I am absolutely hooked on Starbucks’ hot chocolate. It has the perfect amount of chocolate, creaminess and richness. And when the baristas add a pump of peppermint—oh, it’s just perfect! Starbucks’ recipe has become my gold standard for hot chocolates everywhere. I try dozens of different cocoas every winter, but I have yet to find… READ MORE
Dreamy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip
The holiday season might be over, but the rest of the year is full of opportunities to both host and attend dozens of delightful parties! We all know that hosting a party involves significant recipe planning, decorating and prepping, but being a guest doesn’t mean you get off scot-free. The next time you ask a… READ MORE
4 champagne cocktails for the perfect New Year’s Eve
Christmas has its cookies, but on New Year’s Eve, it’s all about champagne. Though the bubbly drink is delicious enough on its own, the last day of the year (and the first day of the new one) calls for some dressing up. Here are four fun and easy champagne cocktails to try this New Year’s… READ MORE
How to create a rustic Thanksgiving tablescape your guests will love
It’s Thanksgiving eve! If your house is anything like mine, the day before Thanksgiving is full of cooking and cleaning—likely until the wee hours of the morning. The kitchen smells of hot pumpkin pie, your dining room is sparkling from a fresh scrub and kids are slipping in and out of the house trying to… READ MORE
6 irresistible apple cider recipes
As soon as the weather turns crisp, there are two flavors I immediately crave: pumpkin spice and apple cider. There are no other flavors that are more quintessentially fall, and there are so many ways to enjoy them before we turn to peppermint, gingerbread and all the flavors of Christmas. If you’d like to serve… READ MORE
How to make spooky spider Halloween bark
I don’t know about you, but Halloween definitely creeped up on me this year. (See what I did there?) 🙂 It’s just a few days away, and if you’re looking for a festive treat you can whip up fast—and I mean fast—this spooky spider Halloween bark is the dessert you’re looking for. I make chocolate… READ MORE
How to throw a “berry sweet” birthday party
In our family, we have a tradition in which, on your birthday, you get to choose what type of birthday cake you’d like. Everyone has their favorites, and they usually involve some combination of chocolate and vanilla. Does this sound like your family? Chocolate and vanilla are classics, but every now and then it’s a… READ MORE
The cutest 4th of July party supplies
The Fourth of July is next weekend! I don’t know what happened to June, but season of sparklers and summertime fun is upon us. (Yay!) That means you need some festive party supplies. So, grab a cold drink and check out our shop for these cute items and more! Shop the look here: red fringe… READ MORE
Frosty Peach Bellini Recipe
We’re enjoying beautiful summer weather here in Chicago. There have been a few hot days, but each one has been followed by a pleasantly cooler one. We’re definitely being spoiled, but I’m intent on enjoying this beautiful weather while it lasts. That means spending as much time as possible outside with friends and family. Summer… READ MORE
Father’s Day Fun with Cold Stone Creamery
If your dad is anything like mine, he probably doesn’t want you to make a fuss over him on Father’s Day. He probably wants to spend the day grilling up some burgers, relaxing in a shady spot in the backyard and sipping a cold drink, right? Of course, we should let our dads spend their… READ MORE
