Such Pretty Things!

One day my friend Janet and I were on the phone doing our usual, "Have you seen this? Did you see that?" I wanted to show her a beautiful blog I had been following, Such Pretty Things. Janet was way ahead of me, and had been following this blog for some time now.

Jessica of Such Pretty Things is a designer, wife and mom, who loves an array of pretty vintage things. She loves to collect vintage textiles and wallpapers from the 1930's and 1940's. Reading her blog is the best eye-candy you can imagine, so come follow along...


Jessica is constantly cooking or baking up a storm...making such lovely things for her daughters' birthdays, such as these decorated sugar cubes...

Or a Princess Party for her daughter, with the best favors you've ever seen!

Custom "Juicy" invites for the party girls

How about this insanely fabulous Juicy Couture themed slumber party?

The party included a stay at a hotel and a trip to the Juicy Couture shop. Each girl was presented with a Juicy shopping bag filled with goodies that Jessica had amassed for months.

Jessica and her daughter made tiny edible fondant crowns and hearts embellished with edible pink pearls and placed them on pink cupcakes. Can I be one of your daughters Jessica?

Everything she does inspires me, such as her "Target Tuesdays." Jessica goes to Target and buys something ordinary and turns it into extraordinary, such as this floral corsage tank top.

Starting with a simple t-shirt for $7.99 and some other supplies, she adds, embellishes, cuts and sews, until walla! A creation is made. I love how Jessica walks you through visuals of the whole creating process, as well as a step-by-step guide to make it. Move over Martha Stewart!


Being the candy lover that I am, here is the part that I (and Janet) Flip Out! It's called "The Cabinet." It's a strictly off limits to all family members and holds Jessica's beloved collection of sprinkles, sugars, and candies from all over the world. They are reserved for only for her most special baking projects.

No touching...no snacking allowed!

From craft tutorials & baking, to party ideas & interior design, Simply Pretty Things is awe-inspiring! And, I must add that Jessica takes the most amazing photos.

Please do yourself a favor and go visit her blog here and her photos gallery on Flickr here. You will be in for a treat!

All photos from Such Pretty Things

Sweet San Francisco

photo: Miette Confiserie, Hayes Valley (look at the gumdrop tree!)

Miette, one of my favorite "sweet haunts" in San Francisco, recently opened up their third location in San Francisco's Marina district.

Photo: Miette Patisserie, Ferry Building

Each location has fabulous vintage-inspired decor. Dreamy places of wonderment. Pastel-colored pedestal cake plates, candy-colored furnishings, vintage glass jars filled with colorful malt balls... a Willy Wonka for us older folks!

The Patisserie in San Francisco's Ferry Building has an amazing selection of cakes and cupcakes, tarts, macaroons, cookies and more. All made with the finest and freshest ingredients. Believe me, even the boxes are worth the trip!

The Confisserie has the most beautiful selection of candy you can imagine. Upon entering the shop, there is a large tree made of gumdrops. It's Candy Land! There are apothecary jars from the floor to ceiling, with imported Dutch licorice, beautiful pastel salt water taffy, and the finest chocolates from around the world. And, on the weekends they have rose-geranium cotton candy that is to die for!

One of the greatest things about Miette is the presentation. Whenever I want to buy a special "candy" gift for someone, the wonderful staff at Miette takes so much time in wrapping each little bag with care. One tiny $3 bag of candy is wrapped with a bow and sticker and looks amazing. Once I purchased a box of assorted candies and it was the most beautiful presentation--who could eat it?

If you're coming to San Francisco, be sure and visit Miette. You'll love it! You can visit their website here for locations and hours.

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What's Your Favorite Candy?

Do any of you still have boxes of chocolate stacked up from the holidays? We still have some, but I've finished up all of the fun candy! I must confess, I am a candy addict. Not chocolate per se, but things like gummies, sour candies and licorice. My lowest point was my addiction to Nerd Ropes.

When I received my holiday box in the mail from my dearest friend Janet, I was overwhelmed as always. The presentation was so amazing that I didn't want to open anything! Janet and I always send candy goodies with our gifts. Janet had the advantage of going to Paris this past fall, so I was thrilled to receive some really special candy.

First of all were these amazing Jordan almond-shaped coated chocolate "dragees" made in France. Janet sent a pastel variety from Fauchon and a Chanukah-colored mix (blue, silver & gold) from the famous chocolatier, Debauve & Gallais in Paris. For over 200 years Dabauve & Gallais have provided some of finest chocolates in the world, and are the prettiest I've ever seen.

Introduced by Sulpice Debauve, the royal family chemist, this range of chocolate "coins" was first developed for Queen Marie Antoinette in order to ease her distate for taking medicines. She was so delighted with them that Monsieur Debauve was commissioned to create an entire collection called the Pistoles de Marie Antoinette. (You can purchase Debauve & Gallais chocolate online and they now have a shop in New York City.

Back to Janet's gift candies...

These fun "school chalk licorice" are the best things you've ever tasted. White coated black licorice with a creamy center. A nice hint of mint as well. I finished mine up right away and bought some more online.

Then there are these yummy pink watermelon sour balls. Pretty and tasty!

These crunchy fruity gummy bears are delicious if you haven't tried them.

These sugar sticks are really pretty, but a bit sweet. Thanks for all of my candy Janet! And thanks for introducing me to Nerd Ropes! We are a sick bunch.

You can find most of the candies mentioned here or here. You can even shop by color...

What are some of your favorite candies? I must know!

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