Pretty Pink Petal Cake – A Wilton Cake Decorating Technique

When I told my friends I was going to take the Wilton Course 1 Building Buttercream Skills class at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store they thought I must be going to teach the class.  After all, I’ve been decorating cakes using the Wilton method since before I was married and I’ve been married, shall we just say, decades? I told them I was going to learn new techniques and perhaps brush up on ones I was already familiar with.  And… [Read More]

Design Love Fest and Twig & Twine Flower Arrangement Workshop Re-caps

How has your summer been going? I’ve been taking a little blogging break, in case you hadn’t noticed, to work on organizing some up-coming home projects, adjusting to domestic life for two, and taking some classes online in addition to onsite floral workshops in LA. It’s time for us to catch up! I’ve always loved floral arranging and although I’ve never been formally trained, (which I might venture into this fall) I’ve always had fun dabbling in it for parties… [Read More]

Red, White & Blue Daiquiri Cocktails

Let’s create a big bang with Red, White & Blue Daiquiri Cocktails for the 4th of July! These festive cocktails always hit the top of my blog post trends this time of year so I’m posting a slightly revised post for new readers.  The daiquiris are festive, refreshing, absolutely delicious and always make a big impact on guests!  Just perfect for backyard celebrations on the 4th of July. Of course, you can always make them a mock-tail by leaving out… [Read More]

Fabulous Fondant Daisies at Framed Frosting

Happy July!  I think we’re all in shock it’s here already. Today, I’ve written a guest tutorial DIY post for Danielle on her blog, Framed Frosting.  I shared how I made these daisy cupcake embellishments out of rolled fondant and how very easy they are for you to make them too! I had the pleasure and fun of meeting Danielle and her perky personality and helpfulness at the Wilton Sweet Up in April at Wilton Headquarters outside of Chicago.  Danielle… [Read More]

Cupcakes Coming Up and Great Things Small

What an incredible week!  Thank you to Cupcakes Take The Cake for featuring my chocolate cupcakes with the pink fondant daisies.  If you’ve clicked over here from CTTC wondering, “Hey, where are they”,  they’ll be over on Danielle’s Framed Frosting next week as I guest post and share a DIY tutorial on making the fondant daisies.  They’ll be a piece of cake for you to make! I’ve also been busy on Instagram where I posted our recipe for the Best… [Read More]

FORE! Father’s Day Golf-Themed Cupcakes

It’s tee off time for Father’s Day or for the golf enthusiast! These golf-themed cupcakes are for the golfer dads out there or the golf enthusiast! I created them specifically with little duffers in mind since they are easy to decorate using only one decorating tip with multiple openings making grass “grow” quickly while moms will appreciate the ease and convenience of using Wilton’s ready-made decorating icing that’s the perfection consistency. I made several different golf-themed cupcakes for fun but… [Read More]

An Orange County Wedding

shady canyon wedding

I had a wonderful time with all my men at home these last ten days and I have to admit it’s a challenge to sit down at the computer when the feeling of summer is beckoning. It began in earnest this past weekend with the beautiful wedding of our best friends’ son at their gorgeous home. The flowers were breathtaking.  Decanters full of them.  Everywhere. More breathtaking than the flowers, the beautiful bride. The emotions of our friends, the groom’s… [Read More]

Ten Days

Today clean sheets will crack in the air and gently float down to land.  For the next ten days I’ll hear the distinctive cadence of each boy coming down the stairs where the destination will undoubtedly be the fridge.  It’ll be full.  I’ll pamper and bring the calorie count up for the time being.  I’m going to bask in familiar youthful sounds I’ve missed that have become the exception around here.  I’ll relish a clean house void of glittery project… [Read More]

A Bridal Shower Styling for Shutterfly and so much more

I love the celebrations of weddings and the anticipation of the big day.  I’ve had the delight and honor to be involved with numerous nieces’ and nephews’ wedding preparations from making hundreds of rosettes to hang to baking and decorating hundreds of cookies favors for every guest to enjoy so when Shutterfly asked me to style and photograph a bridal shower theme party using their products of my choice, I couldn’t wait to get started on a bright and fun… [Read More]

Hello! Bridal Shower Styling Sneak Peek!

I hope everyone had a nice Mother’s Day.  I did!  Just a quick check-in today as I’m styling and shooting for a project for Shutterfly that will post on Friday. I’ve had a bit of an injury to my right hand which I believe has been from swiping constantly “to the left, to the left” on my iPad and phone and swirling all around on my track pad on my laptop which I use for everything, even photo editing and… [Read More]