EASTER TREATS -OH SO SWEET!

SHANE'S CONFECTIONERS - CLEAR BUNNY CANDYIt's time for Spring, and along with the warmer weather and brighter days comes a natural desire for sweets, treats, and those specialty baked goods that are a sure sign that the Winter is over! #EASTER

I wanted to highlight three companies that make exceptional items.  All three are family owned businesses.  I know the owners, and I've seen the dedication they have for creating these beautiful treats.  PLUM DANDY COOKIES & MILK - EASTER COOKIESANDIE'S SPECIALTY SWEETS - CANDY "SPRING" BUTTONS

While they shine at Easter, all three of these companies are whipping up treasures every day of the year.  So take note of the Easter treats, but bookmark them for every holiday - actually.. why wait for a holiday?

ANDIE'S SPECIALTY SWEETS

SHANE'S CONFECTIONS

PLUM DANDY COOKIES & MILK

FASHION PLATES -WITH A SLICE OF CAKE - STELLA McCARTNEY FALL 2014

STELLA McCARTNEY, SUSAN SARANDON, & PARKER POSEY - ALL IN STELL McCARTNEY When Stella McCartney throws a party - you know it's going to be a great time! This London based designer throws the best fashion parties in NYC!  Somehow season after season Stella swoops into town and bests every New York based designer with her laid back sense of style and cool girl vibe.

The party to showcase Pre-Fall 2014 or what Stella calls Autumn was a perfect case in point.   Staged at a limestone mansion on the Upper East Side, Stella and crew played house with a party that felt like a g rated episode of Gossip Girl with too many A list celebrities and New York notables to mentione - but I'll try.

Susan Sarandon, Parker Posey, Alec Baldwin, Blythe Danner, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Diana Taylor, Justine Koons, Marilyn Minter, Patti Smith, Liv Tyler, Jerry Seinfeld and many more made a night of fashion, fun, and great conversation.   There are few parties in the fashion world that makes you feel excited about that world - but Stella McCartney events are always inspiring.STELLA McCARTNEY BAGS AS CREATED BY SWEET GRACE BAKERY 

Add to the celebrities Stella's Autumn collection that was full of her signature looks - oversized outerwear, tailored pants, and shift dresses - classic McCartney - always reinvented.  OH and of course Fallabella Cakes!  That's right, the accessory collection was recreated in edible cakes by those magicians at Sweet Grace Bakery.  STELLA McCARTNEY FALABELLA BAG CAKES - OF COURSE! Stella's best selling FALABELLA bag was turned even sweeter by these masters of confections creations are known for their "3D Cakes".. and they did not disappoint.  Click the images to see more of their work or place an order.  They stole the show and combined with the chocolate fountain with dipping marshmallows - it was a sweet night all around!  To see the full collection on style.com click -STELLA STYLE

LOVE DIRTY RICE? HOW TO: FROM A NOLA MASTER

Cooking Dirty Rice with NOLA's Isaac Toups from Tasting Table on Vimeo.

The next time you visit New Orleans make sure a visit to Toup's Meatery in mid-city is on your list.  If you have never been to New Orleans (NOLA to the locals) - GET THERE.   I have spent many weekends in this exotic treasure that somehow exists here in the United States.  (Does it?).   Time in the big easy, as it is affectionately known, feels too charming to be real.  It is.   The architecture, the people, the music, and my god - THE FOOD. 

Toup's Meatery is NOLA in a nutshell.  Delicious, laid back, and unforgettable.   I guarantee any lunch or dinner you have at Toups will be a topic of conversation once you're back home.   Especially when you try to eat again after having been ruined for food by this wonderland of Louisiana specialties.  Oh, they also have really cool t-shirts.  (They sell out quickly).  Don't get me started on they cocktails!

Learn how to make Dirty Rice from Toup's Meatery Chef and co-owner- Isaac Toups.  Watch the Vine video above.   You're welcome.  Find Toup's on Facebook and follow them on twitter for some mouth watering photos that will have you planning a trip to New Orleans sooner than later.  It's closer than you think!