From its signature Belgian chocolates to its irresistible truffles, Godiva has been an indulgence to many over its 80 years of rich history. With summer right around the corner, the brand is spicing things up with an array of spirits, including the classic chocolate liqueur and chocolate flavored vodkas. While we can’t get away every weekend, we can at least indulge a sweet escape during happy hour with a few of these deliciously decadent drinks. Mixologist Katie Stipe created a few that are perfect to toast with to the start of the season:

Some Like it Hot

1 oz. Godiva Caramel Chocolate Liqueur
2/3 oz. Don Julio Reposado Tequila
1/3 oz. Grand Marnier
3 tsp. Sugar
1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
½ tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper to rim a coupe glass. Add the caramel chocolate liqueur, tequila, and Grand Marnier in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake well and strain into the Coupe glass.

Smoke & Mirrors

1 oz. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
¾ oz.  Oban Single Malt Scotch
½ oz. Pear Liqueur
¾ oz. Light Cream
½ tsp. Honey Syrup (2 parts honey and 1 part water)
Pear Slice

Add the chocolate liqueur, scotch, pear liqueur, honey syrup, and light cream to a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a slice of pear.

Sweetheart

1 ½ oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
1 oz. Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Vodka
½ oz. Light Cream
3-4 Fresh Raspberries

Combine the liqueur, vodka, and light cream into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Modern Southern Belle

1 oz. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
¾ oz. Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon
¼ oz. White Crème de Menthe
Bouquet of Mint Sprigs

Build  the liqueur, bourbon, and crème de menthe in a rocks glass filled with crushed ice and gently stir. Garnish with a bouquet of mint sprigs.

Missoni has already put its signature chevron on everything from clothes to shoes to rugs to even bikes. But now the brand is partnering with over 30 designers to create home décor items for a good cause.

Barrique – The Third Life of Wood is a collection of home décor pieces designed by Missoni, Ferragamo, Daniel Libeskind, Marc Sadler, Karim Rashid, Arnaldo Pomodoro, and more. The collection uses repurposed wine barrels to create pieces like tables chairs and lamps, then produces them alongside members of San Patrignano, a drug rehab facility. Proceeds from the pieces will benefit the facility that provides free help to addicts throughout Italy.

The collection will makes its way to the Big Apple this weekend at the Poltrona Frau Showroom, kicking off a tour throughout the U.S. For purchasing information, please visit Barrique.SanPatrignano.org.

The MoMA Design Store is keeping its eleventh collection of the Destination: Design series close to home. Local designers like Alexis Bittar, Bagu, and Sandy Chilewich have all created products for collection that revolves around all things New York.

“In New York City, we are fortunate to be surrounded by design that represents a wide range of backgrounds, ideas, and passions,” said Paola Antonelli, senior curator of Architecture and Design and Director of Research and Development. “We’re thrilled to offer a direct connection to these designers through Destination: NYC, and hope the project will inspire both New Yorkers and guests to think critically about innovative design and its role in our everyday life.”

We say mission accomplished! Check out our favorites from the collection, which hits stores and online MoMAstore.org on May 15th, here.

Many little girls grew up dressing their Barbie and prancing her through the perfectly manicured Malibu Dream House. Now you can have the opportunity to be Barbie, and prance through an actual life-sized replica of her pink mansion.

“This year, Barbie is inviting her fans into her world to explore what they’ve only played with in doll size,” said Lori Pantel, the vice president of global marketing for Barbie. That means 2,500 square meters of pink, glitter and plastic, according to Grazia Daily. Barbie’s Dream House has already opened its doors in Florida and another will open tomorrow in Berlin.

Across the pond, in London, there is a different Barbie Dream House in the works. Barbie commissioned London-based designer Roksanda Ilincic to outfit her new virtual pad in partnership with Nick Knight’s SHOWstudio. Reportedly, after attending the designer’s Fall/Winter 2013 show in February, Barbie fell in love with her style, and the rest is fashionable history.. With Ilincic’s influence, we’re expecting the usually pink home of Barbie to exude a more modern, edgy style given the designer’s aesthetic.

The glam life at it’s finest, wouldn’t you say?

When it comes to your wedding day, Vera Wang has brides covered from dress to rings. But she’s not content to stop there. The designer has expanded her bridal empire to include bouquets of fresh flowers on the big day!

The Vera Wang Collection by FTD captures the essence of the designer’s aesthetic and presents an inspiration range of flowers for brides who adore the romanticism and simplicity of Wang’s iconic bridal style.

Wang designed three very distinct looks—the traditionalist, romanticist, and modernist. Each look embodies a unique elegance while maintaining Wang’s signature style.

“Few things are more closely associated with weddings than fresh flowers,” said Wang. “Their vibrant beauty captivates the eye and celebrates the occasion. It is my privilege to help every bride realize her dream with floral designs of beauty, grace and elegance.”

Between Oscar de la Renta’s wedding invitations and Wang’s flowers, you could have the designer wedding of your dreams.

We’re gearing up for summer, and for some, that means all things citrus!  Citrus is known for its cool and refreshing reputation – even on the hottest day.  Today, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite citrus finds.

1. When life gives you lemons, make a lemon birthday cake!
2. Not only does this lemon meringue pie have a stunning appearance, but it’s so versatile.  You can make pies and mini tarts with this recipe.
3. Recipes with a bit of a lavender kick are all the rage these days. I love the idea of combining lavender and lemon together in a cake.
4. A Blood Orange Cheesecake would certainly make for a great conversation-starter at any party!
5. Creamy avocado and lime ice cream makes for the perfect new-aged twist on a summer dessert.

Melissa Johnson is the Founder and Creative Director of Best Friends For Frosting. A self-taught baker, she used the experience she gained from working at three different bakeries to launch Best Friends For Frosting, making her the entertaining expert and dessert stylist she is today. Her expertise has been exhibited on QVC, In The Kitchen With David, America’s Test Kitchen, Easy Food Magazine, Foodspotting, Amy Atlas, Craftzine, The Tomkat Studio and The Party Dress Magazine.

We know Marc Jacobs loves his ink, but now he’s taking his obsession to new heights!

The designer’s literary space, Bookmarc, has partnered with marker brand Krink on a small series of markers that range in size from ball point pen to a squeezable paint pen (bingo, anyone?)—all in a rainbow of hues. The pens boast a consistent formula that won’t smudge, and promise to last 10 times longer than your average permanent marker.

This isn’t the first time Krink has added its graffiti-gritty touch to a lifestyle brand. Coach recently partnered with the brand and artist Craig Costello on a nine-piece collection of street art-based men’s luggage. While we don’t recommend painting over a designer piece, we can at least add Jacobs seal of approval to any surface we mark up.

Available at Bookmarc locations worldwide and MarcJacobs.com for $9.00-$14.00 each.

Using wreaths as a year-round decoration is a great way to dress up your front door or living space. Wreaths can be created to work with any season, plus they are perfect for welcoming guests to a party, or as beautiful home decor.  I personally like them because I think they add a feeling of warmth to a home. And the best part is you don’t have to buy them already made! They are easy to make yourself using a variety of materials that are both easy-to-find and inexpensive. Here are a couple of ideas using everything from balloons to ribbon to even cupcake liners!

1. You can make this lovely wreath easily by wrapping silk ribbon around a styrofoam ring and adding adorable little felt rosettes.   It’s perfect for a little girl’s room!
2. This rose-covered wreath takes a little time to make each flower, but the end result is so worth it.   What an amazing decoration for the front door!
3. If you attach cupcake liners with pins to a styrofoam wreath you end up with this gorgeous decoration!  It would look fantastic in any color (how about white?!).
4. This balloon wreath is made simply by pinning balloons to a straw wreath form.  The great thing about this wreath is how you can match the balloon colors to your celebration!

Jillian Tohber Leslie decided to “get her party on” and launched Catch My Party in 2009, as the place to share party ideas, tips, and photos, and to celebrated the entertainer in all of us! Jillian received her BA and MBA from Stanford University. Jillian currently resides in Palo Alto, California, with her husband, David, daughter, Lainey, and company mascot, Gertie, their nine-year-old Tibetan Terrier. In her spare time, Jillian loves to cook, craft, entertain, style parties, and take photographs. To learn more about Jillian check out her Catch My Party blog, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

It’s not surprising that every brunch spot in the city will be packed with everyone and their moms (literally). Skip the stress of snagging reservations and opt to host your own Mommy and Me meal! With light fare, pleasant conversation, a great gift, and one of these luscious libations, your mom will surely adore all the effort you put into making her day special.

Love Your Berry Much Sparkler

3 oz. Voga Sparkling
¾ oz. Strawberry Liqueur
2 oz. Strawberry Puree
½ oz. Lemon Juice
1 ½ tsp. Sugar
Mint

Combine the sparkling wine, strawberry liqueur, strawberry puree, lemon juice, and sugar in a glass. Stir and garnish with mint and skewer of strawberries.

Skinny Mint Julep

1 ½ oz. Skinnygirl Cucumber Vodka
1 Lime Wedges
2 Large Basil Leaves
3 oz. Soda Water
2 Large Mint Leaves

Squeeze the lime wedge into a highball glass. Muddle the lime with the basil and mint before adding ice. Add the vodka, top with soda water, and garnish with mint leaves.

Puerto Maria by Jose Garces for Renaissance Hotels

1 ½ oz. Bacardi Gold
3 oz. Tomato Juice
½ oz. Puerto Rican Style Sofrito
Plantain Chip
Chicharrones

Add the rum, tomato juice, and sofrito to a cocktail glass over ice. Shake and strain into a glass over ice and garnish with a piece of chicharrone and a plantain chip.

Cos-Mom-Politan

2 oz. Skinnygirl White Cranberry Cosmo
Frozen Cranberries

Chill the cosmo in a cocktail shaker over ice for 10 seconds before straining into a martini glass. Garnish with a skewer of cranberries.

If your mom isn’t one to swoon over accessories or a day at the spa, celebrate her this Mother’s Day with treat of the delicious kind! Flowers are lovely, but why not take it one step further and honor her with edible chocolate flowers?  Or help with her morning caffeine routine by stocking the pantry with delicious teas? We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a charitable gift in the mix, because how else would you describe moms other than epically selfless? Lauren Bush teamed up with Godiva on a Feed 10 Tote that’ll take her from the grocery store to the beach. It comes with the brand’s delicious chocolate, so it’s really two gifts in one, if you think about it.

1. Limited-Edition Mother’s Day Bundle, available at DAVIDsTEA for $29.95
2. Spring Truffles, available at Edward Marc Chocolatier for $15
3. FEED 10 Tote with Godiva chocolates, available at Godiva for $50
4. Spring Collection tea kit, available at all DAVIDsTEA locations for $25.50
5. Keep Calm and Love Your Mom cupcakes, available at Crumbs for $27 for 6 cupcakes
6. Rose Pops, available at Edward Marc Chocolatier for $3/pop