New Years Resolution Series - Part VII

In 2009, resolve to add a touch of global chic to your events and shop Kyotofu's new online shop for delicious desserts with a Japanese touch.

Kyotofu's received rave reviews including a "best cupcake" award from New York Magazine for their outrageous souffle cupcakes but what's got me going gaga over this New York based bakery are their Japanese inspired Macarons in flavors like Chocolate-Green Tea, Coconut-Yuzu and Black Sesame-Red Bean as well as subtly sweet Green Tea and Yuzu-Vanilla cupcakes! They also pack divine wedding favors - sweet heart-shaped Miso Choko Brownies wrapped in elegant boxes. Have a look!

New Years Resolution Series - Part V

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

Today's resolution is also an Etsy Friday feature and it's all about K.I.S.S {Keep It Simple Silly!}...

For your next event, make dessert a cinch with easy and delicious cookie sandwich versions of your favorite cake! Shop Sweetie Pie Delight's Etsy boutique for fork-and-plate free dessert sandwiches in flavors like Red Velvet, Carrot Cake and German Chocolate Cake! Shaped like cookie sandwiches, these cookies have more of a cake texture and the fillings are the traditional frostings you'd get with each cake {Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting center, Carrot Cake also with Cream Cheese Frosting and German Chocolate Cake with coconut and pecan frosting filling}. So treat {pun intended} your dishwasher to a day off and enjoy some finger-licking cake!

New Years Resolution Series - Part II

Welcome back to my New Year's Resolution Series! I hope everyone had a wonderful long holiday weekend!

Today's new idea is a great follow up to last week's donut posting - I think the new trend in entertaining for 2009 is all about comfort and easy foods...food that's cheap and good for the soul...last year (or rather this year) was all about foie gras and pork belly and Macaron Croquembouche - this year...perhaps fueled by the economy's downturn...people want food that's easy on the wallet and foods that are playful and remind us of easier times when we were wee children... so without further ado, today's 2009 idea...

drum roll please...wow your guests with ultra chic, globe-trotting-inspired organic popcorn from San Francisco based 479° Popcorn!

Not only will you impress the foodies in your life with flavors like Black Truffle + White Cheddar and Fleur de Sel Caramel but these perfectly popped snacks (sprinkled with weekly-hand-grind spices) also come in lovely modern-chic packaging. You can purchase gorgeously packaged samplers for a unique savvy hostess gift or even add a custom logo (wedding monogram anyone???) and create a unique and wonderful favor for your next event! It's the perfect healthy snack that will tingle your guest's palette with sheer bliss and help them keep those healthy New Year's resolutions!

Got football on your mind? Throw a chic super bowl party and put out an assortment of flavors in large glass bowls for a divine popcorn sampling display (pick up some individual old fashion popcorn paper bags or create your own paper cones a la Martha!). This is haute-casual munching at it's best!

New Years Resolution Series - Part I

2008 is coming to an end and MV is posting a series of fresh new entertaining ideas for an exciting 2009...

For the first posting of the series, I bring you my New Years: New Grub special! This year I've covered cupcakes and French Macarons galore! Today, I'd like to share my latest obsession, a treat I'm calling the "it" dessert of 2009 - DONUTS!!!

They're fried, easy to make and cheap to buy pre-made and, in tough economical times, nothing is more comforting than sweet delicious fried dough!!! Check out my super easy recipe on Design*Sponge's In The Kitchen series.

If you're in NYC check out AQ Kafe for yummy German donuts: Berliner, stop by Bouchon Bakery for melt-in-your mouth Bouchekins available only on weekends (I served these this past Thanksgiving and also gave them out as chic favors boxed in gable boxes a la Dunkin-Donuts-Munchkin-Style) and, for more variety try The Doughnut Plant.

Throwing a New Years Bash? Serve up some donuts and coffee to your guests early in the AM when the Champagne runs dry.... Brides, what about donut hole favors? Grab some adorable mini gable boxes from Beau-coup and fill up your chic packaging with a few mouth-watering donut holes!

Happy Holidays and Happy Eating Everyone! XOXO WKP

From top - my own donut hole creations, strawberry Bouchekins from Bouchon Bakery, Bouchon Bakery Bouchekin favors in Beau Coup mini gable boxes, and "coffee and donuts" from Per Se (photo by David Willems).

Perfect Cocktail Reception Cupcakes

Yesterday I took a quick walk through the Christmas Market at Columbus Circle and found these amazing little treats - extra mini cupcakes that are truly bite-size. Don't the their size fool you though ... they're packed with a whole lot of cupcake goodness. Check out Baked By Melissa for info on how you can place an order for your Holiday soirees... you will be the chicest hostess in town. No paper wrapper mess and you can look fabulous eating them too (you won't be caught with frosting in the corner of your mouth with these). Even the crazies who are sticking to their diet during the holiday season can't refuse this tiny treats... and since they're offered in such a fun variety, you can try them all and not worry about fitting into that New Years Eve cocktail frock!

P.S. As the Fab-Finds Editor of Southern Weddings, I'll be posting weekly features on various wedding planning inspirations and tips - please check out my column: Wanwisa Wednesdays! And stay tuned for more on Southern Weddings Magazine news! That's right...they'll be hitting the newsstands very soon!

P.S.S. Please also stop by Dose of Design for a week special guide on gifts that make a difference - charitale gift giving has never been so stylish!