I'm not much of a drinker but I love a nice tipple, especially on a Girls Night In ! But I also know that getting the girls 'round means you have to account for varied tastes and an array of dietary requirements - some don't drink, others are on a special diet, or counting the calories, or expecting... So mocktails are the answer for me! But a mixologist I am not, and need all the help I can get to deliver the wow factor without comprising on taste and creativity. So I've searched and scoured the web, and put together a delicious collection of non-alcoholic drinks recipes that not only look super funky and scrumptious, but are also easy to make and pack a whole lot of punch (no pun).

You still have time to make these fabulous cookie for Easter Sunday ! They are so pretty and taste delicious...and no piping bags in sight! So no excuses not to try! ;) Our fab contributor Gillian shares the full recipe below as seen in Sweet Magazine.

I cannot lie. Making these clown cake pops way waaaay too much FUN! They are so cute, don't you think? And super easy to make too, and perfect for a carnival or Circus themed birthday , baby shower... Plus, the kids can help too, which in my book is a huge bonus! ;) Get the full DIY below.

Hello there! It's been a couple of weeks since the news of my book post , and I've been spending some time on the magazine work, but also taking  a breather to chill and enjoy my family. Which of course, includes the mandatory   Sunday Dinner preps .  My husband cooks during the week (lucky me, right?) and I've been in charge of the (rather more fun ) Sunday Dinners. My repertoire needed updating, and I loved trying out some of the recipes from Foodie.com to jazz up my go-to dishes. 

Hi it's Hani here! St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, so let's make some Rainbow cookies, shall we?! If you've never decorated a cookie in your life I know these can look daunting, but believe when I say they are not. They are really easy to make and now you can learn how to make them with my video DIY tutorial.

I hate the cold, but one of the perks is the excuse to eat pie. I mean, don't get me wrong, pie is great any time of year as far as I'm concerned. But in winter, it just feels right!  So before Spring pops along and we run out of excuse to indulge, here are a few of my favorite recipes -There are sweet, savory, dinky mini pies ( perfect for a pie bar ?!), and big to-share pie whoppers. All delicious and easy to make!

Man, I love a good cake! To me, it epitomizes love. My earliest memories is baking cakes with my mom, surrounded by love and cake batter, licking the spoon... So now, I express my love for others by feeding them cake.  Naturally, for my Valentine's Day desserts table I had to have a centerpiece cake. You know, one of those creations that make you drool? Yeah, but master baker I am not, so I often resort to printables and candy to help me decorate my cakes.  Find all the steps below + a little something for you! ;)

I'm a "eat dessert first" kinda gal, and Valentine's Day is no different. So I've rounded up some of my faves to share here.  I mean, if Valentine's day is not en excuse to cook up something sweet for the ones you love, then why not treat yourself?! ;)

Truth be told, I (Tess) have not always been a cake gal. As a child, I would have surely picked ice cream over sheet cake.  My tastes have certainly changed over the years, but I will always have a huge sweet tooth. I love and work in pastry and I most definitely have my chocolate-craving days, but sometimes I just want some good old fashion candy.

Though in winter I crave mostly carbs and comforting foods, I am determined to make my resolutions stick this year, and try to eat more healthily.    But I always struggle when it comes to snacks and appetizers. You know, the stuff that needs to fill a gap when craving strikes? So I have been scouring the web for amazing, healthy and totally scrumptious recipes to make and share - From smoothies to dinners and all in between. Here's my top faves!

Following on from yesterday's Cheese Fondue Party post , here's my go-to French Savoyard Cheese Fondue recipe.  Warning: Delicious and very addictive!! ;)

This Gumpaste Mistletoe tutorial is   from our fabulously talented guest contributor Shaile !! Isn't this perfect as a cake topper for Christmas Yule log?! We can't get the mistletoe where I live, for love nor cupcakes. So this version made with gumpaste is just what I've been looking for!   Shaile is a professional sugar artist, so she has listed all the proper equipment used and vendors. But don't be alarmed by the list of tools needed! As you'll see from the images, it's not at all complicated, and you can get away with using whatever you've got to hand in your kitchen to mark the leaves and roll out the gumpaste.

The year's coming to a halt, and there's nothing I like more than reminiscing. About the good, the bad....and the yummy!  So today we have our Top 20 Recipes from 2013 from the blog, including some fun ideas for the end of year festivities like homemade edible gifts!! 

This one really is totally last minute - Tried and tested! I was invited to an impromptu dinner party on the weekend, and was caught short on gifts, so I took a bottle of wine (of course,  that I have in stock, no problem!) and a little box of homemade White Chocolate and Peppermint Bark - So yum and festive, no-one need know it took less than 10 minutes to make! ;)

Since this week's been all about Hot Cocoa , I thought a befitting gift or favor idea would be a jar of homemade hot cocoa mix for guests to enjoy at home. It's quick and inexpensive, tastes yummy and looks so cute. Perfect gift, did you say?! ;) Oh yeah, and there are some freebies for you to download to go along with your little jar of sweetness!

Following on from our Hot Cocoa Bar pots, today I'm sharing my recipe for delicious Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa . I love hot chocolate. And salted caramel. But only recently tried combining the two into a beverage fit for the gods. This recipe is so easy and quick since I used caramel sweeties that melt straight into the milk or cream! ;)

Macarons are my Achilles' Heel . So until I perfect them, I'm more than happy to buy ready-made. And it was no different for my Hot Cocoa Bar on the weekend.  I found these delicious chocolate macaron that had a crunchy (thin French wafers called Gravottes) topping and ganache filling, and it was so beyond delicious!!! 

We're epicureans in our home, and food takes center stage at any of our shindigs. But this year, I'm being a little more sensible. At least when it comes to the party appetizers. Don't get me wrong, I love a good ol' stuff-a-thon, but if you count all the grub that will be gobbled from now until end of the year... Anyways, I've been scouring the web for delicious, unique and above all  healthy party appetizers that are great for all the family. These yummy ideas are also super   simple and quick , and therefore perfect for rustling up at the last minute!

Hey guys!! So glad to be back! It was a roller-coaster week full of fun and a super crazy work schedule, and despite my utter love for Paris (see on Instagram here) ; I could not wait to get back to my "normal" routine. Plus, I missed my babies too much!!! :) So while I wait to catch up with my humongous inbox, and edit some of the gazillion salon photos to show you, just wanted to share a quick tutorial I made for the cupcakes on display at our stand. These Cute as a Button Cupcakes would be perfect for so many party themes...think baby showers, tea party, sewing or craft party or even Lalaloopsy!

Cupcakes are befitting of any occasion as far as I'm concerned. And Thanksgiving is no different. My go-to recipe for spiced, pumpkin cupcakes is from our blog contributor Hani. And I love topping it with cream cheese vanilla frosting (my fave standby frosting)