Finnigan's RPG

So, spent the night at Mungo's regrowing a broken wrist. Note to parents: your children are obviously more than welcome in my shoppe, I love to see them in and they love the things we sell, but please keep them under your feet when you visit, instead of under mine, will you? Tripping over a toddler and trying to catch myself and make sure the little cherub doesn't get hurt in the meantime does not make for a graceful fall. At least she got out without a scratch.

Skell-o-grow still tastes like utter shite, for those who were wondering.

Sorry for closing the shoppe earlier yesterday, but, you know, when Healers tell you to floo right over, you floo.

[Warded to Lavender] -- Between the two of us, we're quite a pair these days. Of course, all mine took was a nasty cup of warm you-know-what. Can I bring you dinner tonight? Take away and wine and being utterly lazy?

[Private to Cormac]

Cormac,

I just received the most amazing gift basket. After that, you can be as brash as you want. I hope we have so many that we lose count.

I'm feeling very spoilt right now, so I'm going to bring some of these goodies to your place where I believe that you've promised to keep me in bed for the rest of the day. So we'll need the champagne to rehydrate later, right?!

You know, if my life were a cake, you would be the icing on the top. The cake is perfectly fine on its own, but the icing makes it so much sweeter. Life is good with you in it.

Actually, I don't know why I'm writing all this when I could be there with you (and giving you your gift). I'll see you soon.

Love,

Lavender

Warded to Lavender: ...for a whole week, no interruptions. Or, as much as you can? My ten days off start this Friday, and I don't intend to let you out of bed for Saturday at least, so you'd better let the Ministry know. (PS. You're my Valentine, right?)

There are a couple of holidays coming up, and here at Sweet Nothings we have a couple of recommendations:

For those of you who observe and celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’re adding a couple of things to the menu for this week only:

Strawberry & Champagne Cupcakes
Our Strawberry & Champagne Cupcakes are a light vanilla sponge soaked with Champagne syrup, filled with strawberry & champagne preserve, topped with a champagne cream cheese frosting and a white chocolate truffle.

Raspberry Kiss - 6-8 servings
A decadent chocolate sponge layered with chocolate meringue buttercream and luxurious raspberry jam. The combination of fresh raspberries with bittersweet melt-in-the-mouth chocolate is a match made in heaven.

We’re also doing Cupcake Hearts this year: A large heart with 30 cupcakes and a small heart with 12 cupcakes. Each is made to order where you decide the cupcake combination as well as the message.

~*~

For those of you Anti-Valentine’s Dayers out there, we offer:

Kalamansi Lime Mousse
A refreshing mousse of quark and Kalamansi Lime on a base of Duchess bisquit with a center of raspberry compote.

Black Forest Cupcakes
An amazing bittersweet treat; our deepest, darkest chocolate cake baked with Griottine cherries, topped with Kirsch and vanilla cream cheese frosting. Sprinkled with dark chocolate shavings and a cherry on top.

~*~

And finally, for those of you who will simply be celebrating that February 14th is a Saturday this year:

Raspberry Mojito Cupcakes
Tart lime cake filled with rum infused raspberry filling topped with fresh mint buttercream make these Raspberry Mojito Cupcakes the perfect treat!

~*~

All of these cakes will be available starting tomorrow. For now, I will enjoy the rest of my day off, by celebrating today’s holiday: Read in Your Bathtub Day.

[Warded to Melinda]:
Out of nowhere, about two weeks ago, I told Lavender I love her. This is brand new territory for me. I need sweets, desperately, my lovely neighbor. I'm eating my feelings. And by "my feelings," by the way, I mean "FEAR". I'm eating my fear. But I also want a nice basket of treats to send to Lavender at her office, any suggestions? You're the best, not that I need to tell you that.

Public:
MacLaggen's will be closed from the 13th of Feburary to the 23rd. Customized orders will still be out via owl that week, but new orders and the storefront will be totally closed. All is well and we'll be back to our normal schedule after the 23rd and I look forward to seeing you all before and after my break.

Warded to Melinda: Gorgeous neighbor of mine - I want to do something nice for Lavender. I've never really had to think of nice things to do for witches before (got by on my good looks and charm, of course, and when that didn't work I always had my family money!). I'm planning on taking a week off sometime soon and figure it's still a little early to go away on holiday together or anything like that, but what do you think? Something else? I get her flowers sometimes, and have cooked for her, and of course know good wine, but... I don't know. What do you think?

Warded to Lavender: I miss you, I want you, when are you free?


Public: Thinking of shutting the shop for a week or so in the coming month, but haven't decided yet. Either way, a heads up you might want to get in any long term orders now just in case. I figure it's just post holiday season, so it shouldn't be too busy, right? What do you all think?

I hope all of you out there is enjoying Christmas. I know I am. Things are fairly busy this year with more people recognising the wonders of using amazing cakes for centrepieces, which makes for some interesting challenges for me.

That being said, this year’s yule logs are a hit. Just last week we’ve had two groups of customers in to learn how to make the almond pinecones and this week we’ve another planned for Thursday right after closing.

New Years is coming up very soon, so now’s the time to get any orders for New Year’s Eve in.

In other news; on January 1st, I will be taking over full ownership of Sweet Nothings. It was always the plan to have the shop be closed the first two weeks of January for renovations, but with these new changes, Sweet Nothings will be closed for all of January, with a grand opening and revealing of a slightly new concept and a brand new menu. Those of you who have already ordered for special occasions in January, you can rest assured that they will still be done, and I will be taking in a few more orders, should the occasion rise, but it’ll be on a case by case basis.

[Private to Bryn]
As the shop will be closed for all of January rather than just the originally planned 2 weeks, I wanted to hear if you’d be interested in doing the hours you’re usually here on something else (like delivery or helping with the new menu)?

[Private to Cho, Marietta, and Roger]
So
I
Yeah
Oliver

Ward to Melinda: Neighbor, darling, woman I worship (only in appropriate ways, I swear. See? I'm learning). You are a miracle worker. Now let's just hope Lavender likes it (oh Merlyn let's hope she doesn't make me shave, I've already gotten used to it).

[Warded to Melinda]: Neighbor, darling, how are you? I have a favor to ask...

[Warded to Lavender]: Hey pretty girl. My parents are having a Christmas to do, starting with brunch on the 21st (it's a Sunday) and then gift exchanging (some of our relatives - the Changs - have muggles in their family) and then lots of drinks and dinner and a warm fireplace and my mother might even sing. Will you be my date? I know we haven't done the 'meeting the parents' thing yet, but I thought the evening might be much more bearable with you on my arm.

[Accidentally left unwarded]

Sometimes I think I'm becoming one of those people who complain that their bed feels too big when they sleep alone.

[Warded to Lavender] -- Today at the shop was absolute hell. After yesterday, how was I supposed to concentrate on anything but when I might get to see you again?

[Warded to Cormac]

You know, you're lucky that the Prides match doesn't clash with this charity auction.

I'd hate to have to choose between listening to Quidditch and seeing who's bid on your fine arse.

All this coming week (Tuesday-Saturday -- 8am-Noon & 3pm-7pm) we'll be having a buy one get one free sale on Gobstones sets as well as a 30% reduced rate on personalization of wizard Chess orders. You know you want your set to look like your family, or better yet, people you couldn't stand in grade school.

Due to false accusations unforseen circumstances, Sweet Nothings will be closed for the rest of the day.


[Private to Cho]
You may want to stay at the office for a while, just until I make this stop somehow.

Maybe I should go to the cottage? No, too close to Muggles and I can't muffle that many Howlers


[Private to Cormac]
I've strengthened the sound proofing ward on the rooftop, but you may want to do the same on your side. I'm sorry.


[Urgent Owl to Oliver Wood]
I take it you didn't get to read the article before it was published, and if you did.

I know you have practice right now and a match tomorrow, but you may want to take a look at today's Prophet.

-Melinda

( Private to Alicia re: quidditch )

( Private to Lavender re: working out in more ways than one (potentially nsfw language) )

[Warded to Lavender] -- Were you trying to kill me last night? You, running Dueling Club, in bright red lipstick.

I swear to Gryffindor himself, woman.

Are you watching the Pride game tomorrow night?

[Warded to Seamus] -- was hoping to bring in some of Sweet Nothings' specialty cakes for the Pride game - Pride fans can have them, no charge or anything, but wanted to check with you? The match will be playing Thursday night, yeah? - Cormac

[Warded to Sweet Nothings] -- Melinda, I was hoping to put in an order of the Pride pastries you made for opening week, are they still at all on the menu?

[Warded to Lavender]

Lavender, I wanted to thank you for taking the time on Tuesday to go over those charms ideas with the Dueling Club. I think everyone had some pretty good ideas - though I'm proud of being the one who came up with it, of course. Might you let me thank you properly? I cook a mean duck a l'orange and now that I know you like wine, I have a great bottle of Côtes-du-Rhône just begging to be drunk on my rooftop before fall fully takes London over.