Hippity hop…. Hippity hop

One of my favorite holidays (after Christmas) is Easter. As you know from the post below, I love the fresh color palette after a grey winter season. And one of my favorite places to look for Easter ideas is William Sonoma – now they know how to do Easter!

Here are a few to tempt your sweet tooth and other spots as well!

Mini Iced Easter Cookies:

Enchant family and friends with our diminutive lemon sugar cookies. Baked in charming shapes – carrot, chick and bunny – these cookies have a delicate lemon flavor and taste every bit as good as they look. The treats are prepared with premium natural ingredients, and each cookie is individually hand decorated with colorful royal icing. 30 cookies packed in a cellophane bag. 9 oz. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Personalized Totes These sturdy felt carrot and bunny totes are just the thing for collecting Easter treats and carrying them safely home – or they can be used as springtime party favors. Both styles are appliquéd with adorable details: the carrot tote with green leaves, the high-eared bunny with whiskers and a cottontail. An embroidered name makes them complete. Spot clean. 13" high overall. Imported. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Spring Nest Bell Jar For centuries, European and American gardeners used bell-shaped glass covers to protect delicate plants from harsh weather. These bell jars, in three sizes, showcase a handcrafted, lifelike bird’s nest filled with hand-painted faux eggs and downy feathers. Natural and faux twigs, flowers and greenery are artfully arranged to create a natural setting for the nest. They make enchanting gifts or decoration for the mantel, sideboard or tabletop. Small, 4" diam., 7" high; Wide, 9 1/2" diam., 13" high; Tall, 8" diam., 15 3/4" high. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Easter Egg Brownie Pops These irresistible pastel eggs-on-a-stick are egg-zactly right for an Easter gift (and a grand discovery on an Easter egg hunt). To make them, egg-shaped scoops of moist fudgy brownies are hand dipped in tinted white chocolate icing, hand decorated and placed on a stick for easy eating. 7.5 oz. total. Set of six, three of each design. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Easter Tree (I have a similar one!) Celebrate springtime with a festive Easter egg tree, a seasonal tradition in many European countries and classic symbol of new life. These are ready to decorate with colorful ornaments, creating a tabletop decoration your family will enjoy year after year. The lifelike tree, inspired by the silhouettes and foliage of manzanita and birch, is handsomely set in a 5 1/2" high pot with dried moss around its base. 24" high overall. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Carrot Candy Bag This is not a WS idea but how simple – orange colored candy in a bag tied up like a carrot - love it!

Enjoy!

Holiday treats

Christmas Treats by Maevelicious

Looking for some tastey treats for your Holiday table - here are a few guaranteed to tantalize you and your guests.

Martha Stewart’s Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Serve this showy dessert this holiday season. Christmas Tree Cakes are laden with snowy frosting and sprinkled with sanding sugar. Save some sugar to create beds of "snow" for serving. This are beautiful – check her website for the recipe – they are made using waffle cones in order to get the tree shape! BRILLIANT!!!

William Sonoma Original Peppermint Bark

Introduced a decade ago, and a favorite ever since this bark is the best. An original Williams-Sonoma recipe, the nostalgic handmade treat continues a proud tradition of artisanal candymaking. Often copied but never matched in quality or flavor, the confection derives its inimitable taste from custom-blended Guittard premium chocolate and natural oil of peppermint that’s triple-distilled to extract the cool, clean flavor of fresh mint. Master candymakers pour melted semisweet chocolate onto a confectioner’s table, then add a layer of creamy white chocolate. The bark is finished with a snowfall of crisp handmade peppermint candy bits – an inspired contrast to the rich, velvety smoothness of the world-class chocolate. I also love (and keep) each of my tins – I can’t wait to get another this year!

William Sonoma Handcrafted Marshmallows

Individually wrapped to preserve their freshness, these classic light-as-air marshmallows are just right for floating in a cup of hot chocolate or dipping into melted chocolate. Making marshmallows this good takes plenty of time: Confectioners begin by cooking whisked egg whites and syrup together in copper kettles; for the chocolate flavor, premium Guittard cocoa is added. Then the airy mixture is poured onto marble slabs to cool and set before its hand cut into cubes. Vanilla and chocolate.

William Sonoma Peppermint Snow

As festive as a holiday snowfall, these red-and-white peppermint bits add seasonal color and crunch to homemade treats. Artisanal confectioners craft the candy entirely by hand, right down to the striped detailing. I would top a wonderful bowl of ice cream with these or sprinkle them all over my holiday cupcakes – the options are endless!

Horchow Chocolates in a Dome

Delight them with chocolates placed on an edible base and enclosed in a container resembling a snow globe. These unique 6-oz. confections are from Golda & I Chocolatiers- almost too lovely to eat……I said almost!

Red Envelope’s Modern Gingerbread House

Every bit as edible as the traditional one, this isn't your grandma's gingerbread house. Red Envelope gave the classic holiday treat a mid-century makeover, complete with garage and rock garden. A unique gift and sure-fire conversation piece, it comes assembled and ready to enjoy. Once unwrapped, it should be eaten within 30 days. Left as decoration, it will keep for up to 12 months. Love it – now I wonder if you could find someone to do a custom gingerbread of your own house – that would be awesome!!!

Lump of Coal in Felt Bag Crate and Barrel Exclusive. Even if they've been nice, kids (and adults) will get a kick out of finding this licorice hard candy in their stocking.

Marks and Spencer Here are some great Christmas cakes from the master of holiday food – unfortunately their not in Canada anymore.