Baking for Good is an “online bake sale that supports great causes.”  They offer a variety of treats, ranging from cookies to bars to granola and they all look delicious. Their margarita shortbread, for example, is calling my name.

margarita shortbread from Baking for Good

They even offer gift packs and suites of themed iced sugar cookies. The cookies would be fabulous for a party, a baby or wedding shower, or an engagement party.

iced wedding-themed cookies

How fabulous would it be to share with guests that each bite they take of their sweet treat goes to an even sweeter cause like First Book (one of my favorite non-profits) or The American Cancer Society.

Here’s to all the charitable sweet tooths out there!

After our upcoming kitchen remodel, my goal is to have as few things as possible cluttering the countertops. There are certain essentials, however, that need to be there — like our KitchenAid mixer and our Boos board.

We love our Boos board and use it everyday for chopping vegetables and herbs. We are careful to use a separate plastic board, though, for working with meats of any kind so that we can keep everything sanitary and clean.

I recently fell in love with this cutting board system by Joseph Joseph which offers an organized solution for keeping cutting boards from “cross-contamination.” Its sleek storage container and four color-coded chopping boards are not only aesthetically interesting, but practical as well. The illustrated tab on each board helps a cook easily identify the boards to ensure the same board is used each time for similar food types.

I am not sure if I need to add anything else to my already very full kitchen cabinets and countertops, but if I did, it might be this!

Index Cutting Boards available on A+R

a great way to organize cutting boards

I find personalized bags to be particularly helpful on the wedding day so the bridesmaids can put all of their personal belongings in their bag and not mix up items in the frenzy of pre-ceremony preparations.

These totes from Ballard Designs are not only stylish, but they are reasonably priced, too.

Monogrammed totes from Ballard Designs

a variety of styles all with free monogramming

The totes aren’t only perfect for weddings, though. They would make a great gift for a girlfriend, sister, mom…. You can even get creative with the monogramming: “Beach” for a friend with a beach house; “Yoga” for your sister who is mastering downward dog; and so on!

So as you are watch the painstakingly long and often nail-biting process, you may want to invite your friends over to enjoy another kind of “draft”… of the “hops” persuasion.

Instead of bottles and cans at your Draft Day party, why not try a beverage dispenser (or, using a term I haven’t heard since college, a kegerator)?!

The Krups Beertender at $99.00 is a nice, entry level, accessible model. It’s small enough to fit on your countertop and can be easily stored away when you aren’t using it. One downside is that you can only use it with Heineken 5L DraughtKegs. But if you like Heineken, you can’t go wrong. It’s an easy way for guests to serve themselves and it is likely to be a good conversation piece!

Krups Beertender

If this model is too “pedestrian” for you, you can always go for the cadillac of kegerators: Viking’s 24″ Built-in Beverage Dispenser. It can accommodate a half barrel of whatever beer you can order.

Viking's Built-in Beverage Dispenser

After you’ve setup your beverage dispenser, you’ll want to set out some glassware for your guests. Chilled mugs are always appreciated. I particularly love these pint glasses from Sur La Table.

Pallino Ottimista/Pessimista Beer Glasses from Sur La Table

Baccarat and beer seem like an unlikely pairing to me … but, nonetheless, these Baccarat Oenology Pilsner-style beer mugs are beautiful.

Baccarat Oenology Beer Mug, available through Geary's

Finally, I remember traveling in Belgium years ago and being amazed at how each brand and type of beer was served in its own special glass designed specifically by the brewery to ensure optimal flavor.  While not quite to that extent, this collection of glasses follows that line of thinking. The set includes a glass each for pilsners, wheats, ales, and stouts.

Mikasa "Brewmaster's Collection" Varietal Glasses, Set of 4, available at Macy's

With all of our “Draught Day” equipment, I think we are ready to watch Round One and hope for the best for our teams…

Go Patriots! (Skins fans, no taunts or jibes, please!)

The newest entertaining book in my library, thanks to a dear friend, is Entertaining Simple, by Matthew Mead, who hits the nail on the head when it comes to simple, easy ways to dress an impactful table. Mead reviews the elements of the basic table “wardrobe;” offers clever ways to reuse the same serving piece in multiple, stylish ways; provides clever decor ideas; and caps it all off with delicious recipes.

I particularly appreciated his focus on how to use the ordinary elements in one’s home — egg cups, glass votive holders, cake stands — and turn them into extraordinary focal points on table.

Looking for a gift for your favorite entertainer? Look no further!

Entertaining Simple, available from Amazon

Now, back to planning the rest of the meal!

chocolate quail eggs from Knipschildt

I recently came across these fantastic reusable straws. While they may not work for my kit, I couldn’t help but think how helpful they would be at home — especially for families with children. Cool looking AND eco-friendly — sipping has never been so fashionable!

stainless steel straws from Always Brilliant

Festive Family set of straws, from Strawesome

beautiful bend straw from Glass Dharma

pink glass straw from Strawesome

The whoopie pies arrived safely in an adorable container embellished with dotted ribbon.

B Hall, Baker Whoopie Pie tin

The six whoopie pies included some B Hall, Baker’s classics as well as their spring flavors:

• Dark chocolate
• Raspberry Red Velvet
• Sour Cherry
• Chocolate & Vanilla
• Ginger Cake with Lemon
• Coconut

6 whoopie pies from B Hall, Baker

Don’t ask me to pick a favorite — they were all divine. The Raspberry Red Velvet tasted of fresh raspberries; the aroma of the Ginger Cake smelled as if I just peeled fresh ginger; the Coconut was so light it melted in my mouth. The cake was moist and the filling soft and gooey — in the best of ways.

Other Spring flavors offered by B Hall, Baker include French Lemon Cake, Carrot Cake and Pineapple, and Peach Mango.

The whoopie pies, which I have mentioned in an earlier post, would be wonderful treats at an Easter brunch or other Spring gathering. And they are so en vouge right now — how could you go wrong?!