I was turned onto this amazing chocolate project from La Grange Epicerie Paris by Junkculter, the hub for all things way too cool for me. I was mesmerized by the video the way I used to be when I was a kid looking through a kaleidoscope.
How cool would it be to get one of these in your Easter basket?
Time is running out to take advantage of our 20% off sale online! Get in while the getting is good with discount code SPRING.
-Lydia
I recently shared about a Kickstarter backer who was using his custom created Sweet Lydia’s candy bar to propose to his boyfriend on Valentine’s Day. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting them both in person. I had the added bonus of providing the location for the sweetest engagement shoot ever, photographed by the lovely and talented Anne Ruthmann. They got to see my new kitchen and the chocolating equipment that Jimmy’s pledge helped purchase.
There is this small, strange, two way mirror in the middle of the wall, that has no actual function because the walk-in fridge is pushed up against that wall. Or at least I thought it didn’t serve a purpose until I saw this picture.
Here is the actual key that inspired the candy bar name and label!
I love this picture so much. They just look so happy. Like they are about to eat candy bars . . . I mean live happily ever after.
Jimmy’s Key To My Heart candy bar will only be around for a limited time, so don’t wait to get yours. This one of a kind candy bar is almond shortbread topped with dried cranberries and pineapple jellie candy, covered in dark chocolate and topped with almonds. If I was a betting woman, I would guess this guy will be back in town next February but you can never be sure. To see all the pictures, visit Anne Ruthmann’s Facebook page here.
You have until Friday to take 20% off your online order with discount code SPRING.
-Lydia
I just saw the above image on pinterest and had to share it. Even though it is rainy here in Mass today, it is warming up and starting to feel like spring. We started making our hand-piped homemade marshmallow peeps again with Easter right around the corner, and these little birds really lively up the space. And we are offering 20% off orders placed this week with discount code SPRING just to brighten your day. In an attempt to “spring clean” I am working on accounting today, catching up on everything I missed while getting the shop up and running and trying to get ahead for 2013. Boy am I happy I took a 2 minute pinterest/blog break and found these fun flowers. Check out more about how to carry flowers in daily life here.
Happy Almost Spring,
Lydia
I might have reached the pinnacle of my candy making career . . . my candy bars were used as a marriage proposal on Valentine’s Day! This story starts long before Valentine’s and might just make you tear up so get some tissues ready. I ran a kickstarter project back in November to raise funds for equipment for my new retail store front and commercial kitchen. The reward I was most excited about was for bakers to create their own one-of-a-kind candy bar to be named after them and sold in store and online. Six lovely bakers picked this reward and submitted their ideas for their candy creations in early January.
A few days later I received an email from one of the bakers elaborating a little on what he was thinking about for his candy bar and well, I’ll let him tell it . . . “If you are amenable to it, I was thinking of incorporating the candy bar into my marriage proposal to my boyfriend, Thomas. I know you could name the candy bar after a person, but I was hoping for “Key to My Heart”. The name is a reference to a family tradition from my family. At age 13, kids are given a key that represent the key to their heart. The key is held onto until you meet that person who you want to have the key to your heart. I will be using my key, instead of a ring for the proposal. My thinking was to explain the name of the candy bar and the proposal would follow the explanation.”
I seriously got chills when I read the email and spent the next week trying to make his candy bar taste as sweet as the proposal would be. The “Key to my heart” candy bar consists of an almond and dried cranberry shortbread topped with pineapple jellie candy, enrobed in dark chocolate and topped with toasted coconut and slivered almonds. The first round of shortbread was not almond-y or craisan-y enough, and the first round of pineapple jellies was not the right consistency.
I really wanted this candy bar to be as perfect as possible, not just because I only want to put deliciousness on my shelves, but because this sweet creation was going to be part of a marriage proposal. Could you imagine my shame if the proposal was issued and the newly engaged couple bit into a just OK candy bar? I would hate for a new engagement to start off on a sour note when it should be the sweetest.
I used a picture of the key on the label. I also included two extra “test” candy bars with a special message.
Here is a picture that Jimmy posted on facebook.
It just makes me so happy to be a part of this wonderful moment in two people’s lives. It’s not everyday that you get to create a special candy for the sole purpose of sharing love.
The Key To My Heart candy bar will be available online very shortly for a limited. Who knows, this might be one candy bar that makes an appearance for Valentine’s Day every year.
Lots of love and congratulations to Jimmy & Thomas,
Lydia
When in need of inspiration, Aussie Amy Moss’s stylish blog
eatdrinkchic.com is one of the first places I look. The combination of
whimsy and elegant simplicity in her work makes each piece fun, and
her DIY ideas are unbeatable. And I can definitely relate to her
desire to make life less vanilla — mango-blood-orange-white-chocolate-spice candy bar, anyone?
The best thing about getting inspiration from Amy is that her blog has
tons of free, printable paper products like these here dessert-themed
2013 calendars. There is no way January won’t be sweet if you’ve got
this purple popsicle on your wall. She’s got cupcakes and gingerbread
men, donuts and sprinkles galore.
My only complaint? Hey Amy, where’s the S’more?!?
Help me help Amy combat brownie boredom, one S’more at a time!
The first and only Cookbook you can actually read, cook and then eat. Packaged as classic lasagne, it is made out of 100% fresh pasta it can be opened, filled with ingredients and finally be cooked. This would be perfect for those who have no space on their shelves for extra cook books!
Thanks for your help combating brownie boredom, one S’more at a time!
-Lydia
It is Easter time again and that means the Peep diorama contest held by the Washington Post. You may remember I shared a few of my favorites last year. This year there are too many to choose so I’m sticking with a theme: The Hunger Peeps. I just saw “The Hunger Games” movie this weekend and thought these were the funniest.
Thanks for your help combating brownie boredom, one S’more at a time!
-Lydia
PS Don’t forget to order our homemade marshmallow chicks before time runs out!
How stunning are these illustrations by Kai and Sunny.
Oh how I would love one of these for my walls.
Thanks for your help combating cupcake boredom, one S’more at a time!
-Lydia
I am not a fan of the super sappy or pet names, or most things Valentine-y, but this is perfect. In fact so is most of the brightly goodness in Artocrat’s shop.
Thanks for your help combating brownie boredome, one S’more at a time!™
-Lydia
Hello All!
I know it has been way too long since my last post. One of my mini goals for 2012 is to be more diligent about updating this blog regularly. Thank you all again for a wonderful 2011 holiday season. It was a success beyond my wildest dreams, hence the long absence in blogging during the holiday rush and then the week of recovery afterwards. I feel like I have a lot to share with you but I’ll save some of those updates for a later date.
Winter farmers market season is underway. I am so excited to be in new areas, meeting new customers and vendors. I met Tracy, of Seacoast Butters, just before the winter solstice when she contacted me to get some goodies for her marshmallow-loving friend. 
Not only is she one of the nicest people I’ve met, Tracy makes wonderful compound butters starting with organic butter and adding delicious combinations of locally sourced organic ingredients. I purchased the Olive, Caper and Anchovy Butter at the Newburyport Farmers Market last Sunday where we were both selling. At Tracy’s suggestion, I used a recipe from her website to make sauteed chicken with burst cherry tomato-butter sauce. I served it with simple warm quinoa and this might be one of my new go-to dinners. My regular taste-testers and I agreed that it might have been the most flavorful chicken we’ve ever tasted. It’s astonishing how much flavor is imparted into the chicken when it is cooked in the compound butter: it is not just a sauce or seasoning but awesomeness in a tablespoon. Lucky for me I will get to see Tracy & Seacoast Butters again this Sunday at Sowa Winter Market and you can too! I strongly recommend it.
Happy Belated New Year and thanks for your help combating brownie boredom, one S’more at a time!™
-Lydia
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