What a find in the shop, “The Lighter Side Co.” Check out all their unique kitchenware (they have lots of other fun gifts and novelties, too). Above is the retro slushee machine. This sushi maker 
that looks like a play-dough apparatus does everything for you. And this cake pan has a lovely surprise inside.
Food Blog Links
The Times Online (UK) has compiled a list of the 50 world’s best food blogs found here. Definitely a list worth perusing, as the Times offers paragraphs on each that capture the essense of the blogs. Seems the secret is a combination of great content, great writing, and great photography. Funny how simultaneously huge and small the world wide web … Read More ...
Make Your Own Mints
Nila Rosa teaches us how to make our own “peculiarly strong” mints from gum paste
and a dram of flavoring. And she provides lots of hints and tips along the way. This is definitely in the “things I want to try” category. (Hmmm… would make great little homemade gifts, too.)… Read More ...
Sweet Ideas that Make My Life Easier
There are so many great ideas for every aspect of life collected on the blog, Gordon Gossip, that you can easily spend a big piece of your day just scrolling. Thanks to Gordon Gossip for making my job easier today! Here are just a few recent sweet finds: These cupcake liners from Elinor Klivans found here. (Those who … Read More ...
O’ Chronicle. How I Love Thee.
I have a secret obsession that will soon be secret no more. Chronicle Books. I’m working on Cookie Book Number Two, and it is my dream to have Chronicle as my publisher. If you’ve not heard of Chronicle (could it be?) I suggest you click here immediately. Chronicle’s books are funky, hip, chic, unique, and beautifully crafted. All of them. … Read More ...
Gorgeous Rose Ice Cubes
This idea for rose ice cubes from the site, “Vintage Glam Weddings,” can easily be applied to any sophisticated soiree. Use the cubes in an ice bucket to chill bottles, and dress up the bar. I love getting tips from wedding sites, and no wedding is even necessary. Also check out these DIY chocolate truffle favors and soda … Read More ...
Sweet Pizza and Other Food Look-Alikes
Another sweet idea from Family Fun… this cake, icing and fruit “pizza.” Looks almost like the real thing. And super easy to make (find the instructions here).
Also check out their April Fools recipe section for more food-that-looks-like-other-food, such as this meatloaf cupcake.Or these faux fries (made with bread). Or this sugary meal (made with … Read More ...
The Ubiquitous Yoo-Hoo Cocktail
Is there nothing Yoo-Hoo
can’t make better? The Daily Loaf shares with us this recipe for a Hooville Martini, as found in the “Southwest Airlines Spirit” magazine. And our blogger is kind enough to also provide some other inspiring ideas to make classics into cocktails, like adding rum to a root beer float.
By the way, you can read … Read More ...
Easy Cookie Bouquets
As one who made cookie bouquets for a living (here) for about a billion years, and as cookies are piled up all over my life (see here and here and here), I found these super-easy-kid-friendly cookie bouquets from You Can Make This absolutely charming. This site and accompanying blog are filled, and I mean filled, with incredible … Read More ...
It’s an Orange, It’s a Candle
What an oh so clever use for an orange! The creative mom from “Mom in Madison” gives us the easy step-by-steps and accompanying photographs for making your own orange peel candles. And, I’ll say it again (apolgies for sounding like a broken record to those who regularly read my column), once again, this blogger demonstrates the importance … Read More ...
“Eat Your Words” Foodie Challenge
Any foodies out there up for a challenge should visit Savor The Thyme and enter “Eating Your Words.” Write, spell or draw with food–the challenge is broad enough for you to be as creative as you like–blog about it, link to Savor the Thyme, and link to Tangled Noodle. (As in, Tangled Noodle served as the original … Read More ...
Cupcake Coin Purse Giveaway
Support the craft bloggers of the world! Visit the Aussie-based blog, “Apparently Jessy…A Blog About Cupcakes & Craft Amongst Other Things,” become a follower, leave a comment and enter to win this super cute hand embroidered cupcake coin purse. Enter to win here before February 27.… Read More ...
Celebrate Mardi Gras – DIY Party Ideas
Celebrate Mardi Gras at Home: Easy Food, Colourful Crafts & Festive Ideas for a Joy-Filled Night In
If you’ve ever craved a bit of sparkle in the dreariest part of the year, Mardi Gras is your excuse to go all-in. A few years back, my girlfriends and I threw a little last-minute Mardi Gras night in (picture teenagers rolling their … Read More ...
How to Throw an Oscar Party
There’s still time to throw together a fabulous party for the Oscars before Sunday.
If you’ve never thrown an Oscar Party before, trust me—you’re in for a treat. A few years back, my girlfriends and I decided to put one together “just for fun,” and honestly… it ended up being one of the most memorable nights we’ve ever had. There’s … Read More ...
Bread Bows
Cute is the best word to describe these little bows made from foccacia. The blogger from “la prochaine fois” gives us the recipe for foccacia as adapted from the book, “The History of Bread,” by Bernard Dupaigne
, as well as photographs of a more traditional version (with cheese!) and her darling, sculpted version.
And the bread bows serve … Read More ...