Easter Dessert Recipes by Martha Stewart

In honor of fast-approaching Easter, I thought I would share a few dessert recipes from the domestestic queen. You could go the cute critter route or the understated route. Either way, I'm sure your Easter guests would enjoy! Just a warning, though. Some of these looked a little complicated (check out the chocolate eggs below. It's quite the process.) Oh, Martha, how do you make it all look so easy? Regardless, I included the recipes and how-to's. Just click on the dessert of your choice.

Chocolate Eggs

Spring Chick Cakes

Bug Cupcakes

Butterfly Cupcakes

Bird's Nest Cookies

And if you are looking for less whimsical, more elegant Easter desserts...

Carrot Cheesecake with Marzipan Carrots

1-2-3-4 Lemon Cake

Ricotta Cake

I Want to Live in Pottery Barn Land

Did anyone see that Friends episode where Ross and Rachel become Pottery Barn obsessed? They receive the new Pottery Barn catalog, and needless to say, both of their apartments turn into specific Pottery Barn catalog pages. Except Rachel has to lie about where she got her very authentic apothecary table because she lives with Phoebe who disapproves of anything "commercial."

Well, I thought the episode was hysterical (I'm a huge Friends fan) probably because I could totally relate. And while I know the show was partly making fun of people who buy into the Pottery Barn craze, I can't help but be one of those people. I want to live in Pottery Barn Land!

Where white sofas stay clean...

Where beds are casually but artfully made...

Where less is not more...

Where entryways are inviting...

And where sculptural birds have a place.

While I know that I will never be able to fully live in Pottery Barn Land, I am making baby steps. So much so that I have to now use discretion in order to avoid Pottery Barn syndrome a la Rachel and Ross.

I did recently make one Pottery Barn purchase. Enter Holman Entertaining Shelves. You can order the wine glass shelf or the wine bottle shelf on its own or together as a set. I was in desperate need of a place to put my wine glasses and loved the look of these.

Multiple shelves grouped together look great in a bigger space

They come in espresso stain, antique white, and black.

I love the idea of grouping them in different ways.

And below is what it looks like in real life! I know, it doesn't look nearly as exciting as the pictures above, but like I said, baby steps. Now I just need a few more wine glasses (there was a slight mishap involving some glass shattering), and I think it's time for more wine collecting and consuming!

I Heart Kate Spade

I first fell in love with Kate Spade when I was searching for china. Picking out china was actually quite the process. To be honest, nothing really excited me until I discovered Kate. Once I saw her china, I started thinking of all kinds of occasions that would call for china. Surely, my husband would be on board with breakfast-on-china Sundays, right?

It all just seemed so me. I liked the simple designs, the more colorful designs, the polka dots, the dragonfly. I finally decided on the "Cypress Point" place setting, "Library Stripe" stemware and "Malmo" flatware. When it comes down it, what can I say, I'm a simple gal. I still dream of dragonflies, though.

What really, really made me fall in love with Kate, however, were shoes. What else, of course?! Last Christmas, I discovered these!

Fiona by Kate Spade in green and turquoise

(they also come in purple and red)

I love these shoes because:

1. They are ballet flats. And not just any ballet flats. They have a sqaured toe and detailing to make them appear as if they are real life ballet point shoes. And what grown woman doesn't secretly wish that she could be a ballerina? Ok, ok, maybe not every woman has that dream, but for some strange reason, I do.

2. The shoe and the bow are satin, which make them extra special for the holidays.

3. They have bows. But not just any bows...present bows!!! I love that these shoes have the stick-on bows that may not normally be considered very sophisticated as far as gift wrapping is concerned, but on a shoe? They couldn't be more perfect.

4. They're the type of shoes you plan the rest of your outfit around.

So, I saw these back in December and thought they were great. I even started picturing myself in outfits that I could wear with them to holiday parties. Now, I don't usually have tons of parties to go to around Christmas, but maybe if I had these shoes, I would be motivated to find parties. Or maybe I could throw my very own party.

Outfits that I dream of wearing with the shoes...

Bling-button cardigan, J. Crew

Tissue garland tank, J. Crew

Martin straight leg crop pant, Banana Republic

Lustrous box clutch, Forever 21

Strawberry cheesecake necklace, Anthropologie

Black cashmere turtleneck, J. Crew

Modern slim jeans, Ann Taylor Loft

Eila necklace, Anthropologie

Every angle post earrings, Anthropologie

This outfit really needs a colorful satin clutch for another pop of color. What do you think?

And for a fancier affair...

Suzi Chin Maggie Boutique ruffled taffeta dress, Nordstrom

Must love dots bracelet, Kate Spade

Pearl jewel box earrings, J. Crew

Well, after the holiday season, I put these shoes out of my mind and moved on to other things. I mean, I wasn't really in the market for turning my feet into presents...unfortunately. But now they have popped back in my mind. On sale! Making them sixty dollars. Probably still a little too much for shoes that I only picture myself in for make-believe holdiay parties but I'm keeping my eye on them. (I need a size seven if anyone is offering!)