Spring Cupcakes

Today is the first day of spring and I have cupcakes on my mind.

Enjoy these yummy pictures of  cute spring cupcakes and have a happy day!

http://www.cakesinlove.com 

Valentine's Day Cup Cakes

 And what's cutter than Valentine's Day cup cakes?

Some people think Valentine's Day is the ultimate cheesy holiday.  But you don't have to go all crazy and sappy with the dinner and roses.  How about a simple gift of cupcakes?  

Cupcakes make everyone smile and are easy to make.  And if you are busy - buy some.

Be cute. You still have a day left to make a special person happy.

http://cupcakeideasforyou.com

Christmas Cup Cakes

Make Christmas cup cakes?  

Some of us are so busy during the holidays that we don't have time bake or have fun in the kitchen.  I know I seem to fall into this category.    So why not buy beautiful and unique cup cakes and have them delivered?    There are many companies online that will custom make any design you can think of for your Christmas party or your family event.  All you have to do is come up with a concept or choose from the existing designs.

It doesn't matter that you did not bake it yourself.  At the end of the day, it's about not stressing out and still having fun over the holidays.

So relax, order your cute cupcakes online and enjoy the time you saved.

http://blog.pinkcakebox.com

http://dessertedplanet.com/christmas-cupcakes/

Macaroon Christmas Trees

I love Christmas and I love macaroons.  Put the two together and you get "Macaroon Christmas Trees".

I made and used a few of these macaroon Christmas trees in the HGTV Christmas Special when I decorated Alison Sweeney's home for the holidays.  And people always ask me about the them and how to make them.  They are so simple to make and so cute.  You can made them in any color you want and the best part is that you can eat them too. 

All you need is a foam cone and lots of macaroon in any color you want.  After you apply the macaroons, you add  a cookie or a bow topper and voila!   Edible decor!

Thanksgiving Cupcakes

Right about now, I start running out of time.  There are so may fall events and parties that I don't have time to bake.  And of course, there is Thanksgiving.

But thank goodness for all of the fantastic bakeries that sell gorgeous Thanksgiving cupcakes and create custom cupcakes for the fall.  You can order from existing styles or have them create your own  design to fit any event style.

Cupcakes may not seem like the most traditional dessert choice.  But they are great for kids and look beautiful when placed on a tray for everyone to self serve.  You can have traditional flavors like sweet potato, pecan pie, or pumpkin fillings that really say Happy Thanksgiving.

So don't stress.  Don't let the little time consuming cupcakes make you crazy.  Just order them online and enjoy your day!

http://magnoliabakery.com/news.php

 

Halloween Cupcakes

I can't cook...but I love to make cupcakes!

Halloween is the perfect time to make and decorate really funny cupcakes and share them with your friends. No better way to celebrate this fun holiday, that to give out cupcakes decorated in cute themes.  

Cupcake decorating is also a great way to get kids together in your kitchen and all having a good time doing an activity together. Gather up some neighbohood kids and have a cupcake decorating party. Your kitchen will be a mess and you will love it!

Start thinking of something fun and creative to bake.  And if you are a bit lazy or don't have time just buy some online.  There are fantastic cup cake makers out there with ingenious little treats.

Yumm.....

http://www.sweetandsaucyshop.com/cupcakes/decorated-cupcakes/

http://www.thelittlecupcakecompany.co.uk/Halloween-cupcakes.html

 

The Old Swiss House

If one day you wake up in  Luzern Switzerland, do yourself the favor of making diner reservations at The Old Swiss House.

From the outside it does not look like much.  A typical looking cute Swiss home.  But as soon as you walk in the door and get a sniff of the fantastic home made melted butter, your senses know that you have arrived at the home of "The Two Fat Ladies" ( one of my old favorite tv shows ).

Of course the restaurant is Zagat rated, the concierge recommended it and it is written up as the best place to dine in Luzern.  But it's more than that.  Its the whole ambiance and the whole cozy cool feeling you get when you enter the restaurant.  There is no decor style to describe it other than a granny, eclectic, country French thing.  Each table is unique, all chairs are different, mix and matched fabrics and colors, and odd old French silver serving pieces all over the place.  Yet this insane mix, all works.

The show starts once your server brings the food to the table and cooks it at the table.  And you die and go to heaven after the chocolate souffle.   Each and every calorie was a pleasure to eat!

http://www.oldswisshouse.ch/en/

Beluga & Crystal Brunch

I was too lazy to get out of bed and make breakfast yesterday.  So I put on some jeans, grabbed my Birken and headed down to Petrossian for a fabulously casual brunch of Beluga caviar & Crystal champagne brunch with friends.

Caviar are the salt-cured fish-eggs of the Black Sea sturgeon fish. There are 4 types: Beluga ( my favorite ),Sterlet,Ossetra and Sevruga. All other fish eggs are not really considered "caviar" even though they may be good on sushi or other foods. Traditionally, true caviar is eaten alone on a soft blini and creme fraiche.  And there is nothing like it!

Nothing is more fun and decadent than a lazy Sunday with nothing to do.  And nothing is as yummy as caviar and champagne for no reason other than pure pleasure of celebrating life!

http://www.petrossian.com

WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE GRILL

I know...it's kind of silly...but it's out there in the planet.  The world's most expensive BBQ grill?

BeefEater has introduced a new realm of grilling by creating the most expensive grill in the world, priced at $150,000.  The grill sports numerous unique elements including a wok burner, a viewing window on its roasting hood, six super charged barbecue burners, a warming rack, vaporizer grid and a reflector system. To top it all off it's completely covered in 24 karat gold by hand, minus the cooking surfaces of course.

Talk about the ultimate backyard boy toy!

http://www.beefeaterbbq.comhttp://www.beefeaterbbq.com

 

 

 

Yummy Yummy in the Tummy!...yummy!

Hmmm...yummy, yummy in the tummy!  

Here is a list of the best 50 restaurants in the world.  I've eaten at several and I can tell you that I agree with most of this list.    A restaurant does not have to be on a list to be amazing.   But this list has restaurants that are beautiful, atmospheric, with famous chef owners and unique, delicious and innovative foods.  To be on a list like this a restaurant must have an outstanding menu of creative foods that patrons are willing to pay top dollar for.  It's about consistency and quality as much as about an experience.

Have you tried any of these delicious restaurants?

http://www.theworlds50best.com/

TASTE FOOD + DESIGN COOKBOOK

I can't cook, but I love to bake!

The IDCC  (the Interior Design Coalition of California) called a few months ago and asked me for a recipe so they could add it to their new 2012 cookbook.  The book features interior designers showing a photo of a kitchen or dinning room they have designed and a recipe.  So of course, my entry was my world famous sugar cookies.

The cookbook is sold to raise money for the IDCC.  Its an honor to be featured amongst some of the best interior designers in California and  to contribute to a great cause.  

So get in your kitchen and make some cookies....

Glamour Breakfast

Even though they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I have never really been a huge eater in the mornings.  I'm more of a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" kind of girl, with a coffee on the run.

But the weekend is upon us and maybe these pictures will inspire you to wake up and prepare a glamorous meal and start your day off with a bit of luxury.  Or if you are going away for the weekend, order yourself a fab room service capuccino and veggie omlette.

Have a great weekend!

Tiny Bubbles

Champagne has to be one of the most popular holiday drinks.  Almost everyone can afford a bottle and it's fun and cheery.  It says celebration like no other drink. And personally - I love it!

But there is a reason champagne is elitist and fancy.  There are champagnes that are so fantastic and so pricy that realistically only a few people can afford them.   They are not readily available at every corner liquor store and they are available in limited amounts.

So if you are looking for over the top and out of this world look no more.  Here is the list that can bring in 2012  with a big bang.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bollinger Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes Francaises 1997  about $ 650 per bottle

Krug, Clos Du Mesnil 1995  about $ 750 per bottle

Dom Perignon 1966 about $ 1,950 per bottle

Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1995  about $ 3,500 per bottle

Cristal Brut 1990 “Methuselah”  about $ 17,000 per bottle

... and ...  the Holy Grail of champagne the Shipwreck 1907 Heidsieck which resently sold for $ 275,000 per bottle.

Holiday Yummies

I don't cook, but I love to bake!

I bake for my friends and family every holiday, and of course Christmas is no different.  Baking and making cookies for the holidays has become a tradition around my house and my friends all expect their cookies.  It's a fun way to get creative and show people you care.  

Ok...I know we are all on diets and we all eat healthy most of the year.  But when my cookies arrive - I promise you will be happy to break the rules and live a little.

So off to the store I go.  I have tons of ingredients to buy and I can't wait to get started on my holiday yummies!

 

 

 

chef Jean-George

If you don’t like the food of chef Jean-George, then most likely you have damaged taste buds! 

Jean-George Vongerichten is a French born chef who now resides in the US and is best known for his mix of incredible, quality food with outstanding locations and environments to create some of the best dining experiences in the world.  Bon Appetit named him restaurateur of the year in 2005 and the queen of food, Martha Stewart loves him too!  Need I say more?

His book “Simple Cuisine” is a must have for chefs.  I looked at it, thought of buying it … but since I can’t cook that well … it’s easier for me to go to one of his restaurants than try and duplicate one of his recepies.   I’v tasted his food in Bangkok, Mexico, Hong Kong, Vegas and NY and he is one of my current favorite chefs.  

Treat your mouth to happiness.  Go to a jean-George restaurant!

http://www.jean-georges.com

BRITISH CAKE-BAKER FIONA CAIRNS

British cake-baker Fiona Cairns started baking cakes on a whim after miniature cakes she made as holiday gifts for her friends were a huge hit.  Fast forward to today, twenty five years later, and she has a factory that produces 120,000 cakes a year.  They are sold at lux at lux stores like Harrod’s and Selfridges and to a list of celebrity clients, including music legends Pink Floyd and Bono.  She even bakes a Christmas fruit cake for Sir Paul McCartney  every year.  

Fiona is very fond of flowers and she incorporates them into most of her cake decorating.  Years ago she began dressing her cakes with edible crystalized flowers like pansies, rose petals and violets, setting a huge trend.  She was selected to baked the wedding cake for this year's "Royal Wedding" of William and Kate.   Per the bride's request, Fiona dressed their 8 tiered cake with 17 different kinds of handcrafted sugary flowers, each symbolizing a different attribute important to the bride to be.

Just looking at her images makes me want to learn to bake.

 http://www.fionacairns.com/

 

FRROZEN HAUTE CHOCOLATE

The most expensive dessert in the world? 

 A few years ago New York’s legendary ice cream parlor Serendipity 3 introduced the “Frrozen Haute Chocolate” dessert.  Layered with edible 23 karat gold, it contains 14 of the most rare cocoas from across the globe.  Topped off with decadent whipped cream and shavings of La Madeline au Truffle, which is $2600 a pound, its served in a goblet lined with edible gold and wrapped with a gold and diamond bracelet.  You eat it with none other then a custom designed golden diamond studded spoon.  It sells for a grand total of $25,000, setting a Guinness world record for the most expensive dessert!

Also a staple on the fabulous Serendipity's menu?  the Frozen Haute Chocolate Golden Opulence Sundae for $ 1,000.   And why do I know about this?  Because apart from being an interior designer - I'm a chocoholic!

 

Summer Dessert Bars

Having a Summer party?  Set up a dessert bar.  It's so fun and creative and it's a great way to personalize your reception and leave your friends with something sweet to remember you by.  What is a dessert bar?  Its a cute way of saying - a table set up with sweets and cakes.

All you need is a table, a design concept, some plates or glass apothecary jars and a wild imagination. Store bought candy can be placed inside of the jars, cupcakes can be lined up or put on cake stands, sugar cookies can be painted to match your theme, lollipops can be made to stand in patterns, ribbons can decorate the jar lids.   It's about cute, summer fun.  It brings the child in you back to a party and gives your guest the opportunity to pick and choose what they prefer to eat.

Make your friends feel like "a kid in a candy store."

the queen of cakes - SYLVIA WEINSTOCK

The queen of cakes?  Without a doubt it has to be Sylvia Weinstock.

From the beginning, Sylvia’s cakes have always drawn attention.  Her career took of when a chef took notice of one of her  cakes in a restaurant window and the rest is history.  Sylvia’s famous masterpieces have now graced events for the last thirty years.  Her fans range from celebrities like Catherine Zeta Jones, Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey to women that save all their lives to have a Sylvia Weinstock cake on their wedding day.  Her designs range from Tiffany Boxes, to custom designed animals or my favorite, her florals.  At 80 years old she is still going strong, attending bridal shows  dancing the night away at parties and events.

Sylvia, will you make my birthday cake?

 http://sylviaweinstock.com/index_fl4.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECORATING WITH FOOD

Decorating with food is one of the easiest ways to make your party or event pop with life.  It's also a fun way to incorporate color and design into your decor.  I've decorated with food on several of my HGTV specials and I always create a food display when I'm entertaining at home.

All you need are some clear apothecary jars to fill with food or a group of identical trays to display your cookies or candy on.  I have also used pretty hat boxes as plates in the past.  Add some accessories that go with your theme and voila!  A beautiful colorful food display.

Have fun at your next party - get creative and make a food display for all to enjoy.

 

My Easter eggs...

I made a mess in the kitchen, got food coloring all over the place, dropped a box of ribbon on the floor, spilled glue on the counter and broke several eggs in the process.  But I had a blast listening to "Kings of Leon" and tooling around in the kitchen. 

Tah - dah..... I present.... drum roll please.......my 2011 Easter eggs .......

French Baguettes

One of my favorite things to do in Paris is eat fresh made baguettes with pesto, tomatoes and cheese. I don't know why, but they taste so much better here.  The warm soft insides, the crunchy outside and the delicious cheeses just make my day.

Oh...and the macaroons are to die for too.

I'm having such a great time in Paris.  Wish you were here!

 
 

Shell Ice Cream Scoop

 
While shopping I came across this great spiral shell ice cream scoop.  It caught my eye right away and seemed like the perfect hostess gift for anyone who lives close to the beach and has a beach house.   Made out of silver and reflecting the beautiful aquatic nature design of a shell, its both functional and aesthetic. A summer accessory must have.

Love ice cream.  Love the beach.  A perfect marriage!

www.silvergallery.com

Cool Cup Cakes

Cup cakes are all the rage, right?  So how do you make cool cup cakes at home?

Ticings is a company that sells eatable stick on designs for cakes and cup cakes.  After you bake the sponge part, you simple apply on their eatable  sheet icing and voila!  Custom, unique and personal cup cakes.  You can buy from their standard line of available designs or you can send in an image and they can customize a design for you. The possibilities are endless.

And since I can't cook, this is the coolest product!

http://ticings.com

I am the magic ingredient!

I'm not a world class cook and I don't claim to be an Iron Chef. But I do have fun in the kitchen and I find it fun and relaxing. I don't cook up exotic meals every day, but on the weekends or when I'm having guests over, I do try and get creative.

I'll share a few of my favorite recepies here with you all ... but keep in mind that "I am the magic  ingredient"!  I do it all with love.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Everyone loves sugar cookies, so when I was designing the HGTV "celebrity Holiday Homes" special for Brooke Burke I imagined sugar cookies for her beautiful kids to enjoy.  I called upon the help my friend Laura from Custom Cookie Favors   http://customcookiefavors.com  and we designed and came up with these lovely white snow flake designs.  They were a huge hit with everyone from the kids to the crew.  I think sugar cookies make people smile.

Ok...so they are fattening,  but sugar cookies make people smile, right?

 

Halloween Skeleton Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are so easy to make and everyone loves eating them.  For the HGTV " 2010 Halloween Block Party" special,  I designed these super cute little skeleton painted sugar cookies.  I used a Christmas gingerbread man cookie cutter and enlisted the help of my friend Laura from Custom Cookie Favors  http://customcookiefavors.com .

Yummy or scary?