Well my dears, today is a day of fun, relaxation & celebration…because it’s my birthday! And I must confess, I happen to love celebrating my birthday. For each one of my 26 years, I’ve awoken on May 29th with a feeling of such anticipation for the coming year; 365 unblemished days stretching before me that symbolize fresh beginnings & unexpected twists and turns. I also wake up anticipating the always-delicious birthday cake my mother makes for me…a special order of whatever sweets my heart desires. So to commemorate this favorite tradition, I’m sharing some images of the most to-die-for homemade cakes that I recently spotted on Project Wedding. Each has a bit of an imperfect homespun quality, but is undeniably gorgeous, too. Feast your eyes…I’m off to blow out my candles!

ear readers…

What a crazy and fun year it’s been! The first twelve months in the life of this blog have flown by, and I feel honored to have been part of your lives through Style Notes for a few minutes each day.

Thanks for reading along & cheering me on as I started an event planning business…got married!…traveled all over the world…and started culinary school. It’s been quite a journey, and Style Notes has continued to evolve with each change that happens in my life.

Cheers to an incredible year…and to the adventures that await the next one!

*Images: Style Me Pretty

As expected, last night’s birthday dinner for my best friend was a total blast… a girls-only affair full of laughter, heart-to-hearts, & great food (if I do say so myself.)  As promised, I’m sharing the party menu here today… it’s full of seasonal fall produce, and (shh, don’t tell!) comes together super quick to pop into the oven just before guests arrive.

Ginger Roasted Salmon is light and so flavorful.  While the salmon cooked, we popped open a bottle of bubbly to get the party started.

This autumnal side dish is my current fave: Roasted Root Vegetables with Honey, Balsamic, & Fresh Goat Cheese. If you’re a bit afraid of beets, don’t be: they are sooo delicious and their vivid red color makes this dish gorgeous.  Let the veggies roast until they’re sweet and tender, and I like to toss in a bit of arugula with the goat cheese at the end.

My initial plan was to bake a classic birthday cake… but then I started feeling like something more fresh & citrusy would be a perfect ending to the meal.  These Lemon Cream Custards fit the bill, but I changed it up a bit by substituting orange for the lemon, and topping with fresh raspberries (for a touch of pink!)  Topped with glowing birthday candles, these custards were every bit as festive as a cake.

Martha Stewart

Since today is my birthday, I’m loving all things lovely, yummy, and sweet.  Just so happens that all three adjectives perfectly describe one of my favorite things: Cupcakes!  Here are my all-time favorite cupcake recipes, designs, sources, & serving ideas.

1. Orange-Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Candied Citrus

Martha Stewart

The perfect mix of sweet and tart, and the cheery design is so irresistible.  Click here for the recipe.

2. Chrysanthemum Cupcakes

At Home with Kim Vallee

These yellow & green cupcakes are perfect for a shower, birthday, or any spring fling.

3. Brownie Heart Cupcakes

Martha Stewart

Seduce your Valentine with chocolate.  Click here for the recipe.

4. White Domed Cupcakes by Le Cupcake

Le Cupcake

These stunners are by the cupcake artist Kylie Lambert.  See loads more of her gorgeous work on her Flickr page.

5. Engraved Cupcakes by Le Cupcake

Le Cupcake

More eye candy from Le Cupcake.

6. Mini Chocolate Cupcakes with Multicolored Frosting

Martha Stewart

A rainbow of frosting.  Click here for instructions and recipe.

7. Oh Baby Baby Cupcake Set

Meri Meri

A baby shower’s not complete without cupcakes, and this kit by Meri Meri makes adorable cupcakes a snap to create.  Includes 24 cases & toppers.

8. Sprinkles Cupcake Tray

Sprinkles

Sprinkles Cupcakes mastered the art of the sophisticated cupcake, and they help you recreate the look at home with their Cupcake Tray.  Choose the tray that matches your party’s theme, and line up one dozen cupcakes for a chic presentation.

9. Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes

In her new book, the queen of cupcakes shares her tips and recipes for showstopping cupcakes.  If I know Martha, this is sure to become the cupcake-lover’s bible.  Pre-order at Amazon.

10. Cupcake Tags

Here’s a unique little DIY bonus: one of my fave bloggers Ez, from Creature Comfort, posted these super cute cupcake tags.  Download the templates and use them for the most delish gift tags, place cards, and birthday garlands.

The best kids parties are colorful, whimsical, and overflowing with fun, which is why I couldn’t resist this “floral fantasty” party designed by fabulous event planning company Toast, in Santa Barbara.  The pictures (found via party perfect) say it all… oversized flowers, huge butterflies, and cupcakes “growing” right out of the grass create a magical setting for this summertime party.

Photo Credits: Jose Villa

amyatlas.com

We’re wrapping up our series on creating a Dylan’s Candy Bar-inspired party, and today’s post is on PRESENTATION, with chic ideas for making it stylish and whimsical.   Remember, even Krispy Kremes & Whataburgers can look festive if presented creatively.

Candied Citrus Martini from marthastewart.com

Petit Fours from marthastewart.com

Think about how to take the theme up a notch with stylish serving pieces.  Fill glass bowls and modern white platters with colorful jelly beans and red hots, and have a waiter pass them around the room on silver trays.  Create a gorgeous buffet with cake stands and clear jars of varying heights, and choose sweets that are in the party’s color palette so that the food itself doubles as decor.

marthastewart.com

Macaroons, marthastewart.com

Remember, this party is all about fun, so be creative and think outside the box (or buffet!)  Delight guests by renting a snow cone machine or cotton candy cart.  Hire someone to hand scoop a selection of refreshing gelatos for guests.  One of my favorite local sources, Affogato, will not only set up a gelato cart, but will bring an espresso bar to your party too!  (caffeinedealer@gmail.com). The important thing is to infuse surprise elements that leave your guests talking about the fun, long after the party’s over.

gettyimages.com

Party inspiration comes from everywhere when you look for it: art, fashion, food, and in this case, interior design. Our current series translates the whimsical interiors of Dylan’s Candy Bar in NYC into a chic party theme that works as well for an adult cocktail party as a children’s shindig.

Today we’re talking menu: after all, you’ve gotta have more than sweets. How to maintain the sense of fun and whimsy while providing your guests with something a bit more substantial? By making it all “mini,” of course!

Here’s some eye candy to get you started:

callahancatering.com

marthastewart.com

callahancatering.com

dkimages.com

Below is a recipe from Food & Wine that turns a classic (mac & cheese), into a fun, bite-sized snack that’s perfect for a cocktail party.  They can be prepared early and baked just before guests arrive.

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foodandwine.com

Three-Cheese Mini Macs

Total Time: 45 min. Makes 48 Mini Macs.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for brushing
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup milk
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1 packed cup)
• 4 ounces deli-sliced American cheese, chopped
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain, shaking off the excess water.
2. Brush four 12-cup, nonstick mini muffin tins with butter. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the Parmigiano; tap out the excess.
3. In a large saucepan, melt the 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour over moderate heat for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook, whisking, until boiling, about 5 minutes. Add the cheddar and American cheeses and whisk until melted. Off the heat, whisk in the egg yolk and paprika. Fold in the macaroni.
4. Spoon slightly rounded tablespoons of the macaroni into the prepared muffin cups, packing them gently. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmigiano on top.
5. Bake the mini macs in the upper and middle thirds of the oven for about 10 minutes, until golden and sizzling. Let cool for 5 min utes. Using a small spoon, carefully loosen the mini macs, transfer to a platter and serve.

gettyimages.com

Just Browsing

There are tons of great online sources for old-fashioned candy. Check out nostalgiccandy.com and sweetfactory.com for a huge selection. Load up your online cart with goodies to set up your own candy buffet. At the end of the party, give your guests cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons so they can help themselves and take their sugar high to-go.

Go Local

While you’re in the area, why not hop over to South First Street to Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop to pick up a dozen luscious cupcakes, piled high with decadent buttercream. From “The Marilyn Monroe” to “Banana Puddin,’” their creative names and unique flavor combinations will be a guaranteed hit at any sweet soiree.

"The Southern Belle," Sugar Mama's Bakeshop, Austin, Texas

Think bold color and sugar-inspired decor, with a fresh, modern twist.  Everyone loves to indulge their sweet tooth, so this look works as well for an adult’s cocktail party as it does for a kid’s shindig.  Surprise guests with tons of sweet treats, from candy-rimmed martini glasses to a smorgasboard of sugary treats straight out of Willy Wonka’s factory.

amyatlas.com

The key to pulling off this look in a way that doesn’t scream “kiddie party” is to set everything against an all-white color palette, allowing the vivid hue of the candy to take center stage.  Check out these sugary dessert buffets, with a rainbow of candies set on white and clear glass serving pieces.  The multi-tiered arrangement and monochromatic palette allows the candy to be all the decoration needed here.

amyatlas.com

Stay tuned during the next couple of weeks as we walk through every step in creating a Candy-themed party, from sourcing the best local desserts to creating invitations that will give guests a taste of the sweetness to come.