My Dream Wedding Cake?

I had the honor of being asked to create a cake display for a night celebrating talents in August for PhoenixONE. While thinking about what to create for this event, in the limited amount of time I had to create display items, I decided instead of multiple cakes, to decorate one, big, smashing cake. Since I don't have any samples of completed wedding cakes photographed to date, I decided to create a display wedding cake. This means that instead of yummy goodness inside, it simply has either Styrofoam or plastic underneath, but the same decor on the outside that a normal cake would.

Since the cake wasn't needed for a real wedding, and I wasn't working around any requests, I got to come up with the wedding cake I wanted to create, from scratch! It was kind of funny... well, designing my own wedding cake. When the big day occurs, who knows what decorative decisions I will actually make, but I got to incorporate some design elements I was really looking forward to demonstrating- the folds in the bustle of a wedding dress on the top of the cake, the sparkles, and the fabric embellishments. Some of my personal favorite wedding cakes incorporate elements from the dress, and bouquet. At the same time, I like a cake that is simple yet elegant. Stay tuned for more of my own wedding cakes (Styrofoam filled ones).

Texas Love!

Although I don't have a sports-loving bone in my body (sorry peeps, and any Longhorns fans for the pic above), I do enjoy watching the enthusiasm surrounding them: people getting decked out in their favorite team's gear and even the harmless smack talk that goes on between rivals. So it was super fun to put together the design with this client for a family member's birthday who is a Texas A&M Alumnus ("A" stands for agricultural, hence the "aggie" in "H-aggie Bday"). The added broken longhorn was requested as a finishing touch, but I assure you, no longhorns were harmed in the making of this cake =) As mentioned above, I hold no sports team preferences, just don't ask me to make a U of A cake!

Pink Lemonade!

I have been waiting for an opportunity to collaborate on a baking project with my lovely friend Shanna, who happens to be a culinary student. So I was super excited when she asked me to help with a 1st year birthday cake for our friend Nicole's daughter. She asked us to create a pink lemonade themed individual size cake for her baby girl to enjoy, and cupcakes for guests of the party. We found a pink lemonade recipe and of course used pink and yellow, and cute little straws and candies for flair and I love the way it turned out! SO yummy too =) Check out the wonderful photographer's website if you get a chance, http://gretchenwakeman.com/!

An Incredibly AWESOME 6th Birthday

A few months back, I met a couple very fun ladies while working. I was enjoying talking with them and conversation came up about starting my own cake business. No sooner than I said that, did Julia mention her grandson, Sol would be turning 6 soon, and HAD to have an Incredible Hulk cake. Sure enough, his August birthday started nearing, and I got a call from Julia requesting the cake. I emailed her some different options for the cake- ones more whimsical/ innocent in nature, and others showing Hulk in all his powerful, sometimes destructive glory. I loved that she knew the whimsical ones just would not do, and that Sol would want to see the real deal Hulk, not a cartoon-y, less tough version.
I loved that the birthday boy's name "Sol" (meaning sun in Spanish) portrayed power and grandeur and had sort of the same monosyllabic sound as "Hulk", so I decided to give him "the Incredible Sol" title, just like his favorite hero. And of course the Hulk had to be busting through the tough concrete on the top of the cake- all the while with a smile on his face! Happy Birthday Sol, hope this year is incredible!

Dad's Dream Cake!

This is going to be a longer post than usual...it's about my Dad. I consider myself a very lucky girl, I have grown up in a household that appreciates the arts: especially music. When my parents met, My dad was in a band, and my mom was at one of his shows. So from before the time I was (as he would say), "a twinkle in his eye", he has been a involved with music.

As a child, I had different memories from other kids who listened to maybe "Baby Beluga" by Raffi on the way to school- my dad played me Stevie Ray Vaughn's version of Mary Had a Little Lamb, which as you can imagine, had a lot more jive. I was always embarrassed by differences like this, especially when the overly amplified electric guitar jam sessions were coming from my house on the block. But this year, on my dad's 58th Birthday, I was reminded of just how much I appreciate this about him. 

As a kid, it was a running joke that when encouraging me to be successful someday, my dad had a funny way of mentioning what I could possibly afford for him-like a corvette, a new guitar, fill in the blank. Some would call this mild brainwashing, but I guess it worked, because this year I could not wait for his birthday to come for the opportunity to turn his most favorite guitar into a cake- the starburst colored Fender Stratocaster (pictured above on top, and as a cake on the bottom). When downsizing years ago to prepare for an out-of-state move, he ended up selling his Stratocaster, and hasn't had one since. So being able to replicate this in a chocolate, edible form would be my way of affording him his favorite guitar until the day I can get him the real thing. Funny enough, I arrived that day to notice, the very same guitar as the desktop picture on his computer, and news that he had just won a contest at work, affording a gift certificate to buy the non-edible, real, music producing version of his favorite guitar- go dad!

To top off his birthday celebration, my dad brought out his classic guitar, and played for us two newly written tunes. As mentioned above, I grew up listening to my dad jam, but since it's been some time since I have lived at home, I haven't had this opportunity in awhile. It was such a cool experience seeing my dad do what he loves to do, and to understand as an adult, just how talented he is. In fact, it nearly brought me to tears hearing him play for the first time in years. Dad, I am so glad me and Tara got to make your guitar cake, thanks for being so supportive of my business and my talents, and for inspiring us with yours. I can't wait to make you next years cake....I know exactly what it will be!

Fit for a Prince

Two of my sweet step sisters, who happen to be superb party planners, threw a baby bash for one of their besties to celebrate a new little man coming into town. Baby R's shower had a "prince" theme (like royalty, not the sound artist), so I incorporated a crown onto the top of the cake which was almost supposed to look like 2 quilted pillows. You can't tell from the picture, but as a finishing touch, the whole cake received a brush of luster dust. Move over Prince William, someone very charming may soon take the cake!

A Smile Cake

A previous work friend of mine called me a couple weeks ago and mentioned one of her colleagues had a birthday, as well as a pretty rough week. She wanted to order a birthday cake for her that would brighten her spirits during a meeting. Since she ordered strawberry flavored cake, I decided to run with that theme and just make something bright and happy and hopefully, tasty too. I came up with this cake, which almost looks like a cross between a watermelon and strawberry, and just makes me smile. I heard word that the strawberry cake, with chocolate mouse was a hit, and they loved it inside and out- including the birthday girl!