Coconut Delight

I love coconut. It smells amazing, tastes amazing, and makes me think of sitting on a beach sipping a pina colada with some Jimmy Buffet playing in the background. I was in a tropical coconut mood when I baked these simple coconut rings.

My current favorite cookie recipe is coconut cream cookies. I made them, decorated with royal icing and sprinkled coconut on top. Simple. Isn't that what summer-time, lounging at the beach is all about?

Next time I might try a coconut infused buttercream and turn them into sandwiches. My mouth is watering already!

Mini Cupcake Toppers

How cute are these "mini cupcakes"?

I stumbled across this idea online some time ago and forgot about it.
(I no longer have the source, so if its yours please email me!)

These perfect mini cupcakes are actually mini Reese's peanut butter cups!

Want to make them yourself? All you need to do is peel away the foil wrapper. Leave on the brown wrapper. Pipe on your frosting and pop on top of the cupcake.
Voila! A mini cupcake topper!

Russian Nesting Dolls

I have been waiting for an opportunity to try out these Russian Nesting Doll cookies! I came across them on Cake Central a few months ago. I decided to do my own spin on them with some of my common doodle designs.

Aren't they beautiful?! I drew the faces on by hand and highlighted the cheeks with luster dust.

I just love these little ladies!

These four were my favorites. Beautiful. Delicious. Perfect!

They Have Feet!!

THEY HAVE FEET!!!
Anyone who has successfully made macaroons exclaims that sentence at least once.
I attempted to make macaroons for the first time for my Enter Eden party.

Aren't they beautiful?! I have been intimidated for months. Everything I have read talks about how finicky they are and how difficult it is to get them just right.

So, I mentally prepared. I knew mine were going to turn out. Lots of deep breaths and positive thinking later, I pulled my first batch out of the oven and did a little happy dance! They have feet! Of course, I was home alone dancing and screaming about feet. Lucky for me my dogs aren't judgemental of my crazy antics!

These babies are just plain macaroons with a simple chocolate ganache filling. I cannot wait to try new flavors! They were so delicious!

Macaroons....I Heart U.

Enter Eden--Inspiration to Creation!

Its time for the big reveal! Enter Eden, the evening garden party dessert table...Taa Daa!

Let me share some secrets about this table. The table cloth is actually a bed sheet, covered by a sheer curtain, and then yards of brocade fabric draped over it. I already owned all but the brocade. Of course, I got the fabric on sale!

The flower vases are empty wine bottles I was holding onto for just such an occasion!

The food was all handmade and home baked by me! Loads of work, but awesome end result.

My favorite part is the Berries and Bubbly! I served champagne with fruit to create strawberry or blackberry Bellini's. One of the girls even got a little creative and mixed the two together, deee-licious!

Another of one of my favorite details is the food labels. I took macro photos of flowers around my gardens and then "water marked" them with the titles of the food.

Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate with us for very long. Little more than an hour into the party it started to rain. The ladies helped me bring all the goodies into the house and we decided to quickly reconstruct the table indoors. This is the "indoor version"!

First challenge party is deemed a success! Now the question is, what to do next month??

Enter Eden--The Inspiration

This weekend was my first "official" party in my monthly challenge. The theme was "Enter Eden". It was an evening garden party to show off my backyard. I didn't want a traditional pastel palette for a garden party. Since this was an evening party I went with more rich hues.
Here is the teaser for you....my inspiration board!

Top Row:
Scrapbooking Supplies: Websters Pages Postcards from Paris Collection
Mason Jar Vase: Style Me Pretty
Floral Dessert Table: Eat Drink Pretty

Second Row:
Lantern: Google images, source unknown
Peacock: Google images, source unknown
Champagne Macaroon Display: Theurel & Thomas

Third Row:
Plates: Marah Johnson, originally discontinued Pottery Barn design
Peacock graphic: Google images, source unknown
Party Set up: Sex & The City 2 Soiree from Celebrations at Home

Stay tuned for "Inspiration to Creation!"

Yarn Ball Hanging Decor (DIY!)

Today's tutorial is also from my Sunshine Surprise dessert buffet. You can customize these simple yarn balls into any color you like.
Here is what you need:
Craft Glue
Yard
Balloons
Hangers
Clothes pins

First start by cutting lengths of yard for your balloons. I used approximately 24 inches of yarn, about 15 lengths per balloon.
Mix equal parts water and glue.

Soak your yard pieces in the glue, and wrap around balloon.
Clip your balloons onto wire hangers with the clothes pins. Allow to dry over night. Make sure to put some newspaper below the balloons to catch drips.

Once dry, pop the balloon, and pull out of center. Don't worry if the shape "deflates". Pull out the balloon and then mold the yard back into shape. I chose to hang a crystal in the center of each ball with fishing line. Try adding paper flowers, butterflies, or just leave them plain.

Aren't they unique hanging over the table? Fun, easy, cheap, and probably most importantly, unexpected!