The Chocolistas

Welcome New Baby

2009-05-17T21:54:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Chocolista Colleen who has just had her second son. He was due June 4th, but was eager to arrive, born Mother's Day!

Celebrate with us, by joining in the fun and festivities at the Mommie Daze Virtual Baby Shower now through June 8...fabulous games, prizes, and party favors!

Welcome little one!

Atomic Dog Giveaway - Chocolistas Style

2009-04-16T19:39:00.015-04:00

Contest now closed.
Congratulations SAMANTHA!

New Announcement:

In honor of this contest, Atomic Dog has just put everything in her shop on sale that features chocolate. Look for the special section titled CHOCOLATE SALE.

Win Chocolate Cupcake Necklace!

Atomic Dog's designs are delightful! Packaged with great care, Atomic Dog's jewelry makes fantastic gifts. Girls of all ages will giggle with glee to be adorned with such whimsy.

How did you get started in jewelry making?

I actually used to be a cake decorator. I taught a variety of Wilton Cake Decorating classes and was just in love with cake! I collected a massive amount of cake decorating books, unusual cake pans, and all sorts of other stuff. It was so much fun! But, a couple of years ago I moved into a smaller apartment and just didn’t have room to do cakes. So, I started making cake and cupcake themed jewelry instead since it takes up much less space! And now I have turned my cake decorating obsession into a jewelry making obsession!

What is your favorite form of chocolate? candy bar? shake? cake?

The most wonderful thing that I have EVER tasted is a vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing from Magnolia Bakery in New York City! I swear I have dreams about how delicious it was- if you are ever in New York, you absolutely must visit Magnolia. It is definitely famous for good reason!

Where do you get your inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from a wide variety of places. Obviously my experience as a cake decorator is hugely influential on my jewelry designs. I feature cake, cupcake, ice cream and donut-related items. But, I am also a Ph.D. in Art History and work as a professor teaching a variety of courses on both Western and Asian art. While doing research for a Japanese Art course that I was teaching, I discovered the incredible phenomenon of kawaii! As many of you probably know, kawaii means “cute” in Japanese, and refers to the unbelievably adorable look of a wide range of Japanese products, like those featured in the Sanrio shops (Hello Kitty being the most famous example). I think of my jewelry as an American take on kawaii. My mantra for making jewelry pieces is that I never make anything that I wouldn’t proudly wear myself. If you’ve seen my shop, you can tell that I have a rather odd sense of humor and irony! I am a vegetarian, and yet I feature steak earrings in my store; I don’t smoke, and yet I made these silly cigarette earrings! I also make a lot of nostalgia-related items from my own childhood. I grew up in the 1980s and like every kid in the eighties, I was a big fan of Saturday Morning Cartoons. So many of the pieces featured in my shop have this kind of eighties nostalgia: Smurfette earrings, My Little Pony necklaces and even Carebears!

How to win:
1. Visit Atomic Dog's Etsy Shop. Leave a comment with your favorite item, including your name and email address (required) . . . we must have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries: Leave a separate comment for each.

* Tweet the following:

@acupofjoy Atomic Dog + The Chocolistas = Chocolate Cupcake Giveaway http://thechocolistas.com

* Follow this blog.

* Digg, Stumble Upon, etc...

* Post about the giveaway on your blog.

Enter by midnight May 1st. Winner announced May 2nd.

Open Worldwide!

Be My Valentine Giveaway!

2009-02-12T00:28:00.004-05:00

Contest Now Closed
Winner Announced Soon!

To Enter:

* Visit each sponsor's Etsy shop. Come back and tell us what you liked about each shop. Include your name and email/blog url/twitter id in your comment (REQUIRED! - we must have a way to contact you if you win).

---> Etsy Shops to visit: Sweeter Than Me Designs, Frannie's Hearts, and Pearberry.

Extra Entries:

** Comment on each sponsor's blog post: Sweeter Than Me Designs, Frannie's Hearts, and Pearberry.

** Twitter about this giveaway. Copy this tweet:

Dear Cupid, please pick me in the Be Mine Valentine Giveaway at The Chocolistas! (please RT)

** Become a Chocolista blog follower. (If you already are, please say so, we will give you an extra entry, too!)

** Follow Kristin Friesen's blog of Sweeter Than Me Designs.

** Blog about this giveaway.

Did we forget something? If you have done something fabulously creative that you think deserves an extra entry, let us know. We may request proof. Fo example, if you say you baked us a cake, or named your child after us...be prepared to email a photo of the cake and a copy of the birth certificate! And, that better be chocolate cake...and that is Choco - List - a .

US Only
Enter by midnight February 19th. Winner will be drawn on the 20th and announced here.

Pearberry

2009-02-11T08:17:00.000-05:00

I received a Chocolate Silk Pie charm from Pearberry. It's so cute. And it looks delicious. My only regret is that I can not actually eat it.

Pearberry offers several scrumptious hand made charms and earrings. Doughnuts, Cupcakes, Ice Cream cones. Just looking at the shop will make you hungry. All the items are unique and handmade.

If you love sweets and you love yummy jewelry, definitely check out Pearberry.

Win It! Enter our Be My Valentine Giveaway...click here!

We {HEART} Frannie

2009-02-11T02:33:00.010-05:00

Meet Frannie. Lovingly called, "The Heart Lady" by her husband. Frannie lives in Georgia where she hand makes hearts in her "Heart Room". Keep reading to learn more about her...

How did you get started in the "heart" business?
I have been making keepsake hearts for years for family, friends and neighbors. It is
something my grandmother once did. She would make these unique little keepsakes out of remnants of fabric. Birthdays, anniversaries, sympathy….it was something small, but it was from the heart. So, I guess you could say, I am carrying on the tradition. My website
is in dedication to my grandmother. My husband, daughter, and son-in-law encouraged me
to go into the heart business.

What will you be doing to celebrate Valentine's Day?
My husband has made plans for a long weekend at the beach in Florida!!

Have you ever used your hearts to play Cupid?
I personally haven’t used my hearts to play Cupid. But I have been the messenger for
many. This Valentine’s Day I will be preparing hearts for loved ones that cannot be together.

Quick, what is your favorite chocolate - bar, cake, cookie?
CAKE~!!!!!
(I’ve been working in the ice cream business for the last 18 years. So, PLEASE don’t tell my boss!!)

I like to eat healthy even when it comes to chocolate and cake. So, I’ve been experimenting with cake recipes that are gluten free.

Do you have a best loved chocolate recipe to share?
Oh, hard question. My mom would make this killer chocolate bread pudding.
Warm, thick, gooey. More like a cake than pudding. Yum.
The recipe is missing! Now I will be on a mission today to try and find it.
Hmm, an idea. Gluten free chocolate bread pudding. To the kitchen!!

WIN A KEEPSAKE HEART! Enter our Be My Valentine Giveaway...click here!

Sweeter Than Me Designs {HOT CHOCOLATE DRINK} by Kristin Friesen

2009-02-11T01:58:00.016-05:00

Perhaps you have seen her on Cuteable, follow her in the hive, or bought from her on Trunkt. Who? Kristin Friesen. The Godiva chocolate lovin' gal behind {sweeter than me} designs. If you've followed any or all of these blue links and responded accordingly, you will earn extra entries in our By My Valentine Giveaway!

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Kristin. Let me tell you a bit about the lady behind the lovely baubles. Keep reading...

When did you get started in the jewelry making business?

About 2 years ago after I had my son, a friend of mine had just had a baby as well. We thought it would be fun to start a little hobby together while we were on maternity leave and it quickly turned into much more than just a hobby! I immediately saw it as an excuse not to return to my job (which I never liked in the first place) and lucky for me, the decision has been justified :)

Do you enjoy crafting any particular piece of jewelry over another? Earrings or necklaces?

I tend to make more earrings. I don't really know why, they just come easier to me. I always get stuck on the measurements with necklaces, there are so many options as far as length, I tend to overwhelm myself with all the possibilities. I also really love making fun cocktail rings! Bracelets, hmm, not so much. I never wear them myself, so I often just forget about them.

How will you be celebrating Valentine's Day?

This Valentine's Day is looking like it will be a good one! My good friend, who is single, offered to take our 2 year old son for the entire weekend, what a treat! So my husband and I will be able to go out to dinner, go to the movies, whatever we want! I'm so looking forward to it, since it's not often we get a break like this (especially without even asking for it!).

Quick, Nestle or Hersheys?

Hmm, that's tough. My all time favorite chocolate bar is Twix, which is made by Mars. I'm not really picky... I have such a big fat sweet tooth that I'll eat just about anything with sugar in it. :)

Do you have a favorite chocolate drink recipe to share?

I used to work at a cafe and we would make Godiva hot chocolate. You can really use any kind of fancy-schmancy powdered hot cocoa mix. Just mix it with half and half (you can cut it with milk to cut the fat or make it less thick) or whole milk. I cook it in a pan on the stove and whisk it the entire time it's heating up to make it nice and frothy, just like the way you get it at a cafe. So fattening, but so delicious! Especially good with a some dark or white chocolate shavings on top, or a peppermint stick yum!

Want to win a fabulous piece of jewelry from Sweeter Than Me Designs? Enter our Be My Valentine Giveway...click here.

Be A Sweetheart in The Kitchen

2009-02-05T03:34:00.005-05:00

Comfort Joy Designs is hosting a Carolyn's Kitchen Apron giveaway!

Hurry, Chocolistas, and enter today!

Free Personal signatures - cool!

2009-02-04T21:08:00.001-05:00

TEXTAREA_ID

Decadent Chocolate Recipes

2009-02-02T19:28:00.003-05:00

Must read @ Woman's Day!
100 Decadent Chocolate Treats

English Toffee - - - Just Had To Share!

2009-01-31T05:04:00.003-05:00

Win English Toffee from Simple! Enter by February 8...click here!

Holly Jolly Christmas Contest!!!

2008-12-12T20:11:00.007-05:00

#30 is our winner!
Congratulations to malleycc

Simply click the "play" button for contest details.

Please Note: There is no sound.

Time To Vote!

2008-11-09T03:25:00.003-05:00

WINNER!!! Britt of The Clarke Family Website won!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Hey, Chocolistas! If your name was chosen as one of the top ten, Congratulations! Now tell your friends, family, neighbors, and blog readers to come back and vote for your name!

Name That Chocolate Dessert - Seventh Edition

2008-11-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

How to play:

1. Think of a fantabulous name for this chocolate dessert.

2. Leave a comment with this fabtastic name you have created.

3. Tell your friends, family, blog readers about this fun game...and to vote for you!

Game Rules:

a.) Keep name "G" rated, please.

b.) Enter your name by Saturday, November 8. Comments will close at midnight for the voting to begin on Saturday morning. We choose the top ten names.

c.) Voting is Sunday, November 9 - Saturday, November 15. Winner announced Sunday, November 16.

d.) Name with most votes wins.

e.) Entries must have contact info, blog link or email (we need to be able to contact the winner).

Win! {US Only}

Chocolate and Roses Cupcake Gift Tags from Elegant Snobbery

Special Dark Chocolate Petit-Four Candy Piece Scrabble Pendant from ImJewelee

Enter and tell your friends, family, and blog readers so they can vote for your chocolate dessert name!

Copy and paste this badge to your blog:

ImJewelee - Chocolate Lover Jewelry Maker

2008-10-31T18:21:00.006-04:00

Dark Chocolate Petit-Four by ImJewelee

Chocolista Deborah recently interviewed Julee of ImJewelee:

When did you start making jewelry?

I started making jewelry at age 12 with a girlfriend and we would twist those little rainbow colored phone wires into friendship bracelets. Then, I actually did not make any jewelry until this year and I am 40ish my sister told me about Scrabble Tile Pendants and here you have it!

As a jewelry maker, do you also wear a lot of jewelry?

As a matter of fact I wear a lot of the jewelry that my sister has made and I do wear a lot of my pendants! I can change them up at any time and even make some to go with a particular color or outfit, now that is fun.
What inspires you to create your jewelry?

Oh my gosh what inspires me here we go....Childrens movies I go to those because of the gorgeous colors, I saw Kung Fu Panda 3 times and it has beautiful colors and scenery as well. I dream color combinations and wake up thinking about images and my little shop of "Art that you wear". I also love to paint and have painted a few Scrabble Tiles and they look really good but I have not posted any lately .... after a child asked me if my cute little owl was a ninja, HA! Also, vintage images and postcards, retro and pop art, 70's 80's and nature and chocolates.

I see your nine-year old daughter has an Etsy shop, too, with fun scarves. A love for crafts runs in the family. What would you say to mother's who hope to interest their little ones in crafts?

Oh I would say to a mother who would like to inspire their little ones to craft is to go to Hobby Lobby or get online and visit some craft sites and get going! You can create almost anything! Homemade clay is always fun to make and play with, at any age! Email me and I will give you a great recipe for some! Here are some more ideas, paper bag puppets with a puppet show, or sock puppets are so much fun...just a little yarn, some markers and google eyes. My daughter is so crafty and knows way more than me. She loves to paint and draw and I have never told her to "stay" in the lines....do your own thing and let them do it the way they want to.
ART is the way you see it, not the way others think it should be!

Name your favorite chocolate bar.

Oh my favorite chocolate bar....hmmm.....only one chocolate bar? I am thinking this is hard because I do have many that I love.... but I will say my most favorite of all time is the Heath bar. It has the best chocolate covering that you can peel off and eat and then crunch into the toffee middle and let it melt in your mouth.

Win! Dark Chocolate Petit-Four Candy Piece and $20 gift certificate!
Enter Name That Chocolate Dessert - Seventh Edition

Elegant {Chocolate} Snobbery

2008-10-31T18:03:00.004-04:00

Chocolate and Roses Cupcake Gift Tags from Elegant Snobbery

Chocolista Deborah had the pleasure of interviewing Marisa of Elegant Snobbery.

What is your inspiration for your beautiful artwork?

My inspiration changes daily. I have two young children, so my work is generally geared for kids, as that is what surrounds me all the time. I adore sock monkeys, and have a big sock monkey collection as a result! I also have the biggest sweet tooth, so it isn't a surprise that I have an entire collection called "Delicious Things" filled with yummy looking cupcakes.

When did you start drawing?

I got my first professional colored pencil set when I was 12. That was when I decided that art was more than just fun for me, but something I would want to do for the rest of my life. I've been drawing ever since, and even though I have tried a variety of artistic mediums, colored pencil is always my favorite.

Tell us about Tootsie and Grace. I understand your three-year old daughter helps you with this.

Tootsie and Gracie is my collaborative shop with my three year old daughter, Gracie. It started out as just something fun for us to do together. She uses a permanent marker and draws a picture, then I use my colored pencils and color them in. We got such a positive response from family and friends, that I opened up the shop for our work.

Gracie might only be three, but she just loves looking at her Etsy shop, drawing new pictures for me to color in, and passing out her very own business cards, to friends and neighbors. And half of the money from the sales in our shop goes towards fun activities that the two of us can do together.
I see you are fond of fabric, too. Is Lindy Lou also your Etsy shop?

LindyLou is my mother's Etsy shop. She is a designer fabric fanatic, and is also very creative, so she has made a business designing and sewing pillow covers, travel accessories, hand bags and make up bags.

You are a busy lady. What is your favorite chocolate to get you through the day?

If it is chocolate, I'll eat it. But, since my husband is a Twix fanatic we always have those on hand.

Win! Chocolate and Roses Cupcake Gift Tags
Enter Name That Chocolate Dessert - Seventh Edition.

Bloggy Giveaways - Chocolista Style!

2008-10-27T07:34:00.007-04:00

Winner! The Mama Hood - Hooray!

****contest now closed****

click on the button to visit all the 700 or so giveaways!

Mmmmmm...CHOCOLATE! That's what we Chocolistas are giving away. Not just any chocolate. Cadbury chocolate....from Australia. Yep, this giveaway is coming to you from Chocolista Deborah located in sunny and warm Queensland, Australia.

For your chance to win, leave a comment with your name and email or blog url. Remember, if we have no way to contact you, then you will not be entered in the random drawing. We'd love to hear what your all time favorite candy bar is...do tell!

This giveaway is open world wide! Hooray!

Ends October 30. Winner will be drawn October 31.

Enjoy! And, as always, EAT MORE CHOCOLATE!
The Chocolistas
Colleen & Deborah

Cupcake Capers - Halloween

2008-10-24T03:23:00.003-04:00

1. halloween cupcakes, 2. Halloween cupcakes: graveyard, 3. Halloween Cupcakes - Part 2, 4. Halloween Cupcakes, 5. Spider Cupcakes, 6. Halloween Cupcake, 7. Halloween Cupcakes, 8. Halloween Mini Fake Cupcakes!, 9. Halloween Cupcake, 10. Queen of Halloween Cupcake, 11. Ghost cupcake at Wheatberry, 12. Halloween Cupcakes, 13. Martha Stewart Witch Cupcakes, 14. halloween cupcake, 15. halloween cups, 16. dracula_cupcake_monster, 17. halloween cupcakes, 18. Kang or Kodos Halloween Cupcake, 19. HaLLoWeEn CuPcAkEs, 20. Dracula Cupcakes - Halloween 2005, 21. Halloween Cupcakes, 22. Halloween cupcakes 2006, 23. halloween cupcakes, 24. Halloween Cupcakes, 25. Halloween Cupcake: II

Chocolate for Mums to Be

2008-10-23T05:19:00.008-04:00

I'm soon to be an Aunty again. Chocolista Colleen is having baby #2! Hooray! This post is dedicated to her and all of those Mums to be who are reading this.

Essential Chocolate Maternity Wardrobe

WeROnesieful

flauntitmaternity

claytherapy

Now all that is missing is edible chocolate! So, Chocolistas, we want to know...what chocolate treats did you crave when you were expecting? If you have photos or recipes, do share!

time to VOTE

2008-10-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to our Winners!
First Place: Wood n' Whimsy
Second Place: Baba

Online Surveys & Market Research

Hey, Chocolistas! If your name was chosen as one of the top ten, Congratulations! Now tell your friends, family, neighbors, and blog readers to come back and vote for your name!

First Place will win $15 gift certificate to A Passion For Fashion. {WORLD WIDE}
Second Place will win Chocolate Tea from Blue Raven Tea. {US ONLY}

Voting ends Saturday, October 18th at midnight!
Winner announced October 19th

And now for some {Chocolate Worthy} Entertainment

2008-10-11T23:59:00.000-04:00

NameThat Chocolate Dessert - Sixth Edition

2008-10-10T23:59:00.000-04:00

Name That Chocolate Dessert

How to play:

1. Think of a fantabulous name for this chocolate dessert.

2. Leave a comment with this fabtastic name you have created.

3. Tell your friends, family, blog readers about this fun game...and to vote for you!

Game Rules:

a.) Keep name "G" rated, please.

b.) Enter your name by Friday, October 10. Comments will close at midnight for the voting to begin on Saturday morning. We choose the top ten names.

c.) Voting is Saturday, October 11 - Saturday, October 18. Winner announced Sunday, October 19.

d.) Name with most votes wins.

e.) Entries must have contact info, blog link or email (we need to be able to contact the winner).

Two Winners!

First Place will win $15 gift certificate to A Passion For Fashion. {WORLD WIDE}
Second Place will win Chocolate Tea from Blue Raven Tea. {US ONLY}

Enter and tell your friends, family, and blog readers so they can vote for your chocolate dessert name!

Copy and paste this badge to your blog:

Chocolate Tea! & Chocolate Butter Heath!

2008-09-29T20:46:00.009-04:00

Let me introduce to you, Tracy of Blue Raven Tea. She has satisfying chocolate teas to offer both chocolate and tea lovers: chocolate coconut (green tea), chocolate berries (black tea).

Chocolista Colleen had the pleasure of reviewing Blue Raven Tea:
I received a lovely sampling of teas from Blue Raven to try out.

First the packaging really caught my eye. The tea came in pretty blue foil bags. And the artwork on the label is beautiful too.

I had four flavors to sample, High Seas, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Covered Berries and Winter Chocolate. The teas are a treat just to smell.

Now, I have to say until I tried these, chocolate wasn't a flavor I associated with tea. But they were all really yummy. My favorite flavor was Chocolate Covered Berries. The berries give such a sweetness to the tea that I didn't need to add a lot of sugar. Chocolate added a nice twist to the mint tea as well. I really liked the warm scent and flavor of the High Seas. And the Winter Chocolate would be great for snuggling up on a snowy day.

Blue Rave Tea would be a perfect gift for the tea connoisseur in your life, or a nice treat just to pamper yourself.

Chocolista Deborah had the pleasure of interviewing Tracy:

How did you get started in the tea business?

The history, longevity,and taste of course. Also there are many great benefits from tea as well. I love the fact that it has been around for such a long time, and still is so popular today.

The flavors sound so yummy. Do you come up with all of them, or do you have some help?

I am constantly looking at how things can blend and of course asking people what flavors they love or would like to see. I get inspiration from everywhere,gardens, magazines, cookbooks, drinks ect...

What is your favorite chocolate treat?

Well that depends on the day, a good chocolate cake or brownie or even chocolate ice cream.

What is the best way to store tea and how long can it be kept?

Loose teas should be stored in a airtight container, in a cool location, away from strong odors and sunlight.

Black teas, highly oxidized oolongs, and budset white teas should be consumed within a year of purchase.

Less oxidized oolong teas, modern leaf white leaf white teas and standard green teas within 6 months to a year.

Fresh -spring picked green teas up to 6 months.

Pu-erh tea will last for years.

Do you have a favorite chocolate recipe you can share?

Chocolate Butter Heath

1 1/4 cup butter

1 sleeve saltine crackers

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped pecans.

preheat oven to 425 degrees

On a foiled lined cookie sheet melt 1/2 stick of butter

take out of oven and place crackers on top.Melt remaining 2 sticks of butter in pan, plus brown sugar. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes and pour over crackers.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes, do not over bake.

Take out of oven and let cool for 1 minute put chocolate chips on top and spread them as they melt.

Sprinkle nuts on and press firmly. put in fridge for 10 minutes.

Break into pieces and enjoy.( Dosen't stick to teeth like regular toffee)

Win chocolate tea!

How?
Enter Name That Chocolate Dessert - Sixth Edition.

Blue Raven Tea (US Only)

A Passion for Chocolate and Fashion

2008-09-29T20:09:00.018-04:00

Meet Jennifer. The passionate designer behind A Passion for Fashion. A fellow chocolate lover!
Chocolistas Deborah had the pleasure of interviewing her:

What is your favorite way to enjoy chocolate? Eat it? Drink it? Hot? Cold? Frozen?

My favorite way to eat chocolate is eating it...just a good box of chocolates with nuts. But the best chocolate experience I have had was on a vacation to Belgium. Walking the streets you can smell chocolate everywhere and you can buy fresh waffles dipped in warm chocolate. YUMMMYY!!!

Your creations are delightful! Where do you look for inspiration?

I get inspiration everywhere! In the hardware store, food packaging, art supply stores...I just love to keep and hoard supplies..I buy things and my never use them till 10 years later. I have some wallets that are being made with trading cards that I have had for 30 years even. I just keep things until something sparks.

How long have you been creating jewelry?

I have been making jewelry for 7 years. It started when I was trying to get pregnant and my Hubby didn't want me painting in case it was toxic. I had to find something new and creative so I ended up getting addicted to beads.

When not creating, what do you do for fun?

Creating is my fun. But other than that, I zone out in front of the TV after a day of teaching art and after I get my kids to bed. The most fun I can have is when the house is quite and my projects are done and I can just catch up on my recorded shows. If I lived near the beach I would take long walks in the sand...but I only have cactus where I am. I also love a good book but lately I go to bed to late for that.

Do you have a favorite chocolate recipe to share?

I do not have a favorite chocolate recipe. I don't really enjoy cooking...I'd rather eat the raw prepackaged cookie dough even!!

Win $15 store credit to spend at Jennifer's Etsy Shop, A Passion For Fashion.

How?
Enter Name That Chocolate Dessert - Sixth Edition.

Share Something Sweet!

2008-09-28T19:23:00.000-04:00

Ferrero Rocher would like to Share Something Sweet with you and also help relieve world hunger. How? Visit Send Something Sweet and send an e-card (free). Ferrero will donate $1 to Share Our Strength for every card sent. Also, find out What Kind Of Chocolate You Are to receive a free chocolate coupon.

And while your at it...EAT MORE CHOCOLATE!

Chocolate Shout Outs

2008-09-26T02:00:00.013-04:00

How To Make A Chocolate Pie at Chocolate Bytes

Tiramisu at David Lebovitz Living The Sweet Life in Paris

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sprinkles Sandwich at The Peanut Butter Gallery

Chocolate Pretzel Buttons at Enamor

Name That Chocolate Dessert - Time to Vote!

2008-09-14T23:59:00.000-04:00

The winners are in first place Bunny B, The Chocolate Conspiracy and second place Meredith, The Chocolate Trap. Congrats!

Wow! You came up with so many creative names. Several of you took inspiration from that old game Mousetrap and Salvador Dali. Well, we did have to narrow it down to just ten, so here they are. Make sure to tell your friends and family to stop by and vote. Send your blog readers over to vote too. Vote for as many names as you like...as often as you like! Have fun! Voting will close September 13th at 11:59 p.m. Winner announced September 14th!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Name That Chocolate Dessert - Fifth Edition

2008-09-06T05:02:00.001-04:00

It's time to play . . .
Name That Chocolate Dessert

This month we will have two winners! The top two names receiving the most votes will receive a prestigious "I Named That Chocolate Dessert" button for their blog.

First place (worldwide competition) will win this Hot Chocolate Dress from Emberlish . . .

Emberlish is a delightful shop on Etsy. The dress will be made to winner's specifications...size. Lovely!

Second Place (US and Canada Only Competition) will win a Chocolate Orange Little Grubby Candle from The Soap Maker's Shop . . .

picture of Chocolate Orange Lil Grubby Candle not available

Don't delay...enter today by leaving a fabulous name for the pictured chocolate dessert. Then, tell all your friends and family to vote for your name. Hey, blog about it...have the blog-o-sphere voting for you! Enjoy!

Read Chocolista Deborah's interview with Suzie of The Soap Maker's Shop . . . here.

Rocky Road Microwave Fudge/Candy... Thanks, Suzie!

2008-09-01T05:00:00.004-04:00

Enter the Name That Chocolate Dessert Contest to win a Chocolate Orange Little Grubby Cake from The Soap Maker's Shop.

The Soap Maker's Shop is a charming Etsy shop. Suzie is the happy soap maker. Chocolista Deborah's interviewed Suzie.

This being a chocolate blog, I have to ask, what is your favorite chocolate? Candy bar, drink, cookie, cake, anything...or everything?

Actually I LOVE all things chocolate. Candy bars, cookies, deep dark rich chocolate cake, hot chocolate, and especially chocolate ice cream. My favorite is Rocky

Road.

Primitive Maple Leaf Tarts...Melts

What inspires you?

God's creations. I get many ideas from His beautiful creations around me. I love little birds, and when I am praying or pondering something...it never fails, God puts a pretty little bird in front of me. One morning I was praying about something, and right outside my big living room window was the most gorgeous Oriole. I knew immediately it was the Lord. He's like that you know.

How did you get started in making soap?

I have always loved hand crafted soap. Since 1995, I haven't used anything

but handmade soaps! After a few years of purchasing it, I thought.....I could make this myself. So that was it, I started crafting the soap myself. I absolutely love making it, and

it allows my creativity to flow. Also, I can add certain ingredients that I like, that are

beneficial to my skin, or others' skin. We even make dog soaps for different problems.

James 1:17 is on your Etsy logo. What does that mean to you?

I love to talk about my Father in heaven, I love to brag on Him. I couldn't

even begin to explain my amazing relationship with Him. The verse means, exactly what it says. "Every good gift and every perfect gift, comes down from the Father of lights"..... I believe this with all of my heart, and His MOST perfect FREE gift, is His Son, my savior

Jesus Christ!!!

Hot Baked Apple Pie Huge Cupcake Candle

Your soaps look good enough to eat. Do you bake as well as make yummy looking soaps?

I do bake, and I love to bake, however I don't have as much time as I used

to, with my business and all. Every year at CHRISTmas time I bake my gifts. So every year,

my friends and family get candles, soap, and baked goodies. It's so much fun.

Strawberries 'n Cream . . . Mini Donuts . . . Soy Tarts/Melts

What are your top sellers?

You know, that's hard to say. We (my daughter & I) sell a little bit of everything. Some of our most popular soap scents are: Love Spell, Hot Apple Pie, Pumpkin Spice, Pink Bubblicious, Brown Sugar & Fig, Pink Sugar, and surprisingly we sell lots of

mens' soaps like, Hugo Boss, Cool Water, Pacific Reef, and CK Black.

Any favorite chocolate recipe you can share with us?

I do have an easy recipe for Rocky Road Microwave Fudge/Candy. I make it every year for CHRISTmas. It is utterly fool proof, and everyone LOVES it.

Ingredients: 2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) of chocolate chips, 1/4 C. (1 stick) butter, 2 Tbsps.

shortening, 3 C. miniature marshmallows, and 1/2 C. chopped walnuts (I use a whole cup).

Butter an 8" square pan, I use a glass one. Then in a microwave bowl, melt chocolate chips along with the butter, and the shortening. Microwave it in 1 minute increments, until chocolate chips are melted. My microwave takes about 2 minutes. Stir chocolate mix, then

add your marshmallows and nuts. Be sure to coat them well. Spread this evenly into your

buttered pan. Cover it, and refrigerate until firm, about an hour. Cut it into 2" squares.

I cut mine smaller, like bite size candy pieces. Also, if you like a vanilla flavor to it, add

1 Tsp. of vanilla to the mix. I add it every other batch. This is so, very yummy!!!

Everybody LOVES Chocolate, Right?!

2008-08-31T23:26:00.002-04:00

If you love chocolate, show your love...click on the button to vote for our site!

Heaven...Chocolate Heaven...

2008-08-28T00:09:00.003-04:00

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Mars ROCKS!

2008-08-18T19:09:00.006-04:00

I found a new candy bar! Well, new to me. Have any of you tried this yet?

It reminds me of 100 Grand bars made by Nestle.

I liked it!

Time To Vote....

2008-08-17T19:36:00.001-04:00

We Have A Winner! Congratulations to Whimsical Creations!
Her name, Window To Heaven, received the most votes!

Here's the top ten . . . We loved all the names contributed by our fellow Chocolistas. We could only choose ten to vote on. Have your friends and family vote. Send your blog readers over to vote. Vote for as many names as you like...as often as you like! Have fun! Voting will close August 16 at 11:59 p.m. Winner announced August 17th!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Please visit our giveaway sponsors:

Little Bird Creations and beads-n-baubles4u.

Candy Goes Old School

2008-08-13T22:34:00.006-04:00

When I (Colleen) saw these Three Musketeers and Snickers bars at the grocery store, I had to buy them. Yes, partly for their chocolaty goodness. Three Musketeers is my favorite candy bar. I prefer it even over a Hershey bar. Though I have to say those Cherry Ripes from Australia are really starting to grow on me.

But the fun retro wrappers on the candy are what really drew me in this time. I sort of have a thing for the nostalgic. The Mars company is just latest to jump in on this trend of throw-back packaging. I've seen it on everything from cereal to potato chips lately.

It doesn't matter how these bars are wrapped. They'll always be classics.

Name That Chocolate Dessert - Fourth Edition

2008-08-04T06:47:00.001-04:00

It's time to play . . .
Name That Chocolate Dessert

This month's winner will receive a prestigious "I Named That Chocolate Dessert" button for their blog. As well as, any two (winner's choice) iron-on applique patches from Little Bird Creations.

Sweet Puppy Love Iron On Applique Patch

And...pick any pendant of their choice from beads-n-baubles4u!

Chocolate brown and blue floral pendant necklace

beads-n-baubles4u has darling pendants. Currently, there is a Super Summer Sale going on! Buy two get one free!

So, don't delay...enter today by leaving a fabulous name for the pictured chocolate dessert. Then, tell all your friends and family to vote for your name. Hey, blog about it...have the blog-o-sphere voting for you! Enjoy!

This contest is open world wide! So, Internationals, we hope to hear from you!

Read Chocolista Deborah's Interview with and Chocolista Colleen's Review of
Little Bird Creations here.

Read Chocolista Deborah's Interview with and Chocolista Colleen's Review of
beads-n-baubles4u here.

Southern Style Pecan Fudge...thanks Little Bird Creations!

2008-08-04T02:00:00.008-04:00

Enter Name That Chocolate Dessert to win two iron-on applique patches
from Little Bird Creations.

Little Bird Creations is a sweet little Etsy shop. Jamie is the creative mind behind all of the delightful finds. Chocolista Colleen reviewed this adorable Sweet Puppy Love Iron On Applique Patch.

I (Colleen) was thrilled with the Sweet Puppy Love Iron-on from Little Bird Creations. I love the mod dot print, and my son was excited that it looked like a dog. I bought an inexpensive T-shirt to put it on. All I had to do was plug in the iron, and about five minutes later we had our own unique tee. It's hip, colorful and I'm pretty sure my son will be the only one at the playground with a shirt like this.

Chocolista Deborah interviewed her.

I love the name of your Etsy shop. How did you come up with it?

My shop name is completely inspired by my son. He received the nickname "little bird" when he was born by one of the nurses and it just stuck. When the items I started making for him began being requested by friends and family, choosing a name for my business seemed easy since it was mostly inspired by my Little Bird.

Your applique patches are darling. What inspires you?

So much really is inspired by my son. He is pretty much the reason I even started making baby and children's items. Often times he has "requested" me to make something for him and it turns into something others see and want too. It's a great process and now that he is older, it's fun to collaborate together on some things I end up listing in my shop.

With a husband, son, and Siberian husky, how do you manage homemaking and working at home? Yes, in case you are wondering, I have visited your blog, Chirpings of Little Bird, so cute and so fun!

Good question! Truth be told, I don't. Wouldn't it be great if there was such a thing as a little laundry and dusting fairy to make our jobs easier?! I love having a creative outlet and my little biz Little Bird Creations, but being a wife and mom definitely come first. It's a constant balance. Then, you add our precious husky to the mix and it's sometimes hilarious! If anyone reading this has ever owned a husky, well, ya know they are like having another child! Thankfully she adores my son...life would be boring without either of them!

We have something in common. We both entered the Girl Indie 2008 Designer Chick Contest. Was this your first time entering your designs in a contest? It was for me.

Yes, I had never heard of it until this year. It was fun and there were some really great and creative designers!

My Grandmother told me when I was a little girl that, "Busy hands are happy hands." Then she taught me how to crochet. Thus, my introduction to the world of crafts and sewing, quilting and knitting. How did you get your start?

Funny, my Gramms had a huge influence on me getting into the world of sewing. I don't ever remember a time when I was not designing and creating some sort of thing. I used to design and make clothes for my dolls by hand. Then, finally, at age six or seven my Gramms taught me to use the sewing machine. She also taught me crotchet and knitting along with embroidery. My world has never been the same since!

Give me a roll of that refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough and I'll be very happy...a favorite chocolate treat of mine. Give me a tub of it and I'll call it my "Tub of Happiness!" So tell us, what's your favorite chocolate?

Dark chocolate! There is also a local place called Lamme's Candies...they have some scrumptious chocolate there!

Do you have any yumilicious Texas chocolate recipes you can share with us?

Hmm, I have to think about that one! I am a first generation Texan and most all my family is from the North Eastern United States. But, here are two yummy recipes that combine two things loved by most (chocolate!!! ) and a well loved ingredient here in Texas, pecans! :

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate and pecans -- an unbeatable combination.
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup light or dark corn syrup (Karo)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, chocolate, butter and vanilla, blending well. Stir in the pecans. Pour into unbaked pie shell.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

AND

Southern-Style Pecan Fudge

1 pound confectioners' sugar (3-3/4 cups)
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (see Note, below)
In a medium saucepan, heat sugar, butter, cocoa, milk, vanilla and salt over low heat, stirring until smooth and mixture begins to thicken. Stir in pecans. Spread mixture quickly in a buttered 9x5-inch loaf pan. Cool and cut into squares. Makes 2 dozen piece.

beads-n-baubles4u . . . Milky Way Lover

2008-08-04T02:00:00.007-04:00

Enter Name That Chocolate Dessert to win a pendant of your choice from beads-n-baubles4u.

Chocolista Colleen's Review:
Beadsnbaubles sent me one of their Custom Pastel Stripe Initial pendants. It was packaged beautifully in a pretty organza bag, ready for gift giving. This is perfect for anyone who likes unique jewelry. Personalization with your initial adds another special touch. Wearing this, you're sure to catch people's eye. Everyone will be asking, "Where did you get that?"

beads-n-baubles4u has darling pendants. Currently, there is a Super Summer Sale going on! Buy two get one free!

Chocolista Deborah's Interview:

I love jewelry! Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, baubles, bling. If it sparkles, I like it! I used to play dress-up with my grandmother's jewelry. She would let me raid her jewelry box and I'd have a glorious time. Is that how pendant making began for you?

I remember as a little girl I was always fascinated with jewelry and interested in all the sparkles. It started as me making things for myself and then grew into this passion that I can not live without! An accessory is what puts the finishing touch on an outfit. It also says a little about the person who wears it.

Visiting your Etsy shop, I notice you have chosen lovely colors for your pendants. How do you choose these colors? What is your favorite color?

I try to choose colors that compliment each other or also ones that are very hip. My favorite by far is turquoise!

Not only do you make fabulous pendants, you also make darling earrings. Which came first? The pendant or the earring? Do you enjoy making one more than the other?

The pendant came first and then I added the earrings too! I just debuted my new personalized sterling silver stamped jewelry and I am so excited about it! There are so many things that are possible with this line! I can't wait to see the outcome!

I'm always fascinated by what inspires people. Chocolate inspires me (tee hee). What is your inspiration?

Really just to be able to create inspires me and when I have a pleased customer that gets so excited when they receive their piece in the mail or to know their excitement of giving one of my personalized pendant for a birthday gift is so rewarding to me!

Speaking of chocolate, what is your favorite chocolate?

Milk chocolate

Etsy is a great resource for crafters like yourself. Are you also selling at other venues? For example, might The Chocolistas find you at a craft show somewhere?

I have dabble a little in some local venues but mainly on etsy~ I can reach so many more people there!

So, tell us, if you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one candy bar with you, which one would it be?

Milky way

Cherry Chocolate Love

2008-07-30T04:19:00.004-04:00

Who loves Cherry Ripe? Let's hear from ya!

Excuse Me, But There's Chili in My Chocolate!

2008-07-30T01:58:00.004-04:00

I found this recipe on Cooks.com. I was looking for an easy chili recipe to make for my husband and I to enjoy...I found this:

Chili Con Chocolate

4 slices bacon, diced
2 tbsp. oil
1 c. chopped onion
1 lb. ground beef
28 oz. can tomatoes
1 - 3 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. pepper
16 oz. can kidney beans
1/2 c. chopped green pepper

In a heavy saucepan, saute bacon; stir in oil and onion. Add meat and cook until brown. Add tomatoes, chili powder, ground chocolate, garlic salt, cumin, and pepper; heat to boiling. Add kidney beans and green pepper. Simmer, covered, 20 minutes.

I can't wait to try this! I'd love to hear from you...any of you ever have Chocolate Chili? Have a favorite recipe for Chocolate Chili? Send them our way...this Chocolista is eagerly waiting!

Bloggy Giveaway #2 - Sugar Dreams & Death by Chocolate

2008-07-28T08:00:00.026-04:00

Congratulations to Our Seven Qtpies!

****Contest Now Closed****Winner Announced Soon****

Welcome to our second giveaway! If you missed the yesterday's giveaway, there is still time to enter. Both giveaways end August 1. Winners will be announced August 2.

Today's giveaway is open to US only. I'm sure you'll understand when you see what it is...

Death By Chocolate One Pounder Cuppie

I (Chocolista Deborah) interviewed Stacie of Sugar Dreams Bakery...the baker of these scrumptious delights.

My mother and grandmother taught me how to bake. I was always helping in the kitchen, licking the beaters. When did you start baking?

I seriously couldn't tell you! I have been helping my mother in the kitchen for quite some time, but it was only after I hit my teenage years that I started to really take an interest in baking. I started simple with having the best chocolate chip cookies...nice and gooey with that wonderful melt-in-your-mouth gooness! YUM! This just progressed until I started combining my love of art and working with my hands with my gift of baking yummy goodies!

How did you come up with the one pound cuppie idea?

Well, I offer cakes of various sizes, combinations, and shapes in my bakery, but shipping cakes is an insanely scary thing. I kept getting asked if I could ship out some of my baked goods, so I came up with the idea of cupcakes in an actual cup not only to protect the cake while traveling, but it gives it the look of a individual dessert! The 'One Pound Cuppie' came about because I wanted to offer more cake to my customers so they could get more servings out of their treats from me!

We have a fun time here naming chocolate desserts, how do you choose a name for your cuppies and other delightful creations?

They honestly just come to me...I know that sounds strange, but it's true! I mainly try to take the type of cake and twist it to make it have an interesting description in the title without even reading the actual description.

Sugar Dream Bakery's Chocolate Frogs

Sugar Dream Bakery's Chocolate Mice

Sugar Dreams Bakery's Chocolate Covered Oreos

There are three chocolate goodies in your Etsy shop that I am drooling over! Your Chocolate Frogs with Oreo pieces. Your Chocolate Mice with hand-dipped cherries, homemade kisses, and almond slices (so cute, too!). Your Chocolatey Oreos...they look sinfully delicious. Who is the creative mind behind these delectable creations?

Me! Nah, I find inspiration in my countless decorating magazines, the internet, and my friends. I use those ideas to come up with my own version with slight twists to the ingredients or the decorating aspects of the items.

As a chocolate blogger, I must ask...what is your favorite chocolate? Is it a candy bar? A chocolate beverage? Ice cream? Do tell! All of the above?

I seriously love just eating semi-sweet chocolate chips right out of the bag! I am a die-hard dark chocolate lover though, so I love Godiva's Dark Chocolate Truffles and the Dark M&M's...also I love eating Chocolate Ice Cream, but since I have the taste for dark chocolate, I have to get 'no sugar added' otherwise it's too sweet for me!

Chocolate being your business, do you ever get tired of it?

Nope! I wish I could stop eating it, but it's going to be a part of my life forever!

Do you have any chocolate keeping tips you can share with us?

Air is your chocolate's enemy, as is heat. Make sure you keep your chocolate in an air-tight container in a cool area. Also, when working with chocolate, you need to make sure you properly temper it to ensure that your chocolate doesn't get that unattractive 'bloom' that so many of us despise...however, the good thing about chocolate is that you can ALWAYS remelt it, and start all over again or do what I do, and eat your mistakes...no one will know, lol!

Chocolista Colleen's Review

While Deborah was working hard doing interviews and writing posts I (Chocolista Colleen) was busy munching away on a tasty sample of the Death by Chocolate Cuppie. I planned my taste-testing for the afternoon when my son was sleeping and my husband was gone, so I could concentrate on this very important task. OK, the truth is I just didn't want to share my scrumptious treat with anyone else. And am I glad I had every bite to myself. It was, for lack of any better words, TO DIE FOR! Rich, moist, fudge-y cake topped with frosting the flavor of dark chocolate, topped with chocolate chips. My taste buds were singing. An entire Cuppie weighs one pound. It's a good thing I only had sample size. I'd have a stomachache if I'd been sent a full size Cuppie, because I know I wouldn't have been able to stop eating it. Death by Chocolate? If you have to go, this is the way to do it!

Giveaway - Sugar Dreams Bakery

Win a Death By Chocolate One Pound Cuppie! Just leave a comment. Any comment. Please be sure to include a way to contact you (if you win), either an email or a blog url. This giveaway is open to US only. Comments will be closed on August 1 midnight. All the names will be put in a bowl and randomly drawn. Winner will be announced August 2.

There are many more Bloggy Giveaways to participate in...quick click here to participate in more bloggy fun!

Just a reminder...the next Name That Chocolate Dessert begins August 4th! Hope to see you then!

Bloggy Giveaways #1 - Chocolate And Then Some

2008-07-27T21:00:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Queen of the Click!

****Contest Now Closed****Winner Announced Soon****

July 28 - August 1

Greetings Chocolistas! We have a fantabulous, scrumdidliumptious bloggy giveaway for you all! And an exciting announcement...beginning with out August edition of Name That Chocolate Dessert, there will now be a prize(s) for the winner! To kick things off, we are introducing two of our sponsors this week! Studio71 Design and Sugar Dreams Bakery.

Today we'd like you to meet Jen of Studio 71 Design. Chocolista Deborah interviewed Jen:

1. This being a chocolate blog, I have to ask, what is your favorite chocolate? Candy bar, drink, cookie, cake, anything...or everything?

Oh my gosh, I love chocolate anything! This might seem silly, but one of my favorite chocolate things lately is Skinny Cow Fat Free Chocolate Milk - it is the creamiest, most delicious chocolate milk, and somehow it's fat free! Plus it has vitamins, calcium, and protein - healthy chocolate, now that's hard to beat! I also love anything with dark chocolate.. and mixing sweet chocolate stuff with something salty (like M&M's and pretzels).. ok now I'm getting hungry!

2. What inspires you?

I'm constantly surrounded by inspiration.. in nature and little things I try to notice in everyday life. I'm also infinitely inspired by the Etsy community.. there is so much talent and variety on the site, it motivates me daily to keep creating!

3. Were you crafty as a child? I don't mean mischievous. I mean creative with paper, scissors, and paste, you know...or was your medium more finger paint or playdough? Myself, I enjoyed those loops with the plastic loom, and Shrinky Dinks.

OH YES! (I don't know if I can include a photo with this interview on the blog, but I just have to attach this childhood photo I found of my early years as an artist. Yep, pretty much says it all.)

I spent many elementary school holidays sitting in my mom's office drawing pictures for every single one of her coworkers. I looked up to my older cousin who is an AMAZING artist (I don't even compare a little bit to her talents). She always inspired me to be creative. I also have many memories of conducting family theater productions with all of my cousins - I usually made the props and costumes. My siblings are both incredible athletes.. somehow I missed out on those genes, and got the artist DNA instead. I've been creating, in some form or another, for as long as I can remember.

And for the record, I was mischievous too..

4. You have two Etsy shops, correct? How do you keep up with both?

studio71design is my second Etsy baby. My first shop, thecraftyowl.etsy.com, was opened as more of a hands-on-crafts creative outlet for me. I love owls and had incorporated them into small personal projects to decorate my college apartment. I discovered Etsy in January and thought, hey maybe I can sell this stuff! I set up shop and spent much of my free time during my last college semester cutting and pasting every little owl project I could think of. Every sale brings a smile to my face. I haven't even gotten around to making half of the ideas in my head - there aren't enough hours in the day!

I graduated in May and couldn't bring myself to jump into the "real world" right away, so I spent a few weeks devoted to revamping thecraftyowl shop, including a new look and some web advertising. It hadn't even crossed my mind to offer graphic design on Etsy until I realized I loved designing my new Etsy identity as much as (or more than) I loved making the hand-made items I was selling. By mid-June studio71design was born, and the rest is (very recent) history!

As far as keeping up with both, I am sad to say I've been neglecting thecraftyowl to focus on studio71design, but the immediate success of my design shop makes it worth my extra attention. I'm still in a bit of shock that I've had so many sales in such a short time (I've already surpassed my first shop's sales in only 1 month!) I do have some owl projects in the works but haven't had much time to finish and list them lately! Hopefully I will get to them soon...

P.S. Fun trivia fact: I had no idea what to name my design shop when I first decided to start it. I was in the-middle-of-nowhere Kansas (my boyfriend's hometown) and found out his friend there always refers to me as "Old 71" when I'm not around.. I asked why, and they told me it's because I'm 5'11, or 71 inches tall. I was so amused I used it for my shop name!

5. Tell us a bit about yourself...are you a wife and mom? As a newlywed, looking forward to the days of being mom, I wonder how women do it all...the cooking, cleaning, husband, kids, and a job - whether at home or at an office.

I'm still a young'n, only 22! Not married - yet - but I have an amazing boyfriend.. so maybe one day, haha! I'm the only girl in my house, so sometimes I do feel like the housewife/mom - though the boys might disagree since I'm a horrible cook! But I guess we are our own little family.

I also babysit, so those are my kiddos for now. I can't wait to be a mom one day, but I think I'll always be a kid at heart myself. I work several different jobs right now, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I love that each day brings a different challenge and I can constantly switch from one thing to another - it never gets boring. And I get to work from home - in my pj's. I wake up at 7:30am every day because I want to, not because I have to. That's such a great feeling.

Right now, in addition to Etsy, I babysit several days a week, work part time for my mom, and do some freelance graphic design work for local clients. I'm working on a political campaign, which is a lot of fun and a great learning experience!

6. Did you go to college and earn a degree in graphic design?

Yes, I just graduated from the University of Tulsa with a BFA in graphic design.

7. Any favorite chocolate recipe you can share with us?

Oh goodness you're making me dig for these recipes online since I have no idea where I put my written copies.. Every Christmas my mom makes the best fudge! This past Christmas I decided to make it myself and even tweaked the recipe to make my own version with dark chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (Be impressed. Like I said, I'm a horrible cook, so it's a miracle when I make something edible, not to mention delicious!). These aren't secret family recipes or anything, but they are super easy and sooo yummy! (And I've been told you can survive on it when there's an ice storm in Tulsa and you lose power for 2 weeks and can't cook anything. True story! : )

Here are my 2 favorites:

Foolproof Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients
3 cups (18 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14-ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
Dash salt
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions
In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate chips with EAGLE BRAND® and salt. Remove from heat; stir in nuts (optional) and vanilla.
Spread evenly into wax paper lined 8- or 9-inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm.
Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares. Store covered in refrigerator.
http://www.eaglebrand.com/detail.asp?rid=48

*I substituted dark chocolate chips for this one and used chopped walnuts. I also used the low-fat Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk for both recipes and you can't even tell the difference, it still tastes great.*

EASY PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE FUDGE
Ingredients
1 (12 oz.) pkg. peanut butter flavored chips
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. chopped peanuts, optional
1 (6 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Instructions
In large saucepan, melt peanut butter chips, 1 cup sweetened condensed milk and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in peanuts. Spread mixture into wax paper lined 8 inch square pan.

In small saucepan, melt chocolate morsels, remaining sweetened condensed milk and butter. Spread chocolate mixture on top of peanut butter mixture. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board, peel off paper, cut into squares. Tightly cover leftovers.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,177,146189-240200,00.html

Giveaway - Studio71 Design

Win a custom basic Etsy banner package (2 versions of a custom banner design + 5 matching avatars) or equivalent $12 credit towards any other custom designs (business cards, invitations, brochures, product tags, etc). This giveaway is open worldwide. Just leave a comment. Any comment. Please be sure to include a way to contact you (if you win), either an email or a blog url. This giveaway is open worldwide. I will close the comments on August 1 midnight. All the names will be put in a bowl and randomly drawn. Winner will be announced August 2.

Come back tomorrow for the Sugar Dreams Bakery Giveaway! Here's a teaser . . . hopefully you will bookmark us and return:

Death By Chocolate One Pound Cuppie

There are many more Bloggy Giveaways to participate in...quick click here to participate in more bloggy fun!

Chocolate Recipe of the Week

2008-07-27T06:00:00.006-04:00

This week's chocolate recipe of the week comes from What About Mom.

Visit What About Mom today and while your there check out her recipe for Chocolate Banana Popsicles!

Chocolate Beach...PARTY!

2008-07-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

If this beach party were really happening outside of the blogosphere, I would host it here:

Cocoa Beach...where else would chocolate lovers have a beach part?

I would serve:

Bring your beach towel and a good book

soak up the sun and enjoy all the chocolate!

Click here for more beach party fun!

Bakerella's Cupcake Pops

2008-07-25T01:48:00.005-04:00

Can't wait to try to make some of my own!

Visit Bakerella for the recipe.

ChocoHop!

2008-07-20T19:35:00.007-04:00

Enjoy a Chocolate Sundae on a Saturday Night...with Doris Day

Triple Double Chocolate Sundae

Ingredients:

* HERSHEY'S Hot Fudge Topping, warmed
* 3 scoops chocolate ice cream, divided
* 3 HERSHEY'S NUGGETS Chocolates
* HERSHEY'S Syrup
* 1 HERSHEY'S MINIATURES Chocolate Bar

Directions:
1. Spoon hot fudge topping in bottom of large glass mug; layer with scoop of chocolate ice cream.

2. Remove wrappers from chocolates; chop. Sprinkle over ice cream; layer with second scoop of chocolate ice cream.

3. Top with hot fudge topping and third scoop of chocolate ice cream.

4. Add chocolate syrup over ice cream; garnish with miniature chocolate bar. Serve immediately. 1 sundae.

(Recipe from Hersheys.com)

Chocolate Recipe of the Week: Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

2008-07-20T17:49:00.005-04:00

Another scrumptious chocolate recipe from Monique's Scrappin' Blog...

Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

1 box Devil's Cake Mix

2 cups canned plain pumpkin
(not spiced pumpkin filling)

1/2 cup water

2/3 cup chocolate chips

1. Mix all ingredients together, adding chocolate chips after first mixing all other ingredients.

2. Bake according to cake mix directions on packaging.

Visit Monique's Scrappin' Blog for more great recipes and scrapping ideas!

Argentina Knows Hot Chocolate

2008-07-19T14:46:00.003-04:00

Looking for that perfect hot...chocolate...drink? Take a trip to Argentina. Or, visit my friend Creek Hiker. She has a great story and a mouth-watering recipe for you. The best part is there are only two ingredients in this recipe. Simple. Easy. Divine. Enjoy!

Beautiful Blueberry Cupcakes...Found on Flickr

2008-07-18T18:07:00.004-04:00

Don't this look so delish! YUMMMMMM! I'd love one of these for breakfast, please, with a hot cuppa French Vanilla to go with it. How 'bout you? One or two?

Do you know what the best part is about this photo of beautiful blueberry cupcakes? A recipe comes with it....only you have to click here to get it. Enjoy!

Sippaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

2008-07-18T02:36:00.004-04:00

My father-in-law recently introduced me to another famous Australian drink...Sipahh!

I must admit, I was confused at first as to how to use this straw. I thought the tiny dots of flavoring needed to be emptied from the straw and stirred into the milk. So, I used my kitchen scissors to cut the top off (it's a straw...it already had an opening...go ahead and laugh...I chuckle about it now, too). The little chocolate beads poured into the milk. I stirred and stirred and stirred and stirred. My spoon was getting dizzy! Nothing happened. That's when I figured out something was wrong.

Noticing the holes at both ends of the straw. Duh! I opened up a new one and plopped it in my cup of milk...and sipped. Yum! As you drink, the milk goes through the straw and over the tiny chocolate dots of flavor...thus, flavoring your milk. Chocolate milk without the mess! Brilliant!

Milk with Chocolate Mint Sipahh...so yum! Try it today!

Time to Vote!

2008-07-07T00:57:00.004-04:00

This contest is now closed.

The winner of this edition of Name That Chocolate Dessert is Lalena - "MMM...Strawberry Whoopie" - Congratulations!

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Starting Tuesday, June 8, vote for your favorite name. Vote as many times as you like for as many names as you like. Voting closes Monday, June 14.

Name That Chocolate Dessert - Third Edition

2008-06-28T19:05:00.000-04:00

Update: Contest extended to July 3rd! Voting begins July 4th!

Enter your chocolate dessert names today!

It's time to play . . .

Name That Chocolate Dessert

How to play:

1. Think of a fantabulous name for this chocolate dessert.
2. Leave a comment with this fabtastic name you have created.
3. Tell your friends, family, blog readers about this fun game...and to vote for you!

Game Rules:

a.) Keep name "G" rated, please.
b.) Enter your name by Friday, June 27. Comments will close at midnight for the voting to begin on Saturday morning.
c.) Voting is Saturday, June 28 - Monday June 30.
d.) Name with most votes wins.
e.) Entries must have contact info, blog link or email (we need to be able to contact the winner).

Prize Details:
The winner will receive a prestigious "I Named That Chocolate Dessert" button for their blog and some special linky love from The Chocolistas.

Let the fun begin!

Must Add Sugar

2008-06-20T22:23:00.005-04:00

Aussies love their Milo...so does my British Mum-in-law, a daughter of Yorkshire. I was unsure about this chocolate mix drink, but willing to give it a go. Following the instructions to the "t", I spooned three heaping spoonfuls into my milk. Stirred. Then, popped it in the microwave. I love hot chocolate, so I decided hot was the way to go with Milo.

*Ding* The microwave alerts me to take out my now steaming cuppa. Mmmm....Milo. You smell so good! Ah, but will you taste as delish as my Aussie in-laws have told me?

Sip.

Bitter.

This needs sugar! STAT! Heaps and heaps of sugar...powered, caned, on a stick...QUICK!

Unsure if it is customary to drink Milo with sugar, I declined to add any. Instead, I forged ahead and sipped a bit more before chucking it down the drain.

Later, when asked how I liked the Milo by my father-in-law, I politely told him it wasn't for me. Which led to further questioning..."Why?" Too bitter. He smiled and said, "Didn't you add any sugar?"

Now I add a hefty heaping teaspoonful of powdered sugar to my malty Milo. It reminds me of what Americans know as Ovaltine. After doing some research online, both are made by Nestle. Which brings this question to mind, "Why two different names for similar products? I think they are the same product." Does anyone know the answer?

How do you drink your Milo or Ovaltine? Hot or cold? With Sugar or without?

Which is The Best Brownie Mix?

2008-06-06T05:46:00.005-04:00

The majority of you answered "MINE" to our poll question. So, we want to hear from you! Send us YOUR brownie mix recipe. After all, you have insisted yours is THE BEST BROWNIE MIX. Tell us all about what's so GREAT about your brownie mix. Surely something so FABULOUS should be shared with the world!

Chocolate Jobs @ Hershey's

2008-05-29T03:02:00.017-04:00

Okay...so it's obvious I don't have Photo Shop. But, hey, at least I gave it a go in Paint. Not too bad considering!

Remember the I Love Lucy Chocolate Factory episode? You may find it still running on one of the thousands of satellite tv stations. Check your local tv guide. I found this great clip on You Tube.

And it got me to thinking...are there any great chocolate factory jobs out there today?

I decided to have a look at the vacancies of my favorite chocolate manufacturers. This will be a regular feature on this blog. Tell us what you think. Who makes your favorite chocolate?

Hershey's is my favorite! Hershey's is currently looking to fill these positions:

Replenishment Associate - "Replenishment Associates are responsible for the fulfillment of the nightly store orders to replenish the retail sales floor stock."

I think this would be a dangerous job for me...too tempting with all the replenishments!

Chocolate Decorator - "Chocolate Decorators are responsible for writing on moulded bars, tempering, demoulding, packing, and cleaning."

This job sounds like fun! Writing on chocolate...I can do that!

Food Service Production Attendant - "This position assists in supporting the Kit Kat Cafe and the Courtyard Cafe with the sufficient daily production of food preparation as required by sales volume."

I just like how this job sounds..."supporting the Kit Kat Cafe". So Yummy!

Perhaps, you are interested in a Chocolate Career with Hershey's. We are still waiting for the Vice Presidency of Chocolate position to become available.

In the meantime:

Hershey's Recipes

Hershey's eCards

Hershey's Wallpapers

Hershey's Screen Savers

Two more Hershey's goodies to leave with you...a melt-in-you-mouth-divinely-delectable Hershey's recipe...and Hershey's promotions.

Cocoa Coconut Brownies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup MOUNDS Sweetened Coconut Flakes, divided

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 8-inch square baking pan.

2. Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl. Add eggs; beat well with spoon. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in 3/4 cup coconut. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup coconut over top.

3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares. About 16 brownies.

(visit Hershey's Kitchens for more chocolate-y goodness)

Current Hershey's Promotions

Win: Customized "The Dark Knight" MV Agusta F4
Look inside specially marked Reese's and Kit Kat

Win: A Private Concert with Brad Paisley
Online Entry

Win: A Year's Supply of Gas or a Free Fuel Up
Look inside specially marked packages of PayDay and Skor

Win: Cash, Cars & More
Look inside the wrapper of specially marked Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat Wafer Bar, York Peppermint Pattie, Almond Joy Candy Bars.

Win: Trip for 6 (winner and 5 friends) to Las Vegas
Online Entry

Win: A Trip for 2 to the 2009 Coca-Cola 600
Online Entry

Enjoy Chocolate Lovers!

Chocolate Cake on a Stick - YUM!

2008-05-26T23:25:00.002-04:00

Sweet Cake Pops

Found these today browsing the web and just had to share them with you fabulous CHOCOLISTAS!

What do you think...chocolate cake on a stick! How delightful! How delicious! I'm drooling just thinking about them.

Would you like to make some for yourself or your kiddos? Oh, just for yourself! Okay! Just follow Bakerella's recipe for Red Velevet Cake Balls and put a stick in them. Easy!

Lovely lollipops for all our dear sweet CHOCOLISTAS! Enjoy!

Pssst! If you make these, send us a photo and we'll post it here!

Vote! Name That Chocolate Dessert - Second Edition

2008-05-22T23:59:00.000-04:00

We have a WINNER! The winning name for this Chocolate Dessert is

The Cone of Decadence

Congratulations Scrappy Sue!

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Voting open May 15 - 22!
Vote every day! Vote for more than one! Tell your friends! Tell your neighbors!
The winner will be announced May 23. Winner will be given a prestigious "I Named That Chocolate Dessert" award button for their blog, and receive some special linky love from The Chocolistas. Have fun!

Chocolate and Skittles don't Mix

2008-05-16T07:55:00.012-04:00

I was standing in a very long check out line at the supermarket when the Chocolate Mix Skittles on the candy display caught my eye. My fist thought was, "I bet those are disgusting." As I continued to wait in line gazing at the Chocolate Mix Skittles, I became increasingly curious. Finally, I gave in and tossed a bag in my cart.

I should have left them on the shelf.

A bag of Chocolate Mix Skittles contains five flavors; S'mores, Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Pudding, Brownie Batter and -- wait a minute -- Vanilla? Hmmm. One of these things is not the same. Which one is different? Vanilla is the antithesis of chocolate. A flavor so plain it's almost not a flavor at all.

Anyway, after I got over the initial shock of vanilla now being a type of chocolate, I started to eat the Skittles. I tried to determine which Skittle was which by taste only, at first. But with the exception of the oddball vanilla, they all seemed the same. So I tried using color to separate out the flavors. I still am not sure which was the Chocolate Pudding and which was the Brownie Batter.

As I chewed, I tasted a distinctly artificial chocolate flavor. Sure enough the bag says, "Artificial and Natural Flavors." Artificial chocolate flavor just doesn't work. If you've ever had a chocolate flavored soft drink, you know that. The Chocolate Mix Skittles were also sickeningly sweet. A feature most likely intended to cover up the artificial flavor. So sweet in fact that my tongue started to burn. Then I began to feel a little ill.

I left 3/4 of the Chocolate Skittles in the bag. My three-year-old found them the next day and ate every last one. Then he said, "Yum," and asked for more. In my book, they are a big two thumbs down, but are apparently popular with the pre-school set.

Chocolate Skittles are made by the Mars Company. The same company that created that pantheon of chocolate snacks, the M&M. Perhaps someone transferred from the M&M department to the Skittles department, and didn't understand the Skittles concept, A rainbow of fruit flavors.

If it's bite size discs of chocolaty goodness that you want, stick to M&Ms. Leave the Chocolate Mix Skittles for your toddler.

Chocolate Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Raspberry Cream Pie

2008-05-13T10:51:00.009-04:00

This week's Recipe of the Week comes from Monique's Scrappin' Blog. Chocolate Raspberry Cream Pie, doesn't it just make your mouth water? And she designed the cute recipe card graphic too. When you're done drooling over her pie recipe, hop over to her blog and for more great recipes and scrap booking inspiration. She has some beautiful digital scrap booking layouts.

Chocolate Raspberry Cream Pie Recipe

1 1/2 cups Milk

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 egg

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup heavy cream, whipped

1 9-inch pre-baked pie shell

1 1/2 cups raspberries

Heat one cup of milk with sugar until steaming. In a large bowl whisk cocoa with corn starch. Gradually whisk in remaining milk, then egg until blended. Gradually whisk hot milk into cocoa mix in a thin steady stream.

Cook over medium heat, whisking often, for 10 minutes, until thickened like pudding. Remove from heat and stir in half the chocolate chips and vanilla until melted. Transfer to bowl. Place plastic wrap over pudding and cool in fridge.

Set aside half a cup of cream. Fold remaining cream into pudding. Melt rest of chocolate chips. Brush chocolate chips over bottom and sides of pie shell.

Sprinkle 1 cup of raspberries in shell once chocolate is cooled. Spoon pudding over raspberries, smooth top. Refrigerate 1 hour or up to one day.

Serve with remaining raspberries and reserved whipped cream.

Want to be featured on Chocolate Recipe of the Week? Submit a recipe, one that you've actually made before. If you have a photo of the dish, that would be great too. We'll post an article about your recipe along with a link to your blog. And we'll give you a cool button to put on your blog letting everyone know that you're recipe was The Chocolate Recipe of the Week at The Chocolistas. Email your submission to thechocolistas@gmail.com.

Name That Chocolate Dessert - Second Edition - EXTENDED

2008-05-07T06:58:00.005-04:00

Okay, Chocolate Lovers...we need names! Only three have been submitted so far and we need seven in order to start voting.

Leave a name in the comments for the pictured chocolatey goodness (keep it "G" rated, please) by Monday, May 13. Seven names will be chosen to be voted on. Come back to vote on May 15.

The winner will be given a prestigious "I Named That Chocolate Dessert!" award button for their blog, and receive some special linky love from The Chocolistas.

Voting will begin May 15th!

Leave a name for the above pictured chocolate dessert in the comments, with your name or nickname and a link to your blog.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Winner

2008-04-27T15:03:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to HomeMom3! She's the winner of the Ghirardelli Chocolate bars from our Bloggy Giveaways contest. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Bloggy Giveaways: Win Ghirardelli Chocolate

2008-04-27T14:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Chocolistas! We're participating in Bloggy Giveaways this week. If you've never popped in before, we're glad you're here. If you're on old friend, nice to see you again. We hope you'll stay awhile and have a look around. You'll find some tantalizing, mouth-watering articles about our favorite food group, chocolate. Comeback April 23rd to participate in our second installment of a fun game we call Name that Chocolate. Also check out our new Chocolate Recipe of the Week feature. There will be more chocolaty goodness added all week, so stop by and indulge often. This is one chocolate fix that comes calorie free! (This is a sticky post, so scroll down to see the rest of this week's posts.) Enjoy!

One of our lucky readers who leaves a comment on this post by midnight April 26th (comment must be on this post and please only one entry per person) will win three fabulously delicious candy bars from Ghirardelli Chocolate. Their new line of filled chocolate bars, "delivers the perfect harmony of intense chocolate and luscious filling for an unparalleled experience." We're giving away the Milk Chocolate with Carmel, Dark Chocolate with Mint and Dark Chocolate with Raspberry bars to a randomly selected winner.

I tried the Dark Chocolate with Raspberry and it was sooooooo good! These are big candy bars at 3.5 ounces each, and the plan was to eat half now, save half for tomorrow. But I couldn't stop eating until it was all gone, and then I wanted more. Even if you don't win, you must try these. You can find them in the candy aisle of your local grocery store.

Have fun hopping the Bloggy Giveaways this week and good luck!

Name That Chocolate Dessert - Second Edition

2008-04-26T03:49:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the second edition of Name That Chocolate Dessert! Due to the busy-ness of the Bloggy Giveaways, this edition is getting a late start...please forgive us. We invite you to join us every month in naming the delicious confections we discover. Leave a name in the comments for the pictured chocolatey goodness (keep it "G" rated, please) by Monday, May 5th. Seven names will be chosen to be voted on. Come back to vote on May 8th! The winner will be given a prestigious "I Named That Chocolate Dessert!" award button for their blog, and receive some special linky love from The Chocolistas.

Voting begins May 8th!

Leave a name for the above pictured chocolate dessert in the comments, with your name or nickname and a link to your blog.

Get Your Girl Scout Cookie Fix

2008-04-23T15:28:00.005-04:00

They're lurking every where this time of year. The Walmart parking lot, in front of the door at Sam's club, even at the local speedway. Their innocent faces and sweet smiles belie the treachery of the wares they hawk. You've been down that path before. You know once you start you can't stop until you've savored all of the sweet contents. You're mind tells you to walk by, but your tongue tingles in anticipation and you're feet move over to them as if they're not your own.

In the shadows of a store front the deal goes down. You slip them the cash, grab the box and run for the cover of your car. Unable to wait, you tear into the package. By the time you get home only the brown crumbs around your mouth and a minty smell on your breath are left to give away your secret. The Thin Mints you bought 20 minutes ago from Girl Scout Troop Local 355 are no more.

Seriously what do those little girls put in those cookies? They're so addictive. Who hasn't opened a box only to polish off all the cookies in an entire evening and still want more? Maybe it's the fact that you can only get them from the Girl Scouts for a limited time each year. Maybe they just know how to make a really good cookie. Whatever it is, they're irresistible.

The Girls Scouts know how to do chocolate too with five of this year's eight varieties featuring chocolate. There are the above mentioned Thin Mints, peanut butter and chocolate Tagalongs, chocolate, carmel and coconut Samoas, shortbread and fudge All Abouts and even sugar-free Chocolate Chips. We've already gone through a box of Tagalongs and Samoas in in our house. The Thin Mints are next.

The cookie sales are actually winding down now, so if you haven't had your fix yet, hurry and track down some Girl Scout Cookies. You can locate cookie sales in your area by clicking here.

Add some Sparkle to your Life with Chocolate Diamonds

2008-04-22T12:43:00.009-04:00

Did you know there was such a thing as chocolate diamonds? I didn't until I came across jewelry designer Le Vian . They have an entire line of jewelry featuring natural brown diamonds called Chocolatier.

You'll find the diamonds at Le Vian set in everything from rings to pendants to watches. Just look at them. Aren't they gorgeous?

Chocolate diamonds have been around for a long time, but were considered a poor color and of little value, until designers like Le Vian realized just how beautiful they could be. Set next to white diamonds or colored gemstones like the tropical blue Aquamarine or green amethyst, these candy colored diamonds just pop. And the jewelry has a very contemporary feel.

Le Vian Chocolatier is available at Macy's, Jared and Kay Jewelers.

See's Chocolates Contest @ MommyFest.com

2008-04-22T02:55:00.004-04:00

F.Y.I ---

MommyFest.com is hosting a contest for 1 pound of See's Chocolates.

We, The Chocolistas, are just helping out in spreading the word! We don't want any of our beloved readers to miss out on an opportunity to WIN CHOCOLATE!

So, here's the link: Who Wants Chocolates?

Enjoy! Oh, and do let us know if you win!

Eggless Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake

2008-04-21T08:44:00.000-04:00

We're introducing a new feature at The Chocolistas called Chocolate Recipe of the Week. We want to bring you enticing, yummy food you can make in your own home whenever you get a hankering for some of that luscious brown gold. This week I'm sharing a recipe I happened on by accident that will be helpful to those of you coping with food allergies in your families.

In the future we'd like to feature your chocolate recipes. Submit a recipe, one that you've actually made before. If you have a photo of the dish, that would be great too. We'll post an article about your recipe along with a link to your blog. And we'll give you a cool button to put on your blog letting everyone know that you're recipe was The Chocolate Recipe of the Week at The Chocolistas. Email your submission to thechocolistas@gmail.com.

I was craving chocolate a couple weeks ago, but I was due for a trip to the grocery store. So when I went to the fridge to gather the ingredients to make the cake, I realized I was out of eggs and had just enough milk to last until I could get to the store after dinner.

I got on line and found several recipes for eggless cakes. I settled on the one which was also milkless and butterless. It turned out great! It tasted just fine. I couldn't tell the difference between it and a regular chocolate cake. And it was very moist.

The only thing I would change is the size of the pan if I made this again. The recipe said to use a 9X13 baking dish, but that made for a very thick sheet cake. I had to bake it longer than the recipe called for to get it done in the middle, so it got a little hard around the edges. I think it would work better in an 11×17 pan.

We are fortunate to not have any food allergies in our house, but this is a great cake alternative for anyone with dairy or egg allergies.

Eggless Chocolate Cake Recipe

4 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 cups white sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup vegetable oil3 cups water
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, soda and salt. Add sugar and mix together. Add oil, water and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Pour into a 9×13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

From All Recipes

I frosted the cake with Hot Coffee Frosting. Delicious! A recipe I also found on line.

Hot Coffee Frosting Recipe

1 (16 ounce) package confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons butter, softened
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup hot, brewed coffee

In a large bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, butter, cocoa powder and vanilla. Beat on slow speed until ingredients are combined. While beating, slowly add hot coffee until desired consistency is achieved.

From All Recipes

Winner - Name That Chocolate April '08

2008-04-13T02:16:00.007-04:00

The winning name, receiving the most votes...Stac O'Choc O'Lot! Congratulations Abbreviated!

A huge chocolatey THANK YOU to all who participated.

The second edition of Name That Chocolate Dessert! is coming up quick. The new picture will be posted April 23rd. Mark your calendars!

Be a Chocolista Bombshell with Pin Up Balms

2008-04-11T18:13:00.006-04:00

Chocolate's not just for eating anymore. It's made its way into a variety of beauty products including Pin Up Lip Balm.

Pin Up caught our eye because it comes in one of our favorite flavors, Mocha, of course. The lip balm gets its name from the retro beauty who graces the label on each tin. It's made with only five all-natural ingredients, Avocado Oil, Beeswax, Apricot Kernel and Vitamin E.

I fell in love with Pin Up as soon as I saw the cute tin and pretty girl. I'm a sucker for attractive packaging. The balm has a lovely chocolate scent, light and not over-powering. It slicked on easily with my finger tip and left my lips feeling soft and silky. And one of Pin Ups biggest selling points is its price tag of $4. Who can't afford that?

Pin Up Lip Balm also comes in Peppermint, Lemonade, Coconut, Raspberry, Vanilla, Grape and Citrus flavors. Though the Chocolistas wonder why you would want anything other than Mocha.

We'd love to give this away to a lucky reader, but don't think it's kosher to hand out used lip balm. Frankly, that's a good thing, because we want to keep this one for ourselves. You can buy your own fresh tin of Pin Up Balm here.

Vote! Name That Chocolate Dessert - First Edition

2008-04-08T01:42:00.004-04:00

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Voting open April 8 - April 12! Vote every day! Vote for more than one! Tell your friends! Tell your neighbors! Tell your family! Spread the news! The winner will be announced here April 13! Have Fun!

Hollow vs. Solid Chocolate

2008-04-03T16:43:00.010-04:00

In the quest to discover which bunny is favored at Easter, our poll has revealed that the Solid bunny comes out on top!

168 votes
19% for Hollow
45% for Solid
23% for the Cadbury Egg
5% for the Marshmallow Peeps
5% for Other

My personal favorite still is and always will be the Hollow Easter bunny.

Name That Chocolate Dessert - First Edition

2008-03-26T21:23:00.010-04:00

Welcome to the First edition of Name That Chocolate Dessert! Join us every month in naming the delicious chocolate confections we discover. Leave a name in the comments for the pictured chocolatey goodness by Saturday, April 5th. Seven names will be chosen to be voted on. Come back to vote on April 8th! Winner will be given a prestigious "I Named That Chocolate Dessert" award button for their blog, and receive some special linky love from The Chocolistas.

Voting begins Monday, April 8th!

Leave a name for the above pictured chocolate dessert in the comments, with your name or nickname and a link to your blog.

Chocolate that's Good for your Skin and Body

2008-03-21T10:14:00.009-04:00

We've all heard that old wives' tale that chocolate makes your skin break out. We've also been told chocolate isn't so good for your health. Well, forget those fears.

Dove has introduced two new products that not only nourish your craving for chocolate but nourish your body and your skin, Dove(R) Vitalize(TM) and Dove(R) Beautiful.

Dove(R) Vitalize (TM) contains rich dark chocolate, plus energy-releasing B vitamins, the natural goodness of cocoa flavanols that help support circulatory health. It also contains plant sterols that help maintain a healthy cholesterol level.

Dove(R) Beautiful contains smooth milk chocolate, plus skin nourishing vitamins C & E, biotin, zinc, and cocoa flavanols that help hydrate from within to support beautiful-looking skin.

The new Dove products are available nationwide at local mass retailers.

Advertise on The Chocolistas

2008-03-19T17:40:00.001-04:00

Want your ad on The Chocolistas? Our audience is made up of homemakers, moms, foodies and chocolate lovers from all over the world.

For $20 a month you get a 200x300 button ad linked to your site. Purchase five months of advertising, get the sixth month free. Purchase 10 months, get two months free.

Don't have a banner? We'll make one for you for a one time additional fee of $5.

Have a product or company you would like reviewed? Want to sponsor a giveaway by donating a prize? We're happy to consider your request.

Contact us at thechocolistas@gmail.com

We have a Winner!

2008-03-15T10:56:00.006-04:00

Congrats to Dalyn (The Queen of Quite A Lot). She's the winner of our Ultimate Blog Party giveaway. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our party and invited us to theirs. We had a great time getting to know you. Come back and visit often!

Another New Chocolate Yummy

2008-03-11T21:54:00.002-04:00

Check out this new chocolate find over at a Dandelion Dayz. Another new twist on an old favorite.

Handmade Chocolates in the Heart of Amish Country

2008-03-10T10:32:00.011-04:00

LaGrange County is a well-known tourist spot, famous for its Amish community and the town of Shipshewana that hosts a world-renowned flea market and a downtown full of specialty shops. Travel a little farther east down interstate 20 and you will come to the town of LaGrange, the home of Plyley's Candy Company, a small family-owned company still manufacturing old fashioned confections.

I've tasted Plyley's delicious candies many times. Growing up in LaGrange, every Easter my basket held one of their beautiful chocolate crosses. When ever she needed a hostess gift, my mother always brought a box of Plyley's chocolates with her. I even toured their facilities a few times, and watched as streams of luscious chocolate turned into yummy indulgences.

Plyley's most popular products are their chocolate creations. A favorite are the Sandy Sues, milk chocolate turtles. They have a variety of other milk and dark chocolate candies. You'll find an assortment of creams, cherry cordials, nuts and carmel's among their selections. Plyley's has many, many more tasty chocolate treats too numerous to name. They also offer a selection of sugar free chocolates. Besides chocolate, Plyley's makes old-fashioned hard candies in 34 different flavors, both regular and sugar-free.

You can order on line from Plyley's or visit their outlet store located at their factory. If you visit, be sure to ask for a tour, and you'll see how an old-fashioned hands-on touch mixes with modern technology to produce a great product.

If you're planning a trip to LaGrange County make sure you add a stop at Plyley's to your itinerary.

For more info about Plyley's and to place an order visit their website. For more information about traveling to LaGrange County visit Amish Backroads.

Newly Found Chocolate Goodness!

2008-03-09T16:41:00.012-04:00

I recently came across three great new products, chocolate of course, to look for next time you visit the grocery store.

Hillside Hot Cocoa from Hillside Beverages

What makes this hot cocoa so unusual is that it comes as a ready-made single serving in its own self-heating travel mug. Flip the cup over and on the bottom you'll find a button. Push it, sit the mug on a heat-proof surface for five to eight minutes, and presto a cup of hot cocoa without a microwave or stove.

I purchased the cocoa from Walmart for $2, because I wanted to see this nifty bit of technology in action. It worked just like the instructions said. The cocoa was tasty and it was heated just right for this Goldilocks, warm enough for a cold winter morning, not so hot it scalded the taste buds off my tongue.

I have only one question, what exactly is the purpose of this? My husband suggested it was for use at the office, but most employers provide microwaves. If I'm in the car I can go though the drive-through or pop into a convenience store for a hot drink. I can see it being handy on a camping or hunting trip...ice fishing comes to mind....stock up on these for the next blizzard that knocks out your power. Or perhaps it's for people like me who will buy it simply because they think the modern ingenuity of a self-heating mug of hot chocolate is pretty cool.

Hillside also offers Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows, as well as a variety of coffees, teas and soups in self-heating travel mugs. In the US you can find Hillside at Walmart, Sam's Club and Kroger. In Australia it's available at Coles and Woolworths stores.

Twix Java

With the exception of milk, nothing goes with chocolate like coffee. Now Twix is getting in on the coffee craze with the new Twix Java. Coffee flavored caramel is layered over a chocolate cookie and the whole thing is covered in milk chocolate. The candy bar even has a touch of real espresso beans. I can testify to that. I purchased the bar in the morning and forgot about it until later that night. I snacked on it just about an hour before bedtime. I can't say for sure it was the caffeine in the espresso beans in the Twix bar, but I was up tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning. It was delicious though. I think I prefer it even over the original version of the candy bar.

Warm Delights Minis from Betty Crocker

These are for the calorie conscious who want to have their cake and eat it too. Chocolate cake that is. A few years ago Betty Crocker brought us the original Warm Delights, individual cakes that bake in the microwave. Now they've introduced the Minis that have just 150 calories per serving. I've been dieting, and these are great when I want chocolate cake without getting my entire calorie allotment for the day. I tried the Chocolate Raspberry Decadence. They come in a pack of two, and it was so good it was hard to resist eating the second one right away. It's in my cupboard waiting for my next chocolate cake emergency. The minis also come in Molten Chocolate and Molten Caramel Cake.

The Ultimate Blog Party 2008!

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This contest now closed. We have a winner!
Congratulations Dalyn of The Queen of Quite A Lot!
She can be found at Muckboots N Aprons.

Welcome to The Chocolistas!

We are happy you are here!

Formerly known as Virtual Chocolate....renamed because the name was already taken.

What would a party be without CHOCOLATE?

As part of The Ultimate Blog Party 2008, we are happily giving away CHOCOLATES!

1/4 lb. chocolate covered almonds

1/4 lb. chocolate covered raisins

1/4 lb. chocolate covered peanuts
1/4 lb. chocolate covered cashews

1/4 lb. dark chocolate covered pecans

Enter by leaving a comment with your e-mail address for us to contact you if you are the winner. And, we'd love to know what is your favorite kind of Easter Bunny, hollow or solid? Stop by Comfort Joy Designs to win a handmade pocket place mat of your choice. Then, visit The Ultimate Blog Party to enter other fabulous giveaways.

Enter between March 7 - 14.

My Top Ultimate Blog Party Picks

Wow! Have you seen all the cool prizes being given away at the Ultimate Blog Party? Here are my top three prize picks. I have to admit, I was selfish and chose things for me. Hey, the kid has enough stuff already with grandparents that constantly spoil him. And with Easter around the corner, you can bet the Grandparents are preparing to launch a barrage of gifts on him.

58 - Customized 6 Week Fitness Plan from Go Workout Mom

91 - Burt's Bees Naturally Ageless Skin Care Line from So What Else? What Else? What Else?

135 -Handmade Silver Heart or Cross Necklace from Dandelion Dayz

If I don't get any of these I also like numbers 13, 20, 21, 24, 130,117 and 107. But of course I'd be happy with any of the prizes offered. They're all fabulous. Go check them out!

Having a Chocolate Emergency?

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ZChocolate has just what the doctor ordered!

15 French chocolate truffles ready for any emergency.

To view all ZChocolate's French truffles click here.

DeBrand Fine Chocolates

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Introducing DeBrand Fine Chocolates. Pictured here is a DeBrand Chocolate Art Black Rose Box filled with DeBrand Fine Chocolates. Imagine receiving chocolates and being able to eat the box, too!

There's something American and Canadians should be told about DeBrand Fine Chocolates...every month they giveaway chocolate!

Enter the monthly giveaway by clicking here.

While you are there, be sure to have a look at their Easter chocolates! They have some beautiful bunnies. Their mini bunnies are so cute!

Oh, and we'd love to hear from you if you win! Include a picture of the chocolates you receive, too!

Is it Home without Hershey's?

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Setting up house in a new country can be a great adventure! As an American who married and Aussie and moved to Brisbane two days after the wedding, I've been having a marvelous time creating a warm loving home for my new husband. We celebrate our first anniversary in a couple of weeks. So exciting!

One of the first things I noticed living here in Australia, is their short supply of Hershey's products. This is Cadbury country! Nestle is not hard to find, but no doubt about it, Cadbury is king here.

One of my first encounters with culture shock was finally finding Hershey's syrup on a shelf in a chocolate shop next to Jell-O and Libby's Pumpkin Pie Filling...the American shelf. In America you can buy a bottle of Hershey's syrup for less than $2...in Australia it'll cost you $13 AUD. I brought a bottle back with me from my trip to America before Christmas.

Though Hershy's is a novelty Down Under, I have found some mighty fine chocolates here. One of my favorites is Cadbury's caramel filled koalas!

Say, "G' Day!" to Cadbury's Caramello Koala!

Cadbury's Chocolate Koala...

.........with a caramel filled tummy!

Arnott's is a popular biscuit in Australia. We Americans would call them cookies, but as my husband has informed me...if it is covered in chocolate, it's a biscuit.

Arnott's Teddy Bears are just that...a choco bikki...

....a chocolate covered teddy bear biscuit!

Last but not least...I've saved my favorite or should I say favourite for last...NUTELLA!

Okay...Okay...Nutella isn't really chocolate...it's hazelnut. But, oh so good! And, some how delightfully chocolatey!

Do you have any chocolate cultural shock experiences to share? E-mail your stories to virtualchocolate1@gmail.com We'll feature our favorites!

The Hills are Alive with the Taste of Chocolate

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"Mommie, I want candy hills."

"Wha- uh - you want what?"

"Candy hills."

"Um, I don't understand. I don't know what candy hills are."

"Candy hills! We have them. Please, can I have some?"

"We have them? Show me."

My son ran to the fridge and opened the door. He pointed to a bag of Hershey's Kisses, and pulled one out. He took the little car that he held in his other hand and pushed it up one side of the kiss and down the other. Then he held it up, a smile beaming across his face, "See Mommie, candy hills."

Chocolate School Online

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Ever wonder how Willy Wonka got his start? Did he take Chocolate 101? Do you have dreams of being a Professional Chocolatier? If so, enroll now in the three month Professional Chocolatier Program at Ecole Chocolate Professional School of Chocolate Arts.

Ecole Chocolate Professional School of Chocolate Arts is now accepting applications for this online program.

Next Session:
April 11-June 29, 2008

Or perhaps, you'd like to know more how the chocolate comes from the bean? In that case, there is a three month program for you. Chocolate Making from the Bean for Chocolatiers Program will teach you how to create your own chocolate straight from the cocoa bean.

Next Session:
May 4 - July 27, 2008

Ecole Chocolate Professional School of Chocolate Arts offers one more program. Quality Assurance & Keeping Limits for Chocolatiers is a three month food quality program.

Next Session:
September 26 - November 13, 2008

Pam Williams is the founder and instructor. The instructional team is made up of many fine chocolatiers.

Joanne Mogridge, founder and head chocolatier of CocoaWest Chocolatier.

Chef Philippe Givre, Valrhona Ecole du Grand Chocolat.

Chef Philippe Vancayseele, Callebaut Academy

Paul DeBondt, Debondt Cioccolato

Luca Mannori, Mannori Espace Chocolate

Roberto Catinari, Roberto Catinari Arte del Cioccolato

Andrea Bianchini, Bottega del Cioccolato

Contact The Chocolistas

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Have a question? A suggestion? Want to advertise? Have a product or company you want reviewed? Maybe you want to sponsor a contest by donating a prize? Or maybe you just want to say hi or tell us how much you love us. Send us an email at thechocolistas@gmail.com.

Need to Get Away?

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Have you considered . . . Chocolate Festivals?

Bernard Callebaut Chocolaterie is a good place to start planning a chocolate vacation!

Chocolate Festivals occur all over the world, and some right in your own neighborhood. You just need to know where to look.

Shanghai, China held a chocolate festival in January. So did Tokyo, Japan.

The Chocolate Lover's Festival is being held February 16 in Eureka Springs, Arizona.

This April, travel to Bruges, Belgium for the Choco-Late Festival.

May brings chocolate festivals to California, Wisconsin and Illinois.

In July, travel Down Under to Dunedin, New Zealand, to join in the festivities at the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival. Also in July, Bludenz, Austra is hosting the International Milka Chocolate Festival.

Can't make it Down Under in July? How about August for the Bendigo Chocolate Rush Festival in Bendigo, Australia.

September brings chocolate festivals to San Francisco and Kansas City.

October is the busiest month for chocolate festivals...travel Europe...Italy, France, Sweden, and Great Britian are all hosting festivals this month.

Things quiet down in November with chocolate festivals in New York and Moscow.

Chocolate on the Nightstand

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Chocolate has a long association with romance. Many a lover courted the object of their affection with chocolates beautifully wrapped and packaged. Now chocolate takes an even more sensuous role when it comes love. The sweet, creamy treat is unwrapped, off the snack table and on the the nightstand. Yes, chocolate has made its way into the bedroom.

C hocolate Body Paint from Tom and Sally's Handmade Chocolates is sure to entice that special someone to come a little closer. This creamy French chocolate spread even comes with its own paint brush. Mmmm, don't put the good sheets on the bed for this one.

Truth, Dare or Chocolate from the folks over at Choc oholics D i vine Desserts puts a naughty new twist on an old game. It's simple, tell the truth, take a dare or suffer the chocolate consequences. It comes complete with game board, playing pieces and a jar of chocolate body frosting.

If you'd prefer just a hint of chocolate, relax together with Chocolate Massage Lotion from The Merry Chocoholic. This lotion made from natural plant emollients has a light chocolate scent and won't leave you feeling oily.

Be creative, be adventurous and try something sweet tonight!

Moonstruck Chocolate Co.

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Meet The Truffles

Introducing.....Moonstruck Truffles!

These are only four of the wonderful truffles made by Moonstruck.

So cute! So clever! So inviting!

"Eat Me!" They all seem to be pleading.

If you'd like a chance to win some Moonstruck truffles for yourself, head on over to Chased by Children today and enter to win. Click here.

Moonstruck Chocolate Co. is based in Oregon, with a total of 14 Chocolate Cafes scattered across America. Five in Oregon, three in Illinois, two in California, two in Michigan, one in Virginia, and one in Massachusetts. Click here to see where the nearest one is to you.

Just out of curiosity...which of their truffles has you "moonstruck"?

Last Minute Valentine's for your Chocolate Lover

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By the time I finish writing this post there will be less than 72 hours left before Valentine's Day. Are you like thousands of others who put off shopping for a gift until the last minute? Are you wondering what you can possibly find now that will have your love throwing themselves in your arms and smothering you with kisses?

Well, nothing says, "I love you," like chocolate. Don't despair. There's still time to find that perfect Valentine's treat. Here are five companies that offer delicious, unique chocolate confections that can be delivered by the big day.

Shari's Berries sells strawberries hand dipped in the world's finest gourmet chocolate. They select only the most succulent berries available. They have several last minute gift selections to choose from including their signature Strawberry Rose. One dozen hand-dipped strawberries are each set on a handmade stem with silk rose leaves. The "roses" are arranged with baby's breath and a fern and arrive in an elegant gold box with a red bow. Shari's is currently offering a 25 percent discount on this item. On the East Coat order by 5 pm EST for next day delivery. On the West Coast order by 3 pm pacific. While you're there check out the other delectable products Shari's offers including truffles, cookies and even sugar-free chocolate dipped strawberries.

Black Hound New York offers fine chocolates and baked goods in the tradition of a European pastry shop. You'll find cookies, chocolates,
individual pastries and confections among their offerings. For Valentine's Day choose their Sweetheart Sampler. You get six miniature versions of their famous cakes. It includes two each of Chocolate White Chocolate Cake, Busy Bee Cake, and Strawberries and Cream Cake. The Busy Bee cake is described as, "Layers of chocolate butter cake, almond butter cake, bittersweet chocolate mousse, and marzipan, all covered in marzipan and bittersweet chocolate and decorated with two pink marzipan hearts on top." In addition you'll receive a complimentary 2 oz. heart-shaped box of bittersweet chocolate truffles. Order by noon February 12 to receive this special offer and insure arrival by Valentine's Day.

See's is an old fashioned candy store headquartered in San
Francisco. For that special girl, how about the Pink Ribbon Heart? Over a pound of chocolates - white, dark and milk - along with truffles are packaged in a beautiful heart-shaped box detailed with woven pink ribbon. For him, See's has a 2 lb. box of Pecan Buds, "nuggets of pure, fresh pecans nestled in vanilla caramel and drenched in milk chocolate." Gifts can be ordered as late as 9 a.m. pacific on Wednesday in time for delivery on the 14th.

Soufflon offers the ultimate solution for sending a last minute gift of chocolate, E-Chocolate. Go to their website where you will pick out the type and size of box. Supply Soufflon with the recipient's name and email address and your personal message. Soufflon instantly sends the recipient an email that allows them to go to the website and pick out their own chocolates to fill the box. They even get to choose where and when they want it shipped. There can't be a more simple way to send chocolate!

Nantucket Chocolatier has a variety of chocolates to choose from. They are most famous for their chocolate covered cranberries. For Valentine's Day they have a 13 oz. tin of Cranberry Creations Chocolate. The heart-shaped tin is filled with plump cranberries covered in milk and dark Belgian chocolate as well as yogurt creme. If you select next day shipping, you can place an order as late as noon Wednesday for Valentine's Day arrival.

Don't waste anymore time! Get shopping now for your Valentine!

The Ultimate Chocolate Fantasy

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Chocolate Bliss created by Godiva!

How would you like to indulge in this decadent dream with your Love?

Godiva Chocolatier is once again offering a bigger-than-your-wildest-dreams Valentine's promotion. The Grand Prize winner will receive one weekend in Godiva's Chocolate Decadence Suite at New York City's fabulous Bryant Park Hotel. The room is filled with chocolates, on the arm chairs, tables, and even chandeliers...a buffet table overflows with chocolate! Yes, eat! Indulge! The books in the room...they are not for eating. Oh, no! No words in these books...only chocolate!

The weekend escape to this "Chocolate Lover's Paradise" also includes:
- private chocolate tasting
- fine dining
-chocolate spa treatment (Hey, I'd be happy if this alone were the Grand Prize!)
-and more surprises!

Though there can be only one Grand Prize winner, this contest is still worth entering.

Godiva will be awarding 100 First Prizes:
- a limited edition special collector's edition gift box filled with Godiva chocolates

Look for specially marked boxes of Godiva Valentine's gift boxes! Visit Godiva for complete rules and information. No purchase necessary. Click here for full details.

Welcome!

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Welcome to Virtual Chocolate, a new blog about all things chocolate. What can you expect to find here? All sorts of information and fun things about everyone's favorite sweet indulgence. We'll have recipes for creating your own chocolate treats, articles about unique chocolate products, information about places to buy the best chocolate and a whole lot more. We're just getting started so comeback often to see what's new.

About

2008-01-19T18:37:00.000-05:00

Eventually we'll tell you something about ourselves here.