A New Hope Confections

09/16/2026

This month has been a lot. We’re sorry if you’ve messaged us and we’ve not gotten back to you…

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Douglas (née Smallhorne), Carraig Mhór, Clonmellon Co. Westmeath. Margaret passed away peacefully in Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar surrounded by her family. https://rip.ie/death-notice/margaret-douglas-westmeath-642227

08/28/2026

A lot has been happening lately and I haven’t found the words for it all…we moved…things went sideways… and so I haven’t quite managed to gather a life update… yet.

so here are my emotional support ceilings.

They, also, have a lot going on.

in case you could use something beautiful today too. Which is your fave?!?

frescoes, gold mosaics and some very dramatic ceilings in Rome, Florence and Ariccia… apparently my version of a comfort watch.

07/24/2026

Ahh thank you all so much for commenting and for being interested in our restate sale…. it seriously means so much!!

We made a Facebook event where we’ll be dropping little sneak peeks of all the goodies — furniture, Disney magic, random household treasures, and probably a few “why do we even own this?” items 😂

Here’s the link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JPKc19bAq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Definitely RSVP so you don’t miss anything! Space inside is a bit tight, so we might have to do timed entry or limit how many people come in at once depending on turnout — we’ll keep everyone posted there!

If you’re not local (or just love online shopping in your pajamas), we also have a Depop shop with super low shipping:
https://depop.app.link/vXJtpRHSY4b

Thank you again for supporting us — truly. Every little bit helps us get closer to starting our new life in Italy… and maybe, just maybe, finally owning a kitchen sink 😂🇮🇹

Here’s some pics of the gatti you’re helping become Italian! And the hubby you’re helping reunite with his family on a more frequent basis and a girl who dreams of history being fun and accessible for everyone!

07/22/2026

🚨 BIG MOVING SALE — EVERYTHING MUST GO! 🚨

We are moving to Italy, so we are clearing out an entire apartment full of furniture, Disney treasures, small-business supplies, craft equipment, kitchenware, and more!

📅 July 24th
⏰ 4:00 PM–9:00 PM

Jenna will be joining via FaceTime from Italy, and Dean will be at the apartment helping everyone shop!

We have:

✨ Small-business startup supplies
✨ Jewelry-making tools and craft bundles
✨ Sewing machine and sewing supplies
✨ Furniture and home décor
✨ Glassware, cookware, and kitchen items
✨ A tent and equipment for starting markets, vendor events, and pop-ups
✨ Tons of Disney clothing, collectibles, décor, and other Disney items
✨ Baking, candy-making, and chocolate-making supplies
✨ Books, household items, storage, and lots of unexpected treasures

We will also be emptying the fridge and drink cabinet, sooooo there may be snacks and possibly even drinks while you shop. 🍿🥂

Come browse, make offers, and help us send these things to new homes before the move!

Please message me for the address and any questions. 💕🇮🇹

There is a Facebook event I’ll put up a link to!

06/25/2026

WE CAN RESURRECT HER. 🕯️

I’m not being dramatic (I am). But there is a woman buried under her husband’s name and we have located the body — at AUCTION, no less — and we are bringing her back whether the curators like it or not. 💅

Meet Virginia da Vezzo (1601–1638): working *pittrice,* signed her own canvases, got her face engraved in 1626 with the word PITTRICE stamped around her head like a verified badge. The girl had RECEIPTS. And then she married Simon Vouet and four hundred years of art historians went “who?? the wife??” Sweetie. SHE WAS THE PLOT.

Oldest reunion-couch move in the book: be undeniable, marry the man, watch him take the confessional. And the diabolical part? No villain in the room. Just a marriage, a workshop, and an attribution system that quietly decided whose name a canvas deserved. They erased her and called it a love story. We’re calling it what it is. 🥂

So we did the unholy thing and found her on the auction block. One painting sold for FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SEVEN DOLLARS. A woman who painted alongside the Caravaggisti, priced like a Zara dress. I am SO normal about this. (Not this one… this one is 40k)

Here’s the resurrection clause: she’s not dead. She was never dead. You just stopped saying her name. So say it. 🪦➡️👑

Wanna raise her with me? 🔮
📖 Read my Substack for the full story — link in stories.
📲 App: Invaluable
🔍 Search her under all three: Virginia Vouet / Virginia da Vezzo / Virginia Vezzi (they filed her three different ways — that’s the erasure in real time)

You didn’t know her. Now you do.

🏷️ BaroqueTok OldMastersTea ONCE VelvetAndVenom artherstory caravaggio

06/24/2026

Things are moving at a glacial pace. But I got a few more things up today!!! Yay! Check out the Depop link in our stories!

06/16/2026

One Last Happiest Hour Before We Move to Italy

After years of chocolate deliveries, adventures, Disney stories, late-night laughs, and making memories with all of you, it's time for our next chapter.

Before we trade Florida sunsets for Roman piazzas, join us for one final night of celebration as we say arrivederci and toast to the future.

✨ Saturday, June 27, 2026
✨ 8:30 PM – Midnight
✨ Pointe Orlando
✨ Check-In at Sports & Social Host Stand

Please, please, please, RSVP in stories so we can keep track of numbers!

🥂 Free cover at all venues
🚗 Validated parking
🍹 Drink specials all night
🍕 Half-price food specials from 8–10 PM
🎯 Bull rides, darts, shuffleboard, co****le & b**r pong
🎶 Live DJs & entertainment

Come raise a glass, share a memory, and help us celebrate one last Happiest Hour before we begin our Italian adventure.

🍋 Dress code: Livin' La Dolce Vita
Think Lizzie Mcguire, lemons, linen shirts, flowing dresses, Riviera glamour, espresso bars, vintage Italy, and summer nights under the stars.

We can't wait to celebrate with you all.

Salute! 🥂
Jenna & Dean

06/04/2026

SHIPPING DATES ARE OPEN To celebrate where it all began, we are dropping our Retrospective Collection—the final batches of our chocolate history before we pack up the kitchen for good.

(Every order helps us furnish our DREAM so thank you!!!)

🚨 HOW TO GET YOUR BOX (PICKUP OR SHIPPING): 🚨
• 📦 PICKUP & SHIPPING BOTH AVAILABLE: Good news! You can choose to have your retrospective boxes shipped directly to your door, OR you can select local pickup to grab them from us before we head overseas!
• 📅 THE BATCH SCHEDULE: We are rolling these final boxes out across three specific blocks (available for both pickup and shipping):
◦ Batch 1: June 23rd & 24th
◦ Batch 2: July 14th & 15th
◦ Batch 3: July 21st & 22nd
• 💳 PAYMENT: To help us manage this massive transition, we will send an invoice for payment 3 weeks prior to your selected batch dates above.

What’s in the Retrospective? 🍫

This is a celebration of the boxes and flavors that started it all. We’re bringing back:
• 🥜 The Originals: Our very first peanut butter flavors.
• 🍍 Park Classics: The legendary Faux Whip (our take on Dole Whip!).
• 🎓 Galaxies Far Away: The Star Wars Graduation set is officially back.
• 🎉 Celebration Staples: Birthday Buttons, Happily Ever After, and more!

✨ HAVE A SPECIAL REQUEST? ✨ Is there a past favorite you’re dying to taste one last time? Let us know! We are accepting special requests on orders so we can give your favorites a proper send-off.

Space in these final blocks is strictly limited by the remaining supplies we have on hand. Once they are full, this chapter officially closes.

06/04/2026

SAVE THE LAST BATCH FOR… you — a curated retrospective of boxes featuring the absolute best of our historical magical chocolate archives.

This is your last chance to hold the magic, taste the obsession, and own a piece of this sweet little era before the tempering machine becomes a historical artifact.

THE TERMS OF THE ACQUISITION:
THE SHIPPING WINDOWS: We are running exactly two elite batches.

👉 Batch One: Ships June 23rd & 24th
👉 Batch Two: Ships July 14th & 15th
THE PRICING: A single box of pure luxury is $47, or secure a double order for $87 (shipping calculated at checkout).

THE CRUEL TRUTH: Space is strictly limited. There is no restock, no hidden vault, and no extensions. This is first-come, first-served. When the spots are gone, they disappear into the shadows of the Tiber forever.

If you have been waiting for a special occasion, this is your final curtain call.

Link drops at 10am tomorrow June 4th! Make sure to claim your box before the archives are sealed. 🛒🍫

And just in case… As you know, on July 7th I fly out to take up residence inside an ancient thought in the Castelli Romani hills. The ceilings are cathedral-height, the ghosts are strictly 19th-century intellectuals, and the kitchen... well, it doesn't exist. The universe decided that after 15 years of whispering this dream into existence, I should live on w**e, espresso, and pure adrenaline.

Which brings us to the tragedy: The chocolate kitchen is officially closing. But we aren't slipping away quietly. We are going out with a grand, final performance.

To everyone who made this era so impossibly sweet: thank you. Let’s make this final batch a masterpiece. 💋