Category Archives: Candy

Book Review: Push-up Pops by Courtney Whitmore

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Hello Beauties

Push-up Pops by Courtney Whitmore is an instant classic for anyone that loves entertaining.  Her new book has made it easy to impress with unique desserts.  A Push-up Pop is a little plastic device that can hold anything from cake and pudding to sorbet, cheesecake or pie filling.

Courtney Whitmore and her book, Push-up Pops

The book is divided into chapters for tips and techniques, cake push-up pops, pie push-up pops, frozen push-up pops and cookies, candies and more.

Courtney suggests using sheet pans for the cake layers.  If you turn one of the plastic pops upside down and press it into the sheet cake, you will have perfect circles that fit wonderfully into the layered push-up pops.  Plus, she provides measurements and their conversions, which is extremely helpful when determining how much to make for your guest count.

Mocha Madness

The recipes in Push-up Pops are easy and fun to make.  I do not always make my desserts from scratch but, Courtney has made it impossible to mess up the most fickle  recipes.  I love cheesecake and I love the fact that I can have my own little no-bake cheesecake treat in less than 10 minutes.

Dreamy Chocoholic

Rainbow Cupcake Party

Dreamsicle Daiquiri

Key Lime Pie

Birthday Brownie Sundae

I I have already ordered my set of push-up pops and I can’t wait to incorporate them into my next event.  Push-up Pops is available on Amazon and Courtney’s new book Candy Making for Kids is now available for Pre-order.

Also, be sure visit Courtney’s amazing site Pizzazzerie! It is on my daily must-read list because of the adorable party inspiration, recipes and DIY projects.  

Book Review: Amy Atlas Sweet Designs

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Hello Beauties

I am back from the most relaxing vacation.  I took a long weekend to unplug and get some much-needed R&R.  On the first night of my time off, I received Amy Atlas’ book, Sweet Design, from the UPS man.  I had been waiting to get my hands on it ever since I pre-ordered with Amazon. 

I was lucky enough to indulge my inner crafting goddess by reading 5 books total over my vacation: Amy Atlas- Sweet Designs; Handmade Weddings-Eunice Moyle, Sabrina Moyle and Shauna Faust; The DIY Bride- Khris Cochran; Push-up Pops, Courtney Dial Whitmore; Simply Divine Lisa Vanderpump.  I will begin a series of book reviews so stay tuned for these and new reviews each week.

Amy Atlas, Sweet Designs: Bake It, Craft it, Style it

Amy Atals- Sweet Designs: Bake it, Craft it, Style it

This book is quite massive at 375 pages.  It has chapter after chapter filled with ideas for creating tablescapes.  The majority of the designs focus on the sweets table but a little imagination can inspire ideas for the whole party.  There are fourteen chapters that focus on a specific theme, such as Game Night (Ch.8), Pastel Pretty (Ch. 5), Honey, I Love you (Ch.7), and Vineyard Afternoon (Ch.12).  

Each chapter provides Amy’s initial inspiration for the tablescape, a Bake It section with a recipe for each home-made dessert featured, a Craft It section explaining how to create the DIY elements of the table (runners, backdrops, favor bags, etc) and a Style It section which explains how to pull everything together (use all ruffled elements, for example).  Plus, it offers ways to switch it up by making the beverages more adult or advising of a different color scheme that would work equally as well.  It also has advice on what to purchase pre-made (candies, cakes, decorations, etc.).  This book is a must have for anyone that loves bringing a wow factor to everyday events.

Vineyard Afternoon

Pastel Pretty

Amy Atlas includes a lot of great tips for creating a tablescape that is pleasing to the eye.  For example, use different heights and sizes for the vessels on the table.  Put the tallest containers in the back of the table so that it is easy for everyone to grab their treat.  Also, when styling your sweets table, be sure to use a few different textures to create an exciting experience.  For example, use light fluffy cotton candy, crystalized rock candy and gummy bears for the candy.  Then use, a textured table-cloth with a DIY streamer and pom backdrop. 

 

Amy Atlas hits it out of the park with her first book, Sweet Designs.  It is an instant classic and a must have for anyone that entertains in their home. 

 Have you picked up your copy of Sweet Designs?  What are your favorite chapters?

The Best Edible Favor: Macaroons

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Hello Beauties

Every event should have a favor for the guests to take with them as a thank you for making the party enjoyable.  It can be a simple handwritten note at their place-setting or (my favorite) a delicious snack to savor on the ride home.

Macroons can be found in every color

My favorite favors are edible and my absolute favorite of all is a box of colorful and delicious macaroons (or macaron in French).  The crispy shell and the flavorful center are just magical in flavors like, raspberry, pistachio or even rose.  These delightful, almond based cookies originated in France but can now be purchased at many local bakeries.  My favorite shop, ‘lette (formerly Paulette’s) even offers overnight shipping.

Colorful Macaroon Tower

The chic cookie has a long history but for me the story begins in France, in a little bakery called, Laduree.  This world-famous bakery was founded in 1862 and continues to bake fresh Macarons in their shop each morning.  The shop celebrates each season with a new and exciting flavor combination, this season is Strawberry Candy.

Laduree Menu

There are so many colors available that it should quite easy to choose cookies in your color palette as guest favors.  I love wrapping them in a clear bag or box so that you can admire them before ripping the package open and devouring.

Three mini macaroons in a clear bag

Two Macaroons stacked in a modern gift box

Another option is having a buffet of macaroons so that the guest can try a lot of different flavors before choosing their own favorite.  These cookies are a crowd pleaser and would be wonderful favors at weddings, showers and birthday parties!

Have you ever had a Macaroon (Macaron)?  What are your favorite flavors? Is the Macaroon the new “It Dessert”? 

Sail Away: Nautical Party Inspiration

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Hello Beauties

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! I was so lucky to be able to spend Sunday doing what I love — Coordinating Weddings!  All of the vendors I worked with this weekend were true professionals and I just cannot wait until I am able to show everyone  the photos.  The ceremony setting blew my mind and the popcorn bar I set up was a huge hit.

Sail Away

Well, the weather is getting so beautiful and I only have one thing on my mind…Sailing Away! I love cruising and the nautical theme is close to my heart (♥itb) so I decided to bring you an inspiration story for an All American Nautical Party.  You can use this inspiration for a casual lobster bake with friends or for a preppy wedding by the sea shore.  The most important thing to remember is to be inspired by the beautiful pictures but make the elements your own.

Nautical Flags in the coordinating color of your wedding party can be strung from the umbrellas to the table tops

A canvas bag with an anchor motif would be perfect for welcome baskets or party favors

"Two ships passing in the night" An adorable cake topper

Navy and Moss green elements would make a very classy setting for a cliffside wedding

Programs in the Nautical Flag of your new last name would be fun

A Red White and Blue dessert table is the piece de resistance at a summer time birthday party

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find the sources for all of the inspiration on my Pintrest

Amy Atlas Sweet Designs: Pre Order Now!

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Hello Beauties! 

Amy Atlas is the queen of the dessert table and her first book, Sweet Designs: Bake it, Craft it, Style it, is available for pre-sale now on Amazon.  I just ordered my copy and it will ship out on April 24, 2012.  The book is filled with over 100 recipes and over 75 easy, affordable craft projects. I can’t to look through my copy and get inspiration for my next event!

Amy Atlas’ blog, Sweet Designs, is one of my daily reads.  She accepts submissions from around the world and there have been some really great spring time parties featured this week.  I was especially drawn to this pastel color palette of mint green and yellow.

amy atlas cake green butterfly spring

Mint Green Ombre Cake with a Yellow Butterfly

Amy Atlas cake pops lemon bars green yellow

A selection of cake pops and lemon bars are perfect for a Springtime fete

Will you be purchasing Amy Atlas’ new book,

Sweet Designs: Bake it, Craft it, Style it? 

Easter Celebration

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Hello Beauties

Easter is this Sunday and I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by! This was always one of my favorite holidays because we would personalize our eggs, hide carrots for the Easter bunny and wear a fabulous new dress.  My mother would hide a basket for me and my sister with the most amazing Mr. Sketch markers and a notebook with the most delicious carmel popcorn bunny.  We would make spinach dip then go visit with my aunts and cousins.

This year I will coordinating a good friends wedding so it will definitely be a celebration!  I have rounded up my favorite decor elements and tablescapes.  Find even more Easter inspiration on Pintrest!

A basket full of gilded eggs is magical

My mother's spinach dip would be amazing in that bunny

Carrots that look like they were just pulled from the ground make the perfect centerpiece

Beautiful inspiration for an Easter party

Some my favorite party food is a large selection of salads.  I love Italian style pasta salad, with roasted red peppers, olives, and basil pesto.  A huge garden salad filled with veggies and a juicy, fresh fruit salad are delicious, healthy options.  For refreshments, I love drinking white wine spritzers (so retro!).  I mix a light white wine (sav blanc or pinot grigio) with some Diet Sprite and a splash of fruit juice.  You can always freeze the juice and just throw a few cubes in your glass for fun.

What are your Easter traditions?  How will you be celebrating this year? 

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