Archive for November, 2011

Cyber Monday, Peppermint S’mores & Hot Chocolate Contest

Posted on: November 28th, 2011 by Lydia No Comments

I hope everyone had a wonderfully restful Thanksgiving weekend full of family and friends. It seems like there is so much going on right now, I can’t keep it all straight.  My kitchen is full of of s’mores, and gift boxes and cellophane wrap as I prepare for a busy holiday sales season (knock on wood). This past weekend was a blast, selling at both Hingham Holiday Market, run by the folks who put on Sowa, and the Castleberry Fairs event at the Shriners. I have been so busy making s’mores that I forgot to announce the change of seasons by bringing back the Gourmet Peppermint Marshmallow S’mores! The time of the Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cider S’mores has come and gone (I really can’t believe how this year has flown by) and the minty-chocolaty goodness of the Peppermint Chip and Peppermint Bark are here.

Lowell’s City of Lights Parade and annual hot chocolate conetest were held over the weekend too. I am beyond thrilled to report that my marshmallows were atop the winning hot chocolate this year for the third year in a row! Andy of Brew’d Awakening and I teamed up again this year to come up with a slammin coco. We started by rimming the cup with a chocolate-caramel mixture and then dipping it in cinnamon-sugar, filled to the brim with rich pumpkin hot chocolate and topped with one of my Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows. It is no surprise that the people of Lowell loved it. We tested it about 5 times, just to make sure that it was perfect. There is no real prize for the hot chocolate contest other than bragging rites, but I could not be more thrilled about being a 3-time champ. Check out the wrap up of the parade here.

It is in fact Cyber Monday and I decided, at the very last minute to offer a sweet deal.  Take 20% off your order today (to be shipped this week) with the discount code CYBERMONDAY. Wait there is more! Order over $50 and you will get a free Marshmallow Guide too! Remember, if you live in Lowell you can order online and pick up at Brew’d Awakening in downtown.

Thanks for your help combating brownie boredom, one S’more at a time! And happy holidays!

-Lydia

Best Brownies Ever

Posted on: November 17th, 2011 by Lydia 4 Comments

That title is not an exaggeration, but I might be a little biased. I wanted to share a sneak peek into my new cookbooklet  by sharing the cover recipe.

The part of this recipe that makes these the very best brownie ever is that you start with your very favorite brownie recipe. One of my personal go-to brownie recipes is from Bakers Chocolate, where you start with unsweetened chocolate and melt it with tons of butter. I leave out the nuts, but that is a personal preference. The brownies come out gooie and very chocolaty.  Your (formerly) favorite brownies get even better when you add peanut butter, caramel or Nutella (or a little of all three if you live on the edge) and top it with one of our Vanilla Marshmallows.

And when you cut into one of these bad boys, look out.

You might never turn back.

Best Brownies Ever Recipe:

1 recipe brownies
Peanut butter, Nutella, caramel or all three
1 bag of 8 Sweet Lydia’s Vanilla Marshmallows (or your favorite flavor)

Bake your favorite brownie recipe in a 9 x 9-inch pan until toothpick comes out clean. Cut brownies into 9 3 x 3-inch brownies. Scoop out about 1 teaspoon of brownie from the center of each and reserve centers for eating.

Spoon 1 tbsp of peanut butter, Nutella or caramel into the center crater and cover with 1 Vanilla Marshmallow.

Place marshmallow-topped brownie under broiler on high for 30-60 seconds or until golden and toasted. Keep a close eye on brownies, the magic happens quickly.

Remove and serve warm.

All these amazing pictures were taken by my lovely friend Lara Swanson.

Thanks for your help combating brownie boredom, one S’more at a time!™

-Lydia

A Printed Holiday Wish-list

Posted on: November 16th, 2011 by Lydia No Comments

My last wish-list post might have seemed like print-madness, but that wasn’t even the half-of-it. Those were just some prints I love from Etsy. Here are other prints I love from around the web.

Both the graphic and the text are perfect. Get your own for under $20 here.

What can I say, I am a sucker for ice cream.

and cake, mmmm.

I have been dreaming about this print for months, and I am inching ever closer to purchasing.

Love these concentric blue lines. So simple and elegant, keeps my eye going and going.

I love everything about this print, and I don’t think I need to explain its awesomeness to you.

Timid Whale is available on 20×200 which is one of my favorite places to hunt for prints.

Happy Holidays!

Thanks for helping me combat brownie boredom, one S’more at a time!™

-Lydia

An Etsy Holiday Wish-list: Prints Edition

Posted on: November 14th, 2011 by Lydia No Comments

I love everything about this print from Debbie Carlos.  Now where do I put it, hmm.

Might as well stick with the food theme . . .

These fruit illustrations are printed on old dictionary paper: a for apples, c for cherries, and p for pears.

I covet every single print fro Ana’s etsy shop, but this set of four seasonal vegetable prints might be my favorite. Maybe because you get four in one order, because I have a hard time picking just one.

Ok, I said I couldn’t pick just one. Here is another set of four I would love for my home.

What family with kids wouldn’t love this fruit and veggie print in their kitchen?

I might have a small rock collection at home that would compliment this print.

In reality I would love any of the collection prints from this shop!

There is something so magical and simple about this 5×5 print.

Prints from Marco Suarez are like looking through a ship portal into another world.

The colors and the details in the animal prints by United Threads give me shivers.

These are just a few of the prints I can’t stop dreaming about.

Thanks for your help combating brownie boredom, one S’more at a time!™

-Lydia

An Etsy Holiday Wish-list

Posted on: November 11th, 2011 by Lydia No Comments

Here are some things I’ve been digging on Etsy recently and would make great holiday gifts (hint hint).

This item might be a little pricey but how awesome is the fake taxidermy deer head covered in patterned paper. And gold tipped antlers!

Jewelry that combines gold and cloth like these: 1, 2, 3

I would love to walk on this crocheted squid rug.

These brightly painted decorative figurines would make a perfect addition to any shelf or coffee table.

Air plant terrariums are perfect if you are a duface like me who can’t keep plants alive. They don’t need to be watered and they can look so stylish in their little glass homes.

Bark Decor is based in Boston and make these wonderful patterned scarfs, along with prints and other apparel.

There might be a theme of gold-dipped gifts here, but who doesn’t want a little gold around the holidays? And this gold and white bowl is only $20!

Another post is coming that is all prints because I started this one with a few and realized my main wish list is almost completely prints. Happy Shopping!

-Lydia

Sweet Lydia’s Marshmallow Guide/Cookbooklet Has Arrived!

Posted on: November 10th, 2011 by Lydia 2 Comments

It’s been hard to me to keep this under-wraps the past few weeks. I always want things like this to be a complete surprise for everyone, but I just get so excited that I can’t keep my mouth shut. My secret-keeping ability was hindered by the fact that I started this project way back in May and didn’t get it finished and in my hands until just now. You ready for the cover? BAM! Don’t fret, that picture on the cover is one of the recipes inside too.

The amazing pictures were taken by Lara Swanson (the best) who also has her own baking blog Semisweetie where she share mouth-watering pictures of other delicious goodies she bakes.  All her baking experience and taste buds came in handy when I was thinking about and testing the recipes included in this Guide.  In fact, the entire reason it took so long to get this cookbooklet put together is the sugar coma we fell into while creating the first half the book prevented us from baking and shooting any more that day.  That was back in May and then I got a wee bit busy with farmers markets and here we are in November.

Over the next two weeks or so Lara and I will share a few of our favorite recipes and pictures with you on our respective blogs (probably including the brownies pictured above).

The cookbooklets are for sale here and here if you want to get one with 3 different bags of marshmallows to test out the recipes for yourself, or send them to a friend. I will also have them at all the holiday fairs this season (which start next week, eek) and you can pick one up at Brew’d Awakening in downtown Lowell.

Thank you to all the customers who kept asking me about the best way to eat my marshmallows; you are the inspiration behind this, And thanks to all those who contributed recipes and ideas. And of course all your help combating brownie boredom, one S’more at a time!™

-Lydia

Custom Gourmet Marshmallow Dessert Stations

Posted on: November 9th, 2011 by Lydia 4 Comments

Custom Gourmet Marshmallow Dessert Stations

S’MORES BAR LITTLE DETAILS

Our S’more bars are marshmallows-only dessert station to ignite your inner child in and delight your taste buds. Our goal is to bring a beautifully fun and sweet end to your special event, be it a wedding, birthday or anniversary party, or just because you love marshmallows as much as we do.  The following descriptions are outlines of the different services available and can be altered to fit your specific party needs.  Please contact us with any questions.

All of our S’mores bars include the following:

  • Complimentary in person consultation
  • Use and provision of designer vessels such as tongs, skewers, jars, and stands
  • Delivery and set-up of your S’mores bar
  • Take-down and clean up after your event
  • Collaboration with your venue or event planner
  • Table and table linen coordinated to match your event* (in consultation with your event planner and/or venue)
  • Clear cellophane bags for your guests to take S’mores home, and a take away box for you to save all the extras
  • Personalized guest take away options with custom labels available at additional cost
  • 2 – 4 S’mores bar items per guest, depending on the products selected
  • Your choice of milk, white, dark or a mix for all chocolate covered items
  • Telescoping skewers

Our S’mores bars start at a minimum of $500

BASIC S’MORES BAR

  • Simple stylized presentation
  • Basic name tag for all items
  • Basic S’mores signage
  • Clear or white display vessels
  • White napkins
  • White paper plates
  • Basic roasting station
  • Up to 4 flavored gourmet marshmallows
  • Personalized Chocolaty marshmallow pops
  • Graham crackers
  • Chocolate squares
  • Personalized guest take away options with custom labels available at additional cost

SIGNATURE S’MORES BAR

  • Stylized presentation similar to the one pictured above
  • Choice of S’mores tags from our signature line (4 options available)
  • “SMOOORES BAR” Signage
  • White ceramic display vessels with option to customize with ribbons
  • Option of color coordinated S’mores items
  • Color coordinated napkins
  • Color coordinated paper or plastic plates
  • items and selection from our flavored and personalized gourmet marshmallows
  • Graham crackers
  • Chocolate squares
  • Signature roasting station
  • Our signature “How to make a S’mores” illustration
  • Up to 4 flavored gourmet marshmallows
  • 3 Personalized gourmet marshmallows sweets, such as mini S’mores marshmallow and chocolate covered pretzels
  • Graham crackers
  • Chocolate squares (You may choose Milk, White, Dark or a mix)

CUSTOM S’MORES BAR

  • Unique and stylized presentation matching your event theme
  • S’mores bar attendant for the duration of your event
  • Designer backdrop and table decor design using custom color palette
  • Custom graphic branding to include S’mores tags, signage, and/or cut-outs
  • Couture guest take away options including branded labels/tags for goodie bags
  • Option of color coordinated and personalized napkins, paper/ceramic plates
  • Specialty ceramic display vessels and stands
  • Personalized “How to make a S’mores” illustration
  • Option of color coordinated S’mores
  • Specialty dips such as caramel, melted chocolate, Nuttela, peanut butter
  • Exclusive designed roasting station

Marshmallow Flavors

  • Year-round Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Mocha, Caramel, Toasted Coconut, Raspberry, Strawberry, Pineapple, Banana, Orange, Lemon
  • Seasonal Flavors: Apple Cider, Pumpkin Spice, and Peppermint Chip
  • Personalized Gourmet Marshmallows: Pretzel Rods, S’mores bites, Sugar Cookie S’mores, Chocolaty Marshmallow Pops, Chocolaty Marshmallow Lollipops, and marshmallows to match your imagination
  • Resees pieces, York Peppermint Patties, and Ghiradelli squares available at extra cost