Valentine’s Day is one month from today (February 14th) and to celebrate we are releasing a new limited-edition cookie flavor.  We want your ideas for a luscious, delicious, festive cookie of love, you can even name it. If we pick your cookie flavor, you’ll win a dozen free cookies from Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams. Please write your ideas here in our “comments” section or post them on Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams Facebook page.

Entries must be received by this Sunday, January 17th, 2010.

Last year we featured: “Heart-Pumping Cherry Chocolate: Sweet dried cherries cuddle up with hand cut chunks of Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate in a rich, seductive chocolate hug that’s sure to make love taste sweeter.”

As always, 3% of all profits go to Donorschoose.org to support public school education in Austin and New York City.

What will this year’s cookie be? You tell us!

Sweetly,

Alexandra

Yesterday I was in Office Max, crowded with eager kids and teens shopping with their grown-ups for new school supplies.  I could see the excitement of a fresh school year, a clean start, a chance to learn, socialize, accomplish and grow. The new paper, pens and binders serving as a physical example to the children of the investment both monetarily and emotionally that their families are contributing. As I strolled up and down the aisles, I reminisced about my days back in school and how proud I felt when I got a good grade on hard test or made the winning stroke in a tennis match.

Don’t all kids deserve to feel a sense of accomplishment in school?

This is not a trick question and the obvious answer is yes. The trick is how do we create an environment where this is possibility. The list of needed improvements in our public schools is lengthy, and attempting to tackle the list could understandable overwhelm the noblest attempt. Many of the desperately needed changes are simple in their design but remain unimplemented due to political disparities, lack of monetary distribution or unfortunately a societal list of priorities that doesn’t place our children and teachers in the forefront. With that being said, the situation is not hopeless and there are many things we can do on a daily basis that will make positive changes in our schools and children.

Personally, I suggest donating to DonorsChoose.org. It is an incredible organization  that allows individuals to donate directly to the public school and lesson plan of their choice. Simply put, teachers fill-out detailed forms requesting the supplies they need and how these supplies will be implemented into the curriculum. The materials can be as basic as pens and paper to books, art supplies, even sporting equipment. As the donor, you read through the requests and select what project(s) you would like to support, donating the total amount needed or just a small portion. Clearly every cent is valuable. The schools are categorized by location, grade level, subject, urgency and school’s poverty level. Once a project has been funded, DonorsChoose.org purchases and delivers the materials directly to the school, guaranteeing every donated cent is used. I think the final part of the process is the most valuable for the children and helps raise their level of self-esteem. Once the students have used the materials, the teacher and students write (or draw for younger children) thank you notes to the donor. Understanding that people support your education and believe in you is a powerful message, especially when it comes from strangers.

According to DonorsChoose.org’s website, the organization was “pioneered by teachers at a Bronx, New York public high school in 2000 who saw first-hand the scarcity of material in the public school classrooms. They created a nation-wide website as a forum for citizens to donate directed contributions that provide materials for out-lined projects in public schools.”

At Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams we donate 3% of all profits to support New York and Austin Public Schools with the highest poverty level through DonorsChoose.org . I love this organization because it is so simple, direct and immediately helps our children today. As a former school teacher, I couldn’t be more impressed with the work this organization is doing. Otherwise teachers would need to pay for these projects out of their own salary or forfeit the curriculum all together.

You can check out the Sharing Page here at Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams website to learn about the projects ‘ACD’ has supported and read quotes from the teachers who submitted the proposals. I think this is the best way to kick start the school year. Click here to go directly to DonorsChoose.org website. You’ll be glad you did.

Let me know your thoughts on this organization …

Sweetly,

Alexandra

The Winner of 2 Months of Free ACD Cookies is …  Stacy Jacobs from Illinois. Congratulations Stacy! At ACD we love giving cookies away, so please check back often to enter our latest cookie contests!

ACD ON TWITTER! Come follow us http://twitter.com/acookiedreams

We are thrilled to announce that ACD is now featured in our first and only retail location, at the Austin coffeehouse, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which is now open for business! “The Bean” features our full line of cookie flavors both in their bakery case and packaged for “to-go”. We couldn’t be more excited! 221 South Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas.

By now you may have noticed that when I find something I love, be it a restaurant, town, store, product or even movie, I love to rave about it and share it with you. After all, that’s how I find out about some of life’s greatest pleasures. This week I’m thrilled to brag about three awesome summer picks.

Notes On Cooking: The new book from authors, Chef Lauren Braun Costello and Russell Reich, offering short, useful & insightful tips on cooking. The detailed book ranges from basic instruction “Don’t crowd the pan” to sophisticated advice, “Match the oil to the cooking method, the lighter the oil the higher the temperature at which it begins to break down and smoke” (I never knew!) I learned a lot of easy to incorporate tricks to make cooking at home not only look professional but taste delicious too. I love the tone of Notes on Cooking because it is directive yet simple enough for the novice cook to follow. My favorite section is near the end, titled “Classic Combinations“, which lists several pages of food pairings that demonstrate, “the symbiosis and synergy of powerful food combinations“. Think “star anise & mint“, “prawns & sirloin” and “truffles & leeks“. This book makes the perfect gift for a recent grad, someone living on their own for the first time, or anyone who wants to polish and refine their cooking skills.  Purchase it at Amazon. List price $21.95.

Love & Luck Jewelry: The new hot line (only open 1 month!) and already a success, by designer Casey Singer, combining semi-precious and natural materials, diamonds, and gold, in cool, hipster fashion. Mrs. Singer surely has the skills to venture out on her own, having spent many years learning and working for some of the most prominent luxury brands in the world; Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpel and Jennifer Miller Jewelry (personally one of my favorite jewelry stores). Well, her training paid off and we get to wear the benefits. Her debut collection centers around coral and jade Buddhas (there’s where the “Luck” in the name comes in) suspended from long gold chains, perfect for adding a cool touch to a white T-shirt or sundress this summer. Casey is busy at work expanding her collection and she’s says, “new pieces are coming out everyday, so keep checking back to see what’s happening at Love & Luck“. Right now there are two ways to purchase pieces from her the line. You can contact Casey directly at cznorth@aol.com, or at Jennifer Miller Jewelry stores (located in NYC, Southampton, East Hampton and Palm Beach). To keep updated on Casey’s newest collections, join Love & Luck’s Jewelry Facebook page and become a fan, I know I have! Prices start at $300.00

YummieTummie: For the past year my mother has been raving about YummieTummie, the “modern contouring shaper” by designer Heather Thomson, saying how soft, comfortable and slimming they are. Well as the saying goes, “Mama knows”! I recently received my first YummieTummie shipment which included two “Tanks” in black and white. I’m now 6 months pregnant and not feeling so slender, so for me to rave about anything that fits snugly over my belly is a shocker. However, the fabric is perfect; soft, lightweight with enough stretch to hold you in but not make you feel like a potato stuffed inside a sack, which many body shaping devices can do. For me the most exciting part was being able to shop in my own closet again. The night I received my YummieTummie, I put in on under a dress that I hadn’t worn since last summer (when I wasn’t pregnant) and knew I would avoid this summer, and the dress fit really well! I was thrilled and wore it out dinner. They even sell “Nursing T’s”, which is something I’ll need in a few months and that I know I can’t already find in my closet. I’m a devoted fan, and you will be too! Check out their collection on their online shop. Prices start at $62.00

Enjoy!

Sweetly,

Alexandra

Now you can follow ACD on TWITTER:

ACD Partners With Our First Retail Location! You ask, you get! Thank you to everyone who urged ACD to join the local retail market, we listened and we are ecstatic about our new partnership with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Now you can buy an individual ACD cookie right here in Austin! Here are some pictures from the first opening night party.

We are thrilled to announce that ACD will now be featured in our first and only retail location, at the soon-to-open Austin coffeehouse, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Opening on Saturday, on June 13th, “The Bean” will feature our full line of cookie flavors both in their bakery case and packaged for “to-go”. We couldn’t be more excited! We know you’ll love “The Bean” as much as we do. Be sure to swing by and check out their No Sugar Added Vanilla Ice Blended, at ACD we are addicted!

Just like ACD, supports public education in Austin & NYC through the organization DonorsChoose.org, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is also committed to helping our local Austin community by partnering with local non-profit organizations, Heart Gift and Blue Dog Rescue as it’s official charitable partners.

The Details: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 221 S Lamar Austin, TX 78704 (512) 555 -1212 http://www.coffeebeanaustin.com

Opening Saturday June 13th, 2009

Sweetly,

Alexandra

A friend of mine from high school just sent me this picture of her adorable kids, Logan and Skye, eating Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams Toffee Doodle Dream cookies. These kids are ridiculously cute and I couldn’t resist sharing the photo. Children eating cookies could be my new favorite photo theme. It used to be images of my parent’s daschund Lulu’s long ears blowing in the wind.  I’m really maturing!

Sweetly,

Alexandra

This Wednesday December 24th, Alexandra & ACD will be featured on “News 8 Austin” (Channel 8 in Austin) Live A.M. segment sharing last minute easy and inexpensive holiday ideas for gift-giving and entertaining. 

5 segments will air on “News 8 Austin” through out the day. Each will focus on a different fun and festive idea that you and your children can make together at home in just minutes, like our White Chocolate Peppermint Tortilla Temptation (photo right). I bet you already have the ingredients in your cupboard…so it’s not too late to spice up your holiday table and to share the festive spirit with your family and friends.

For those who don’t live in Austin or may be traveling on  Dec. 24th, on Wednesday we will happily post on our blog, Talk Is Sweet, all the shortcuts, details, tips and recipes that Alexandra demonstrated on the Live A.M. segments. You will see how simple and inexpensive it is to create delicious gifts and an eye catching holiday table.

ACD Wishes You a Delicious Holiday and Sweet New Year!

A personal note from Alexandra & ACD

From all of us at Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams, we want to truly thank you for your generosity, encouragement, participation and enthusiasm in making our first 5 months of business a success. We wish you and your family a peaceful, joyous and fabulous holiday season and New Year!

Sweetly,

Alexandra & The ACD Cookie Dream Team

* Please note that ACD and “Our Shop” will be closed from Thursday December 25th until Sunday January 4th. If you would like ACD cookies during that time, please contact us now so we make arrangements for you. Thank you!

CustomerService@AlexandrasCookieDreams.com
Phone: 512.482.8210
Fax: 512.482.8241

Fall Is Here When…

1. World Series is on. Philly is in the World Series for the first time in 15 years. Rich, being from Philly, is ecstatic, as am I. Not because I’m a baseball fan, but because it guarantees me at least 20 hours of chick flick movie watching while Rich is in his Phillies T-shirt on the couch, clapping and cheering on his boys.

2. I  wore my thin leather jacket last night. The weather has finally cooled down in Austin! The temperature is actually hovering around the 50-degree mark at night. Next, I’ll take out my boots!

3. Halloween is around the corner. I love any holiday that involves sweet treats, children and a reason to have fun. Halloween falling on a Friday this year only exponentially increases its’ fun factor. Earlier this week, our ACD Cookie Scoop Subscribers received a new upgraded and prettier version of our enewletter, which included an exclusive Halloween Cookie and Packaging that is not sold on our website. If you would like to learn more about “Chocolate Fright Night” just sign up here for The ACD Cookie Scoop, and we will send you all the details.

Just hurry up because after Halloween this cookie will disappear.

Also November 2^nd is the last day to receive the Early Order Discount for Corporate and Large Order Holiday gifting. Check out ACD Holiday Collection 2008 for decadent, memorable and easy holiday gifting.

Austin Film Festival 2008
Last week was the Austin Film Festival, which is a fun time in Austin as the “Stars” of Hollywood come out (and I don’t mean Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock and Mathew McConaughey who get more mentions in Austin than Bush does in Washington). Last year I saw “Juno“, (before it was released in theaters) and I raved about it to anyone who would listen, I thought I had this clever eye for indie talent. Of course, ”Juno” when on to win an Oscar and I guess all of mainstream America shares my talent. This past Thursday we waited in line for two hours see “W.” at the Paramount Theater as part of opening Austin Film Festival festivities. This was a ‘red carpet’ event, ok more like red scrap of fabric event but it was guaranteeing attendance by Oliver Stone and several of the cast members. Rich and I were non-badge and non pass holders, basically lowest man on the festival totem poll, which meant we would get in after everyone else in the city who had a ticket to anything got in. Still always the optimist, Rich was convinced we’d make the cut. To make the line waiting tolerable, Rich bought a bottle of wine from the liquor store near the theater and poured into two paper coffee cups, stealth and class –that’s my man! Needless to say, as I predicted, when there were only two people left ahead of us, the festival usher  broke the news that we were boxed out of  “W.” In retrospect, after finally seeing “W.”  on Sunday night, I can honestly say I was annoyed that I spent two hours in line on Thursday and another 2 in the theater on Sunday. I waisted by $8.75 (yes, movie tickets are cheaper in Texas) and 4 hours of my life that I want back Mr. Stone- but again what do I know about movies?

ACD In 3D!

Onto a sweeter topic, Anne who is the head of The ACD Dream Team is also an incredible artist as well as cookie expert. Several weeks ago for my birthday, she built this dynamic “wonder box” that looks like what I envision the set of Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams, The Show would look like. I think she should sell them. Here is a photo, awesome right!

To see more of Anne’s work click here.

Be a Star!

Want to be part of Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams Comments page? You can! Last week we added “Comments” as an exciting way to share all the sweet words you have said about ACD. If you would like your thoughts to be added to this page just email us at customerservice@alexandrascookiedreams.com. If you have a website, please include it, so we can link your comments to your site. Thanks!
To share The ACD Cookie Scoop with your friends and family, have them sign up here.

Sweetly,
Alexandra

Last week we put the finishing touches on our E-Store and it’s now attached to the website, under the heading, “Our Shop”. Check it out, shop, and enjoy! We are thrilled to be fully operational!

I thought it would be fun to add an occasional section to my blog titled, “Alexandra’s Sweet Tips” - in this section I will share suggestions, ideas, and answer your questions about baking, the cookie business and my other passion, entertaining. I truly look forward to hearing from you and exchanging creative ideas and solutions. So please send me your thoughts!

Here’s my first tip:

When entertaining at home, whether it is hosting guests overnight or having friends or colleagues over for drinks or dinner, it is ideal to think through the eyes of your guests and try to create the most luxurious experience, which I call, “Living in the Hotel Dream”.  It takes a little forethought, but it is a simple way to relax and indulge your guests while marking you as the ultimate host.

So here’s Alexandra’s Sweet Tip #1 (with more to follow on this topic in later blogs)

The Guest Bathroom - Having lived in NYC most of my life, where space is limited, I’m personally aware that the title “Guest Bathroom” often really means “Your Bathroom,” but regardless the same techniques apply. Before your day guests arrive (I’ll write about over night guests in a later blog) put away anything personal, (toothbrush, toothbrush holder, bar of soap and soap dish, robe, towels, blow-dryer, etc.) so that you are left with an empty counter space and blank canvas to decorate. Next, thoroughly clean all surfaces and mirrors and make sure the shower door or curtain is clean and closed. Place a new roll of toilet paper in the holder and put extra wrapped rolls in a nearby-unexposed place, like under the sink cabinet. Near the sink, place a hand-pump soap and lotion (I love Voluspa in Burmese Rosewood because the scent is gender neutral). Add a neat stack of paper hand napkins on a tray (I use monogrammed paper napkins on a faux-snakeskin tray), or individual cloth napkins with a bin for disposing after use (separate from your garbage bin - perhaps lined in cloth to denote its’ purpose). Light a scented candle and add a simple arrangement of flowers or one individual flower in a bud vase. Finally, turn the lights off or to dim (most traditional On/Off light switches can easily be replaced with a dimmer- check with your local hardware store) in the bathroom and let the candle set the mood.

Please email me and let me know how you make your bathroom guest ready.

Sweetly,

Alexandra

Well the day is finally here and Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams (ACD) is live! It has been 9 months in the planning to create, design and build our company but truly 10 years in my mind. I have learned, what feels like an entire course in starting a business, (typical, it’s the one area I never studied in college!) and I have had the fortune of learning from extremely talented and generous business people in all industries, who were eager to share their experiences and knowledge with me. I hope through our blog, “Talk Is Sweet” and through our forum “Sweet Talking” (coming soon), I can pay it forward and become a resource, sounding board and friend for you to ask questions to, share ideas or just chat. I’m excited to learn from all of you!

And now to the personal thank-yous. I couldn’t have opened ACD without the incredible compassion, encouragement and love from my husband, Rich who has supported me always. My family and dearest friends have served as valuable resources, each using their own talents to better ACD and to create a loving circle of support and encouragement which I greatly appreciate!

So let the cookie chat begin…

Sweetly,

Alexandra