Better Bit Of Butter Cookies: Meet Christine {Exclusive Interview}

Have you ever seen, let alone tasted, a cookie created and designed by Christine of Better Bit of Butter Cookies?

I first heard of Better Bit of Butter Cookies through Courtney of Pizzazzerie. When I received a complimentary box of her cookies to try, it was love at first bite! Her cookies are absolutely incredible--the texture is soft, the taste of the fondant perfectly sweet, and the designs and presentation beautiful.

It brings me tremendous joy to share with you an interview I recently conducted with Christine, which I sincerely hope you will greatly enjoy!

{Question} Please tell us a bit about Better Bit Of Butter Cookies, from the conception of the idea to where you are today!




It has been a bit of a winding road, my background is in fine art, I have a bachelors of fine arts from the Cleveland Institute of Art. I worked in the arts for 10yrs. then I officially started BBBC 5 yrs ago after doing cakes and cookies for friends and family.

I enjoyed the cookie decorating so much that I dropped the cakes from my line. The immediacy of working with fondant along with the creativity and the demand for what I was doing drove me. I am happy to say that BBB has grown every year and it is time to make the next move.

{Question} We would love to learn a bit more about you! Please tell us about yourself.


 Me....wow.....I tend to be a bit shy. I have been with my husband for 15 years we have two boys and a dog. When time allows I like to practice yoga, spend time at the park with my children and go for rides on my husbands motorcycle.

{Question} What are some of your creative sources of inspiration for your work?


 I was a jeweler for 10yrs. and my work was always influenced by repetitive patterns, fabric and botanicals. My work is still influenced by the same things with a heavy emphasis on the floral aspect.

{Question} What are some of your goals for Better Bit Of Butter Cookies in 2011, and what steps have you already taken to achieve them?


Well I am excited to say we are working on a new website that will showcase my more recent work and be more user friendly. The new site will also have a blog so I can keep my followers up to date with what I am working on and cookie tips! I also would like to utilize social media a bit more to get the word out about BBB and grow a stronger local following.

{Question} I have tasted and seen your cookies firsthand, and know how extraordinary they are. The texture, the taste, the consistency, the flavor...what do you strive for to set your cookies apart?


I pride myself on the fact that every aspect of my cookies is made from scratch, even the fondant. I also try to keep the look of my cookies fresh and new, I look at each square as a little canvas just waiting to be decorated!

Many thanks, Christine, for allowing me to share this insightful interview!!! Also, a *huge thanks* to Nina of Rutabaga Photography for the gorgeous photos you captured of Christine's cookies!

A Pink & Yellow First Birthday Party {Client Party}

Late last spring I had the lovely opportunity of getting to know Rochelle. She is a dear client who I adore working with, and it was a great joy helping her design a classic pink and yellow first birthday celebration for her beautiful daughter Madison! {I featured her son's train party last week--Rochelle is just a delight to work with!}

Rochelle was sweet enough to share with us some images from Madison's precious first birthday party. {professional images by Chris Wiegand}

I love the pink floral "M" on the front door, bringing classic beauty and feeling of a special celebration from the moment guests walk up to the house! Not to mention, it is perfect to use year after year!

We discussed several idea... a monogram theme, a silhouette theme, a gingham theme as well as using a soft pink and soft yellow color scheme.

In the end, we decided to go with the monogram theme, however there were hints of gingham in her printables which were just perfect for a sweet celebration. Rochelle loved our gingham printables created last spring and launched last summer, as seen here.

Rochelle lined the walkway with pink, white and pale yellow balloons.

For anyone who has searched for the right shade of pale yellow, you understand what a daunting task this can be. Rochelle totally nailed it!

Doing this party long-distance, Rochelle did a great job of setting up every single detail in her beautiful home! I love the fine wale corduroy and velvet banner we had custom created for her--which went right to Madison's room after the party!

The cake table was full of soft pink & yellow sweets, which Rochelle displayed on classic white trays and in clear glass apothecary-style jars. I absolutely adore these thumbprint cookies!

All the darling printables were all custom created for Madison's party through Kate Landers Events, LLC.

Notice the pink gingham and yellow gingham ribbons tied around the handles of the candy scoops in the bottom left corner!

To incorporate the monogram theme, the white chocolate covered oreos were personalized with an "M"...and to symbolize the first birthday, others had the number "1". Sweet indeed!

A beautiful tiered cake with soft pink buttercream frosting and a soft yellow script monogram.

With a very large guest list, we opted for paper plates and plastic utensils.  One of my favorite details: The sweet soft yellow with pink pom-pom trim table runner and napkins (used as a basket liner) we had custom created for the party. Precious (and perfect for Easter!). 

 To make paper look pretty, Rochelle tied white paper luncheon napkins around light pink plastic flatware, then tied with pink gingham bows.

When the guests unrolled their paper napkins, they found Madison's pink monogram printed inside! {personalized napkins from Kate Landers Events, LLC}

Simple white paper straws were adorned with our custom straw flags. I love how Rochelle displayed them!

A beverage station was set up in the corner. I love the pink wrapped boxes used to elevate the pink and classic lemonade (yellow slices were added to the pink lemonade to reinforce the pink and yellow color-scheme). White beverage napkins with the pink monogram (to match the luncheon napkins) added a lovely touch.

For the children, a white bucket in the center of the table was full of pint-sized water bottles, with custom printed labels of course!

One of my favorite details from the party: Rochelle wanted Madison's favorite pink M & M cookies in mason jars, topped with gingham fabric and a custom label for family favors. They looked darling!

Madison's "Smash Cake" was designed to match her tiered larger birthday cake. How precious! It was placed on a personalized hand painted plate, sitting next to her pink gingham ruffle trimmed fabric hat from Kate Landers Events, LLC. Darling paper bunting was strung across the front of the high chair.

Because many guests were family members with children of all ages, a bouncy house was the perfect outdoor activity.

For the children's table, we chose to go with simple white chairs and a light pink tablecloth. White gable boxes were put at each place setting {with personalized labels} full of special snacks & a bottle of bubbles as well.

For centerpieces, Rochelle found perfect yellow buckets, monogrammed in pink {you can use a vinyl decal or paint pens} and stuffed with salt water taffy and large pink and yellow swirly lollipops.

Bubbles & gable boxes featured custom labels, and lollipops featured special favor tags, all from Kate Landers Events, LLC.

First birthday parties can be overwhelming! Madison is such a doll, even when she is crying! I love the precious monogram pink gingham dress Rochelle picked out for Madison to wear. I also adore the fine wale corduroy and velvet "Happy Birthday" banner we had custom created for her, strung along the base of the snack table. This darling banner is something Rochelle plans to use year after year {think pink & green, pink & brown, pink & orange, pink & fucshia, pink & lilac...so many options!}

Happy guests collecting birthday treats into their goodie bags!

Gorgeous Rochelle and her birthday girl Madison! Precious in pink.

 Many thanks to Rochelle for allowing me the opportunity to share your beautiful party and the products used throughout--you did such an amazing job!!! Thank you for providing us all with inspiration!

Meet Marie of Sweets Indeed {Exclusive Interview}

Have you heard of Sweets Indeed? They are an absolutely incredible sweet table design company based in Southern California, who offer high-quality sweets and incredible sweet table designs.

In addition to having enormous talent and creativity, Marie of Sweets Indeed is also a wonderful entrepreneur. She values the highest quality products for her clients, and takes each and every detail of her work very seriously.

Marie always comes across as incredibly thoughtful and genuine--I am highly honored to have the privilege of knowing her.

It brings me great joy to share with you a lovely interview I conducted with her not too long ago. Enjoy!

{Question} Please tell us how Sweets Indeed came from an idea to a full-blown business, and how it got to where it is today!



I grew up in a household where birthdays and achievements were a huge deal. My mom went all out when it came to making sure details were personalized and memories were made. I definitely got my creative craziness and love for party planning from her. My great grandma and grandmother were always baking, hence my love of all things sweet.

After my daughter was born, my life changed and I realized I had to be happy with my career. I had been in the medspa industry before and the thing I loved the most was customer service and making people happy. I also wanted to do something that still allowed me to be there for my kiddo. A 9-5 job was just not cutting it.

So...I started styling edible stations and used my friends and families as guinea pigs. About 2 years ago, I hit a point where it was either go legit or go home. Sweets Indeed became my official, full-time career in December of 2009. I am thrilled to be doing what I love and hope to leave a legacy that my daughter can be a part of.

{Question} You have created these fabulous sweet skewers. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind them, and any hints at new designs we will see in 2011?



Kids are always playing with their food, twirling gum around their fingers, and leaving unwrapped lollipops around. My daughter would stick gummy rings and other candies over her fingers and make a gooey mess. I thought...there's got to be a better way to do this! So on a stick they went! I also wanted an edible treat that could be customized for any color palette or theme and was something unique for each event. We will be launching our online store that will host 6-8 different "ready to ship" Sweet Skewer styles and an option to completely customize your own. Of course, we'll be creating Holiday themes. Our Valentine Sweet Skewers are in our etsy shop now.

{Question} We would LOVE to get to know you better! Please tell us about yourself.

Here's some random facts about me.

-I have always enjoyed the customer service side of a business.

- I started as a veterinary technician (I practically had my own zoo growing up), worked at a German bakeshop, and am a licensed esthetician (not practicing anymore except to keep my eyebrows trim).

-I love to laugh and have quite a silly side.

-Disneyland is my home away from home.

- I'm into blues and greens and have been itching for another baby for quite some time now.

-I LOVE chocolate and baked goods. My favorites change constantly as I am always taste testing for quality assurance. Right now I'm a sucker for pistachio french macarons and vanilla bean cupcakes.

-I'm random.

{Question} You have designed some pretty incredible sweet tables, none of which don't have my jaw drop to the floor--they are so brilliantly creative and inspirational! How long, from the conception of the idea until the last dessert is placed on the table, is the process? I know that it can take hundreds and hundreds of hours, days, weeks, even months--that it is very deceiving, not as easy as it looks to get all those details just right!



This is a tough one because we've been put on many different deadlines. I'd say ideally, from consultation to final design, it takes about 2 months. We always have several projects going on so sometimes the lines get blurred. There's a lot of time spent in the creative process and I'm a sucker for the itty bitty details.

{Question} What are your goals for Sweets Indeed in 2011, and what steps have you already taken to get them accomplished?


 We have some exciting new ventures for 2011. Let's just say, we've been getting a lot of requests to travel and we are working on sending Sweets Indeed across the nation. We are blessed to have met and continue to meet amazing people in the industry. This business has also given us the opportunity to "give back" which is always something I knew I wanted to do. We will also be launching the charity portion of our business, "Sweets In Need". I am inspired, daily, by all the entrepreneurs and talent out there. This is a dream come true!
 

 

Thank you so much Marie, for this delightful interview! I cannot wait to learn more about what you have in store for us in 2011.

If you want to stay in the loop with Sweets Indeed {I highly recommend it!} you can find them here:

Website

Blog

Twitter


Etsy

Photographer: The Pixel Studio

Meet Melody of My Sweet & Saucy {Exclusive Interview}

Melody of My Sweet & Saucy is a brilliantly talented dessert designer, entrepreneur {brick & mortar and online shop}, blogger and a favorite among Hollywood celebrities for her stunning sweet creations.

I consider Melody to be a true artist--each and every cake or other dessert she creates is something of great beauty.  

With great joy I will share with you an exclusive interview I conducted with Melody--she sure inspired me, and hope she may inspire you as well!

{Question}  Please tell us a bit about how My Sweet & Saucy got its name!




My cake studio name is Sweet & Saucy Shop and then my blog is My Sweet & Saucy, and my online store is Sweet & Saucy Supply. My husband's friend actually helped me come up with the name. I wanted some short and "sweet".

{Question} What was the inspiration for starting Sweet & Saucy Shop, and how did it go from an idea to a reality and where you are today?



I was actually going to be an elementary school teacher and went almost all the way through college for it. I found though that I loved so much throwing dinner parties, making desserts, and being creative. One day I saw an ad for pastry school on the TV and just make a leap of faith and completely went that direction 100%.

I graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu School in Pasadena, CA and then worked shortly at a bakery before heading out on my own. My husband introduced me to blogging & social media which really helped me take my "home" business and have it get more exposure and finally grow into a large enough business that I knew I need to get a storefront.

My mom partnered with me and we opened Sweet & Saucy Shop about 1 1/2 yrs ago and then just recently launched Sweet & Saucy Supply, our new online store that sells cake stands, platters, domes, and more.

{Question}  We would love to know a bit more about you! Please tell us a bit about yourself.


I absolutely love to spend time with my family and friends. Opening a bakery is not a easy job, so any free time normally goes to hanging out with them and enjoying really good food! I also love to travel and am obsessed with flea markets.

{Question} Recently you launched a shop online, Sweet & Saucy Supply. Please tell us a bit more about it!



Opening Sweet & Saucy Supply has been such a passion of mine & I am so glad it has finally launched. For years and years I have always searched for gorgeous ways to display desserts and truly believe that everyone eats with their eyes first so stuff needs to look and taste delicious. I was disappointed to find that there wasn't a resource online that really showcased this well and so my goal was to make an online store that carried my favorite stands, platters, domes, etc so that other people too could enjoy them & make their desserts look even more gorgeous!

{Question}  What are your goals for Sweet & Saucy Shop in 2011, and can you give us any hints of what is to come?

Some goals I have for Sweet & Saucy Shop this year are number one to really create more new & creative desserts for my clients, expand my online store with more products and possible start shipping some of our desserts nationwide as well, help my staff grow in their talent & inspire them, and of course to take more time off & travel!

We are also excited for Tori Spelling's new TV Wedding Series, "sTORIbook Weddings", to come out in the Spring. We have worked on 3 weddings with her for her new series and are excited to see them come to life on TV!
 
 

 
 
Many many thanks to the lovely and incredibly inspiring Melody of My Sweet & Saucy for allowing me to share this special feature on her!
 
 If you want to learn more about Melody, you can visit her online shop here, her blog here or check out her website here.