Goodies in your Own Backyard

Well not literally, but Bellingham has some tasty treats if you know where to find them. Before you go to the grocery store and purchase a box of Russell Stover's for your valentine, check out these local vendors first!

Chocolate Necessities: Located on the Guide (take a right on Horton Rd and look for the awning with their name on the left) and at the Public Market on Cornwall, Chocolate Necessities offers up a full array of tasty treats. From truffles to barks they have everything your chocoholic lover might want for Valentine's Day. If you're also considering making your own goodies (like chocolate dipped strawberries or lava cakes) they have those chocolates available as well and let me tell you, getting good chocolate for your treats can make all the difference!

The Spice Hut: I was making a "chocolate basket" for a client and stopped here on a whim hoping they had hot chocolate mixes (like GOOD hot chocolate mixes). They didn't but they did have chocolate teas! That's right, CHOCOLATE tea! I made a cringing face at first but the guy who helped me said that with a little cream and sugar in your cup, it will taste like dessert. And after I smelled a few of them, I was certain he was right! It was heaven! And aside from the chocolate tea, they had over 170+ others to satisfy anyone's tastebuds and love of tea! Check them out on West Kellogg (near WCC)

Paper Dreams: I love Paper Dreams in Fairhaven! They offer fun cards and gifts for an occasion. They also offer up homemade fudge in a variety of flavors! They can literally be a one-stop-shop for your next occasion! If you are getting fudge, I would recommend getting a little for yourself as well! It's too good not to get any for you!!

Mt. Bakery: Offering fresh treats and sweets daily, there is bound to be something here that anyone will love! The offer creme brulees, chocolate mousses and tarts galore and even have individual sized desserts so you and your sweetie and each get your favorite! Find them on W Champion St downtown.

La Vie En Rose French Bakery: I have a tender spot in my heart for this place since we got our wedding cake here. And like Mt Bakery, they offer a plethora of Europpean inspired goodies to tempt your tastebuds. Location on Holly St, downtown, you can smell the tastiness when you walk inside.

Grace Cafe: Grafe is a more casual bakery/coffee shop located off of Sunset. But don't be fooled by their pies. Their pies are amazing and there are plenty to choose from! Buy by the slice or the whole pie, it's a good investment either way! Perfect warmed up wtih a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Theo Chocolates Take Two

Ok, so I know I posted about Theo Chocolate in Seattle, WA only a few months ago but the more I learn about them, the more I love them. And with Valentine's right around the corner, I'm all about offering as many solutions of sweet things to do for your sweetie and what could be sweeter than chocolate?!
Theo Chocolate has paved the way for fine confections by not only offering a tasty product, but also in proving that creating their product can also make the planet a better place to be. They have made themselves a forefront producer of fair trade and organic goodies and aren't afraid to showcase their passions. Their Jane Goodall chocolate bars are a sweet reminder to the benefits of their company: proceeds from these bars benefit small cocoa farmers and promote rainforest conservation, just to name a few perks.

But beyond their ability to work with the planet AND make a product that tastes good is the way they showcase their products so beautifully. I'm in an industry that is all about presentation so being able to find that they not only make favors for your special occasion, but they're almost to pretty to eat makes me smile :) I'm all about little surprises in the weddings I put together and as a guest discovering that you're getting a small box of exquisite treats at the end of the evening is a big reminder of how important and special your attendence meant to the couple.



If you're looking for something fun and unique to do, you may be excited to note that Theo offers a variety of chocolate inspired classes and activities. Just last week they had a movie showing of Charlie and the Chocolate Facotry (circa 1971) complete with hot chocolate and popcorn. Other activities include chocolate making classes, knit nights, sponsorship of local shows and events like Chocolate Confessions (a one woman comedy show including the origins of some of our favorite candies) and more! Just check out their website for the latest and greatest offerings.

And as for Valentine's Day, choosing to get your goodies from Theo is a no-brainer. You'll get exceptional quality from a company with exceptional values and what's in the box will taste as good as it looks! And look to Theo for chocolate treats that go beyond the box: they offer a variety of exotic flavored chocolate bars, sipping chocolates, wine pairing chocolate kits and more. Satisfying someone's love of chocolate and keeping things special and unique will never be difficult at Theo.