A Cocoa And Cupcakes Kind Of Day

photo by striatic

Yesterday was March 1, and it snowed for about six hours at my Alabama home. First, I was obsessed over getting perfect pictures of my adorable little girl making like a snow baby. This did not happen; she was terrified of the snow. My next desire? A hot drink, of course. As I sipped, I thought about how serving simple cups of hot chocolate (or coffee, or tea) is the perfect refreshment for a winter party.

When I started thinking about parties, I started thinking about, what else? Cupcakes. So…I pulled together a mini roundup of cold-weather party inspiration, perfect for a winter birthday, baby shower or an afternoon snowed in with family.

clockwise from top left: mug of hot chocolate from flickr user avlxyz;
chocolate swirl hot chocolate from flickr user macinate;
hot chocolate in snowflake mug from flickr user Egan Snow;
coconut snowball cupcakes from flickr user kristin_a;
snowmen cupcakes from flickr user abakedcreation;
snowflake cupcake from flickr user Cake Girl

How do you spend a snow day?

Sweet Chocolate Treats For Valentine's Day

It’s not as if you need an excuse to whip up one of these chocolate delights, but tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Roses are overrated and cards aren’t necessary, but to not have chocolate on Valentine’s Day? That is a crime.

Just in case you still need some ideas on sweet treats to make or bake, here are a few of my favorites. Personally, the Oreo kisses are tops on my list this year.

clockwise from top left:
Oreo kisses from Bakerella
double chocolate doughnut from Country Living
chocolate cherry stack cake from Better Homes and Gardens
hot chocolate cake from Country Living
chocolate souffles from Food Network
flourless chocolate cake from Food Network
delicious chocolate pie from The Pioneer Woman Cooks

What chocolate dessert can you not live without?