Cookies to Go!

I have some exciting news!!! First of all, I had my first shipment order!  A friend from school ordered half a dozen sugar cookies to be shipped to her friend for her birthday!  I created daisies, tulips and butterflies with pink and purple icing and sprinkles (and of course sparkles).  If they get there successfully thanks to USPS, I may start shipping more and more- no cakes, just cookies and other baked goods! 

I used pink and purple ribbon to make the box look super special and added a fake flower to tie it all together.  There may be snow on the ground, but I wanted the gift to look like a burst of spring, and fun! 

What are your thoughts?

Do you want to know what the 2nd half of the good news was?!  The interior designer I used to work for (who has this MOST AMAZING BLOG!) featured my blog in one of her posts!  Be sure to check her blog out, www.adasinteriordesign.com/blog, she offers economical design tips and inspiration (on life too!)  If you're having a bad day, definitely check out her blog and even her portfolio, her designs, colors, and words are such an inspiration to be a happy and loving person.  So thanks Ada! 

BAKE ON!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!!  Even if you're not with your loved one today, or even if you don't have a specific sweetheart- I hope you had a great day!  I don't believe in all of the hustle and bustle of V-day, but believe you should try and enjoy every moment you have with all of your loved ones (for me...my boyfriend who lives 800 miles away, and my nephew...who lives 8 minutes away! two of the most special people in my life!)

Instead of doing the typical box of chocolates for my boyfriend (he's not a big chocolate fan) I created these cupcakes below which I got inspiration from a cupcake book (Hello, Cupcake!) to make them LOOK like a box of chocolates! I used conversation hearts, M&M's, sprinkles, and chocolate molds that I made to decorate the top of the mini-cupcakes!  What do you think?

And for fun...we went to see the Blue Man Group in Chicago on Saturday night (AMAZING!) Then on Sunday after our lovely brunch - we ventured around Millennium Park and found a great chocolate shop around the corner from our hotel where we experimented with an Irish Cream Chocolate, a Hazelnut Cream Chocolate and a Peanut Butter filled Chocolate... YUM! 

 I loved spending time with my boyfriend- because isn't that what V-day is all about, being with your loved ones?  Not necessarily impressing them with fancy chocolates, or jewelry- but to find a neat way to say I Love You (even though you say it everyday)!  Happy Valentine's Day to everyone... just know you are loved by someone, somewhere- and they love you everyday- not just today!
BAKE ON :)

My Signature...

I guess I have found what my signature cake and cupcake is...MINNIE MOUSE!  This is now my third time making this cake and cupcakes- however this time I had a new twist to it.  Take a look and see what is different!!

This Minnie Mouse cake is only one layer! And I made the bow different...it was a challenge trying to get the fondant to swirl into a bow like that.  I love this cake...next time I'll have to spice it up again - any suggestions?

These cupcakes took FOREVER!  The ears, bows, white polka dots and '1' medallions were all made from fondant.    Yet they came out fun and classy...even if Carmen was only turning 1!!!  Hope she enjoyed them :)


Bake on!