Link Love

Something Swanky
Black Bottom Butterscotch Cookies

Wedding Chicks
Tulips and Peonies in mercury glass=Beautiful

Just Putzing Around The Kitchen
Blackberry Champagne Margarita

Cecelia Fox
Love these hanging baby's breath pomanders

Butterfly Cupcakes

Want to make a big impression but short on time?  How about picking up some vanilla cupcakes at your local supermarket and few bags of candy.  The candies placed strategically transform into butterflies in no time and voila you have a hit dessert for your summer soiree.

Individual Salads

How cute is this idea from  My Baking Addiction?  I especially love this idea for around the pool or for a backyard soiree.  It's a great way to set out a healthy snack that people can grab when they want and it looks adorable to boot.

DIY tray

Check out this tutorial at A Bubbly Life to see how you can turn a thrift store find into a chic tray.  I love this look and the fact that it cost $1.50 makes it even much sweeter!

Ultimate Nachos

You know how I like to keep an eye out for additions to my gift stash.  Well Ultimate Nachos is the perfect  gift for an acquaintance who just acquired a new home or apartment.  It has 80 fun filled ways to make nachos and homemade chips and salsa's.  At $16 it is the perfect sentiment and the perfect gift for someone about to host a housewarming.  Who wouldn't want to be invited to a party with multiple styles of nachos?

Link Love

Cakes for Wedding
Tuxedo Cake

Paula Deen
Tomato and Mozzarella tarts would be perfect with a glass of Rose

A Daily Something
Fresh flower napkin rings

A Beautiful Bite
Avocado fritters with cilantro dipping sauce

Creamy mushrooms with poached eggs

This melt in your mouth recipe is just what mom needs for her special Mother's day brunch.  Creamy mushrooms with poached eggs on top of toasted brioche.  Who needs a crowded, over priced restaurant when you can whip up a fabulous dish like this.  Save your money and have a nice, peaceful mother's day with mom all to yourself.

Floral Straws

We've all seen paper straws in polka dots and stripes but how about floral?  I love paper straws but was looking for something new this season and voila here they are.  These would be darling adorning glassware as well as your outdoor pieces.  Plus they come from Australia so you have a conversation piece as well.

Orange Basil Mojito

This recipe from Recipe Girl sounds cool and refreshing...just exactly what a Spring cocktail should be.  I love the replacement of mint with basil.  If the rest of the recipes from Recipe Girl are anything like this then the Amazon order department should get ready to work overtime.

Orange-Basil Mojitos

Ingredients

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup thick simple syrup
10 large fresh basil leaves, stems removed and discarded
1 cup white rum
1 cup club soda
Crushed ice
Orange slices, for garnish
Additional basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

In a medium pitcher, combine the orange juice, simple syrup and basil.  Use a wooden spoon or a muddler to crush the basil leaves in the bottom of the pitcher.  Stir in the rum and club soda.  Serve immediately in individual glasses over crushed ice.  Garnish with orange slices and fresh basil.

To prepare thick simple syrup, in a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup granulated white sugar to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring the mixture until the sugar has dissolved.  Remove the pan from heat and let cool.

Cinco De Mayo Spa Day

Okay, so when you look at this picture you think of a margarita right?  Well maybe what you should be thinking is Cinco de Mayo spa party with margarita body scrub.  Time to get the phone tree activated ladies.  As if Cinco de Mayo wasn't fun enough, now you can check out Henry Happened for a tutorial on how to make a scrub out of your favorite ingredients.  I think this is definitely muy bueno.