Holiday Gift Giving for Foodies Pt 3

This will be for all you last-minute Holiday Shoppers out there who plan on securing the rest of your needs via the internet. I don't blame you - the mall has become a madhouse and I'd avoid it at all costs if I could. Here are some of my favorite picks from various Etsy Sellers this week:


1. Cake Guitar By celentanowoodworks

I have to admit, I am not musically inclined whatsoever. I can't even hum a song correctly much less play a guitar, but if I could this would be the guitar I'd play. Adorable, musical, functional, what more could you want? Yes it's a bit pricey, but if you have a little musician in your life who also likes sweets, this might just make her holiday.

2. Mini Cupcake Soap Sampler By SundayMorning Soaps

I know I've done soap before on these posts, but look at those cute little cups of cake and tell me you're not interested! A sampler set is a really ingenious way to customize this present for anyone, and SundayMorningSoaps is home to a multitude of awesome scents for your cupcakes, including (but most definitely not limited to) Toasted Marshmallow, Eggnog, Birthday Cake, and Creme Brulee. Plus, these are so cute and tiny that they would make a fabulous stocking stuffer.

3. Gourmet Spice Rub Gift Set By GustoSpice

I thought it might be best to appeal to the crowd of potential readers who may not be as obsessed with cupcakes as I am, and for all of you I have the best BBQ Spice Set I've ever imagined. You receive rubs highlighting the best BBQ blends across the US, including Kansas City, Memphis, Texas, Californian and North Carolinian style spice rubs. They come in 5 reusable tins and are sure to please any Dad or just anybody out there who loves to grill 24/7.

4. Everday Magnetic Spice Kit By PurposeDesign

Finally, for the aspiring chef in your family or circle of friends, I give you a magnetic spice kit with all the essentials. Staple spices like basil, chili powder, cumin, coriander, rosemary and more, all in wonderful little magnetic glass top containers. All the spices you need, readily at your disposal on the side of your fridge. I know how messy my spice cabinet gets, and this would be a life-saver when I'm in the middle of cooking. 

I hope this inspires any of you last-minute shoppers out there, and I wish you luck amidst the crazed holiday world to find what you need to make your fellow foodies holiday extra special this year.

Disclaimer: I do not profess to own any of these photos; they have been linked directly and cited directly to their original sources.

Holiday Gift Giving for Foodies

Hello friends,

I know it may seem like it's too soon to talk about it; but it's not. The holiday season is almost upon us, and soon our malls will be jam-packed with last minute gift shopping. You don't want to be part of that hot mess, do you?

I didn't think so. Now I assume that those of you who actually read my blog (and are not my loving mother who reads all my posts because she's awesome) are what we like to call "foodies"; and, as such, I have begun to compile a list of super neat gifts that are sure to excite you and all your fellow food fanatics. (Sigh, I've been so good about not using alliteration, I just couldn't help myself!)

1. Artichokes By ErinChristin

 

I don't even like artichokes and I love this. I just love food in general, and I believe food in art can be relaxing or invigorating, two feelings that happen often, though never at the same time, in my kitchen. Simple yet inspired, it would be a great addition in any aspiring home cook's kitchen (or any other room if you really love artichokes).

2. Colander Pendant Lamp By boeliedesign

This is just plain awesome. Who would've thought to turn a colander into a lamp? Well it's been done and done quite well I might add. It's retro but still classy, and white goes with everything. If I had my dream kitchen and not my tiny galley apartment kitchen, I could definitely find a place for this in it.

3. Cupcake Kitchen Timer By Shimrita

Now this is something I DO have room for right now and would make a wonderful addition to my ever expanding cupcake collection. I know most (if not all) of us use our timers on our ovens, but there's something nostalgic about winding up a kitchen timer; and I feel as though you wouldn't be able to help but be inspired as you came into your kitchen to see an adorable little cupcake sitting on your counter, begging the question: "What do you want to bake today?"

4. Coffee is Fuel for Genius Pencils by TheCarbonCrusader

These pencils have college student foodie written all over them (hah, it's funny, because they're pencils - they write AND there's something written on them. I crack myself up). But seriously, I know I am constantly losing my pencils and pens, and at college coffee's fuel for not only genius, but just for surviving three hour classes. Though I do wonder if having these pencils will make me think I should go after class and treat myself to those lovely (but expensive) flavored Starbucks drinks...who knew pencils could be so dangerous!

5. Cookie Prep Board - Dollhouse Miniatures By PetitPlat

 

I know I dedicated an entire post to PetitPlat in the past, but take a look at this photo and tell me how could I not talk about it? True food artistry, and one of the reasons I want to have a daughter when I'm older so that I can buy her a dollhouse just to have things like this in it. Of course, I had a beautiful Victorian Dollhouse (made with the blood, sweat and tears of my wonderful Dad) that, naturally, I never played with. But that was before I knew about this! If only I knew, I would've made the whole house a giant bakery! But if you have a little inspiring baker in your family, this could be the perfect gift to start her dream bakery dollhouse.

I plan on attempting to make this into a mini series of posts, depending on the will of the English Gods and how many papers I am assigned from now until Christmas. So keep checking back for more fabulous foodie gifts and a post on Cinnamon Roll Cookies! 

Happy Baking!

Disclaimer: I do not profess to own these photos. I link and cite these photos back to the original sources I found on the internet.

Sweet Escapes - Desserts in Jars

Hello all!

So for this week's Sweet Escape, I thought I'd introduce you (in case you don't just spend hours of your valuable time of Pinterest like I do) to the new realm of DIY Gifts - Desserts in a Jar.

I plan on doing this for pretty much any and all birthdays, Christmas etc. Honestly, who do you know who wouldn't want a mason jar filled with either a) cake b) pie or c) cheesecake ? All done up in a nice little bow, and the mason jar is an adorable keepsake after the treat inside is eaten. Here's just a few that I have on my list, ready and waiting for the lucky birthday guy/gal to enjoy.

1. Smores Cake by How Sweet It Is

Sometimes I think I should just tell you all, at the onset of every post, to check out this blog. Really. Every time I do a "Sweet Escape" Post with actual food, she's got a recipe for it. This is a great gift for the summer, when s'mores is on everyone's list, but I'd be perfectly content getting one of these in any other season too. I personally love how much marshmallow there is and the contrast in color you can see in the jar when you move from graham cracker, to chocolate, to marshmallow. 

2.  Pie in a Jar by OurBestBites

Now this is the kind of pie I would want to bring to Thanksgiving! Imagine sitting around the table, after engorging on turkey and stuffing, to be offered this beautiful, delicate pie in a jar as dessert. No messy cutting and everyone gets the same size. I love the cutouts and the lattice top. I also love how the recipe gives you the option to make these, then freeze them unbaked! If you have a hankering for pie, just take it out of the freezer, stick it on a pan and into the oven it goes...and then..poof! The perfect single serving of pie. 

3. Cheesecake in Jars by The Italian Dish

I told you there'd be cheesecake. Cheesecake Factory eat your heart out. Now I can customize my cheesecake and keep it all to myself in this adorable little Mason Jar. I just adore how all of these recipes allow customization by the baker, and they look like so much fun! Not to mention, they make quite the impressive photo shoot (as you can see here by all of these lovely blogs' photos). If you really want to impress your friends, have them over for dessert one night and whip these babies out. They'll never want to leave.

4. Cupcakes in a Jar by Glorious Treats

This was the first post I saw with the infamous Mason Jar. Glorious Treats switches it up a bit by baking the cake separately as cupcakes, and then slicing and layering it with frosting inside the jar. This allows for more decoration to be had, and more fun with the piping. Oh how I wish my piping could look like that! But I guess I can practice by making these cute little gifts with extra cupcakes!

5. Chocolate Dream Ice Cream Cups by TheYummyLife

And now, I can even have my ice cream in a jar. I always want to experiment with making my own ice cream, but without an ice-cream maker I'm usually at a loss. Now here's a recipe that does not require one, just mix it up, freeze it, and voila! Ice cream in a jar. Who knew? The jars look so neat with the frost on the outside as well, and these would be great to make in the summer with any little ones you might have lying about, bored because they're not learning anything awesome (I know I'm the only one who sees it that way but to each his own right?).

This has been this week's Sweet Escape! Hope you enjoyed seeing all of the exciting sweets and treats you can keep in a jar. Keep a lookout for a post on Snickerdoodles this week. This lazy blogger finally got her butt over to the grocery store and the result? Cinnamon-y and delicious!