25 March 2011

Spring Forward...Get Ready to Host!

Spring is finally here people!! The birds are chirping, the sun shone through today and the flowers are starting to bloom! I appreciate this time of year, as we peel away the winter blues, it's almost like New Year's Day all over again! Spring gives birth to new things, as we give birth to fresh and brighter beginnings!

Sunshine, cool breeze, clean, crisp, colourful, sparkling water, ice-cream, sorbet, strawberries, picnics, BBQs, sizzling steaks, scented flowers... I could go on, but these are just some of the things that I am looking forward to! Are you prepared to host for the Social Season, from Soirées to Tea Parties, Garden Parties to Cocktail Evenings, Picnics to BBQs, you name it? Don't wait until the sun is in full swing to start getting ready!

As we Spring Forward now...it's time to spring clean our hosting equipment and accessories!

Here's my checklist:

Tablecloths - are dependent on the shape or size of your table. Invest in quality fabrics: neutral colours, pinstripe (nautical), simple patterns, or simple embroidery. Remember this is the foundation to your table setup and sets the scene.

Napkins - brightly coloured fabric napkins are a must, using fabrics like linen, shantung silks, or cotton all add to the texture element. Paper napkins have stepped up in quality and vary in price. Damask patterns are now becoming a thing of the past, so opt for floral (in season), bold stripes, polka dots, Asian, Moroccan or African prints as a stylish way to spruce up your table presentation. Sometimes it is good to spend some extra pennies when it comes to paper napkins, look at it this way: a quality tablecloth, luxury glasses, plates & glasses cannot be teamed up with cheap napkins from the £1 store...

CC likes...




                                                   

Jugs - glass, acrylic, melamine, translucent coloured and clear. Remember that when you are dressing your table the colour of your beverage will also add a pop of colour when serving in a clear jug.

Glasses - have a variety of heights and texture. Patterns are good, but always take into account the look of the glass when it's holding a beverage.

Cutlery - silver/ gold anything that catches the light. For an outdoor evening setting, the reflection of a candle light will bounce of your silverware - ambience!
If you are opting for disposable cutlery, make sure it's biodegradable aswell as Chic - do your part to help the environment!

Candles - scent is the first element that arouses a guest's senses. For daytime hosting select scents that are fresh, subtly fruity such as kiwi, mango, strawberry, and papaya. For evening hosting the scent will be dependent on the type on the mood you are trying to create, opt for relaxing scents that are light on the nose.

CC likes...
 

Candle Holders come all shapes, sizes, colours and finishes. Look for pattern or frosted glass,wood, ceramic, metal such as copper silver, there's loads to choose from.

Trays - wooden, silver, clear acrylic, basket weave, leather materials. Opt for a variety of shapes and sizes

Servings bowls - select various sizes and shapes, wooden, bone china, ceramic. Keep in mind your style: English country, Contemporary, Elegant, Themed (stripes/ dots) etc.

Serving Spoons - should complement your cutlery.

CC likes...


Overall, hosting/entertaining should be fun and not stressful. As long as you have your Hosting Tools in place, you'll be ready for when the sun fully shows it's face and radiates, so SHOP AROUND, there is so much out there, but remember to keep it unique and chic whatever your theme is!


Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
xxCC Events

23 March 2011

Purple Sparkle Details

As promised here are the details...This table was only for 4, so we kept the details very simple. I used a round table draped with a purple linen tablecloth. The cake was the main focal point place on a white cake stand, positioned on either side were 2 similar sweet jars, one with Chocolate Eclairs and the other with a Fruit Salad mix (I couldn't find purple ones :(!), and one tall jar with sparkly silver baubles. I used a sherry glass to hold the lollipops and 2 small coffee jars for the Sour Cola Bottles and Strawberry Mushrooms. For the drinks I used the Coca-Cola bottles to break up the purple colours. We tied the monogram tags with purple satin ribbons (adding some sparkle/shine) to all the glass containers and we used a simple white platter for the cupcakes and chocolate bars. I placed the edible monogram sheets on top of each cupcake, although when printed the colours came out slightly lighter, but in the end it worked. 2 purple latex balloons adorned either side of the table. We made full use of the table without cramming the table with too many goodies!!

Take a look in your cupboards, you'll be surprised at what you'll come across that can become a perfect accessory on your hosting table.


The cake flavours: Vanilla Bean Base, Red Velvet Centre with Lemon Touch on top...

The sweetie jars...


Divine Chocolate Cupcakes...

The personalised chocolate bars...

The table view...


Look out for our Mother's Day Tea Party and a Pink Chic Birthday Soiree...

Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
CC Events

22 March 2011

Purple Sparkle Party


This weekend was my daughter's 13th. She wasn't having a party but at the last minute (Thursday night), I decided to style a Purple Sparkle mini dessert table to complement her 3 tiered birthday cake. She's been nagging us for purple Converse Trainers, so I called upon talented designer Bluwmagik who designed a cute girly monogram (just right for a 13 year old!) centred around the trainers: stars, stitching pattern and circles...

So, with a colour palette of purple, white & silver/sparkle, here's a peek of what I did for her mini party for 4 in 24hrs...

The design details...

...carried through to the cake, sweet tags, choccies and Divine cupcakes.

More details to come...

Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
CC Events

Cake Notes - Cake, Cake and more Cake!

It's been a while but we're back! We've been busy, busy in the kitchen from Vanilla Bean to Lemon Touch, Red Velvet to Chocolate Fudge we've baked it! Here's a peek at what we've been upto...









    


More Treats to come...

Sweet Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
xxCC Treats


8 March 2011

Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day

Too my kids it's Pancake Day today, to me it's the day before Lent (Ash Wednesday), where I prepare my mind and being for the season of Lent. So what's Pancake Day, then...this is considered the day when you make and eat some foods with ingredients such as sugar, fat, eggs which are considered to be the last feast and eating them was traditionally restricted during the fasting period associated with Lent.

So we had pancakes for our dessert this evening, which is considered HEAVENLY by my younger daughter. We made our pancake batter, chilled it for 20mins, and then made our pancakes. To accompany them we had 2 fillings to chose from Lemon Cream with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice ontop, and Vanilla Bean Cream with sliced strawberries and a dusting of icing sugar & cinnamon. So much for my workout...I did use lowfat cream...!

Here's a peek of the pancakes...

Just fresh out of the pan...nice and hot!!

Filling the pancakes with Vanilla Bean Cream & Strawbs!

The wrapped pancakes...ready to eat...

Lemon Cream Pancake with a dusting of icing sugar...it's melting!!

All gone...


So, as we enter the period Lent, which is a time of sacrifice for Jesus,  if you are struggling to sacrifice or give something up, then rethink your being to become more positive, more thoughtful, more appreciative, be more loving and most of all more giving to me that's giving up your old ways!!! Give thanks every moment for all that we take for granted and stay blessed!!

Pancake recipe to follow!


Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
xx CC Treats

7 March 2011

Cake Notes - Divine Cupcakes

We've been working on our range of Mother's Day Treats, and have added Divine Chocolate Cupcakes and Lemon Poppyseed Cupcakes to our range of cupcakes. We love baking with Divine Chocolate, as it is the only Fairtrade chocolate company which is 45% owned by the farmers, meaning although Fairtrade ensures farmers receive better deals for their cocoa and additional income to invest in their community, having company ownership gives the farmers a share of Divine’s profits and a stronger voice in the cocoa industry . The unique packaging also makes it stand out with the wrappers adorned in Ghanaian Adinkra symbols. The Divine Chocolate baking collection is made up of 85%, 70% Dark Chocolate, White, Milk Chocolate, and Divine Cocoa Powder. I always use the 70% Dark Chocolate in our chocolate cake recipes.


Chocolate lover...here some interesting Divine Chocolate Facts: Divine Chocolate Facts.

Here's a sneak peak, of what we have in store for you this Mother's Day.
Royal & Regal Divine Chocolate Cupcakes

Sunshine Smile Lemon & Poppyseed Cupcakes

Lavendar Swirl Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

More treats to come...

Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
xxCC Treats

25 March 2011

Spring Forward...Get Ready to Host!

Spring is finally here people!! The birds are chirping, the sun shone through today and the flowers are starting to bloom! I appreciate this time of year, as we peel away the winter blues, it's almost like New Year's Day all over again! Spring gives birth to new things, as we give birth to fresh and brighter beginnings!

Sunshine, cool breeze, clean, crisp, colourful, sparkling water, ice-cream, sorbet, strawberries, picnics, BBQs, sizzling steaks, scented flowers... I could go on, but these are just some of the things that I am looking forward to! Are you prepared to host for the Social Season, from Soirées to Tea Parties, Garden Parties to Cocktail Evenings, Picnics to BBQs, you name it? Don't wait until the sun is in full swing to start getting ready!

As we Spring Forward now...it's time to spring clean our hosting equipment and accessories!

Here's my checklist:

Tablecloths - are dependent on the shape or size of your table. Invest in quality fabrics: neutral colours, pinstripe (nautical), simple patterns, or simple embroidery. Remember this is the foundation to your table setup and sets the scene.

Napkins - brightly coloured fabric napkins are a must, using fabrics like linen, shantung silks, or cotton all add to the texture element. Paper napkins have stepped up in quality and vary in price. Damask patterns are now becoming a thing of the past, so opt for floral (in season), bold stripes, polka dots, Asian, Moroccan or African prints as a stylish way to spruce up your table presentation. Sometimes it is good to spend some extra pennies when it comes to paper napkins, look at it this way: a quality tablecloth, luxury glasses, plates & glasses cannot be teamed up with cheap napkins from the £1 store...

CC likes...




                                                   

Jugs - glass, acrylic, melamine, translucent coloured and clear. Remember that when you are dressing your table the colour of your beverage will also add a pop of colour when serving in a clear jug.

Glasses - have a variety of heights and texture. Patterns are good, but always take into account the look of the glass when it's holding a beverage.

Cutlery - silver/ gold anything that catches the light. For an outdoor evening setting, the reflection of a candle light will bounce of your silverware - ambience!
If you are opting for disposable cutlery, make sure it's biodegradable aswell as Chic - do your part to help the environment!

Candles - scent is the first element that arouses a guest's senses. For daytime hosting select scents that are fresh, subtly fruity such as kiwi, mango, strawberry, and papaya. For evening hosting the scent will be dependent on the type on the mood you are trying to create, opt for relaxing scents that are light on the nose.

CC likes...
 

Candle Holders come all shapes, sizes, colours and finishes. Look for pattern or frosted glass,wood, ceramic, metal such as copper silver, there's loads to choose from.

Trays - wooden, silver, clear acrylic, basket weave, leather materials. Opt for a variety of shapes and sizes

Servings bowls - select various sizes and shapes, wooden, bone china, ceramic. Keep in mind your style: English country, Contemporary, Elegant, Themed (stripes/ dots) etc.

Serving Spoons - should complement your cutlery.

CC likes...


Overall, hosting/entertaining should be fun and not stressful. As long as you have your Hosting Tools in place, you'll be ready for when the sun fully shows it's face and radiates, so SHOP AROUND, there is so much out there, but remember to keep it unique and chic whatever your theme is!


Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
xxCC Events

23 March 2011

Purple Sparkle Details

As promised here are the details...This table was only for 4, so we kept the details very simple. I used a round table draped with a purple linen tablecloth. The cake was the main focal point place on a white cake stand, positioned on either side were 2 similar sweet jars, one with Chocolate Eclairs and the other with a Fruit Salad mix (I couldn't find purple ones :(!), and one tall jar with sparkly silver baubles. I used a sherry glass to hold the lollipops and 2 small coffee jars for the Sour Cola Bottles and Strawberry Mushrooms. For the drinks I used the Coca-Cola bottles to break up the purple colours. We tied the monogram tags with purple satin ribbons (adding some sparkle/shine) to all the glass containers and we used a simple white platter for the cupcakes and chocolate bars. I placed the edible monogram sheets on top of each cupcake, although when printed the colours came out slightly lighter, but in the end it worked. 2 purple latex balloons adorned either side of the table. We made full use of the table without cramming the table with too many goodies!!

Take a look in your cupboards, you'll be surprised at what you'll come across that can become a perfect accessory on your hosting table.


The cake flavours: Vanilla Bean Base, Red Velvet Centre with Lemon Touch on top...

The sweetie jars...


Divine Chocolate Cupcakes...

The personalised chocolate bars...

The table view...


Look out for our Mother's Day Tea Party and a Pink Chic Birthday Soiree...

Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
CC Events

22 March 2011

Purple Sparkle Party


This weekend was my daughter's 13th. She wasn't having a party but at the last minute (Thursday night), I decided to style a Purple Sparkle mini dessert table to complement her 3 tiered birthday cake. She's been nagging us for purple Converse Trainers, so I called upon talented designer Bluwmagik who designed a cute girly monogram (just right for a 13 year old!) centred around the trainers: stars, stitching pattern and circles...

So, with a colour palette of purple, white & silver/sparkle, here's a peek of what I did for her mini party for 4 in 24hrs...

The design details...

...carried through to the cake, sweet tags, choccies and Divine cupcakes.

More details to come...

Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
CC Events

Cake Notes - Cake, Cake and more Cake!

It's been a while but we're back! We've been busy, busy in the kitchen from Vanilla Bean to Lemon Touch, Red Velvet to Chocolate Fudge we've baked it! Here's a peek at what we've been upto...









    


More Treats to come...

Sweet Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
xxCC Treats


8 March 2011

Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day

Too my kids it's Pancake Day today, to me it's the day before Lent (Ash Wednesday), where I prepare my mind and being for the season of Lent. So what's Pancake Day, then...this is considered the day when you make and eat some foods with ingredients such as sugar, fat, eggs which are considered to be the last feast and eating them was traditionally restricted during the fasting period associated with Lent.

So we had pancakes for our dessert this evening, which is considered HEAVENLY by my younger daughter. We made our pancake batter, chilled it for 20mins, and then made our pancakes. To accompany them we had 2 fillings to chose from Lemon Cream with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice ontop, and Vanilla Bean Cream with sliced strawberries and a dusting of icing sugar & cinnamon. So much for my workout...I did use lowfat cream...!

Here's a peek of the pancakes...

Just fresh out of the pan...nice and hot!!

Filling the pancakes with Vanilla Bean Cream & Strawbs!

The wrapped pancakes...ready to eat...

Lemon Cream Pancake with a dusting of icing sugar...it's melting!!

All gone...


So, as we enter the period Lent, which is a time of sacrifice for Jesus,  if you are struggling to sacrifice or give something up, then rethink your being to become more positive, more thoughtful, more appreciative, be more loving and most of all more giving to me that's giving up your old ways!!! Give thanks every moment for all that we take for granted and stay blessed!!

Pancake recipe to follow!


Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
xx CC Treats

7 March 2011

Cake Notes - Divine Cupcakes

We've been working on our range of Mother's Day Treats, and have added Divine Chocolate Cupcakes and Lemon Poppyseed Cupcakes to our range of cupcakes. We love baking with Divine Chocolate, as it is the only Fairtrade chocolate company which is 45% owned by the farmers, meaning although Fairtrade ensures farmers receive better deals for their cocoa and additional income to invest in their community, having company ownership gives the farmers a share of Divine’s profits and a stronger voice in the cocoa industry . The unique packaging also makes it stand out with the wrappers adorned in Ghanaian Adinkra symbols. The Divine Chocolate baking collection is made up of 85%, 70% Dark Chocolate, White, Milk Chocolate, and Divine Cocoa Powder. I always use the 70% Dark Chocolate in our chocolate cake recipes.


Chocolate lover...here some interesting Divine Chocolate Facts: Divine Chocolate Facts.

Here's a sneak peak, of what we have in store for you this Mother's Day.
Royal & Regal Divine Chocolate Cupcakes

Sunshine Smile Lemon & Poppyseed Cupcakes

Lavendar Swirl Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

More treats to come...

Stylish Wishes & 2 Kisses!!
xxCC Treats