Chocolate Research Facility

This is by far the coolest chocolate store concept I have ever seen and I am sorry that on my last trip to Singapore, I missed this thing. 

Here are all the juicy facts about this fabulously designed chocolate store- it’s called Chocolate Research Facility and it is located in Singapore’s Millenia Walk.   Singapore based design agency owner Chris Lee of Asylum Creative  launched the concept.   It’s part cafe part retail and the interior design is laboratory-esque.  What caught my attention when I first read about the concept on blog, The Dieline, is packaging of the chocolate (makes sense for a hot find on The Dieline).  The Chocolate Research Facility boasts 100 flavours like strawberry yogurt, green apple with dried pear, champagne, espresso, irish cream, Sichuan pepper to name a few and all of the chocolate comes packaged in super savvy, sophisticated, modern wrapping (see below).   The package design is so sleek, it truly embodies the value that can be created in a business through great design. 

The store caters to chocolate neophytes and aficionados alike.  Just take a look at these pictures to see what kind of experience is provided.  I am ready to hop on a plane and get back to Singapore to check the Chocolate Research Facility first hand!

inside store via oh joy

store exterior via luxury insider

inside store via we heart stuff

chocolate wrapper via the lovely room

chocolate wrapper via ministry of type

chocolate wrappers via blabber, etcetera

A brunch in the works

I am getting ready to host a birthday brunch for a close friend this weekend and I am searching high and low for inspiration, themes and recipes from the blogsphere.  I am determined to put together the entire event using recipes from my favourite food bloggers. 

Today I tested a white chocolate chip and macadamia nut blondie recipe from Washington, DC food blogger, Baked Perfection.  The blondies turned out great and the smell in my house is to die for!  I ended up substituting half the white chocolate chips for a blend of butterscotch chips and peanut butter chips.  I think my friends will be delighted with the results. 

 Here is what a blondie looks like for those of you who are not familiar with this type of bar:

via baked perfection

My next task is to find a light, non-traditional birthday cake to make.  So far, I am thinking something lemon with a yogurt cream and raspberry drizzle. 

We’ll see what I come up with.

The next big thing: Whoopie Pies

There is a new trend brewing in desserts that will be making its way to bakeries, weddings and event tables this next year.  I’m calling it now, you heard it here first, i’m seeing these things pop up in magazines and blogs here and there and it’s just bound to erupt.  The next trend is whoopie pies.  That’s right, whoopie pies.  They look like mini macarons, yet they have the texture of cake with filling in the centre but they are called a pie.  Creative bakers can go to town on this delightful little treat playing around with filling and shell flavours.

If you don’t know what they are here is a look at the hot new trend, and check out some recipes here, here and here.

via the shopping vine

via the sweet escape

via one ordinary day

via raisin cake

Halloween Decor Ideas

via vintage mint

via apartment therapy

via all hallows design

via hostess blog

via good house keeping

BED: Matthew Robbins

Matthew Robbins is very deserving of a Beautiful Event Design feature on Out of the Event and is a name you should familiarize yourself with  if you are into learning from the best to inspire your own events.

A bit about Matthew: His educational background in art not only complements and illuminates his floral and event designs but has also helped him create the successful event design company which runs with a team stacked with talent in New York.  To highlight some of Matthew’s successes and accolades, Matthew is a regular contributor on the Bride’s Guide and has been featured countless times in Martha Stewart’s Weddings magazine as well as on the show and has worked on events around the US and the globe. 

To get some insight into what makes a great event and what inspires Matthew to do what he does, check out this great interview with Matthew Robbins on blog, The Bride Cafe here, or you can check out his posts on the Bride’s Guide here.   I have some pictures to share with you but they really do not do his work justice and I would recommend browsing his portfolio on the company website here.

via the bride cafe blog

via the last detail blog

via the bride guide by darcy miller

via the bride cafe

via NY Daily News

Flour Fancies

I am a big supporter of anyone who has gone through Bonnie Gordon’s cake school and who has come out the other end with a business up and running!

Here is one of Bonnie’s students, Samantha Lee, who started Flour Fancies a couple years ago in Toronto and seems to be doing pretty well racking up press in national wedding magazines.

Samantha offers cakes and cookies all available for order on her website/by appointment.   Her artistic eye and skill result in a great looking (*and i’m sure great tasting) product!   

via flour fancies

via bride.ca

via flour fancies

Letterpress in Toronto: I found it!

Why is it so hard to find letterpress in the city if you are looking for something bespoke and not mass market? 

Just when I was giving up hope on finding letterpress resources in Toronto for invitations and personal stationery, I found Pantry Press Inc hiding in a stable in the west end of the city.  The two designers who run Pantry Press Inc. bring over 15 years of letterpress experience and run the whole operation at home by appointment only!  Now I have not seen these products in the flesh but I am hoping they are a hidden gem and produce great work.  Toronto is in desperate need of creativity when it comes to paper products and invitations.  So here is a new resource to support.

Check out their work on their website (link above) or on their blog here.

via etsy

poster via etsy

Cori Cook Floral Design

I have not done a BED post in a while and I thought this person who I stumbled across tonight was deserving.  Denver, Colorado’s Cori Cook has an eye for colour, events and photography.  I stumbled across her blog this evening and after giving it good read through, I decided that she get’s some exposure for her work and her passion for flowers!

What particularly stood out for me was her coordination and planning of the lime and cantaloupe colour themed wedding she did. See post here.  I have included some highlights below but you can read more about here event and floral design on her blog here.

via cori cook

via cori cook

via cori cook