The windows at Trophy Cupcakes!

Simon Doonan once touched these ants...

Good morning!  Guess what I did over the weekend...  I decorated the windows at Trophy Cupcakes!  It was so much fun, so challenging (in a good way) and they turned out super cute.  If I say so myself, and I do.

Pop down to University Village or the Bravern to see all of the hoop-la and try the new Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcake while you're there.

It all started because I love Jennifer and we have been exploring ways to work together when I heard through the grapevine (that grapevine being Jenny) that a friend had decorated the windows at Trophy.  Immediately Jennifer and I started frantically emailing about setting up a date when I could fancy up the windows.

Glitter and strawberry paper in progress...

After long hours spent on photoshop getting the strawberry image just right, Kirstin and I headed out at six in the morning to have the windows fabulous by opening on July 1!

The picnic theme is a natural fit for summer  and was totally destined.  Jennifer has a friend who worked at Barney's as a window dresser and happened to have these giant ants.  TOO FABULOUS!  I am in love with the ants.  They totally bring the entire window together.

They are hanging all of July and will be 'refreshed' for August to celebrate the new flavor!  Come check them out!!  And check out the latest issue of 425 Magazine to see how I used Trophy Cupcakes at a bridal shower - the perfect 'indulgence.'

Blue Moon Monday

This weekend was the book launch party for Molly Moon's new book - which I adore - and the party did not disappoint!  Ms. Moon certainly knows how to throw a party!  Guests were feted with fabulous food, loads of ice cream, and quirky entertainment at every turn.

A giant ice cream tub served as a photo booth :: the vis-a-vis society held an overhead projector survey :: the Girl Scouts posted the flag :: a bike rider created gyro-paintings :: & the bar served up locally inspired cocktails.

Ms Moon - who has a little bit of a Zooey Deschanel vibe - enthusiastically thanked the crowd, signed book, and looked generally fabulous in her Milly dress.  If you haven't picked up a copy of her book yet, stop by the stores and grab one - or catch her on tour as she skates across the US this summer!

This weekend at Metropolitan Market!

Come and see me - all this weekend at Metropolitan Market.  Today I'll be at the Queen Anne location from 4-6pm then tomorrow I'll be at the Admiral store from 11am - 2pm and in Kirkland from 3:30-5:30.  I hope to see you soon!

Good Morning

It took a week to recover from our crazy year and regroup - and think about all of the amazing things that happened in 2010.  I can't believe what an amazing year it was - and I can only imagine what could happen in 2011!  Here's a little review of what happened, in case you forgot too!  

Lars turned two!  We hosted a Mickey Mouse themed party at our house for family and friends (that's about fifty people.  Yep, 5-0 people).  About a week later, my girlfriend came over for dinner and we started talking about my little business and how we could grow it together.  She came on board as my Media Director about a week after that.

Homemade Limoncello starts!  Lemons are peeled and in vodka - scroll down to see what happened with it.  If only I had known then what I was making it for...

February 5th we welcomed a perfect little girl.  

We celebrated Easter in Hawaii and I made papier mache eggs.  Turns out it doesn't set up so hot in the humidity.  I'll work on it again this year.

My first stab at a legit vegetable garden started this summer.  After months of planning, the garden went in and grew beautifully.  If the weather would have cooperated and given me any warm days at all, my tomatoes would have actually ever turned red.  Many lessons learned and I can't wait to start again this spring!

In August we went to a great wedding.

The cover shot for my book was taken in September, in the backyard of my friends Amy and Scott Hutchinson.  Seeing the cover laid out for the first time was a little freaky and totally exciting!  The book was definitely going to happen.

Halloween hoodies were a hit for the entire month!  That roar was perfected in a few days and it's all we heard while that hoodie was on.

In print!  What??  It's official, I am scheduled to be at Metropolitan Market signing my book.  But I have yet to see the finished book...

An amazing amount of faith and support leads to being able to be on Better Northwest once a week, hosting my own segments.  Maybe more in the new year?

Thanksgiving in Palm Springs and a heavenly margarita made with fresh Meyer Lemons and Key Limes from our trees.

December 1 :: schedule of the day

6am :: begin soup, roast vegetables, start focaccia dough

8am :: bake focaccia

10am :: pick up the first 250 copies of the book that were air mailed to be at the event in time

12pm :: finish pureeing the soup and wrap the bread for travel

2pm :: arrive at Tom D's for the event!

4pm :: event starts, sold a boat load of books, met some great people, received a compliment on the book from Tom D himself

9pm :: collapsed.

We ended the year with a book launch party at my parent's house.  Shots of homemade limoncello were used to toast the book, my amazing support system, and all of the people who bought books!  

Northwest Flower and Garden Show

Did I tell you I am speaking at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show this year?  It's the end of February - so you have lots of time to plan for it - and it's going to be so great.  I am doing two presentations with book signings following each one.  You can buy the book there too - so don't drag your copy along :)

The first presentation is Friday, February 25th at 12:30 in the afternoon.  I'll be talking about "Plant Now, Eat Later" showing recipes and other ideas for your favorite garden vegetables and spices.  There are so many things to do with your produce I can't wait to talk to you all about it!  Hopefully we don't go too far over our 45 minutes on stage!

Then on Saturday the 26th, I'll be showing a easy way to host brunch for your friends.  Brunch is such a great way to entertain your friends because it is SO simple.  We'll use some of the fresh herbs from your garden (they grow even in February!) and cook some really great recipes together.  That presentation is at 9:30am.

There was a campaign a few years ago, (two to be exact) when the previous owners of the show were calling it quits, that it was the LAST YEAR for the Northwest Flower and Garden show.  That was kind of a bizarre campaign, because they were actively trying to sell the show.  Lucky for us, O'Loughlin Trade Shows bought the show and have kept it rolling along.

The O'Loughlin people are awesome - not only do they produce great shows - but they have made this show really spectacular.  You can follow the show all year long on their blog, twitter feed, and on the website.  They have recipes, tips, and great ideas all the time.  I am super excited to be a part of the show and I'm excited to share more with you as we get closer to January!


images from nwsource.com