theme." Decked with birdhouses and an elegant birdcage, the sweets table had a pallet of soft pinks. It held raspberry mousse with fresh whipped cream, petit fours, meringues, cupcakes, chocolate brownie truffles, and apothecary jars filled with rosy candies. Biggs used hair clips and hair bands to decorate the birdcage and candy jars.

Another of Biggs's baby showers was not so girly. At the event, little mustache flags decked the cupcakes, which were decorated in boy-friendly hues of blue and brown.

The daytime event also served brunch bites such as French toast topped with strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream provided by Barbara Llewellyn Catering.

Paula Biggs, creative director and stylist at Frog Prince Paperie, recently designed a violet-hued baby shower for a friend. With a loose "Baby Love" theme, the bash had a dessert table filled with sweets that Biggs baked herself. On the menu: five types of cakes, "to feed any kind of craving [the mother-to-be] might have," she said. Flavors included chocolate, lemon with blackberry crème, coconut, plain white with Swiss meringue frosting, and Bailey's-soaked "La Reine" cake.

To continue with the pale purple color scheme, centerpieces comprised bundles of lavender on lace handkerchiefs. At each place setting, sprigs of baby's breath were tucked into napkins tied with lilac ribbons, and guests found a takeaway gift of lavender-and-lemon salt scrub—to make their skin "baby soft," of course.

The arrangements of blue hydrangeas and orange spray roses also held paper mustaches. "When you’re throwing a mustache bash, it’s really difficult to not slap a mustache on everything in the house that doesn’t move," Biggs said. "I did it anyway ... even the flowers got 'stached." The flowers themselves were from Buds Etc. in Melbourne, Florida.

"Monet's Garden" was the theme for a recent baby shower planned by A Little Savvy Event. Held at a private residence in Sonoma, California, the event had a ceiling treatment made of little pink bouquets hanging upside down. "We wanted the space to echo the flowers and lush feel in Monet's garden, as well as give it a whimsical, magical feel," said planner Kelly McLeskey-Dolata. Inspired by the French countryside, the menu included Camembert cheese tarts, ratatouille, and three types of quiche from local purveyors.

Colorful macaroons came from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery, and the linens from La Tavola had a pink-and-white chevron pattern sewn up with sequins.

Leek cheesecake with arugula pesto, caramelized onions, and a sweet grape tomato served in a pesto cracker spoon, by Puff ’n Stuff Catering in Orlando

This summer, Stoneham-based Capers Catering will introduce their summer gazpacho shooters with grilled shrimp skewers. The tapas-inspired dish is made with local ingredients including fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and shrimp, along with Capers' house-made seasoning.

Boston Chocolate Tours leads private groups of six to 15 guests though local chocolate shops, bakeries, and ice cream shops. Tours typically last two and a half hours, cost $40 to $48 per head, and include surprises along the way. "We make a point of stopping at chocolate vendors that provide a wide array of chocolate experiences," says a company rep. The company's newest offering, the Great Boston Cupcake Crawl, launched this spring. Tours can be customized to take place in a neighborhood of the host's choosing.

The Chicken & Rice Guys food truck launched this spring. Inspired by New York's Halal chicken-and-rice carts, the truck serves chicken or lamb sausage with rice, pita, lettuce, and homemade white or spicy red sauce. Available for catering, the truck can travel to meetings and events within a 40-minute drive of Boston to deliver orders for 20 or more guests; staffers can also travel farther for groups with at least 150 guests. Depending on group size, catering costs $6.50 to $9 per head.

D.C.-based bakery Georgetown Cupcake opens its first Boston outpost in Back Bay this May. The shop offers catering for meetings and events, as well as gift boxes of the "Summer Dozen," a seasonal assortment that includes key lime, strawberry, banana-split, and lemon-blossom cupcakes. Treats cost $15 per half-dozen, and $29 per dozen.

Organic fusion food cafe Life Alive now offers takeout catering services for large groups. With two locations just outside of Boston in Cambridge and Lowell, Life Alive’s salads, soups, hot meals, and smoothies are made from organic, locally grown produce. Lunch options include The Adventurer, which serves healthy ingredients like quinoa and broccoli in a bowl or a wrap, or The Emperor, with cheddar cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, greens, and tofu over brown rice.

Jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and soul quartet, Soul 4 Yo System is comprised of four Berklee students. Formed in 2008, the band has played at both upscale jazz clubs and college campuses throughout Boston, and recently branched out to corporate and nonprofit events. The band customizes its song selection based on the event, mixing it up between old favorites like Parliament’s “Flash Light” and their own original works. Rates vary depending on the event.

The Boston Pops team up with hometown favorites from the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, and New England Revolution for the "City of Champions" celebration at the Boston Symphony Orchestra on May 23, 24, and 26. The evening will include compositions from sports movies and the theme from “Monday Night Football,” with appearances from yet-to-be-announced sports stars. Ticket prices range from $22 to $92 per head, with group discounts available for parties of 25 or more.

This April, the Charles Riverboat Company debuted the Valiant. The 97-foot-long luxury yacht was built in the 1920s, and the interior of the ship includes Art Deco touches with modern amenities. The yacht has five state rooms with private bathrooms, and open areas on the bow and second deck. The vessel holds 100 guests and will be available for two-hour receptions, three-hour dinners, or long-distances cruises.  Multi-day options for groups that want several daily excursions are also available.

JM Curley, a Downtown Crossing happy hour hangout, opened in December. Named after historical mayor James Michael Curley, the neighborhood bar serves regional American cuisine, like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with grilled bananas and Grand Marnier jam. The space can accommodate 90 guests overall, and its private function room holds 20.

Another new spot for happy hour outings, Gem opened in the Financial District in March. Billed as a gastro-lounge and supper club, the venue has two private event spaces. One seats 40 for dinner; the other is a lounge space that can host 70 for cocktails and 50 for seated dinners. The entire space can hold 240 for buy-outs. The venue serves menu items like steak, thin-crust pizzas, and white corn quesadillas with duck confit.