Taking a Shower

Bite-size grilled cheese sandwiches with shots of tomato soup. Chunky chicken salad on baked mini-pitas. Nutella-infused ravioli. And goodness gracious, homemade lollipops so pretty you almost don't want to eat them (my new obsession!).

If baby showers could receive awards, the one I just attended in North Carolina would be polishing its gold medal right about now. It was in honor of one of my best friends--a woman who is near and dear to my heart for a thousand reasons. And after this weekend, I am counting among those reasons the fact that she has other best friends who can throw a mean--and I mean MEAN--party for a lovely lady who's about to have a baby.

Now, this was a chic shower that meant serious SERIOUS business. But want to know the most gorgeous part of the whole shebang? Every morsel of the food, every inch of the decor--every ribbon on every gift--was prepared with love. And that made this shower one that surrounded my friend with reminders that she really does have everything she needs to raise a little one: family who will travel any distance to support her, friends ready and excited to lend a hand, access to people who've been there before, and a not one, but two, brand-spankin'-new diaper genies.

5 Things I’d Do for Hot Chocolate

Truth be told, hot chocolate and I are frenemies. Sometimes when I partake, it makes me feel unhealthy and guilty. And on those days, I'm like, "Hot chocolate totally knows what it's doing to me when we hang out, but it really could give a crap."

But other times, like today, I want it shower with love for all the warmth and cocoa-magic it often brings into my life. So in honor of our relationship, here's a list of the things I'd like do to make hot chocolate feel as happy as it makes me (well, today, at least).

1. Give it a makeover:

(Aztec Hot Chocolate, $19, mariebelle.com)

(Jacques Torres Hot Chocolate, $18, mrchocolate.com)

2. Buy it a new outfit:

(ego coffee cup & saucer, $38, hivemodern.com)

(Coffee Cup & Saucer, $95, maxwellsilverny.com)

3. Encourage it to accessorize:

(French Roast Coffee Cup Sweater, $15, CuffeShop at etsy.com)

(Cuff, $16, byrdandbelle at etsy.com)

4. Introduce it to my friends:

(Homemade Caramel Marshmallows, $6 per dozen, whimsyandspice.com. Photo by Jenna Park)

(King Leo Soft Peppermint Stick Candy - for stirring - $10.05, amazon.com)

5. Tickle fights:

(Mini Frother, $10, surlatable.com)

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If you give a girl a cookie

When it comes to cuteness, I am willing to bet that my neighborhood could take on your neighborhood any day of the week. Take the adorable One Girl Cookies shop around the corner, for instance. I've watched it grow from a shiny little storefront with a small set of cookie collections (named after the owner's relatives and friends) packaged in well-designed boxes into a busy bakery and dessert bar, which opens up its big, welcoming front window when it's warm outside.

Each time I take the F train home, I make it a point to pass by and window shop--there's always some sort cute concoction waiting for me there. Plus, they're really yummy and they make great birthday or housewarming gifts (you don't even have to wrap them--the boxes and the bag they come in do the job for you). They even create to-die-for party favors. Order some up here or stop by and say hello (even if it's just to gaze at the sweet stuff inside) at 68 Dean Street in Brooklyn.

Image Source: One Girl Cookies