Spring Fever at Toni

There is nothing better than getting outdoors in the spring. I’m working hard to get all of the flower boxes on my deck planted so that I can start to host dinners out there.

Being a morning person, I’m also planning a brunch for friends on my deck in the near future. I was inspired to plan a brunch when my kitchen manager, Kim was pitching her idea for a goat cheese, caramelized onion and roasted red pepper savory tart to sell in the store. Accompanied with sweet breakfast pastries and fresh fruit, I think it will be a hit.

Now we just need the weather to hurry up and cooperate!

St. Patrick's Day

Pour some Bailey's in your coffee, it's time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! We have been busy baking all of our Irish favorites. New this year is Kennedy Rye. I got the recipe from Albert Cumin, pastry chef in the Kennedy White House. This rye bread was a favorite of the President, so we have named it after him. We also created a Ruben Sandwich which I think will be a great addition to our lunch menu and goes perfectly on the Kennedy Rye bread.

Wedding Walk Inspirations Part 2

This week we started getting ready for the 6th Annual Hinsdale Wedding Walk which is coming up Sunday, March 7th.

We always try to create a party-like atmosphere for the event, and fill the store with great wedding cakes and favor ideas.

I thought that last year our store looked especially festive with the raspberry and orange color scheme we used.

This year, we are going for a more elegant and glamorous look. I got my inspiration by looking through fashion magazines and different websites. I imagine brides do the same thing when they start the planning process of their weddings!

Our new color scheme is silver, pink, and black, which are pulled from our new logo and store colors. We are still very excited about our new look and can't wait to share it with you!

More on the wedding walk in blogs to follow!

Wedding Walk Inspirations

Every year we decorate the shop in anticipation of the Hinsdale Wedding Walk. We sample and display cakes, favors, and sweet table options. Here are some photos of the treats we made for the Wedding Walk in 2008. The color inspiration was red, pink and aqua blue. I loved how the aqua blue popped against the pinks and reds. It was one of my favorite windows and we have had many brides inspired by the "Word" cake.

Cupcake week

Thank you to everyone who purchased Cupcakes for a Cause, to support CancerCare for Kids! We decorated the cupcakes with the candy logo we were given by the cause, and they attracted a lot of attention! Our limited-time-only Strawberry Swirl cupcake was very popular!

From holidays, to birthday parties for kids and adults, to fancier versions for wedding receptions, cupcakes have become a trend that just doesn't go out of style.

We decorated these cupcakes with the bride and groom's last initial, and covered it with sugar pearls. Not only did it dress up the cupcakes for the reception, but it personalized the cupcakes specifically to the couple.

Buttercream flowers on these cupcakes fit into the garden party theme this guest was having. We used bright, summer colors and touched on different flowers she had in her own garden.

Because chocolate is such a dark, rich color, we decorated the fudge covered cupcakes with brightly colored fondant roses. The bright colors really pop on the fudge frosting, and the cupcakes couldn't look more delicious!

With a large variety of flavors, fillings, and seemingly no end to decoration possibilities, cupcakes are a delicious alternative to add to ANY celebration!
...look for our Halloween Cupcakes coming soon!