A Wish and A Whisk!

A girl who I went to college with started her own company called "A Wish and A Whisk". She's being gracious enough to donate one of her amazing cakes for a fundraiser some of my girlfriends and I are hosting in December.  Check out her stuff ~ I think you will be as blown away as I am by Lindsey Sinatra's talent!  You may recognize her from WE TV's hit series "Amazing Wedding Cakes"!

 {You know I had to throw that last one in there}

Isn't Lindsey amazing?!  Her cakes are pure works of art.

You HAVE to check out her site:  A Wish and A Whisk!

{Sweet Inspiration} A "Bright" Future

As a teacher, my students and I both have summer on the brain.  Maybe that's why I love this tablescape so much?  No...I think it's just because it's ADORABLE!  I love everything about it.



Head over to Celebrations at Home to see more of the details.  Trust me; you want to check it out!

Here's to the end of the school year...almost!

Mom's Favorite Coconut Cake ~ Happy Birthday, Mama!

{image via Seven Spoons}

{The Sweetest Kitchen}

I miss the days where I could come home from college, curl up on the couch with my mom, watch endless episodes of The Barefoot Contessa and Everyday Italian, and sip on our coffee.  My mom has influenced me in so many ways.  Cooking and baking are just a few.

I remember one time we were swooning over Ina's Coconut Cake.  I made it for her birthday a few years ago, and that was that.  We fell in love.

So in honor of my mom, I thought I'd share it with you all. 

Get the Coconut Cake recipe HERE & the Coconut Cupcake recipe HERE!  You can't go wrong with either one.

I know I've been writing this ever since I learned how to spell, but...

 Happy Birthday to the best mom in the world.  I love you!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes!

I love lemon...all things lemon! {Maybe it's a Greek thing?}

I sampled this delicious Pink Lemonade Layer Cake by Paula Deen last week and had I had an A-ha! moment.  I love lemon...why have I never tried this before?  How have I never seen or heard of this before?

{image via Deen Bros}

I decided to give the recipe a go with cupcakes...and voila!

YUM!

If you're a lemon lover like myself, you must give this recipe a try.  And be sure to make the frosting that goes with it - it makes the cake! 

{The frosting has a really pretty muted pink hue to it which I really love.  However, I wanted these cupcakes to be a little more fun so I added a touch of Wilton Icing Coloring in Rose. Both ways were equally delicious!}

I'm the Proud Owner of...

FINALLY!

I know...I know...I need to get with the times.  I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money on something like this for myself.

A parent of one of my former students surprised me with this and a sweet card ~ I love them and I LOVE my new book!  I will treasure it forever...and that's no exaggeration.

I can't wait to start experimenting with some of these adorable cake pops.  I see big messes, failures, yumminess, and fun in my future!

{image via Bakerella}

Beautiful Cakes ~ The Sweet & Saucy Shop!

If I could plan our wedding all over again, the ONLY thing I'd do differently is get my cake from The Sweet & Saucy Shop.  Melody, the owner, and her team make the most beautiful and stylish cakes, desserts, pops, and more!

They're all too amazing to comment on individually.  Which one is your favorite?

Be sure to stop by the Sweet & Saucy Shop if you're in the Long Beach area, or visit their site online.

If nothing else, follow Melody's blog to keep up with her beautiful work!

{all images courtesy of My Sweet & Saucy Shop}

12 Days of Cookies Countdown!

Have you been keeping up with Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies countdown?  I hadn't been, until today.  I have cornered myself into {yet again} a weekend where I have committed to doing too many things and being at too many places.  Eeek!  I was in desperate need of a quick cookie recipe {I've been a little cupcake crazy lately}.  I turned to Food Network and ya know what?  They never disappoint.

Take a look at their first 6 Days of Cookies!

Day 1:  Paula Deen's Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

These babies are the cookies I will be making this weekend - can't wait!  The recipe looks quick, easy, and delicious!

Day 2:  Aarti's Ginger Cookie With Garam Masala

Day 3:   Barefoot Contessa's Coconut Macaroons

I make these every year and they are amazing!  Even better dipped in some dark chocolate.

Day 4: Anne's Dried Cherry and Almond Biscotti 

Yum!  I wish these could somehow miraculously appear on my doorstep tomorrow to enjoy with my morning coffee.

Day 5: Giada's Lemon Ricotta Cookies With Lemon Glaze

Day 6: Claire Robinson's Turtle Graham Bars

These didn't make the countdown, but these Chocolate Cheesecake Candy Cane Bars are definitely on my Christmas Cookie-Making To Do List this year...

WOW!

Wishing you a SWEET weekend!

Remembering Our Wedding Day...

So a couple of days after we got back from Europe, we had our second anniversary!  We have come to the conclusion that our trip will basically serve as a gift for every anniversary, birthday, and holiday for this year (but it was so worth it!).  So we kept it simple and did dinner and a movie - eating some good American food and getting to finally see Eclipse was the perfect way to celebrate two years with my honey.

My husband and I are at the age where we attend a wedding every other month (so it seems).  I found myself looking through old pictures on my computer and getting a little sentimental about our own wedding day. It was my favorite day to date!

Details

 Wedding Fun

I still can't believe that two years have flown by!  We're still so thankful to everyone who helped make our wedding day so special and memorable, especially to my MOM who kept me sane and was my assistant crafter/decorator for the wedding.

Love...how sweet it is!

Ashley

Credits

Venue:  The Muckenthaler Mansion in Fullerton, CA

Catering & Cake:  Colette's Catering Extraordinaire

Photography:  Edna Eudave at Square Eye Photography (she's awesome!)
Dresses:  J.Crew & Marisa Bridals

Flowers:  Raindrops on Roses (Chino Hills, CA)

Decor:  My mama and me!