A Whimsical Sugar Garden

Amanda of Bake It Pretty always thinks up the most darling, whimsical treats! She posted a charming tutorial for the sweetest little flower-topped sugar cubes which would make the most perfect addition to a small tea party. Pretty royal icing flowers are affixed to sugar cubes. As you stir them into your tea, the sugar slowly dissolves away leaving a small bud to float atop of your drink. How perfect is that?! Read all about the process on the Bake it Pretty blog here. I've been wanting to practice piping a ton of royal icing flowers myself, this would be a great use for all the little buds I'd end up with.

Oui, Darling

This necklace was one of the fruits of my studio time yesterday. It's currently one of a kind, but I'm planning to order more "Oui" charms and make this a staple design. I find the simplicity of the design refreshing. The antique brass "Oui" charm dangles from an antique brass chain along with a vintage teal flower cabochon and a gleaming white freshwater pearl. It's delicate and a perfect accompaniment to the feminine spring dresses we are all dying to pull from the depths of our closets.

Grilled Salmon with Avocado and Mango Salsa

Sunday night I made Grilled Salmon with an Avocado and Mango Salsa and Applesauce Granita with Cinnamon Maple Yogurt. Everything was so light and refreshing. I know it's still freezing out, but this would make a perfect summer meal! I'm hoping that with all the salmon, avocado and mango I've been eating lately that soon my skin will be glowing. I'm still on track eating tons of fresh produce and lots of whole grains with a little bit of lean protein thrown in. I miss baking, but I must say that I'm really learning to enjoy cooking. I love chopping all sorts of colorful fruits and vegetables and playing around with herbs and spices for flavor. Cooking healthy has been really enjoyable and an easy transition. I'm glad I'm finally making a heatlhy lifestyle change; it's been hard for me to jump in until now. Unfortunately my husband won't eat any fresh food aside from a potato and a few fruits, so most of our meals were usually processed and anything but nutritious. Thankfully he's been doing his own thing lately allowing me to indulge in all the healthy foods that I actually love. Until recently I was thoroughly convinced that I hated to cook. I now realize that a huge part of why I never enjoyed cooking before was because I had to fight to find recipes that my husband would eat. I've been getting to try all kinds of recipes I've been drooling over for months. It's so exciting to try new ingredients and techniques. Cooking can be a great adventure. The sight, aroma and taste of a meal can really transport you to a whole different world, and the satisfaction you receive from creating a delicious and healthy meal is priceless.