SYDT in Mpls St. Paul Magazine!

Yesterday, I shared the cover of the current Mpls St. Paul Magazine with you. Today, I'm back with the feature. Editor Melissa Colgan's only requirement was that the table have a Fall theme. I chose to go with an unconventional color palette instead of the more expected red, orange, and yellow hues that are synonymous with Autumn. Thankfully, Melissa was on board with my concept. I hope you like it, too!

To further turn convention on its head, I made an all-white abstract leaf cake with a flowery brown topper. Custom bird cookies, these faux bois cupcake toppers, caramel chocolate apples, and pheasant feathers share the spotlight with whiskey-infused chocolate figs, white chocolate cocoa, and cinnamon truffles. I designed corduroy, burlap, and wool favor bags to bring some typical Fall fabrics to the design. I also chose chocolate brown velvet ribbon to add another cozy element.

Along with this full-page spread, the magazine also featured another page with some info about me and the firm.

I'm really thrilled to be featured in Mpls St. Paul Magazine, and I'd like to thank the awesome local bakers and artisans who helped bring my vision to life. Check out the article for more info about each vendor.

So tell me, do you prefer unconventional color palettes or traditional ones when you decorate for the seasons/holidays?

Shoot Prepping at SYDT

Hi everyone! I'm busy today prepping for a shoot with photog Emily Steffen and stationer Bethany Hway. I'll be back tomorrow with a look at the dessert table I designed for Mpls St Paul Magazine's October issue, which is on newsstands now.

You may remember this inspiration photo that I used to create the table and this behind-the-scenes peek.

If you're in the Twin Cities, be sure to pick up a copy. See you tomorrow!

Desserts on Parade: Sweet Halloween Costumes

I know, I know. It's not even October yet, and here we go with the Halloween stuff. But, if you're like me, you like to make costumes for your kids. Of course, that means starting the project and planning a little earlier than if you're buying a pre-made one.

Last year, I had owls on the brain. You could probably tell from this post. Here's a good picture of the owl mask I made for my daughter. I also created a feathered body suit that she could wear while still in her Bjorn. This pic was taken after the festivities were over and she'd taken off the feathered body suit.

I always ooh and aah over the adorable Pottery Barn Kids Halloween costumes, and this year they're downright drool-worthy. PB has added several dessert costumes to their usual lineup. I love these ideas so much, that I'm going to make a sweet costume for my little one.

This cupcake cutie has a matching candy bag.

I might recreate this sweet donut. It looks so simple. Nothing more than some fabric and a pink sweatsuit.

This cookie costume seems pretty simple. Just add a scalloped felt circle to a white turtleneck and brown sweatpants. What could be easier?

Obviously, you can't dessert without a little bit of milk to wash it all down.

Perhaps you're making costumes for your own party. I'd love to see what you come up with, so share some pics of your Halloween prep and parties on the SYDT Facebook page! In the meantime, tell me what are you doing this Halloween?

Dessert Meets Design: Glace Artisan Ice Cream

The last few days, I've been surrounded by beautifully-designed desserts like this and this. Today, I'll share another example of pretty packaging. Kathleen of Twig & Thistle shared this well-branded ice cream shop with Black Eiffel readers during her guest blogging stint.

Glacé is a Kansas City-based artisanal ice cream shop. Creative partners Nathaniel Cooper and Brent Anderson put a signature touch on every aspect of the company's product to develop a unique identity. I adore the modern light fixture. The naked bulbs look like giant rain drops.

Ice cream cups feature the company logo, and custom stickers seal each bag. What a fun slogan: Glace, When Joy Freezes Over.

Look at these to-go containers. They aren't just your average plastic containers and glass jars. The labels even have fun sayings that are consistent with the company's overall image.

With flavors like Carmelized Pineapple, Goat Cheese with Honey, and Rosemary Caramel it's easy to see what makes this shop worthy of the "artisan" descriptor. I can only hope that the company expands and opens a shop near me. Mmmmm!

Take a look at their other great flavors and tell me, which one do you want to try?

In other news around the SYDT office:

I spent most of the weekend working on two great dessert projects that I'll share with you soon. The first is a collaboration with Maddy Hague of Inspired Bride and Nonpareil Magazine. Maddy's launching a second blog, Somewhere Splendid, very soon and we worked on a couple of yummy features.


The other project that kept me busily baking this weekend is a dessert table that we'll be shooting this week. Photog Emily Steffen and invite designer Bethany Hway and I will team up to bring you guys a few great DIY tips and ideas for the upcoming season. Stay tuned!

Reader Recommendation: More Pretty Packaging

Yesterday, I showed you some of Understory Chocolatier's beautiful packaging for their dark chocolate milk, chocolate bars, cocoa powder, and chocolate bark. I also asked you to tell me what product packages you really love, and reader Jacinta suggested Haigh's Chocolates.

Jacinta loves the Australian company's boxes and tins, and I really like some of their molded chocolates. Just look at this selection.

This is an endangered Australian bilby. He's also referred to as the Easter Bilby, and is the Australian alternative to the Easter Bunny.

This little frog is stamped with Haigh's logo.

What a great suggestion, Jacinta! Thanks for introducing me to Haigh's Chocolates.

images: Haigh's box (Just Cameron), bilby (SMH.com.au), frog (Radio DJ Chris Glenn)

Dessert Meets Design: Understory Chocolatiers

When I started Shauna Younge Dessert Tables, I chose the slogan, "Dessert Meets Design" because I truly feel that sweets deserve more attention to detail than simply focusing on the flavor. That's why I really appreciate when a company goes above and beyond to brand themselves and attractively package and design their goodies.

Underscore Chocolatiers has a gorgeous bottle and packaging system for their chocolate products, making even the wrappers and tins look melt-in-your-mouth silky smooth.

Understory makes dark chocolate milk, chocolate bark (in the bag on the right), cocoa (in the tin on the left) and nicely packaged chocolate bars (in the front).

Look at these lovely wax seals. These little touches elevate this milk to another level. Something so pretty is gift-worthy. How often can you say that about something as mundane as milk?

This is a great example of dessert and design coming together. So tell me, are there any products you love because of the pretty packaging? 

*If you have burning questions or just want to chat, follow me on Twitter or Facebook where readers answer the daily question and raise good ones of their own.*

images (Lovely Package)

Dessert Table: Palest Pink Perfection

This couple's soft pink dessert table looks as delicious as any other, but I especially love the soft pink palette. The dark chocolate treats are really offset by the pale background.

This 100 Layer Cake feast showcases some of the most subtly hued macarons I've ever seen. Look at the blush pink shade of the middle rows of macarons. They are the perfect half-tone between the white macs and the pale pink macs.

I really like to add ribbon for a finishing touch to my dessert table designs, and this couple obviously feels the same way. But they opted for loosely-draped red and white ribbon placed on top of the desserts rather than bows tied around cake stands. Which do you prefer? Traditional bows or unconventional ribbon strands?

The Sweetest Candied Pears

Fall officially starts this week, although weather in Minneapolis has been fall-like for a while already. Autumn usually stirs up images of baked cinnamon apples and pumpkin pies, but pears really come alive this time of year.

Amber of Sprinkled with Flour made these miniature caramel chocolate sugar pears to welcome the season.

These little beauties are easy to find right now. Check bulk retailers like Sam's and Costco to get the most bang for your buck.

Just how small are these mini pears, you wonder? Small enough to put on a stick!

Be sure to check out Sprinkled with Flour for this recipe. My favorite Fall dessert is pumpkin cheesecake. What's your favorite seasonal dessert?

Dessert Table: A Blast From the Past

This dessert table looks yummy, and honestly, what dessert table doesn't? But it's made even more delicious by the way it was shot. The lighting in each shot makes the food look like it's part of a yellowed, dog eared vintage poster. Couldn't you just imagine finding these images in the attic in a dusty, old shoebox?

This casually-arranged display was created by Sweet and Saucy Shop, and the pie pops, candy apples, and chocolate cakeballs all compliment the homey look of the buttercream-frosted, heart-topped cake.

Those little pie pops appear to be growing from a planter lined with Spanish moss. What wonder what seeds you have to plant to make that garden grow. Yum! Which treat is your favorite?

Have a great weekend!


Images (Our Blog of Love)

Dessert Table: Light Up the Night

Yesterday, I shared this intimate backyard affair with you. Today I'm back with another backyard bash that was featured on Green Wedding Shoes and shot by Mark Brooke Photography. Although both parties were intimate backyard affairs, the two events couldn't be more different. Yesterday's laid-back, bonding experience is a stark on contrast to this exuberant, lively fete.

The couple's initials light up the dessert table and the night, while their rings find a happy home nestled in a whoopie pie.

Guests feasted on a small cake made by the bride's friend and other desserts made by her mother. White ceramic jars from CB2 and Anthropologie held cookies of all kinds.

The couple danced the night away with an intimate group.

So tell me, which type of intimate bash do you prefer? This raucous gathering under the stars or yesterday's refined afternoon soiree?

*Want to show off some of your own great backyard bashes? Visit the Shauna Younge Dessert Tables Facebook fan page and upload your pics to share them with your fellow sugar addicts*

Dessert Table: Intimate Garden Party

I came across this beautifully simple garden party dessert table on Inspired By This. I'm really into the idea of celebrating the bonds of family and friends for no particular reason at all. It's always great to slow down and make some time for each other without having to worry about buying a new outfit, brushing up on your dancing skills, or thinking up socially-acceptable conversation topics for the slew of weddings, birthdays, and holidays we go to every year.

This aerial view is as pretty as the frontal image. Powder blue popcorn cups, light pink cupcakes, and white chocolate cake balls are the kinds of comfort food that childhood is made of.

You can just see how comfortable the guests are, and how effortlessly fun this non-event event was.

An intimate, backyard party among loved ones means no pretense, no awkward small talk, and no seating charts, or lengthy guest lists. So tell me, have you ever thrown an intimate party? What was your favorite memory from that day?

Dessert Table: Parisian Circus Baby Shower

If you've ever wondered what a Parisian Circus would be like, and who among us hasn't, then this dessert table will give you the sense of being there. Alchemy Fine Events designed this spread for a co-ed baby shower in New Orleans.

Glass risers mimic shelves in a patisserie display case and virtually disappear, letting the desserts take center stage.

Graphic black and white stripes are softened by pale yellow, blue, and pink accents. Graphics for the labels were created by Alchemy Fine Events.

This event didn't just stop at the dessert table. Check out the Lolliblog to see the inspiration boards, graphics, and invitations that brought the Parisian Circus theme to life. You can also see the completed event here and here.

So, what's your favorite part of this design?

event design: Alchemy Fine Events and  Canvas & Canopy

Behind the Scenes: Nonpareil Magazine Shoot

This weekend, I finally got a chance to meet photog Emily Steffen while we worked on a photo shoot for Nonpareil Magazine together. I'd seen her portfolio, so I was excited to have her shoot this project for Maddy Hague and me.

I used these mounds of crushed candies for one of our projects.

We also did some last-minute cutting to make sure everything was picture perfect.

After a few test shots, we decided which backgrounds and color groupings we liked best.

Then it was time to shoot. If you remember this commercial shoot, then you know that this process of taking only a few test shots is much shorter. Neither method is better than the other, it just depends on the needs for each specific project.

I wish I could show you more, but I don't want to ruin the surprise. I'll be back with more once the issue is published.

Dessert Table: Wee Mad Men

This Scissors Paper Cake dessert table featured on Birthday Girl is perfect for the little mister. Striped ties, polka dot bow ties, and manly mustaches make junior totally Madison Avenue ready.

Check out some of the other mini-mature goodies here.

This weekend, I'll be working with photog Emily Steffen and magazine editor Maddy Hague on a fun shoot Nonpareil Magazine. Come back Monday to see some great behind-the-scenes shots as we set up and attempt to capture the perfect shot.

In the meantime, be sure to check out previous SYDT sneak peeks on Facebook in the "Behind the Scenes" ablum.

Have a great weekend!

A Sweet and Spicy Shower

Showers, whether they're for weddings or babies, usually revolve around bingo games, pin the tail on the whatever, and toilet paper. Shower hosts are always encouraging us to create wedding gowns or measure the mom-to-be's stomach with toilet paper, aren't they? So, it's refreshing to see an intimate shower get as much attention-to-detail and styling as a larger event (and it doesn't hurt to incorporate a little candy).

100 Layer Cake featured this feminine, sophisticated shower, which was styled by Gus and Ruby Letterpress. The bride-to-be's sweet and spicy personality was symbolized throughout the event, by adding rock candy and peppers to the invitation boxes and creating a signature cocktail.

Guests were asked to wear sweet pink clothes or spicy red attire to match their personalities, and custom name tags really got everyone in the party spirit.

Custom cinnamon sugar favors were free for the taking.

Wouldn't you just love to be a guest at such a pretty, well-planned shower? It's small and intimate enough that guests can really enjoy the great details that they might overlook in a crowded reception hall.

images (Shyla Dalirifar and Brea McDonald)