Stuffing an Easter basket or satisfying a sweet-tooth? We can hardly resist these gorgeous gems from Chicago-based Vintage Confections.
From their mint-chocolate-chip lollipops to their whimsical candied moustaches to their series of candied birth gems, we're going crazy-for-Cocoa-Puffs over their inventive selection. They even serve up corn-syrup-free lollipops in fun flavors like citrus blossom, pomengranate, almond, clove and peppermint. I am hoping to find their rose-water marshmallows in my mother's day package (hint, hint)...We're also a big fan of their caramel collection (can you say, Lavendar Caramel!) and their monogram line which features 3" candied letters and numbers. What a great caketopper!
Right now, they're running a sweet promotion: get a free 1/4 lb. of ANY caramel of your choosing with ANY $10 order. Just put FREECARAMELS in 'notes to seller' on their Etsy shop checkout along with the caramel of your choosing. They'll include it free with your order!
This little Chandelier shindig was an especially sweet one for me to plan because it was for my own little girl--and I got my favorite local gals on board to bring it to life.
We whipped up a chic event for a very small group of friends to celebrate this special moment. We went with a "Pinkalicious" palette--well, because it's not only her favorite book, but I have to say she is definitely pinkalicious herself.
Inspired by pink mercury glass vases that I fell in love with at first site, I consulted my friend, the amazingly-talented Anne Miller of Ridgewood, NJ's Little Flower Shoppe (my neighborhood gem) to pull together lush centerpieces of ranunculus, David Austen roses, red and blackberries, grey dusty miller, carnations (yes! carnations). She brought my dream of a giant pink floral "M" for Meri to life on the mantel and embellished it with carnation fairy balls on crystal pedestals.
For dessert, we filled containers with all hues of blush, from strawberry m&m's to bubblegum rock candy from Sweet City Candy (which happens to be owned by my friend Lauren, who I've known since I was ONE myself)...and of course, popped a butterfly or two wherever the space needed a little extra fairy dust.
HoHoKus Inn & Tavern did not disappoint with their lunch menu that featured a fresh strawberry and goat cheese salad, butternut squash ravioli served in mini cast iron skillets, and the most delicious death-by-chocolate mudslide cookies I've ever had. Meri got to feast on her very own cake created by our Brooklyn-based friend Cheryl Kleinman--the outside featuring pleated pink fondant, and inside, a Neopolitan-ice-cream-inspired confection with chocolate devil's food cake with vanilla bean and raspberry mousse filling.
And all of this was preserved in beautiful photos of the very wonderful Stacey Ilyse!
Looking back on this one just reminds me of how sweet she makes my every single day.
