It's a Boy (and a sparkly sea turtle)!

Baby shower cakes are so fun to create and this sea turtle cake was no exception.

It's been a busy week in cakes, and I finished this 6" vanilla cake (with salted caramel and chocolate ganache). Instead of going with traditional pastel blues for this baby boy, I used a mixture of blue and green tones to create an ocean-like surface that carried out the sea turtle theme. For the extra special baby turtle, I added some edible disco dust to make a sparkly shell.  

Look at that cute little turtle tushy!

Ladybug Cake

One of my good friends asked me to make a cake for her mother's birthday. I've only met her mother a few times, but I can just tell she's the sweetest lady (especially because she raised such a thoughtful and delightful daughter)! My friend told me that her mama loves ladybugs so I proceeded with this in mind when decorating her little 6" cake.

I am smitten this cake because it is so adorable and fun! Between the dots, little blooms, and sparkly heart antennas-- I just can't help but smile when looking at it. :) I hope it's a perfect dessert to a lovely birthday for this wonderful mama.

Black Scallops, Red Roses, and an Armadillo

This past weekend, I created a 3-tier cake for small wedding. I used to work with the bride when I was a teacher and it was so special to me that I got to be a part of their big day! This cake is made of a 10" vanilla latte cake, 8" chocolate with raspberry cake, and 6" lemon cake with lemon custard. It is garnished with fresh roses and petals. 

The cake is topped with a classic topper (which the bride ordered from Etsy) and the stand was made by the bride's mother, I believe-- how crafty and sweet! 

Also, as a surprise for the groom, the bride also requested a red velvet armadillo cake! I loved the idea (from Steel Magnolias, the movie) and had so much fun creating this creature out of cake and fondant.

Our First Birthday!

One year ago Henry and I began our life together as husband and wife. This means, today is our first birthday (a.k.a first anniversary)! :)

It's amazing how much we have grown together in just a single year in marriage even after nearly 6 years of dating. There have been a lot of ups, several bumps, some accidentally bleached shirts, unvaccuumed rugs...but altogether amazing and blessed year. I'm so grateful to have my greatest love also be my best friend!

Our wedding day was so perfect, to us. Looking back, I want to do it all over again! I miss my gorgeous dress (that is now preserved in a box for safe keeping), our beautiful venue, the fabulous music, sweet little details, and all the heartfelt emotions. In fact, our highlight video still gets me choked up.

So what are we doing to celebrate our first anniversary?  Nothing glamorous at all, but perfect in its own way. This morning, Henry assisted in delivering a wedding cake about 90 minutes away, we had Thai food for lunch, we will be going to church later this evening, and we will most certainly be eating cake (more details on this special cake later)!  Last month, our friend, Adriel of A.C. Cinema, took some photos for us. They were for our anniversary, but mostly for fun.  The photos were taken at Gunther's Ice Cream in Sacramento-- it was perfect because we served their ice cream at our wedding (and we'll take any excuse to eat more of it). Here are some of my favorite images:

 

Just Chill

It's Saturday! Relax and just chill.

Incognito Cookies

 I kind of have a thing for baked goods dressed as other baked goods. Such disguises tend to be adorable (similar to pets dressed in human articles of clothing) and so creative! If you remember my sugar cookies disguised as donuts, you may understand. 

Today I have incognito sugar cookies dressed as swirly lollipops!

These cuties would be great for sweet party favors. The lollipop sticks can be baked right into the sugar cookie so they are all set and ready for dressing up later. To make the "candy", I simply rolled colored pieces of fondant together into a rope. I then took the rope and attached it into a spiral on the cookie.

Whether it's a lollipop or a cookie...sugar is just delightful.

I've Missed You.

Hello. Hi. Nice to see you!

I know it's been awhile, but if it means anything, I have missed you! I know a relationship is a two-way street and I may have dropped the ball. Being busy is no excuse, although it has been the case. Over the last two weeks, things have been so hectic I have barely been able to keep my head screwed on tightly. Between being in weddings, flying up and down the state, tutoring students, wrapping up end-of-the-quarter projects and finals, and several cake orders--I have been swamped. However, Henry and I were able to get a way for a few days after the rush died down; we spent a few days in Las Vegas. Repeating the routine of sleeping in, meandering across the strip, and consuming lots of delicious food was absolutely delightful and just wanted I needed.

I'll be back soon with pictures of recent work (and my mini-vacation)! Cheers.

A Little Pair of Day Brighteners

Some days I need to remember to pause, take a breather, and find little joy factors. It's so easy to get caught up in the rush of things, especially when there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day for all the things on my to-do lists! Today is most definitely one of those days-- unfortunately, I think the the next week has it in for me. With two wedding cakes to complete and a community event to bake for on top of final projects and tutoring...I am feeling the heat!

Today, I changed out of my flip flops and put on these playful floral kitten heels adorned with a silk blossom. Darling and comfortable -- they sure do brighten up my busy day!