It's Cherry Blossom Season! A real baby shower with this springtime theme!

I just love surprises! My good friend in Dallas, Christina, recently gave birth to her second baby girl! Since she was having another daughter, she was adamant about not having a baby shower. Well, one of my best friends, "CF", and I were not to be swayed. I declared: "Let's have a bath instead!!!" (Leave it to two lawyers to get specific about terminology!)

So, the secret bath plans were underway. The first order of business was to decide upon a theme. Since we knew Christina was decorating the nursery in chocolate brown and pink, we decided to go with a cherry blossom theme. We found these cute cherry blossom invites at Paper Source. You purchase them blank and print them yourself.
We contacted Christina's husband and mother to gather addresses to send out invites with the secret information. I clocked a few hours searching for the perfect venue. After numerous phone calls and email messages, we selected La Duni restaurant in Dallas at North Park mall to host our small group of ten.

Next, came the decoration plans and favors. I, of course, carried the cherry blossom theme throughout the shower. Since we were in the private room of a beautiful restaurant, the decor was simple. I purchased the coordinating cherry blossom stamp from Paper Source and had a stamping fest!

We had one long table, so I rented brown satin chair sashes to be used as runners from Be Seated in Olathe. I purchased some vellum from a local craft store and free handed cherry blossom branches over the paper. I wrapped the vellum around tall glass candle holders to give the table a nice glow and a hint of cherry blossoms. Unfortunately, I was using my new camera which didn't have very much memory. But, trust me, the table was really cute!!

CF and I had the most difficult time trying to decide what favors to give the guests. We found cherry blossom candles, lip balm, bar soaps and other goodies. Nothing seemed special enough. We brainstormed and decided to experiment with cookies. CF created this awesome chocolate chip and dried cherry cookie recipe. I suggested that we name the cookies "Sophia blossoms"- "Sophia" for the baby's chosen name and "blossoms" to sync with the theme.

We created recipe cards and favor tags, which I drew free hand and hand stamped with cherry blossoms.





For a simple keepsake, we chose to do a picture mat signature board. I free handed the cherry blossoms on this as well.


We managed to get to Dallas with our Sophia blossom cookies, cherry blossoms centerpieces and sanity in tow! Christina was completely shocked and really touched. She loved the Sophia Blossoms! CF and I had the best time planning this sweet surprise bath for her.

Oh yeah, for dessert, we ordered La Duni's cuatro leches cake. It was complete heaven!!! I cannot wait to get back to Dallas!

A gourmet brownie on a stick? I'll have two!

Meet the Browniepop: insane goodness!





A few weeks ago, I met with Marsha Pener Johnston, the owner of Browniepops. After seeing a write-up on her company in the Kansas City Star which featured the pops decorated like the famed members of the KISS rock band, I contacted Marsha right away! She was gracious enough to meet me and even provided me with some samples. (Bless her heart!)

First, let me describe these little gems. When you first bite into the pop, you experience an outer layer where the brownie has been dipped in smooth chocolate that has hardened, forming a crisp shell. Then, you reach the brownie layer. It's rich, chocolate and gooey, and tastes just like a brownie that has come fresh from the oven.







I shared one of the pops with my co-workers. Let me just say that I had to keep the sample plate moving. People were reaching for seconds and not remembering one of the first rules we learned as kiddos: "Learn to share with others!!"











Browniepops is the perfect solution for a non-traditional wedding favor or something to use on your deluxe dessert or candy bar a la Amy Atlas. The Browniepops come in 11 different unique flavors including cream cheese swirl, peanut butter and Missouri Mud. You can personalize the Browniepops to give away as favors at your wedding or special event by providing the company with your custom ribbon and tags.* You can also request they be drizzled in a certain hue to match your wedding colors.* (Marsha requests at least 2 weeks lead time for custom orders; however, the lead time depends upon the complexity of your order.)








Now that you're salivating, you simply must try a Browniepop. Order them online or purchase them locally at Dean and Deluca in Overland Park. I guarantee you won't regret it! (While you're there, can you get one for me? Thanks!)





* subject to minimum order requirements and additional charges or fees.