Such Pretty Things

Just Some Eye "Candy"

Super busy day today, but I thought I'd just drop-in to show you some eye "candy".

I am loving these adorable little candies that I brought back from London.

So dainty and sweet.

XOXO

Jessica

Mrs. Kibbles Olde Sweet Shoppe

Yup, more candy!  Today's featured shop is especially beautiful - old-fashioned in style and in my fav color palette.

My visit to Mrs. Kibbles Sweet Shoppe may have alone justified my airfare to London! :-)

One look at those rows of glass jars filled with pretty candies and I just about keeled over.

So much pastel prettiness in one small space!

Happy weekend!

XOXO

Jessica

Hope and Greenwood

I did promise you lots of sweets, didn't I? Well, Hope and Greenwood is one of my very favorite candy shops in London.

It is oh, so very British and so very charming...

Their packaging is so cute!

I was seriously debating just how many of these jars I could get home in my luggage!

And the displays are so cool...

Jar after jar of traditional British treats line the walls...evidently, the "Shrimps" are very popular!

Buckets of colorful candy choices abound...

What can I say? I did warn you all.  Sweets really were a big part of our trip...

...and there are even more to come!

:-)

Jessica

A "Sweet" Vacation

If there was a theme to our European vacation, it would have had to have been "sweets"!

I know this will hardly come as a surprise to most of you, given my love for all things confectionery and sprinkled. :-) Long before we left on our trip, I compiled a very detailed list of all the places I hoped to visit while in London and Paris. And it was a VERY long list! I am always excited to check out the newest bakery or find some new-to-me sprinkles to add to my ever-growing collection. Luckily, I have a husband who tolerates my "sweet" adventures and daughters who are always happy to tag along whenever a cupcake is involved.

Today, I just thought I'd show you a few pictures from one of my favorite department stores in London - Fortnum and Mason. One look at the building exterior and the colors of their brand packaging (see above) and you'll see why I love it so much...

Pretty minty-aqua green abounds...

So very whimsical!

But once inside, you'll find all sorts of glorious treats and sweets. The main level is filled with gourmet chocolate counters, tins filled with tea, exotic coffees, and gift items galore. Just take a looky at one of the candy counters...

Those pastel almond dragees are sooooo pretty! Fortnum and Mason also serves an excellent tea in their lovely dining room.  And the basement level has some beautiful prepared foods, fresh flowers, and even baking supplies. Check out their selection of food colorings...

So, if you find yourself in London, Fortnum and Mason should definitely be on your must-visit list!

BTW: I really recommend making a detailed list of places to visit before you travel. I always note complete addresses and opening days and times.  This helps in planning your itinerary and also avoids inevitable disappointment at finding that your favorite shop closed an hour before you arrived or isn't open on Sundays. I even like to plot out all my destinations on a map before I go.  This saves precious vacation time and makes it easy for you to hit all your favorite spots.

Lots more sweets to come...

XOXO

Jessica

 

Spring Break Break

I want to wish you all a very Happy Easter and Passover!

I am taking a little time off to spend the spring break with my family and friends.

But, I'll be back soon and I'll have LOTS to share with you!

XOXO

Jessica

 

After-school Snack

I bought these colorful sprinkle cookies at the bakery to give to the girls as an after-school snack.

They looked so happy and pretty that I just had to share them with you.  Plus, they matched my new Cath Kidston plates so perfectly!  :-)

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty & Thrifty Thursday: Cake Stand

I just love old-fashioned cake stands - so I was beyond happy to find this pretty vintage-inspired glass beauty at World Market.

It was a bargain, too! The cost was actually $12.99, so a few dollars above my allotted $10 "Thrifty" budget, but I did use my 10 percent-off coupon - so pretty darn close! Isn't it pretty! Such a lovely, pale green color for Spring...

Cake stands and pedestals have so many uses beyond holding cakes - personally, I think almost any type of food looks prettier served on a cake stand...and they are wonderful for adding height to buffets and for displaying perfume bottles or your favorite beauty products (try placing one in a guest bathroom stacked with prettily packaged soaps). But for today, my cake stand is just being used the traditional way..to hold some delicious pastel meringues...

Happy Thursday!

:-)

Jessica

Sweets for your Sweet

I guess we just can't get enough sugar around here! These are some very simple and quick party favors that you can make inexpensively for almost any occasion. We made ours "pretty in pink" for Valentine's day...

To make some, you'll need some rock candy crystallized sugar sticks (I found mine at Party City, but most candy stores carry them in a rainbow of colors).

You'll also need "pretzel stick" bags (mine are from Wilton), coordinating ribbon (I used seam binding), and pretty millinery or favor flowers (shockingly, I used Forget-me-nots!).

Remove the unattractive printed-plastic bags that the sugar sticks are originally packaged in and slip them into the pretzel bags. Wind a small bunch of posies around the stick and secure with a ribbon bow. You will probably need to trim the bag to size. And there you go...

Super easy and so pretty!

XOXO

Jessica

 

Heart Cookies

The girls and I made some heart-shaped sugar cookies this morning.

Pale pink icing with colorful sugar crystals...

And a cold glass of milk, of course.

Yummy practice for Valentine's Day!

XOXO

Jessica

Wrapped Valentine's Day Candies

Here's an easy and pretty way to dress up some simple candies for Valentine's Day.  All you need is some colorful tissue or crepe paper, pretty ribbon in narrows widths, double-sided tape, and some round wrapped candies (I used Lindt chocolates).

Cut a rectangle of tissue that will completely encompass your chocolate when you wrap it (it should be slightly wider than your candy). Roll the candy (keeping it in the wrapper) in the paper, secure with a small piece of tape, and gently twist the ends.  Secure each end with a small ribbon bow.

These are so simple, but look sooooo fancy!

Present them in a pretty dish or a small heart-shaped box with a millinery flower on top...

And these would make equally lovely favors for a wedding or party - just change out the colors to match your theme!

I am planning to do a Valentine shop update this weekend, so I'll let you know when it's ready to go!

XOXO

Jessica