A Side of Sweet - Beautiful Food, Travel & Design

Why Buying Mom a Vacuum for Mother’s Day Might Just Be the Perfect Gift

All jokes and stereotypes aside, a vacuum is truly the best mother’s day gift money can buy. The catch? It’s a robot vacuum that will mop and clean on its own while mom has more time to spend with you!

Can you believe it’s been a year since you’ve searched long and hard to find that perfect gift for that perfect woman?! This year I’ve found the gift that actually keeps on giving. Everyone says that about pretty much every gift, but I actually mean it.

The secret to the perfect Mother’s Day gift?… Read More »

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2019

Mother’s Day is this Sunday so it’s time to get your act together! I put together this little gift guide to give you ideas for what to get your mom, grandma, or someone special who helped raise you this year! Even though only four products made the cut, there’s a little something here for all kinds of moms! It includes a pampering gift set, fitness ideas, custom art, and even something for the eco-conscious mom who wants to make a positive impact in the lives of other artisans. If you tend to be a last minute gift giver, a few are even available on Amazon prime meaning you can get them before the weekend!

Read on for the gift guide…

Rosé Cider Mint Juleps + Kentucky Derby Party Recipes

Gluten Free Dairy Free Nut Free Vegetarian Vegan

Everything you need to know for hosting a Kentucky Derby Party, including food ideas, attire and a fabulous recipe for Rosé Cider Mint Juleps.

Kentucky Derby Party Ideas, Food Recipes Attire and Decorations

The Kentucky Derby has always been on my bucket list. At 145 years old, it’s truly part of the fabric of America. The excitement, the fashion, the parties! I thought it would be fun to host a Kentucky Derby viewing party this year to get in on the revelry.

Read on for ideas for hosting your own Kentucky Derby party…… Read More »

Refreshing Cucumber Margarita Recipe

Gluten Free Dairy Free Nut Free Vegetarian Vegan

A refreshing Cucumber Margarita Recipe that will help you beat the summer heat. Makes a great Cinco de Mayo cocktail!

Cucumber margaritas are at the top of my list this month. They are light and refreshing, and the cucumber juice is surprisingly easy to make. If you mix them up in advance and chill them, they work great packed in a thermos for a picnic. Just serve over ice. They will also be the stars of your Cinco de Mayo fiesta next month!

Read on for the recipe…

Lavender Macarons with Lavender Buttercream Filling

Gluten Free Vegetarian

A recipe for perfect lavender macarons with a fragrant lavender buttercream filling. The buttercream frosting also works great for cupcakes and cakes!

This fall, I was tasked with making macarons for a 200+ person wedding for some of our closest friends. As soon as I started, I regretted committing to the project! Making 500 macarons in an apartment kitchen is a fool’s errand…. Read More »

Thick Cornmeal Waffles from Brown Sugar Kitchen

Nut Free Vegetarian

This cornmeal waffles recipe from Brown Sugar Kitchen are the best waffles you’ll ever eat! They pair great with fried chicken as they are slightly savory.

Our lazy weekend breakfast has always been pancakes, especially these lemon ricotta ones. A few months ago, I finally invested in a waffle iron to add some variety to our breakfast routine. I love thick Belgian ones, they are so pretty and so fun to eat. We’ve been experimenting with waffle batters to find our go-to and I think I finally settled on it.

The secret?

Cornmeal.

Read on for the cornmeal waffle recipe…