Angelique Velez is a make-up artist and one of the vibrant, creative business women I am so fortunate to meet at the various gatherings for women entreprenuers that I attend in NYC.  Angelique and I met at a CRAVE NYC Buzz party a couple of months ago that Sweet Muse was sponsoring, and she asked Sweet Muse to be part of the festivities for her website launch party on May 15th.  Here  are a few of the fun photos from the event taken by photographer Julia Charity.

Enjoying Sweet Muse brownies at the website launch party for Angelique Velez

Sweet Muse Fudge Brownies

Angelique Velez

I couldn’t wait any longer to color Easter eggs and I decided to use my “eggs” to dress up a few brownies for the upcoming holiday.

Easter cookie charms and brownies

This can be a  fun project for kids or anyone looking for a little creative outlet.  No stress.  Don’t like what you painted?  Pop it in your mouth and try again!  When you are through, you will have a collection of beautiful cookies.  Use them to decorate a cake, cupcakes, or brownies.  Or, simply arrange them all on a plate to enjoy the cheerful array of colors. (For a minute or two, as they are sure to be quickly consumed.)

Use an egg-shaped cookie cutter to cut out rolled sugar cookie dough, bake, cool, frost with royal icing, and then get out the paint brushes and food safe colors and let your inner artist go to town.  You can get a vast array of colors at any store that sells cake decorating supplies.  Powder colors, which you will have to mix with water, and gel colors work  equally well.

In the above photo (upper left to lower right): Easter egg cookie charms; a brownie decorated with green tinted buttercream frosting, sprinkles, and an Easter egg cookie charm, and brownie eggs – made by attaching a cookie charm with a dab of frosting to a brownie cut with the same cookie cutter. 

These cookies above were cut using a mini cookie cutter.  A full-size cutter would be great for making cookie favors that would look beautiful in cellophane bags and wrapped with a bow.

Experiment, have fun.  It’s spring!

NO JOKE!  Sweet Muse will hold its first pop-up bake shop at Manhattan Theatre Source on Thursday, April 1st from 4:30-9:30pm.  

Individual full-size brownies and brownie buttons available in more than a dozen delicious flavors including: Toffee Bar, Turtle (cashews & caramel), Coconut Almond, and of course classic Fudge, or pick from an assortment of brownie gift tins and boxes. (Place a custom order in advance and pick it up without any delivery or shipping charges.)

Manhattan Theatre Source
177 MacDougal Street
New York, NY 10011

MacDougal Street between West 8th and Waverly (Washington Sq. Park North), on the West side of the street

Downstairs at Manhattan Theatre Source

In NYC, and many other areas, we are getting close enough to spring to start eagerly awaiting its signs.  Little streams running here and there as the snow melts away.  A day when a hat and gloves seem optional.  Maybe the sight of a brave crocus or other early-season flower emerging.  And wait, is that perhaps a bud on that tree?

However, to the question of “Are we there yet?” the answer is, unfortunately, “No”.  We need to hang on just a little longer before the sun is slightly stonger, the breeze milder, and the flowers and trees start to peek out from hibernation.

While we wait for these positive signs, here are some positive wishes to fill this seasonal hump period.  With St. Patrick’s Day a couple of weeks away, a few upbeat messages from the Green Isle that might offer a whiff of spring for your spirits.

As sure as there are leprechauns to make a wish come true, tis nothing but the happiest of days I’m wishing you.

Like the shamrocks of Old Ireland may your joys grow all year through- and Irish luck and laughter be a part of all you do.

Lucky stars above you, sunshine on your way, many friends to love you, joy in work and play- laughter to outweigh each care, in your heart a song- and gladness waiting everywhere all your whole life long!

Many blessings to cheer you each day the year through and the luck of the Irish in all that you do.

With Valentine’s Day just a couple of weeks away, I’m beginning to see hearts in shop windows and a lot more red and pink about.  Of course there are those who do their best  to ignore the hearts and flowers and breathe a sigh of relief when we reach the second half of February.  On the other hand, many take Valentine’s Day as an opportunity (or maybe a reminder?) to tell those we love how much we care.  But, what to do if words don’t come easily?  Borrow from those with a gift for poetry and romance. 

Here’s a few messages that could make a Valentine’s Day gift even more special.

Doubt thou the stars are fire, doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar but never doubt that I love.

                        –William Shakespeare

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage.

                       –Lao Tzu

Love doesn’t make the world go ’round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

                      –Franklin P. Jones

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.

                         –Ingrid Bergman

If you are a natural romantic with a gift for words and poetry, you can write your own message (or series of messages).  Have them each wrapped inside a rich fudge brownie to be discovered with each delicious treat.

As you start thinking about purchasing gifts this holiday season, consider supporting small, local businesses and entrepreneurs.  In doing so, you’ll likely find unique, high quality items and receive great customer service while supporting hard-working business people that represent a significant and vital part of the economy.

Check out a wide variety of products and services offered by entrepreneurs at Collective-E and Savor the Success.

Cook Eat Drink Live

Just got back from participating in the Cook Eat Drink Live event at The Tunnel La. Venue at 608 West 28th Street.  Sweet Muse was asked to participate at the very last minute and we scrambled to bake bunches of brownies for this delicious tasting event. 

The space was filled with vendors offering tastes of wines, liquors, savory treats, and of course baked goods.  Next to us was Pestos with Panache by Lauren.  We were so busy offering brownie samples that I only had a chance to taste one of the yummy pestos they were sampling, the pumpkin chipotle.  Wow!  I wish I could have tried the others too!! 

The event was very well attended and everyone seemed to be having a great time — food and wine usually help with that.  Perhaps next year we will get involved sooner and be there for the entire three days of the event.  If you are a foodie, I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for this event and checking it out.  It is usually scheduled around the last week in October or first week in November.

Sweet Muse has a date for its first pop-up bake shop!  Monday, October 26th Sweet Muse brownies will be available from 2-6pm at 36 West  Bar & Grill (314 West 36th Street, NYC).

We’ve been looking for a way to allow for more spontaneous brownie consumption and now we have a chance to give it a whirl.  We will have brownie samples, full-size brownies, and a variety of brownie gift boxes and tins all on hand at our first official pop-up bake shop.  Come in and peruse the various flavors available, or place a specific order in advance and pick it up without any delivery or shipping charges.

If you are in the area, you can swing by for an afternoon snack, or come by later and grab brownies while you relax with a happy hour drink.  36 West is a great little bar with a very friendly staff, and they have free Wii available from 4pm on.  It all sounds like a great combo to me. 

If all goes well, we’ll be setting up shop at 36 West on a regular basis, so please come by and show your support.

At the Swirl Events wine and dessert tasting, Anu Karwa picked the perfect wine to pair with our deep dark double fudge and cappuccino brownies, Lingot Martin Cerdon-Bugey, a lightly sparkling rose. As Daniel, the sommelier at my table, explained, this slightly sweet, slightly fruity wine works well with the rich chocolate flavor of the brownies, while the wine’s crispness provides a refreshing contrast. Everyone appeared to love this wine, and many returned for seconds, maybe even thirds (I really wasn’t counting.)

So, along with meeting 5 other artisanal dessert makers and many dessert lovers, I also learned about this wonderful wine to pair with Sweet Muse fudgy brownies!

Sweet Muse will be one of six artisanal dessert makers featured at Swirl Events’ Dessert & Wine Pairing Tasting. Join us September 23rd and sample several flavors of Sweet Muse brownies. We’ll also have brownies and brownie gift tins available for sale. Place an order in advance and you can pick it up when you stop by for your samples. No delivery or shipping charges!

Mingle with other sweets and wine lovers as you taste through each of the six sweets and wine duos and debate the merits of pairing dark chocolate pomegranate truffles and caramel brownies with a spicy, smokin’ Shiraz between decadent bites.

Taste 6 different varieties of desserts from Sweet Muse, Roni-Sue’s Chocolates, Liddabit Sweets, Gourmetibles, Gotham Cookies and WannaHavaCookie with sparkling, white and red wines from around the world lead by Swirl Events’ wine pros.

When: September 23rd, 7-9 PM
Where: AVEvenue, 15 W. 28th St. btn Broadway & 5th Ave.
www.avenyc.com; (R/W to 28th St. stop)

How much: $35

Buy tickets at www.SwirlEvents.com

The last event sold out quickly, so please sign up soon if you’re interested.
Tickets are limited and not available at the door.

For More Info Email: Info@SwirlEvents.com OR Call: 917.463.3994

THE LOCAL DESSERT ARTISANS JOINING SWEET MUSE AT THE EVENT:

Roni-Sue’s Chocolates – The finest and freshest ingredients artfully crafted into a selection of homemade truffles, our critically acclaimed honey & tea lollipops, caramels, seasonal specialties and of course buttercrunch-our signature candy. Come watch us make our candies on-site at the historic Essex Street Market on the LES!

Gotham Cookies is an organic bakery specializing in gourmet cookies and brownies.

Liddabit Sweets specializes in handmade candy bars, lollipops, fruit jellies, and other sweets made with the finest locally sourced ingredients. We live and work by our motto — Local, Artisanal, Seasonal!

WannaHavaCookie specializes in small-batch cookies, bars and whoopie pies baked fresh to order, and we ship nationwide. Packaging available in classic bakery boxes, premium gift tins or party platters. Because you know you “wanna hava cookie”!

Gourmetibles seven delicious flavors of the best tasting confection to be created in years. Our gourmet snacks have been described as “too good to share” and “so good they’re evil”. People who try it usually buy it, those who buy it can’t seem to get enough.