OC looks at OC life

Sweet Treat Tip, Bittersweet Backstory

November 20, 2009

If you sweat the goodie bags and party favors, this one’s for you.

Imagine not having to do the last-minute scramble for goodie bags for your kids’ parties. The concept of quality favors and you don’t lift a finger. Too good to be true? Ah, no I have video proof of the beauty.

Let me start by saying I don’t cook, I’m not crafty, and like all Moms, I have no time to do anything, so when I tweeted with Kristen from Scrumptulicious, it was divine goodie bag intervention, I think.

Kristin’s artisan bakery line is clever, creative, organic, gourmet and can be made gluten free or however you wish.

For my girl’s birthday party, I simply told Kristen the theme (dance) and she kicked around some ideas and came back to me with related recipes for favors. We went with simple sugar cookies rockstar shaped, but she can do whatever you want and as fancy as you desire (cherry pistachio, chocolate orange espresso, eggnog shortbread, cherry white chocolate and the list goes on).

The treats are made from natural, fresh ingredients and she gives all a handmade touch and adorable presentation. They way surpass store bought anything and the array of “nothing” that most of us throw together in goodie bags.

What makes the story sweeter is Kristen’s backstory. I gotta say I never knew of her artisan line on Twitter, only her inspired, positive, aspiring tweets and takes on life. She clearly stood out.

It turns out while Kristen was going about life as she knew it, as a Creativity Coach and full-time marketing person, she was laid off—like the rest of the world. She needed a financial fix and fast, as her husband was and is suffering from a terminal kidney disease that insurance doesn’t cover. So out of desperation and ultimately necessity, Scrumptulicious was born. “We’re fighting kidney disease and homelessness everyday. Scrumptulicious ultimately been a blessing, as our family is closer, I’m focused on creativity and cooking/baking (my passion), and I know that my husband is enjoying spending what little time he has left,” she bravely shared with me. (Read her blog of gratitude lists and life’s ups and downs.)

Wow. I’m inspired. I’m impressed. And I’ve got a big sweet spot for Kristen, her family and Scrumptulicious. If this story touches you and you’ve got an occasion (the holidays, a birthday, a thoughtful gift) that calls for sweet treats, Kristen’s got the goods to make you look like the hostess with the mostest.

And she ships anywhere, OC moms. Sweet, again.

My giddy gush on Kristen’s adorable goodie bags: