Decorating Cookies Party: Book Signing and Cookie Party Dates

I would love, love, love to meet you and talk cookies (and Trader Joe's, and Real Housewives of Melbourne)!  I have three local Decorating Cookies Party events to tell you about...each one different and special in its own way.

1. November 7th: Signatures Author Series Event
This is where I'll be hanging out with Tyler Florence.  Well, we'll be in the same LARGE ballroom...does that count?  Anyhoo...this is a super neat event that one of the private schools in our area puts on as a fundraiser every year.  A bestselling author comes in to speak (they've had Katherine Stockett, Jodi Picoult, Candace Bushnell)...this year is Tyler Florence.  There's lunch, and a handful of local authors are invited to sign books as well.  I'll be there.  Come see me and we'll get brave and go talk to Tyler.  ;)  Signatures Author Series is a ticketed event. Click the link for more information.  The event takes place at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott.


2. November 15th: Book Signing
I'll be signing books at the Barnes & Noble in The Woodlands, TX from 1-3pm.  Come and go...I'll be the one at the table with the Sharpies...talking to myself.  I  might even bring cookies. ;)


3. November 22nd: Cookie Party & Book Signing
OK...this one is interactive.  Want to come decorate a cookie from the book?  Yes!  Yay!  Also in The Woodlands, Hubbell & Hudson Bistro has undergone some incredible renovations and we'll be some of the first people to utilize the new upstairs space along with the former Viking Cooking School Kitchen.  This is a ticketed event.  With each $25 ticket, you'll get to decorate a cookie from the book (to take home or EAT there), and receive a signed Decorating Cookies Party (no need to bring a book, it is included with the ticket).  To purchase a ticket, click below...must be purchased in advance (so I know how many cookies to bake.) :) Last day to buy tickets: November 18th.

* SOLD OUT! *

{This button is for the Cookie Party Signing #3...NOT the Signatures Author Series event.}

Can't wait to SEE you!!!

Decorating Cookies Party! It's Here! (plus a giveaway)

We're gonna party like it's 1999.  Or, 2014.  
We're going to have a COOKIE PARTY!!!

Today is the official release date of my new book:

Decorating Cookies Party: 10 Celebratory Themes * 50 Designs

I'm a little giddy and a lot excited for you to see the book.
We're going to celebrate with a giveaway, too.  Take a gander:


What's inside the book?  I'm so happy you asked:

• Want to throw a cookie decorating party?  I'll walk you through hosting one. 
• Cookie exchange hints?  I've gotcha covered.
• Step-by-step instructions for cookie designs to bring to a variety of parties and special occasions?  Yep.  50 of them. You know I love a step-by-step tutorial.
• Need cut-out cookie recipes?  Well, I have 5 for you...including gluten-free.
• Nervous about royal icing and fondant?  Don't be!  I'll make it simple for you.
• Want some party theme ideas?  How about a garden party, birthday, book club, bridal shower? You'll find 10 party themes featured in the book to make and take or to make as part of the festivities! 

Here's a peek at the Birthday Party Themed cookies:


How about these little jellyfish?!?  This is from the Under the Sea party.  This party theme showcases simple designs that are perfect for decorating with kids.


And, this sweet little poppy cookie is from the Garden Party set. I'm officially obsessed with stamping on cookies.


This book includes some of my favorite cookie designs EVER.  Ever.

There are also recipes.  Mocha Cut-Out Cookies.  Oh MY word.


You'll even find a recipe for gluten-free cut-outs inside!!!  (Don't worry, if you don't need gluten-free, I tell you how to gluten them up.  I think that should be a new phrase, to "gluten something up.")


So, my dears, let's talk about this giveaway. Here are the prizes that you can win (one winner for each prize):

1. a KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Series Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield in Majestic Yellow! 
2. a polka-dot, organza, ruffled Heavenly Hostess Cocktail Apron (you'll see me sporting one in the book...you need one, too)
3. a $25 Fancy Flours gift certificate (guess what...they're carrying the book in their shop!)
4. one of 3 SIGNED copies of Decorating Cookies Party!  

To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me the last party that you attended.

For an extra entry, tell someone else about the giveaway.  Tweet, Facebook, Google +, Pinterest, call your grandmother, email your sister...and leave another comment letting me know that you did.  Honor system.

Entries will be accepted through 11:59pm CST, October 14th.  US addresses only.

A big, heartfelt, sugar-filled thank you to all of you.  Thank you for buying the book, thank you for reading the blog, thank you for inspiring me every day.  This book wouldn't have been possible without you! ♥ 


You can find the book here:

• amazon
• barnes & noble
• indie bound
• fancy flours
• and, at other book and craft stores

Let's (cookie) Party!

Decorating Cookies Party: sneak peek!

Last week I finally (FINALLY!) got my hands on some copies of Decorating Cookies Party!  Yay!

{Spike is VERY into cookie decorating, as you will see.}

Just a week or two to go until the books will hit stores.  The official release date is October 7th, but sometimes Amazon likes to send out books a little early. 

I have a fun giveaway planned for the official launch...stay tuned.  For now, I wanted to show you a few pictures from the inside.
This is tough...because I want you to see most of it for the first time when you're flipping the pages in your own kitchen, or sitting in the car line at school.  (Am I the only one who arrives at the school parking lot with a stack of magazines and cookbooks?)

I posted here about what you'll find inside.  This is a cookie PARTY book after all, so here are some of my beautiful friends (cookie) partying it up.  (Next time, I promised them wine.)

I'll walk you through hosting a cookie party of your own in the book.

Just like Decorating Cookies, this book has step-by-step photo tutorial of every decorated cookie.


Plus, 5 cookie recipes!!!  (One gluten-free, my friends!  No fat-free, sorry.)



You'll find detailed instruction and photos for all kinds of cookie decorating...including some new techniques in this book, like stamping and using silicone molds.


You guys...I'm just so excited for this book.  Not only does it contain some of my favorite cookie designs, but I actually took most of the photographs, too.  With the exception of the 10 shots of the cookie sets, each and every photo was taken by me...right here in my kitchen.  Well, Mr. E took approximately 1,792 pictures of me to get two passable author shots. ;)


Like I said, I want you to see the book for the first time when you have it in your hands, but just a little peek...

{I never thought I was a princess girl...until I made this cookie.  I love her.}

On October 7th or thereabouts, you should start seeing Decorating Cookies Party in your local book store. 
I get lots of questions...mainly from friends (and my mother-in-law) about whether this book I've been working on will be available in "actual bookstores."  YES.  No, I'm not selling it out of the trunk of my car. (Well, only on special occasions. NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT.)  

Until then, it is available for pre-order.  I have all of that information HERE, along with how you can get exclusive recipes if you pre-order by October 7th.

 {I have a picture of kiddo in the exact spot reading my last book 2 years ago.  He's changed so much...and I still haven't painted my walls.}

I do have a few local events in the works...and I'm begging, pleading politely asking my publisher to let me go a few places outside of Houston to sign books and meet you.  If you have city requests, please leave them in the comments.


A few dozen sprinkles were consumed in the making of this book. 

Decorating Cookies PARTY!!!

Ok.  Are you guys ready for a party?  (Or, as the cool kids say, "par-TAY?") ;)

Well, I'm so excited to tell you about my newest book...wow, does that sound weird...that will be hitting the shelves this fall.  It's called:

Decorating Cookies Party: 10 Celebratory Themes * 50 Designs

{I love the cover so much!}

What's inside?  I'm so happy you asked:

• Want to throw a cookie decorating party?  I'll walk you through hosting one. 
• Cookie exchange hints?  I've gotcha covered.
• Step-by-step instructions for cookie designs to bring to a variety of parties and special occasions?  Yep.  50 of them. You know I love a step-by-step tutorial.
• Need cut-out cookie recipes?  Well, I have 5 for you...including gluten-free.
• Nervous about royal icing and fondant?  Don't be!  I'll make it simple for you.
• Want some party theme ideas?  How about a garden party, birthday, book club, bridal shower? You'll find 10 party themes featured in the book to make and take or to make as part of the festivities! 

We'll be playing with fondant, stamping, doing a little brush embroidery, and more! You guys, this book includes some of my favorite cookie designs EVER.  Do you know how hard it was not to Instagram them?!?!

Decorating Cookies Party is now available for pre-order.  YAY!  You can find it here:

• amazon
• barnes & noble
• indie bound

Of course, when it is released (early October), you'll be able to find it in your local book stores.  

SO!  If you'd like to pre-order the book, I'd like to send YOU a little thank you.  Pre-order the book before it is released in early October, email me your order confirmation, and I'll email YOU two exclusive cut-out cookie recipes that are not in the book and have never been featured on the blog.  Yay!

All you have to do is place your pre-order and forward your confirmation email/receipt to this address. (Please note, this is not my usual email address.) On the official release date, October 7th, we'll email you two exclusive cookie recipes.  Yay, cookies!

I'll be showing you a little more of the inside as we get closer to the book release date, but until then...thank you.  Thank you for reading this little blog.  It's because of you that this second book is possible.  I thank you for your support and for your love of all things cookie!

Hey there, neighbors! (Houston book signing)

I shared this on Facebook and Twitter, but it occurred to me that I haven't mentioned it on the blog.  

I'll be signing copies of Decorating Cookies tomorrow (or tonight, depending on when you see this), November 22nd at Barnes & Noble in The Woodlands from 5-6pm.  Just in time for the holidays!

Barnes & Noble has a fun day planned with lots of incredible discounts, including the new Nook GlowLight, and prizes!  Prizes, people!!!  (I love prizes.)

I'll be signing books...and probably sampling the pastries and cappuccinos at the in-store Starbucks.  Come say hey! :)

{If you can't make it, I'll be leaving some signed copies at the store.  Give them a call or stop by.}

Hope to see you there!