Dessert First

Meet Anne Thornton.  Host of Dessert First with Anne Thornton on the Food Network.   Not only is Anne my new favorite cooking show host, her recipes are to die for.  I recently discovered her show this weekend (where have I been??) while catching up on some weekend television.  As soon as I saw that she was making Salted Caramel Banana Macarons, I was sold.  

Make sure you tune in to the Food Network on Saturdays at 12:30pm/11:30 Central for her fabulously delicious show.

Here are some of my favorite recipes by Anne:

Salted Caramel Banana Macarons

Couture Caramel Apples

Deepest Darkest Chocolate Cheesecake

Almond, Pear and Cherry Pocket Pies

Cookie Dough Truffles with Sea Salt

Cadbury Mini Eggs.

Cadbury Mini Eggs.  These little chocolate bombs have made their way into my home and are reeking havoc on my waistline.  Not only are they absolutely delicious, they are downright addicting.  Pop one into your mouth, melt through the crisp sugar shell and you hit the creamy milk chocolate center.  

Sweet bliss.  

Before you know it, the little egg is gone and you are reaching for another.  

Despite loving candy and everything sweet, I'm a very healthy person.  Thankfully my husband is too.  Last weekend while checking out at the grocery store I had an older gentlemen actually comment on the items in my cart.  "You have to be the healthiest eater I've ever seen!  What do you do for grains?"  He obviously noticed I had no bread, no processed food and nothing loaded with sugar.  We live off of lean meat, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and high fiber whole grains in the Patterson house.

But the season has brought an impostor in our home and I feel like I'm losing the battle.  I've never had these Cadbury Mini Eggs in my house until the arrival of my husband.  Granted, I was the one who bought them for him to remind him of how much I love him and that I keep his "wants" in mind while grocery shopping.  (Note to self: chocolate does not equal love!)  Nonetheless, we've gone through 3 bags and it's not even Easter yet!  I guess I shouldn't feel so bad though.  Apparently, the love for the Mini Eggs runs in the family.  My father-in-law is working on his 8th bag.  Way to break the cycle Curtis.

Despite the addictive nature of these little treats, I highly recommend them.  They are great for a chocolate-fix (if you can control yourself), look beautiful in a apothecary jar displayed around the house (so festive!) or can be the perfect addition to any Easter basket.  

May the force be with you if you dare to try them. 

Happy Friday!

Be Sweet.

-Kristy

Toadstools

I've got fairies and pixie dust on my mind as I prepare for my next party.  

Occasion: Girl's 3rd birthday party.

Theme: Tinkerbell.  

Setting: Woodland Fairy.

Colors: Pink, Yellow, Lime, Orange.

I was perusing Etsy last night and came across these super fabulous chocolate-filled toadstools by Andie's Specialty Sweets.  I just love the daintiness of these little mushrooms.  They are so perfect and would be such a great addition to the decor.  I'll have to keep this one in my back pocket for my next fairy-themed table... 

Be Sweet.

-Kristy

Sweet On Giveaway: Be Sweet Confections

Be Sweet Confections, their mission is simple...sharing a little joy.  Their chocolates, confections, favor boxes and ribbons bring loads of joy to each and every one of their customers.  Be Sweet Confections is a go-to for me when designing my Sweets Tables as they offer high quality chocolates, unique colors and beautiful favor boxes.  I'm obsessed with their Chocolate Malt Balls, Petite Chocolates, White Chocolate Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Sunflowers.  I can't say enough about how exquisite they really are!!

You can find many of their boxed confections at THESE fine retailers.

I can't wait to share a little joy with one lucky Sweet On Follower...

{Chocolate Covered Malt Balls}

One lucky Sweet On Follower will win the following Be Sweet Confections: 

Red & Pink Chocolate Sunflowers

Valentine's Day Washi Tape

Small Glassine Bags

These items will make for the perfect DIY Valentine's Day treat!!

And here are the rules for the contest: 

1.  You must be a Follower of Sweet On.

2.  To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post between Tuesday, February 1, 2011 and Friday, February 4, 2011.  A winner will be selected at random next Monday, February 7th.

3.  To receive an additional entry, you can "Like" our Sweet Nothings Facebook page.  It is up to you to return to this post to enter your second entry after liking our page.

4.  Post about this giveaway on Facebook for an additional entry.  You must enter the link to this post in your status update.  It is up to you to return to this post to enter your third entry after FB'ing about the giveaway.

5.  Lastly, you can link to this post on your own blog (include the URL to your blog in your comment).  It is up to you to return to this post to enter your fourth entry after blogging about the giveaway.

Good Luck!

Be Sweet.

-Kristy

Memory Bars

{Photo courtesy of Kiss the Groom}

Friends, I do apologize for my being M.I.A. this week.  Working a full-time job takes its toll and when things get busy, other things (i.e. blogging) fall into the back seat.  In the meantime, I've been immersed in brainstorming, putting ideas to paper, and working on setting up meetings with some great vendors that are local to our area.  I can't wait for the little details to fall into place.  

In the meantime, I want to share a concept that I just found and truly love.  I was browsing through Kiss the Groom, a fabulous wedding blog, and came across the photo above.  The candy bars are wrapped in photographs from the bride and groom's life.  What a brilliant idea!!  It personalizes the candy in such a way that you feel like you are getting a sneak peak into the life of the couple, yet it takes a simple chocolate bar and turns it into something so chic and so unique.  

And speaking of wedding, tomorrow's post will be an exciting one for me.  Can't wait to share.

Be Sweet.

-Kristy

Pudding Cups!

These pudding cups are ingenious!!  It's amazing what you can do with balloons and chocolate!!  I can't wait to make pudding and use this clever idea.  Who doesn't like a chocolate bowl filled with yummy goodness?!?  You can also use these cute little bowl for ice cream or any kind of sundaes.  Better yet, why not fill them with your favorite fruit...strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries and top with whipped cream!  It's a healthy dessert for those calorie conscious folks out there.  But it's a great alternative for those choco-holics too!!  If you want to turn the same old boring pudding, ice cream or mixed berries into some FABULOUS here is your golden ticket!! 

{Images courtesy of SimpleSong}

Be Sweet.
-Kristy