Make & Mingle: A Macaron Workshop

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Macarons are a trendy dessert sweeping the blogging and sweet tooth nation. They are not just pretty, dainty desserts lining the pastry shops in Paris. They are everywhere! The idea of making the macarons can be daunting, so along with Kaitlin of The Every Hostess, we created a hands-on opportunity for women in Colorado to bake macarons in a real pastry kitchen…and sip champagne while doing it.

It was the inaugural event for our new Make & Mingle Workshops, a series of workshops where the creative and social community of Colorado have an opportunity to gather together to make and mingle with one another.

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Twenty fellow creatives, local entrepreneurs and just overall fabulous women gathered together to get their hands dirty in almond flour and sugar at a favorite Denver, Colorado pastry shop, Glaze Baum Cakes.

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Two amazing {and patient} pastry chefs shared their recipes, top secrets and tips behind the delectable dessert.

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Each guest who purchased a ticket was treated to a cocktail of their choice, a box of a dozen macarons, a lovely print from The First Snow, a macaron baking sheet from Wayfair and additional swag items from Fleur de Lis and The Every Hostess. Thanks to all the amazing sponsors!

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The space was beautifully decorated with bright blooms from Prema, along with gold polka dot placemats, pens, recipe cards and personalized Make & Mingle aprons for each guest.

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Keep your social media attention on us and The Every Hostess for our next Make & Mingle event. Lots of love and gratitude to all the amazing people who attended, and companies who helped us make it happen!

Vendor Love
Macaron Baking Sheet, Wayfair
Art Print, The First Snow
Floral, Prema Style
Venue, Glaze Baum Cakes
Photography, Meredith Moran Photography
Printed Materials, Fleur de Lis, a paperie

Make & Mingle Instagram Accounts to Follow 
@jsorelle3
@theeveryhostess
@meredithmoranphoto
@wayfair
@firstsnowgirl
@fdlpaperie
@premastyle
@glaze_baumcakes

 

 

top 10 halloween cupcakes

We have to bring dessert to this year’s Halloween bash. Jenna is making our delicious, homemade caramel popcorn, Jodi is making caramel apples and I’m bringing cupcakes. Here’s my top 10 after some very important research…

1. Witch Cupcake Toppers, Better Homes and Gardens

2. Halloween Hoot Owls Cupcakes, Catching Fireflies

3. Cupcake Liner Witch Hats, The Cake Blog

4. Monster Cupcakes, Bonjour Blog

5. Fake Cupcake with Boo Banner, Msapple
{obviously, I can’t serve fake cupcakes, but I LOVE the BOO banner} 

7. Candy Corn Cupcakes, The Girl Who Ate Everything

8. Polka Dot Halloween Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

9. Pumpkin Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

10. Yummy Mummy Cupcakes, Better Homes and Gardens

{images via Delish, Better Homes and Gardens, The Girl Who Ate Everything, Catching Fireflies, The Cake Blog, Bonjour Blog and Msapple}

do the polka

I am a polka dot girl through and through. Always have been. So, it’s no surprise I’m loving all the dots popping up this season. Seriously, I could’ve shopped for hours and posted hundreds of pics of polka dot fashion finds.

I’m totally smitten with the dress on the runway model above…not only is it gorgeous, but I LOVE the name Luca {obsessed…and still trying to convince my hubby to name a child Luca}, so being that the designer is Luca Luca, I love it even more! Maybe I can tell Tommy – if you’re not going to compromise and let me name one of our kids Luca, at least let me buy some pieces from the Luca Luca Collection! Think it will work?? I’ll work on it…

Polka Dot Silk Dress, J. Crew {$198}

Mixed Emotions Heel, Modcloth {$79.99}

Chunky Polka Dot Bracelet, Forever 21 {$3.80}

Diane von Furstenberg ‘Tonda’ Print Cotton Clutch, Nordstrom {$345}


Free People Sheer Polka Dot Shirt
, Nordstrom {$88}

Commando Big Dot Sheer Tights, Nordstrom {$32}


Women’s Adalea Rain Boots
, Target {$24.99}

Polka Dot Scarf, Gap

Coincidence and Chance Peggy Sue Polka Dot Dress, Urban Outfitters {$59}

 Tippi Sweater in Polka Dot, J. Crew {$89.50}

{images via J. Crew, Modcloth, Forever 21, Luca Luca Dress via Style{d} Nordstrom, Target, Gap, Urban Outfitters}

splurge vs. steal

I love back to school shopping – in fact it was one of my favorite things to do with my mom and sister’s before starting school in the fall. Everyone loves a good deal, so today we’re sharing some hot finds for the fall at a fraction of the designer cost. Happy shopping.

That polka dot sweater is SO calling my name.

Mossimo Kasey Boot {Target} vs. Also ‘fastrost’ Boot {Nordstrom}

Chambray Work Shirt {Anthropologie} vs. Chambray Western Shirt {American Eagle Outfitters}

Owl Detail Cashmere Sweater {Burberry} vs. Mossimo Long Sleeve Owl Sweater {Target}

Collection Cashmere Polka Dot Sweater {J. Crew} vs. Women’s Boatneck Sweater {Old Navy}

1969 Ankle Zip Legging Jeans {GAP} Colored Jeans vs.  7 for all Mankind Slim Illusion Overdyed Skinny Stretch Jeans {Nordstrom}

{images via Nordstrom, Target, America Eagle Outfitters, Anthropologie, J. Crew, Old Navy, BurberryGAP}