I’m truly in awe of what Karen is able to pull off! She arrived in North Carolina, sourced, created, and installed all of the wedding flowers for Ashley and Christopher at their beautiful black tie wedding in Wallace, North Carolina.
dreamy tree arch
We gave our all to take good care of Sally and Billy on their wedding day – with custom flowers, plus wedding cake and a dessert table spread on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Botanica Gardens in Oceanside, California.
Peek at our post of the flowing tree arch – a dream-installation – naturally framing the pond and waterfall, without compromising this beautiful space, or the integrity of the precious tree.
No-Knead Artisan Bread: easy. awesome. dutch oven method.
This is the easiest and best dough (for bread, focaccia, fritelle, or pizza) that I am constantly making.
Everything I have ever loved or wanted in a home-baked loaf, is wrapped inside this comfort-food recipe for easy and awesome, no-knead artisan bread. Here we have a golden, crisp crust, and soft-pillowy air to the inside, with the sounds and taste that bring me more joy and notes from my childhood than I can put into words.
August at Botanica Gardens
I’m sharing details of our custom-recipe dessert catering at Botanica Gardens in Oceanside. This August we were onsite to set three unique dessert tables plus wedding cake for our beautiful wedding couples.
It’s fun to share the visuals and look back in a busy wedding season. (The weekends of late-summer and early fall go by so quickly, one week feels like three have passed!) These images and notes also help our potential clients consider specific quantities and how they may be presented.
flowers, “New Bay,” and Nonna’s cakes
We celebrated Nonna’s 80th birthday as a family with a seafood boil featuring our New Bay seasoning, July-baby floral arrangements to decorate, and her two favorite cakes.
bud vases and joy, for Julieann & Cole
Fine-tuning the details for Julieann and Cole’s wedding day at Botanica the Venue in Oceanside was a joy. Our team gave love, personal care, and attention as wedding vendors via florist work from Glorified Hobby, and custom dessert catering via Mili’s Sweets.
L & O at Ethereal
Laurie and Oliver traveled from Hawaii to plan their San Diego-destination wedding at Ethereal Gardens.
Together we created custom flavors for an unstacked, three wedding cake display, alongside a dessert table to enjoy with their family and friends.
roasted “ceci” : chickpeas / garbanzo beans
Roasted “ceci” are a snack enjoyed since ancient-times – a tradition that was passed to me from my Italian grandmother. Especially during Lent, my Nonna would open my hand and place these crunchy, little snacks from her apron pocket. This food is a beloved childhood memory. I’m honoring my roots and this tradition by sharing the classic recipe preparation, as well as notes for adding never-bored-of flavors.
Chai & Vanilla-Chai spice blends
My daughter absolutely loves Chai flavors. With her in mind, I created ways of using my chai spice-blend recipes into desserts, snacks, and for making a beautiful Chai latte at home.
I am sharing two spice-variation recipes. Classic Chai is unsweetened and more savory. Vanilla-Chai has a hint of sweetness and vanilla flavor, while maintaining the smooth and warm-tones of this spice combination.
Romance at Rancho Guejito Vineyard
Romance at Rancho Guejito Vineyard, with Evelyn and Eric.
blushing boho
I’m sharing details from the work our team fulfilled for Jazlyn and Steven at Tivoli – with wedding floral installation by Glorified Hobby, plus cake and dessert catering by Mili’s Sweets.
making Taralli: traditional Italian pretzels with Nonna
Making Taralli: traditional Italian pretzels with Nonna, is a gift and part of our culture that we hold dear at home. I’m sharing our passed-down recipe, using simple, naturally-vegan ingredients for a crispy outside, and deliciously-flakey center. Taralli tastes like home and happy memories.