Johanna's Favorite Things Party

Last weekend, I celebrated my birthday with some of my girlfriends and a 'Favorite Things' party theme.  Awhile back I had seen several 'Favorite Things' parties popping up on many different blogs.  It sounded like such a fun idea that I knew I wanted to throw one myself.  As my birthday started approaching I thought... Why not?  This would be such a fun girls night!  Now if you don't know what I'm talking about, here's the gist... you invite your girlfriends over and ask each one to think of one of their favorite things that they would want to share and bring 4 of them, unwrapped.   Each girl would then go home with 4 new favorite things!

About a month ahead, I sent out these invitations.  I included an idea sheet also to help them out with their gift idea.

I made bags with each girls name on them so, they would have a place to put their favorite things as they shopped throughout the evening.

When each girl arrived, they were instructed to fill out a card with their favorite thing and then their name.  We displayed each one on cake plates on my farm table.

For food, I served light appetizers and drinks while the girls were arriving.  Since this was my favorite things party, for desserts I served some of my favorites!  Salted Caramel Coconut cake, a Chocolate, Vanilla, Raspberry White Chocolate cake, Sugar cookies, Peppermint Brownies and mini Coconut cupcakes.

At the end of the evening, I brought out one more tray of gifts.   As I thanked each one for coming, I drew names and each girl could pick an item from the tray to take home.

This was such a fun party to plan!  Here are a few more pics from the evening.  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas from Itsy and I!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star - First Birthday!

I have had the privilege of doing cakes for this sweet family many times now.  Their newest addition just turned one.  Check out this sweet little First Birthday dessert table they put together for little Bradley with the theme, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".  SO adorable!

Ruffle cake and cupcakes by Delicately Sweet Confections

Awaiting Laura's Little Cowboy

We had such a fun day today celebrating my friend Laura's little boy, soon to arrive this July.  A Cowboy themed shower was definitely the perfect theme for this little boy.  On the dessert menu was Hummingbird cake, Chocolate Mousse and Cowboy cookies.  

Of course we had to have Cowboy Cookies! ... And giveaway cookie mix jars.

Part of the gift I made for her was this sign.  I picked up the frame from a flea market I went to and it went perfectly with my idea.

The Momma to be (of now 2!)

This little one can't wait for this Cowboy to arrive! :)

Finding An Excuse

I always love trying out new ideas in the kitchen.  Many turn out to be flops but, thanks to my family, they are always so understanding :)  With the busyness of working, finding an excuse to be creative doesn't always come up. Today, I just had to try this new idea out it being St. Patty's day and all :) I'm a sucker for whimsical beautiful cake designs so, when I first saw this idea I fell in love.

I started with two 6 inch cake rounds. Flavors were lemon and coconut because I had left over cake batter from an order I just did.

Next, I frosted the cake with vanilla buttercream tinted green. This is called a crumb coat, so that all your loose crumbs don't get in your final frosting layer.

Now for the fun part!  I put both white and green frosting into a piping bag with a petal tip so that the cake would have a two toned effect. Starting at the bottom with your pastry bag, make a colomn zig-zagging about an inch wide to the top of the cake.  Keep the thin part of the tip to the outer edge. Repeat this all the way around the cake.  Last, edge the top with the same ruffle pattern.  This was WAY easier than I was anticipating!  I can't wait to do this again in a fun girly color! :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!