What an honor to be chosen to create a doughnut for Sidecar Doughnut’s Chef Series Collaboration program. Creating this doughnut was so much fun but also tough because I had so many ideas! I mean you probably already know what a few of those are (I mean can you google me without Oreo popping up?) but I kind of don’t want to share them cause they’re SO good. Haha!

Ultimately we landed on a bit of a 90’s throwback doughnut that reminds me of my favorite anytime treat, the Pop-Tart! Allow me to introduce you to my rainbow berry pop-tart doughnut! Isn’t’ she a star?

The process was really so hard though. I couldn’t decide between creating it with a raised yeast doughnut or cake doughnut but if you’ve ever been to Sidecar they kill it when it comes to cake doughnuts so I had to choose cake! It’s so doughy and dense and like no other cake doughnut I’ve ever had before!

It’s dunked in a triple berry glaze featuring blueberries, strawberries and raspberries and then dipped in a shortbread crumble, drizzled with vanilla cream and topped with rainbow dust aka my favorite fruity cereal! It’s so spot on delicious and I’m so proud I could cry!

It’s been doing so well and selling out fast but don’t worry, they make them every two hours in small batches so just hang around at the beach until they’re ready. It’s so worth it!

Also, my doughnut is only available the entire month of April so head over to Sidecar before May AND I’m beyond thrilled to share that a portion of all proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica! This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart and a place I worked and volunteered at for several years when I first moved to LA while I was auditioning to be a TV Host. I love supporting their efforts to develop young people, especially those who need us the most. It also made sense since the club is just a few blocks away from the Sidecar Santa Monica location!

I’ve been so grateful to see all of people enjoying my doughnut. I love getting tagged on instagram or even text messages from friends saying they are at the shop grabbing the doughnut. It really means so much to me. I can’t wait because in a few days I invited a few kids from the Boys & Girls Club to try the doughnut and I hope they enjoy it! Thank you to everyone who has been just as excited as me at this opportunity. It’s one for the books! xo, Brandi

Photography Credit: Another Cup Photography

One of my favorite parts about my job is being able to work with people who inspire me.  So I was thrilled to team up with two of my friends, Ashley Adams and Julianna Strickland on the most joyful and colorful shoot to celebrate Mother's Day.  

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

I can't believe this will be my first Mother's Day with Milly (earthside). I have so many feels about this beautiful gift of being a mother so stay tuned for a full blog post on a Love Letter to Milly on My First Mother's Day. 

For me, a homemade gift will always mean more ten times over so I'm happy to share an easy embroidered pennant craft idea you can make for your mom or with your daughter for Mother's Day.  It's super simple to make-and like many needle necessary crafts, it's utterly therapeutic.

Photography Credit: Another Cup Photography

One of my favorite gifts I received when I was pregnant with Milly was a beautiful piece of embroidered hoop art. It's a gift I'll cherish forever that hangs in Milly's bedroom. There's something so personal about handmade art and receiving it ignited this desire in me to learn embroidery. And let's be real-it also could be because this old school craft has been getting some major love over the last few years with faves like Lauren Conrad showing her embroidery talents with her Baby Tell announcement.  Regardless, it's a trade I'd love to learn and get better at.  For years I used to crochet (blankets, scarves, throws-you name it) and when I was a little girl I loved to sew. I remember I made these amazing denim pocket purses from jeans I bought from thrift stores and tried selling them in 6th grade (I was wayyy too ahead of the trend). Then, for several years I made jewelry and sold my pieces on Etsy. I guess I love working with my hands, it's no wonder I work in food. I should open my store back up....

EMBROIDERY SO EASY EVEN A BABY CAN DO IT

For this pennant, I chose to do the letter, "M" for Milly but a meaningful word like "love" would work too or a positive affirmation would be absolutely dreamy! I'm calling it now: embroidered pennants should replace vision boards!  For this craft you only need a few things: embroidery needle, embroidery floss and fabric (a linen blend banner, burlap flag or any thin fabric will do).

STEP ONE Using a pencil, mark the letter or words you want to embroider on your fabric.

STEP TWO Thread your needle by pulling your floss through the eye only a few inches and then knot the other end. Cut your excess floss.

STEP THREE Get started by choosing your stitch. For text, a back stitch or split stitch is best. You can read and view step by step instructions for each of these here. I love the raised look of a split stitch. You can really see this stitch detail in the pink "love" banner.

STEP FOUR Hang your pennant where it will inspire you or gift to someone special. 

If you want to get even more inspired to create and to see the rest of our fun shoot head over to Julianna's blog to see how to put together the happiest rainbow balloon installation and go to Ashley's blog to learn how to make her boho cactus cake!

This served as the perfect backdrop for photos and totally made me want to recreate it for Milly's first birthday (but please don't quote me on that). 

I'm also majorly crushing on the boho cactus cake Ashley made and decorated. Swoon! 

I'm trying to figure out an occasion I can make it (this would be perfect for a boho bride wedding cake or birthday party, bridal shower, etc OMG!)...but really- I'm an Zona girl-do I actually need any excuse to make something that pays homage to my homestate?! I'm already dreaming about how I would decorate mine with fuschia prickly pear!

Special thanks to Juliana of Another Cup Photography for capturing this special day for us. I just melt over the moments she captured of Milly & I.  You can follow her on Instagram @JulianasCup 

Which idea is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to tag us on social if you recreate any of these joyful DIY ideas! @BrandiMilloy @ashrachelle @Julianna_Strickland