Dine & Dish with Dawn: Society Bakery in Dallas – It’s Not Just Their Desserts That Make Them Sweet!

Posted on September 8, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Life might not be a cake walk, but don’t tell Society Bakery that.

The oven is always on at Society Bakery in Dallas, where they bake as much sweetness as they add to the world around them!

A bakery whose motto is “Be good to your sweet tooth, be good to society,” Society makes it its mission to sweeten the world, while giving back.

And, I’m not the only one who’s noticed. Ellen Degeneres and AOL have named them one of the Top Ten Cupcakes in America, and People Country Magazine listed Society Bakery as one of “Four top bakeries in L.A., Dallas, Birmingham, and N.Y.C.”.

Society Bakery founder, Roshi Muns and I established a friendship last December when I was referred to Society when I needed a last minute cake for an impromptu holiday tea party with my girlfriends. I tasted the cake (delicious!), and met Roshi (the sweetest!), and it was friendship at first sight! We’ve followed each other on social media since then, so when Roshi saw I was headed home to Dallas, she told me she wanted to “roll out the red carpet” for me and my family and friends, and host a tasting brunch for us.

Knowing I would need some help from other discerning tastebuds to taste such delectable treats, I invited my mom, my fabulous Dallas blogger friend Lee Cordon of DoSayGive, my best friend Jenny Harris, her son Shepherd, Jenny’s sister Dr. Sally Falwell, and her daughter, Evie.

Lots of love at the table with my tasting crew by my side – and that’s Roshi right behind me!

And oh my, were we ever treated!

We started out with Pimento Cheese on toast with hardboiled egg, bacon, lettuce and tomato.

Society Bakery’s homemade pimento cheese on toast, with hardboiled eggs, bacon, lettuce and tomato

Then, came out the chicken salad on croissant, tuna salad on wheat, grilled cheese and pasta salad with tomato and mozzarella.

Chicken salad on croissant, truna salad, grilled cheese and pasta salad at Society Bakery – delicious!

The next course was ricotta with fresh peaches and strawberries, served with a side of some of the most delicious homemade peach jam I’ve ever enjoyed.

Ricotta with fresh peaches and strawberries with a side of scrumptious homemade peach jam by Chef Erin

After all that, came the…DESSERTS!!
And, I do mean desserts plural!

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Life really is a cake walk at Society Bakery (details of desserts in this pic below)

We were treated to the following dessert smorgasbord (as pictured above clockwise witht the brownie, standing in for 12 o’clock): Brownie, Frosted Sugar Cookie, Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Jessie Jessup Cupcake (vanilla cake with buttercream frosting & my FAVE!), Strawberry Cupcake, Coconut Cupcake, Salted Caramel Cupcake with Salted Caramel Filling, vanilla Cupcake, White Petits Fours with filling, Monster Chocolate Chip Cookie, Bread Pudding Whoopie Pie, Apple Pie, another Whoopie Pie, Monster M&M Cookie, and their signature Chocolate Cake in the center.

Here’s a closeup of some of that deliciousness.

Sugar Heaven at Society Bakery with cupcakes, cookies, petits four, pies, brownies and whoopie pies!

As delicious as the food and “sweet treats” (as Sally & Evie call them) are, Roshi’s mission is even sweeter. Society Bakery is active in giving back to the local community of Dallas, by giving thousands of cupcakes away in exchange for items that local charities need. Society Bakery also donates throughout the year to over 100 different charities, schools and non-profit organizations, refraining from taking tax write-offs for donations because Roshi and her team believe that a business can be profitable and charitable at the same time. Sounds like someone else I know!

My heart was so full getting to share both my love for what I do, and my love of food, with some of the people I love best in my own hometown of Dallas.

What it takes to capture those delicious food pics y’all love looking at! My friend Jenny was praying I didn’t fall off that step ladder!

My dear friend (of 21 years), Jenny Harris Crandall and I cakewalking at Society Bakery

With my friend – and fellow influencer & blogger – Lee Cordon, of the fabulous blog, DoSayGive

So, when in Dallas, head on over to Society Bakery, where the oven’s always on – and the place, where when you buy sweetness, you also add sweetness to the world around you!

xoxo,
Dawn

Friday Favorites: High-Fiving My Dream Team, Good Carma Studio

Posted on September 4, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Celebrating a High-Five circle with the best team ever (Good Carma Studio) at The District in LA, after the No Kid Hungry Influencers Brunch I hosted.

Celebrating a High-Five circle with my dream team – and the best team ever (Chrissy and Melissa of Good Carma Studio) – at The District in LA, after the No Kid Hungry Influencers Brunch I hosted.

Today’s fave? A picture that was captured as I was high-fiving my dream team, also known as Good Carma Studio, after our No Kid Hungry Influencers Brunch on Wednesday. (*Please Note: Blog post to come)

While it was a truly stunningly beautiful affair, I am even more proud that it was an event – full of heart – that accomplished what we set out to do: get out the word about childhood hunger and breakfast in our schools.

I am so thankful to have a team that works as hard as I do. Trust is EVERYTHING to me and I trust these women implicitly.

Chrissy Kling & Melissa Wallace, you are gifts—and you produce the best events to boot!!!

Again, special thanks to our sponsors Tyson Foods, Kellog’s and Citi for all you do to help eradicate childhood hunger in America.

xoxo,
Dawn

Make It Count Monday: Wear A Shirt To Spin Class & Help Out A Charity

Posted on August 24, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Partied with Walk With Sally Saturday night, and advocated today.

Helping out a charity can be as simple as buying a shirt or hat, and wearing it to your spin class…like I did here with my Walk With Sally tank at SoulCycle

And, all I had to do was throw on a shirt. Did you know that you can help a nonprofit simply by taking an Instagram picture of you wearing one of their apparel pieces? This afternoon, I hit @SoulCycle Beverly Hills (to try to balance out some of that shrimp’n’grits & biscuits I had earlier today at @HandtheH, AND the pasta dinner I had last night), and sported my new #WalkWithSally tank I picked up yesterday for $25. See, doing good, giving back and paying it forward doesn’t have to be just about volunteering or giving money, it can be about increasing awareness, too. Nonprofits depend on it. 3 new people found out about WWS today, thanks to this tank. So spend a few bucks, look sporty for your spin class, and get the word out about your favorite non-profit. Done and done. #DreamItDoItDone – See more at: http://iconosquare.com/viewer.php#/detail/1058274151935095772_29991131

Stepping Up: The 12th Annual Step Up Inspiration Awards at the Beverly Hilton

Posted on June 11, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Dawn McCoy (ummm…me) at the 12th Annual Step Up Inspiration Awards at the Beverly Hilton

Have I mentioned how much I love Step Up? I know, I know. I have – and have again.

The stars of Step Up with star, Lea Michele. Their lights all shine equally bright!

The Step Up logo is more than just a logo…it’s a mantra.

But it’s just because that’s how deeply it lives in my heart, and impacts my everyday life. I was introduced to Step Up by my best friend, actress Sarah Jane Morris 3 years ago, and I quickly became a member, changing my life – and my heart – for the better.

My best friend, Sarah Jane Morris, & I at the 12th annual Step Up Inspiration Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Friday, June 5th, 2015.

This past Friday, June 5th, 2015 was my second year to attend the Step Up Inspiration Awards – and their 12th year of hosting this awards luncheon, so full of heart.

But this year, I didn’t just attend as a guest, I was also honored to be the announcer of the show – or as they call it – their “Voice of God.”

Are you there, God? It’s me, Dawn.

And yes, you can call me that from now on. I’m kidding. Kinda.

Behind the scenes action at the Inspiration Awards. Generated by IJG JPEG Library

No, it really was a dream come true, and not just because it was the first time I had been the announcer at an awards show.

Being interviewed on the red carpet. That’s me. Always straddling the line between talent and press. Literally. I mean, we took down the rope so we could do interviews for #Dear15Me.

As I sat there with 850 others in the room, feeling my own dream come to life, I got to hear the stories of dreams coming true for so many others, including Julie Bowen…

The ridiculously impressive – and kind – Julie Bowen. Generated by IJG JPEG Library

Cristela Alonzo…

Our charming emcee – and my fellow Texan (holla!) , Cristela Alonzo.

Lea Michele…

The lovely Lea Michele at the Step Up Inspiration Awards. Generated by IJG JPEG Library

honoree Peter Kim of Hudson Jeans…

Honoree, Peter Kim, CEO of Hudson Jeans, as photographed by Amy Tierney

and honoree, actress & director, Elizabeth Banks.

Honoree, Elizabeth Banks, as photographed by Felix Salzman

But, I also got to see the girls of Step Up, whose dreams are coming true – like honoree Maria – simply by being able to graduate high school and attend college, thanks to Step Up, so that they can pursue their dreams.

Step Up Honoree, senior Maria Soto. This girl is everything we wish we were at that age!

Step Up believes all girls should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential, and the Inspiration Awards raises 55% of the funds Step Up needs to serve its Los Angeles community for one year. Know how much we raised this year? Over $400,000!! We went well past our goal of $75,000!

Speaking of raising money, I have never seen anyone in entertainment work so hard (while being SO adorable and full of heart) as Modern Family’s Julie Bowen did, while trying to raise that money. I wish I could say every celebrity put this much heart into their work with charities!

I’ve always really, really liked Julie Bowen, but after seeing her work her heart out? I can honestly say that I LOVE this woman!!

It was a day that I will always will remember, not just because I was surrounded by the most talented people with the most generous of hearts, but because for the first time, I actually could count myself as one of them. Thank you for letting me be a very small part of the magic, Step Up.

So incredibly honored to be in this company. Wow.

Memories like those never die.

xoxo,
Dawn

Where Foodies Meet Fundraising: No Kid Hungry Taste Of The Nation LA in Culver City

Posted on June 8, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

This tree could just have easily have read, “DM hearts NKH”

Today, I’m feeling miiiiiiiighty grateful, because yesterday, I got to eat so that kids can be fed.

I know. This sounds like a dichotomy. How can eating actually feed others?

Well, if I know anything from my collaborations with No Kid Hungry, it’s that with these guys, anything is possible.

Linds & I at Taste Of The Nation LA, benefitting my beloved No Kid Hungry

No Kid Hungry’s Taste Of The Nation events do just that. Food-loving patrons pay for a ticket to get the opportunity to try bites from a bevy of the best chefs in their city, and 100% of the profits earned go to No Kid Hungry programs. That certainly fills me up more than any pizza could.

So, yesterday, I headed to Media Park in Culver City for Taste of The Nation LA, with my friend, Lindsey, and we ate and drank to our hearts’ content.

Gearing ourselves up to be stuffed silly!

Among the hundreds of options, there were…

Delicious scallops…

Scallops and ravioli goodness from Maru in the VIP lounge

and peach tarts from Maru in the VIP lounge.

Peach tarts, served with ice cream from Maru. This is what you get when bread pudding and peach cobbler have a baby.

Deconstructed Philly cheese rolls with the melted cheese INSIDE from The Bazaar by José Andrés at SLS.

All I can say is…YUMMMMMM.

One of my favorite lunch spots, Mainland Poke, served up some fresh goodness to balance out the decadence.

Mainland Poke is one of my favorite lunch spots!

Chile Con Corny from Dog Haus: Masa-Battered Smoked Queso Sausage, Haus-Made Pepper Jack Sauce & Crushed Corn Chips. Holy heck.

Chile Con Corny, from Dog Haus

Plan Check burgers with cheese crostini, sunnyside up egg, bacon two ways (why yes, there WAS bacon jam), melted cheddar and dehydrated ketchup (think fruit leather). Amazeballs, y’all.

These divine little Plan Check burgers had the longest line by far: too much, and just enough all at the same time. Just decadent.

As for dessert? Oh, a little Moët Chandon bubbly certainly never hurt anything.

Champagne, anyone?

And did I mention SNOW CONE cocktails from Davey Wayne’s? Oh, I didn’t. Well, I did now. Summer in a basket, my friends.

Nothin’ says summer like snow cone cocktails!

So, whatever city you’re in, do your darndest to get yourself to a Taste Of The Nation this year. I’ve been to two now, and it’s just one of the best – and most rewarding – culinary experiences you’ll ever have.

Upcoming No Kid Hungry events: The No Kid Hungry Chef’s Cycle is coming up THIS WEEKEND! (http://chefscycle.org/) Nearly 50 chefs and restaurant industry professionals are riding bikes 300 miles to raise funds and awareness for No Kid Hungry. The East Coast ride takes place June 7-9 and the West Coast ride happens June 14-16.

Roll me away…

xoxo,
Dawn

Eat To Feed Others: Taste of The Nation Laguna Beach, Benefitting No Kid Hungry

Posted on May 22, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

At the Montage Laguna, for No Kid Hungry’s Taste Of The Nation Laguna, wearing WAYF

Well, I figure the best way to get y’all excited about No Kid Hungry’s Taste Of The Nation in Culver City (coming up on Sunday, June 7th) is to show you what a fun time I had at Taste of The Nation in Laguna Beach this past weekend at The Montage Laguna Beach.

Yep. Pretty much me in a nutshell the whole night. No date? No problem. Delicious food. Wine. Friends. Good cause. And best yet? All for @NoKidHungry at @montagelaguna . Bite I’m eating right now? @FordsFillingStation Ben Ford’s Seared Sea Scallop with Pea Sprout Salad, Preserved Lemon & Toasted Hazelnuts. Holy yum.

Details are at the bottom on how you can buy your tickets to have your own foodie dreams come true, all while helping our nation’s kids get fed! But, for now, here’s my Taste of The Nation Laguna story.

As a Team No Kid Hungry member & influencer, I arrived, with a hungry belly – and a full heart – ready to eat, drink, and raise money and awareness for No Kid Hungry.

On the carpet for No Kid Hungry Laguna Beach

First up? Delicious Riverain Cabernet and cheeses and charcuterie from The Cellar and Center Street Cheese Shop.

The perfect first course to kick off my tastebuds! Riverain Cabernet and delicious cheeses and charcuterie from The Cellar and Center Street Cheese Shop.

Next up? The vegetarian portion of the evening. And it was surprisingly downright delicious to this Texas girl!

Beefsteak’s Marcel Vigneron’s Smoked Bowl with Brown Rice, Quinoa, Veggies, Spicy Sauce, Avocado and Crispies

Then, it was time for the flavors of the sea with the plentiful ocean-fresh seafood options! After all, our view was all ocean, there at the beautiful Montage.

The Montage’s Craig Strong’s Grilled Octopus and some Sauv Blanc

Twenty Eight’s Shirley Chung’s Chilled Noodle with Uni

My 3 favorites of the evening? THESE GUYS.

Faith & Flower’s Chef Michael Hung’s Yellowfin Tuna Poke, Soy Braised Konbu, and Foie Gras Panna Cotta

The Filling Station’s Chef Ben Ford’s Seared Scallops with Pea Sprout Salad, Preserved Lemon and Toasted Hazelnuts

Gastropub’s heavenly Venus Clams with Tabasco Butter and Reyes Blue Mousse…and beer!! The beer would be Noble Ale Works Spicoli

And, lastly, the meat options!
I started out light with Alma’s Chef Ari Taymor’s Beef Tartare with Fermented Walnuts and Blackberries. It was a divine balance of savory, nutty and sweet!

Alma’s Chef Ari Taymor’s Beef Tartare with Fermented Walnuts and Blackberries

The line was out of control for this one:

Chianina’s Steakhouse’s Chef David Coleman’s Spit Roasted Whole Chianina Beef Leg Trio, California Style BBQ Sliders, House Made Corn Tortillas, and Grilled Flatbread with Pickled Ramps

And, the eating & drinking didn’t end when the event did!

With new friends, s’moresing it up around the fire pit at the VIP reception

I stayed on for the special VIP reception, where I got to enjoy more of what the Montage chefs had to offer, got to meet the chefs, and eat s’mores!

Clearly excited to meet Chef Ben Ford (fun fact? He’s also Harrison Ford’s son)

The VIP reception eats, courtesy of The Montage:

Fried Mac & cheese balls

Fried Lobster

Grilled Cheese & Sweet Tomato Bisque

My FAVE!!

Foie Gras Cones

S’mores!!!

Late night antics in the photobooth with new friends:

Why yes, there WERE cigars

So, NOW, it’s your chance. Tickets for the LA Taste of The Nation event at Media Park in Culver City are on sale now! General admission tickets are $110 and VIP tickets are $160. I say, go ahead and spend that extra $50 because it’s for my FAVORITE cause, and you get all that VIP access you’re gonna want. And talk about a romantic date!! Be sure to bring your sweetheart, because what’s better than eating, drinking and being with the one you adore?

Feed the kiddos by tasting to your heart’s content!

I’ll see YOU there!

xoxo,

Dawn

Audrey Hepburn: Her Loving Heart Inspires Me Every Day

Posted on May 4, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

This original Jo Almeida painting of Audrey Hepburn hangs in my foyer.

Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, by Jo Almeida - one of my favorite artists

It’s the first thing everyone sees it as they walk into my home, and that is no accident. Audrey’s at the heart of my home – in the foyer as you enter, to welcome guests, and in the kitchen, the heart of the home.

In my home, Audrey is at the heart of it: in the foyer as you enter to welcome guests, and in the kitchen, the heart of the home.

While she played the seemingly free-spirited Holly Golightly, Audrey was anything but.

As a child in post-World War II Holland, Audrey never forgot her humble beginnings of carrying smuggled Allied notes in her ballet slippers, and the help she received from UNICEF.

Young Audrey Hepburn

As a UNICEF ambassador herself in later years, Audrey worked tirelessly to help children all over the world, the way UNICEF had helped her.

Audrey Hepburn and her giving heart

My painting of Audrey hangs in a corner where it is reflected in an antique mirror, where I can see both her and myself, as I pass by. That, too, is no accident. It’s to remind me that as my dreams come true, my job is to help make dreams come true for others.

Audrey as UNICEF Ambassador

I am so thankful to have been introduced to the lady and legend who is Audrey Hepburn at a tender age by my big brother David McCoy, as it taught me early on that your life must be balanced with giving back as much as you get. Every time I see this painting, I am reminded of that as her external beauty was only overshadowed by her beautiful heart. I aspire to give as much.

Audrey Hepburn: Her love had no limits.

Later today, I’m announcing a movement that I hope will inspire girls and women all over the world. I don’t think it’s an accident at all, that we’re launching it on what would have been Audrey’s 86th birthday. Happy, happy birthday, Audrey Hepburn. Thank you for inspiring us all with your beautiful heart. May we help others half as much as you did.

A "deer" heart.

xoxo,
Dawn

Party for Pediatrics With MaxLove Brand & Me!

Posted on March 5, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

You are cordially invited to…

You're cordially invited to…The MaxLove Project BrandTrunk Show

Come join me for a very special MaxLove trunk show at Wood and Vine, on Wednesday, March 11th at 8 pm. Come enjoy the photo booth, get creative at the Brave Bead Bar, and more!

Come get creative at the bead bar!

Proceeds go to The MaxLove Project, which helps children fighting pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases, and their families, thrive.

*Fun (philanthropic) fact? The founder of the organization, Audra Wilford, was recently one of 4,000 women nominated for L’Oreal’s Women of Worth Award, and she was a top ten finalist! Below are some links:

Hope you can make it to make lives for these kiddos just a bit sweeter! Look forward to seeing you there.

xoxo,
Dawn

Pay It Forward: #GivingTuesday with No Kid Hungry

Posted on December 1, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

This past Thursday, we spent all day giving thanks and eating delicious food.

This Tuesday – tomorrow – let’s pay it forward.

Pay it forward with No Kid Hungry

Every $1 donated to No Kid Hungry can help connect a hungry child with up to 10 meals. This year, if you donate tomorrow, on Giving Tuesday, all donations will be matched up to $50,000!

That means we have the opportunity to help kids connect with up to ONE MILLION MEALS!

So, skip a latte this week and donate that $5 to No Kid Hungry. And if you can, donate more.
There’s no greater gift than the gift of feeding a hungry child.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: How will donating to No Kid Hungry make you feel?

Thirsty Thursday: How2Girl Courtney Bingham-Sixx’s Signature Strawberry Mojito

Posted on November 6, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

I had the pinkest pleasure of attending How 2 Girl, Courtney Bingham-Sixx’s Think Pink Ladies Luncheon a few weeks ago at her & her husband, Nikki Sixx’s, gorgeous home in Westlake Village.

All the lovely ladies at How2Girl Courtney Bingham-Sixx's Think Pink Ladies Luncheon

The reason? To team up with Bright Pink Org and honor breast cancer awareness month by raising both awareness and money for breast cancer research.

She had pink cupcakes, a DIY Glam Your Ribbon station and more!

How 2 Girl's DIY Glam Ribbon Station

While the cause was one I’m proud to support and the company was just the sweetest, the cocktails were a sight to behold!

Thirsty Thursday: How2Girl Signature Strawberry Mojito

Thirsty Thursday: How2Girl Courtney Bingham-Sixx's Signature Strawberry Mojito

Here is Courtney’s How2Girl Signature Strawberry Mojito. Courtney says, “This refreshing combo of fresh fruit and fizz will have you feeling like you are at a spa on a tropical vacation, without having to leave the house.”

Here’s what you’ll need:

2 c SodaStream Strawberry Soda

6 strawberries quartered

1/2 bunch mint leaves

3 large limes

1 c white sugar

1 c rum

8 c crushed ice

raspberries for garnish

How2Girl’s Directions:

Pour 1/4 to 1/2 inch of sugar onto a small, shallow plate. Run one of the lime quarters around the rim of each cocktail glass, then dip the glasses into the sugar to rim; set aside.
Whip out your SodaStream, and make yourself a batch of Strawberry Soda.
Squeeze all of the lime quarters into a sturdy glass pitcher. Toss the juiced limes into the pitcher along with the mint, strawberries, and 1 cup of sugar. Crush the fruits together with a muddler, to release the juices from the strawberries and the oil from the mint leaves. Stir in the rum and Strawberry Soda until the sugar has dissolved. Pour into the sugared glasses over ice cubes, add in a raspberry and enjoy!

xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: What’s your current favorite cocktail?