Not only has evite revolutionized how we get people to come to our parties (thank you, evite, for all the stamps saved), but their site has a wealth of information beyone the invite. They have a whole section devoted to gift giving, and yet another to entertaining tips and tools. Visit their blog for even more fabulous ideas on etiquette, … Read More ...
Celebrate with… Mangos!
Who would’ve thought a tropical fruit could play such a big role during the holiday season? The National Mango Board. Check out their site for everything you ever wanted to know about the mango. And then some. They have info on the mango, recipes, a section just for kids, crafts and suggestions for entertaining with mangos. This wintery mango … Read More ...
Make Springerle
Traditional springerle are white, anise-flavored cookies stamped with a mold or rolling pin. Springerle first became popular in16th century Germany before spreading to Alsace and Switzerland. Springerle can be traced to the winter Pagan celebration of Germanic tribes, Julfest, in which animals were sacrificed to the gods for a mild winter and early spring. Poor people brought animal-shaped breads and … Read More ...
Colorful Christmas Cookies
This post could last for eons, so I’ll try and keep it manageable by sharing just a few of the most intriguing cookies I’ve come across. I’m sure I’ll post more on cookies in the upcoming month. Much more. (Especially if you’ve seen my bio, you know I can’t escape cookies.) First, check out these neapolitans from Woman’s Day. Recipes … Read More ...
Dessert Mix Gifts
What to get for the person who has everything? Edible gifts. Everyone needs to eat, so you can’t go wrong. And ideas from these lovely, crafty bogs sound yummy.
First, WhiMSy love gives a tutorial on making cookie mix jars, based on a recipe from allrecipes.com. As a bonus, she includes fun photography to guide you.
Next, not only … Read More ...
Walking Through a Pocky Wonderland
I’m so glad to have stumbled upon “Not Quite Nigella,” a lovely, Australia-based foodie blog. Travel with the writer through her pocky forest. She provides details of her journey making this Japanese treat (cookie sticks dipped in chocolate) as well as gorgeous photography, recipes, how-tos and tips along the way. She experimented with organic fairtrade cocolo, cranberries, … Read More ...
Marshmallow Men (Vintage 1960)
Like the blogger from “Gingerbread Snowflakes,” I’ve been devouring my Better Homes and Gardens since I was a kid. She’s held on to this clipping from December 1960 and was kind enough to share the instructions for these super cute marshmallow men with us. She gives step-by-step instructions and (updated) photographs. 
Also follow the link in the to … Read More ...
Throw a Snowy Party…or Install a Skylight
O’ Domino…. so much more than a magazine. Their site offers decorating galleries, a hearty blog, DIY projects, answers, crafts, how-tos and more. Learn how to build a fire, make homemade Christmas ornaments, remove wallpaper, build a closet, install a skylight, consolidate old lipsticks. Click here for ideas on planning a White Christmas party (see the picture above), like serving … Read More ...
Bilingual Cheesecake Ornaments
Clumbsy Cookie gives us the recipe and step-by-steps to create these stunning edible ornaments made from cheesecake, jam and fondant. So clever! AND she has the instructions en espanol, too. (Forgive me, I can’t figure out how to type the tilde on this computer. Hmmm… will have to figure that out.… Read More ...
Let it Snow…Let it Snow…Let it Snow…
Check out all of these snow-inspired foodie products… From Sur la Table, the Holiday Ice Cream Sandwich maker. Ice cream. Snowman. Yep, that sounds about right.
Crate and Barrel has snowman and snowflake pancake molds and cookie presses. 
Williams Sonoma has the cake pan. 
Decorate your refrigerator with this magnet set from Spoon Sisters. 
And thank you … Read More ...
The Gingerbread Architect Sweepstakes
Enter the Ladies Home Journal sweepstakes for your chance to win The Gingerbread Architect
, by Susan Matheson and Lauren Chattman. Send your entry by December 9th. Details found here. You can also go to the Ladies Home Journal site to download templates for a gingerbread house to make your own (as seen in their magazine, too).
One architect … Read More ...
Sweet Ornaments
All of these beautiful ornaments are inspired by yummy goods but better for your waistline. The etsy shop, “Jennys Bake Shop,” has debuted individual cupcake ornaments made from fine art prints on artist mat boards (and backed with patterned papers or vintage wares such as recipe clippings).
And check out MiChiMa’s cute cupcake ornaments. (Find lots of other fun … Read More ...
Fancy Chocolates? Easy.
Ever wonder how fancy desserts at fancy restaurants look so fancy? Think professional chefs painstakingly paint those intricate designs on chocolate? Not so. The process is surprisingly easy. Chocolate Transfer sheets from Fancy Flours (a store offering everything the baker could possibly need to create edible art) take the mystery out of such desserts. The prints come in every imaginable … Read More ...
Fun Easter Facts
Here are some fun Easter facts straight from the National Confectioners Association (NCA) – the American candy industry’s leading and oldest trade association.
The first chocolate eggs were made in Europe in the early 19th century and remain among the most popular treats associated with Easter.
90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made for Easter each year.
16 billion jelly … Read More ...