I recently received a yummy box of gourmet treats from Donsuemor - they are creators of all natural french madeleine cookies {in Traditional, Lemon Zest, Chocolate, and Dipped flavors} and french almond cakes. After tasting them, I knew creating a romantic French themed inspiration board around them was in order. Wouldn't your dessert display look pretty with these super moist and tasty delectables served on vintage plates? These cookies were so moist, I think it'd be safe to say that they're a cookie that melts in your mouth. You might even consider letting your guests pack up a goodie bag of these French cookies to enjoy after the wedding.

please click on image to see enlarged version

Image Credits:
lemon zest madeleines, french vintage wedding dress, olive branch wedding bouquet, outdoor french wedding reception, vintage car, french estate, bride and groom in provence, vintage french wedding invitations

And, in case you were looking for little more on Donsuemor's cookies . . . The Madeleine's are elegant little French cakes with distinctive shell shapes and the French almond cakes are elegant little cakes with the rich and nutty taste of sweet almond. You can buy boxes of the cookies from the Donsuemor's web site which makes it super easy to order them for parties and weddings. For example . . . you can order 40 of the chocolate dipped madeleines for just $26, that's only 65 cents per cookie. Slip one of the French treats in a glassine bag, add a custom paper tag that reads "merci beaucoup" and you have a wonderful little edible favor. You can even order a sampler pack that contains 16 cookies for $15 {which I think everyone should do as a treat for themselves}.

side note: while I did receive samples of Donsuemor sweets, the views
expressed in this post are my own and I was not monetarily compensated.

I love when I come across unique ideas and beautiful inspiration boards. This one from Mayra of In Flight is truly inspiring and such a great idea. I also love how the inspiration for the board started when she was looking thru the latest issue of Cooking Light. See inspiration really can come from anywhere - and it's so important to remember this. When you feel like you're drawing a blank when planning your wedding or a party, simply look elsewhere and sometimes something magical can happen. Tomatoes are such a fun theme for weddings and even bridal showers. Not only are the reds. oranges, yellows and greens spectacular together, but just think of all the amazing food choices you could offer your guests. Below I share some of my favorite menu options with you, along with a great idea for incorporating tomatoes into your table numbers.

original post with credits can be found here

photo source: Southern Weddings, credit Eric Kelley Photography

One idea I'm loving is arranging tomatoes in bowls or in the ceramic farmer's market baskets and then adding in markers that let your guests know the table number {here the markers identify the tomato type}. You could showcase different types of tomatoes for each table if there is enough variety where you live, or they can all be the same. Then, after the wedding, the tomatoes can easily be made into tomato sauce. And, if you are looking for menu options that involve tomatoes - how about these choices for an appetizer, salad and main course?

Appetizer: Wouldn't it be fun to serve your guests tomato soup in shooter glasses with triangle wedges of grilled cheese? 

source: Wedding Bells {courtesy of Enchanted Dream Weddings}

Salad: Serving your guests bright colors with an heirloom tomato salad will certainly make them super happy. And, you can serve it on a toasted piece of rustic bread to serve as the crouton.

source: Brides

Main Course: Can't go wrong with mixing it up a bit and serving guests a slice of tomato pie for dinner.

source: Southern Weddings, credit Eric Kelley Photography

With Valentine's Day next Thursday, why not try something out of the ordinary and spice-up your Valentine’s evening menu with some delicious, yet simple, meals from the Central American country of Belize? You can bring some tropical flair to your dining table this year with a spicy Valentine's menu to heat up your body, heart and soul. These recipes and more can be found in the first hardcover cookbook from Belize entitled Flavors of Belize: The Cookbook. I have the full recipes for you today, along with a printable menu {available both with the following menu or left blank with spaces for appetizer, main dish, side dish and dessert - see end of post for the link to download your menu}.

Download Printable Dinner Menu for 2 | Download Blank Printable Dinner Menu

Each menu is 4.25 x 5.5 and comes with 4 up on an 8.5x11, simply trim in half both
vertically and horizontally and you will be all set to present at each tablesetting.

PS: Are you loving the red lip stamp and "Valentine" type as much as I am? Well, they are available for download from Ex over at Creature Comforts. She created them as Valentine Themed photoshop brushes along with a few other "love" themed sayings.

Cupcakes are fun, but they're even more fun when served in Assorted Pattern Cupcake Wrappers from Daisy Days. You simply place your cupcakes inside the wrappers and your cupcake liners are hidden and you're ready to frost. You're then left with an exquisitely polished look. With five patterns to choose from and each available in 21 bold and trendy colors, your cupcakes will look super stylish. Patterns include chevron, filigree, polka dots, spanish tile and Moroccan Diamonds. A great idea is to place a wedding cupcake wrapper at each place setting as a party favor for each guest.

Today I have Shaina Olmanson joining us with a recipe for Cinnamon Coffee Cake from her new Desserts in Jars cookbook. Not only do desserts in jars make wonderful edible favors for your wedding guests, but they are a perfect gift choice for the holidays. Your recipients will simply add a few ingredients and then pop it in the oven to enjoy. Shaina is the author of Food for my Family where she blogs about feeding her family of six while trying to eat right and enjoy their food while still saving money and time. 

Cinnamon Coffee Cake Mix
by Shaina Olmanson {author of Desserts in a Jar}

Ingredients for the mix Makes 1 jar of cake mix, to yield one 9-inch-square cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cinnamon chips
• 1 cup sugar
• Vanilla bean seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean pod
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions for Layering in the Jar
• Mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon in a bowl. Place in a 1-quart jar. Top with a layer of cinnamon chips.
• Mix together the sugar and the vanilla bean seeds and add as a layer in the jar. Top with the chopped pecans. Seal with the lid and decorate the jar if you like.

You can then attach a label with these instructions for the recipient:

To Make the Cinnamon Coffee Cake
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream or Greek-style yogurt
• 1/4 cup whole milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan. Mix together the butter, eggs, and yogurt in a large bowl until well blended. Stir in all the contents of the jar, then slowly stir in the milk. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm.