Look at this gorgeous "Fresh Spring Confectionery Board" you guys!!

Remember the Valentine's Day confectionery board (aka charcuterie-style sweets board) I did?
And remember how easy I said it was? And how I mentioned it was really fun to create?

Well what I didn't tell you is that I love them soooo much...I was already scheming + dreaming of ways to create one for the Spring + Easter season. And this week I finally made it happen!!

I spent one afternoon creating 5 different variations of the same Confectionery Board - using the same sweets - just swapping out the floral details and little add-ins.

It's amazing how different each one of them looks with such simple changes.

These boards are perfect for intimate gatherings, family celebrations, baby showers, wedding showers, and there's even one I created to be "work environment-friendly".

I even named each of the spring confectionery boards based on the vibe they were giving.

So...sit back...enjoy...and let's get this "sweets board" inspiration party started...

FRESH SPRING • CONFECTIONERY BOARD

Simplicity at its best with the use of greenery and a subtle touch of white florals.

SWEET SPRING • CONFECTIONERY BOARD

A whisper of blush pinks adds simple + sweet charm through the thoughtfully placed florals and treats.

SPRING GARDEN • CONFECTIONERY BOARD

The addition of mini clay pots instantly gives this one a spring garden vibe! 

SPRING FAVORITES • CONFECTIONERY BOARD

Foiled Easter candy favorites makes this board fun for the kids + is office environment-friendly

 PLAYFUL SPRING • CONFECTIONERY BOARD

No foil-wrapped candies here...just pretty colors of spring using pastel grab-and-go candies + treats.

So there you go...

5 different Spring inspired confectionery boards...

all using essentially the same sweets + treats.

They are so easy to put together but really do have a "wow" factor to them.

I'd love to know which one was your favorite?

I'm not sure I can decide on a favorite...

BUT...if you twisted my arm and made me pick one...I'd go with the "Fresh Spring"...and then the "Sweet Spring"...and then... *wink*

I'm so hoping today's post proves to you just how easy they are to assemble and then ultimately inspires you to try one of your own!

Happy Spring everyone!
Love you guys!

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
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SWEETS + TREATS + STYLING ELEMENTS USED:
Reese's Peanut Butter Creme 3D Eggs
Cadbury Classic Eggs
Cadbury Caramel Eggs
Macarons 
Cadbury Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs
Cadbury Milk Chocolate Shimmer Mini Eggs
Meyer Lemon Cookie Thins
Reese's Pieces PB cup minis
Gourmet Jelly Beans
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Eggs - foiled
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Eggs - pastel candy coating
Almond Joy + Mounds Easter Snack Size Assortment (could not find the Easter ones to link them)
Reese's foiled PB Eggs
Walkers Shortbread Cookies
Crispy Cookies filled with Belgian Chocolate
Butter Waffle Cookies
Mini Clay Pots
White Marble Tray
Decorative Carrots - Echo Home Furnishing - local shop
Ceramic White Bunny - Tuesday Morning
Small Bowls - Two Sparrows - local shop
Florals + Greenery (including moss) were all from Trader Joe's

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I really think this whole "confectionery boards" thing could take off you guys!
I can see these at weddings and all sorts of celebrations.
If we can come up with a way to ship or deliver these...how fun would that business be? *wink*
And if you start seeing these all over the place...remember where you saw them first. *grin*

iNSPiRE | Savor the Sweetness of New Beginnings

Holy wow! It's almost the end of January and it's just crazy to me to think we've just about wrapped up the first month of 2016. Weren't we just tossing confetti and clinking the bubbly for New Year's Eve? 

Anyway, I designed this macaron art print as a reminder of how wonderful, fresh and SWEET new beginnings can be. And they don't just count in January. You can make a new beginning ANY time you need to. So...if you've gotten off track or want to improve an area of your life START TODAY!

Have a wonderful day my friends!!
xoxo,
Jessica

P.S. Email subscribers received this FREE art print and the coordinating digital wallpapers earlier this week! If you missed out because you haven't subscribed yet, you can SIGN UP HERE! I'll be sharing some free Valentine's Day goodies including another exclusive download soon! So sign up and stay tuned!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
My hopes are to finish painting the master bedroom this weekend. J said he'll help me this time.
I'll keep you posted over the weekend on my Instagram feed.

ART | Watercolor Macarons

Aside from running little Ella to the doctor today, she's been home sick this week…and today we found out it's strep…*frown* - I've actually gotten to spend most of my day doing exactly what I love to do…creating!

This is a sneak peek of some really adorable Art Prints I've come up with and will be sharing soon.

Hope you love the peek! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I didn't get anything else done and I ate almost an entire bag of mini-mini Peanut Butter Snickers Squared…but let's focus on the good today people! see my Instagram Post from this morning

SHARE | Blog Book Tour + Giveaway for GOURMET FRENCH MACARONS by Mindy Cone

Baking macarons has been on my Promise Me list I made back in February! I put it on my list knowing it would be a challenge because everything I have ever read about the process makes it sound like baking the perfect macaron is nearly impossible to achieve.

So, over the last 6 months, I have been bookmarking, pinning, reading and researching things I could find hoping to find the perfect resource to help me bake my first batch.  I can honestly tell you I am no longer apprehensive about the process because I have found the perfect tool to help me achieve my goal of baking the perfect macaron...

Gourmet French Macarons by Mindy Cone

I am so completely excited about this new book, Gourmet French Macarons written and photographed by Mindy Cone of Creative Juice.  Mindy is an entertaining, food, and party stylist and her new book contains 75 unique and creative designs to make your French macarons delicious AND adorable for any holiday, season, or life celebration.

The pages are chockfull of details, secrets, tips and tricks for the entire baking process!
Not only does she break down the basics for baking macarons, she's included a CD with the book that contains 75 printable templates for creating unique, festive macaron shapes instead of being confined to the conventional circular shape! You can make apples, pumpkins, ghosts, trees, flowers, animals, cupcakes, and many other shapes to fit each season, holiday, or life celebration.

If my little schpeel or these beautiful photos weren't convincing enough to join me and snatch up this must-have cookbook and try your hand at baking your own batch of french macarons...

This adorable and informative video will do the trick...take a peek...

Gourmet French Macarons from TK Productions on Vimeo.

If you fell in love with Mindy, like I did, from watching this video...

I promise you will fall in love with the book too!

GET YOUR COPY of GOURMET FRENCH MACARONS TODAY!!

I promise to share my results from whipping up my first batch soon!!

In the meantime, if you're feeling lucky - WIN YOUR OWN COPY! 

I'm giving away a Gourmet French Macarons cookbook AND a set of Pretty Party Skewers!!

I think they'll go beautifully together!! Don't you?

Contest starts today and ends on Friday, September 27th!

Good Luck everyone!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A special thanks to Mindy Cone for working so hard to create a beautiful way to share macaron baking secrets with all of us!! LOVE the book!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I want to throw everything else I have on my schedule out the window and just get to making some macarons!! That's how excited I am to get going on these!

PROMiSE ME | My visit to Le Macaron

The French Macaron…

A small, delicate, chewy-with-a-tiny-crunch "cookie"

containing a sweet center of fruit filling or chocolate ganache.

There has been speculation over the past few years that this tasty little (gluten-free) treat...

will be replacing the beloved cupcake in the competition for the most popular go-to dessert.

I'm not sure if it will actually "replace" the cupcake...(click the "Keep Reading" button below)

DiSCOVER | Video on Instagram

Just in case you haven't already heard the big news...
Instagram now has video capability!!

CLICK HERE to see the first on-the-go Instavideo I made over the weekend?

I know...not that impressive technically but cut me some slack - this is all still new to me! *wink*

It's similar to the concept Vine offered

with the following key (& fabulous) differences:

- 15 sec video vs. 6 seconds that Vine offered.

- 13 video filters vs. ZERO filters from Vine.
- loads straight to your Instagram feed.

Check out all of the details straight from the Instagram Blog...

and if you've already started your own Instavideos...

here are some fun links to look at to improve your Instavideo experiences and just for fun:

- Audio Tips & Tricks

- Discover your favorite celebrity videos 
- Turn your "auto play" feature off if you don't want videos to automatically start playing...
  (Go to "Settings" and then "Preferences")

Want to get started creating your own Instavideos? 

UPGRADE to the latest version of Instagram right here:

iOS version 4.0 - Apple's App Store

Android version 4.0 - Google Play

If you don't already follow me on Instagram...

you've got an open invitation to keep up with my life behind-the-blog!
Click right here or just search for me on Instagram: @pnpflowers

KEEPiNG iT REAL

My actual VERY FIRST on-the-go video was of my first visit to Mellow Mushroom.

Unfortunately, the battery on my phone was low before I started recording and it died before I finished.

We then went to Le Macaron right after Mellow Mushroom so I was only able to charge my phone in the car for about 10 minutes as we were driving. I wasn't sure I would get it filmed and posted before my phone died again. Lucky for me the timing of it all worked out...just barely!!

Lesson? Make sure your battery is fully charged so you don't have to be so freaked and stressed out about capturing a momentous occasion that you sacrifice video quality! *frown*