Green Inspiration Board

Green is a rich, luxurious color. It can also be used with a variety of colors to create a different ambience for your wedding. For a more modern look, use black accents. For a more natural look, use brown accents. For a more elegant look, use gold accents. For a fun look, green can be paired with peach, coral, violet, plum, navy, or yellow. I love the warm, natural look of these photos.

Sources (from left to right):
Couple holding hands, teacups, place card table, bridesmaids, house, flowers

Spring into Dessert

Strawberries (a personal favorite) are finally in season, so stock up and make a special strawberry treat for you to enjoy. Rhubarb is also in season, it's tartness pairs nicely with sweeter fruits such as raspberries or strawberries. Take full advantage of spring by enjoying these wonderful spring inspired desserts.

Sources & Recipes:
1. Strawberry Cream Cake
2. Strawberry Shortcake Jellies
3. Strawberry-Almond Cream Tart
4. Strawberry Panna Cotta with Strawberry Compote

Sources & Recipes:
1. Rum-Spiked Grilled Pineapple with Toasted Coconut
2. Plum Oatmeal Tart
3. Fresh Grape and Champagne Sorbet
4. Rhubarb Raspberry Crisp

Sources &  Recipes:
1. Lemon Angel food Cupcakes
2. Cream Puffs with Lemon-Cream Filling
3. Lemon Meringue Pie with Graham Crust
4. Frozen Blackberry-Lemon Chiffon Pie

Yellow Wedding Cakes

Refreshing, bright and stylish, a yellow wedding cake will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Enjoy this little dose of sunshine... 

Sources: 

1. Ruffly rose garland ; 2. White cake with yellow roses ; 3. Yellow cake with flowers ;

4. Yellow cake with scallop icing ; 5. White & yellow pattern cake ; 6. White cake with yellow ribbon

Classic Purple Inspiration Board

Purple is a beautiful and very popular color for weddings. Hot red and cool blue combined to create this intriguing color. Purple is a deep jewel tone that imparts a royal confidence. Once thought as a color of royalty and nobility, purple accents work just as well in lavish affairs as it does in more relaxed settings. 

Sources (Clockwise starting from top left corner):

1. Invitations 

2. Couple 

3. Boutonniere 

4. Purple & Cream Living Room 

5. Cake 

6. Bouquet

Easter Cupcakes

Take a look at these cute cupcakes decorated for Easter. Adding bright colors, flowers, eggs, baskets, bunnies and chicks to your baked goods is a great way to celebrate the joy of Easter.

Sources: 

1. Peeps Cupcakes

2. Easter Cupcake Meadow

3. Easter Hat Cupcakes

4. Birds Nest Cupcakes

5. Fondant Easter Cupcake Toppers

Peaches & Cream Inspiration Board

Recently we have had some hints of spring weather (and some snow) in the northeast. Peach and cream conjure up images of spring flowers and the kind of weather we are all yearning for. This beautiful color palette is both romantic and timeless.   

Sources:
Row 1: bridal party, peach bouquet
Row 2: clutch, Chanel shoes, Karmann Ghia
Row 3: dessert table, cake   

Healthier Baking

Everyone loves a little sweet treat. I am not one who believes in cutting out all desserts just because you are watching your waistline. Cravings can be sheer torture and can quickly derail your efforts to maintain a healthy routine. In my opinion, nothing compares to homemade desserts. An advantage of making your own dessert is that you know all of the ingredients that you are consuming and there are no chemicals (artificial preservatives). A few substitutions can be made to your homemade desserts to make them lighter/healthier.

Oils:

Try using canola oil as a healthier oil. Applesauce can be used to replace oil in breads and cookies (it also replaces part of the sweetener due to its natural fructose).

Sugars:      

Granulated sugar and brown sugar are better for you than fake sugars. Instead of trying to substitute sugar, rather try to cut back on the amount of sugar called for in a recipe. Molasses, corn syrup, agave syrup and honey can also be used as sweeteners. Just be aware that each can add a different taste/texture to your recipe.

Milks:

Substitute whole milk with skim or 1% milk. Substitute heavy cream with light whipping cream. You can also use the same amount of plain fat free yogurt in place of buttermilk.

Eggs:

Egg substitutes can be an option, or you may want to try only using egg whites.

Peanut Butter:

Soy butter or sesame butter are healthier and more nutritious than peanut butter.    

Healthy additions to your dessert: flaxseed, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, wheat bran, oats nuts, dried fruit

Try out one of these lighter desserts: 

Sources & Recipes: 

1. Deep Dark Chocolate Biscotti

2. Carrot Cake with Toasted Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

3. Low-Fat Banana Bread

4. Double-Crusted Apple Pie

5. Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

6. Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal Cake

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!! Here are some festive green flowers from me to you to celebrate this joyous occasion.

source: flowers

I am looking forward to going to the St. Patty's parade in NYC today. Do you have any fun plans for today? If so, please share! In the meantime, take a look at these creative cake creations in honor of today:

Source: Shamrock Cake

Beautiful rainbow cake with a hidden shamrock inside!

Sources:
Green Red Velvet Cake Balls
Beer Mug Cupcakes

Source: St. Patrick's Day Cake

Love the wonderful shades of green inside this cake!