AREO

The website is sh**, but it is impossible to leave their brick and mortar store without buying SOMETHING- it is wonderful. This is the best location if you are looking for a hostess gift. Spend a little or spend a lot- no matter. They will gladly wrap your purchase in a beautiful package with a bow making gift giving super quick and easy. Visit often- items change all the time and the two owners are delightful. 207 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach

Cake Pops Are The New Cupcake

If you have been to a baby shower or wedding shower in the last 18 months, you have no doubt encountered the cake pop. These little bits of heavenly goodness look and taste so sweet my teeth hurt just thinking about them. The one draw back is the time involved in creating these little cuties (hours) far exceeds the time needed to consume them (nanoseconds). It's like the old tootsie pop commercial one...two... chomp! This explains why they are ubiquitous at showers, where guests don't get a chance to scarf them down until they are distributed on the way out the door... giving them extended ogle time so the chef feels vindicated for losing an entire weekend to baking.
These beauties are from bakerella.com