Finale cake.

This past weekend, I busted out my last cake for a while. The entire process of creating a detailed cake was too much to juggle with a full time job. Hours flew by as we made ten batches of frosting, nine layers of cake, and nine gum paste flowers for my friend's wedding. Although the moment was bittersweet when handing the cake off for the reception, relief was the one feeling that was most prominent in the situation.

Aubrianna's cake.

It's been quite some time without a cake post. This week I had the pleasure of creating a shopping bag cake for a lovely girl named Aubrianna. She turns eighteen tomorrow so when asked to make a special custom cake just for her, we were totally up for the challenge. We based the design of the cake around all of the things that she loves. She's quite fond of shopping (a girl after my own heart), her cat, Max, basketball, and jewelry. Needless to say, my creative juices left me completely drained and I believe now is a good time for a cup of green and chamomile tea. Bon nuit.

Reasons why I love this week.

Reason #1: My amazing younger brother, Taylor, is home from his "how to be awesome" school in Florida. He works with motorcycles every day, he's pretty cool and I think I'll keep him- which is quite the change of heart from when I was four. 


Reason #2: On Saturday, my older brother will turn 26, and we're making him these, tiramisu cupcakes.


Reason #3: Birthday list making. I can't recall a year (at least since I was eighteen) that haven't  struggled to come up with desired items to put on my birthday list. Although, this time around, the task seems much more painless than the years prior. 


Reason #4: Today kicks off the month of March and I have high expectations in terms of accomplishing goals within the next 3o days.


Reason #5: Alice and Wonderland is playing in theaters on Friday, I am having major trouble containing my anticipation.

...also, how to have a lovely day. I found this list on my cousin Nikki's blog and needed to share. 

Simple & memorable.

{magnolia cupcakes}

Year after year, there are people who simply despise Valentines day. My words of wisdom to them: toughen up. If you don't have a hubby, boyffie, or a special someone, turn to your best friend or family. I miss the elementary days when we made Valentine holders out of construction paper and an excess of Elmer's Glue, and every person in the classroom brought cartoon cardboard Valentines to distribute to everyone in the class. *sigh*

Valentine's Day Memory #1:

I remember in Kindergarten, my forever best guy friend, Gary, gave me an X-Men Valentine's Day card with the words "I only have eyes for you." As I recall I was upset with him for drinking my chocolate milk that day, so I stomped right up to him, where he was conveniently standing next to a trash can, raised the valentine to his face, and ripped it into pieces letting the tiny pieces fall gracefully to their final resting place... a little harsh. You will be relieved and surprised to know, that him and I are still very close friends.


Valentine's Day Memory #2:
Last year today, my boyfriend and I decided to have an ever so romantic dinner at Chipotle, followed by a late walk in the west village. Destination: Magnolia Bakery. A couple cupcakes and glasses of milk later, strolling down the streets we passed Samantha Ronson and friend. This was the night of the infamous Lohan-Ronson fall out at Charlotte Ronson's fashion show after party... which explained her sans Lindsay. Earlier that day, I also bought a breath taking pair of Valentino peep toe booties. Very memorable, indeed.


I guess what I'm trying to say is, boyfriend, husband, or best friend, Valentine's day is all what you make it. At the end of the day, spontaneous and unexpected events just might make it memorable. Xx! Happy weekend to you.

Family recipe.

Ever since I was a little girl who refused to wear jeans, dresses and skirts were much more my cup of tea, my great grandmother would make heart shaped Valentines cookies, big enough you had to hold them with two hands. Each cookie would have custom frosting according to the persons liking and preferences. Mine, sugar cookie with fluffy strawberry icing... yum. This year my mom is taking over the cookie baking, with Nanny's heart shaped cookie cutter in grasp, she has the lucky fortune to turn out 18 this year. With an ever growing family, big ups to Jill, Dani, and Donna, the number of cookies she'll have to create will grow simultaneously, which makes me think, the more cookies coming out of that oven, the more memories, the more place settings at the Thanksgiving table, there is a direct relationship with the amount of love and support within. And I couldn't feel luckier.

What Valentine's day treat traditions do you and your family share? Xx

Wednesday love.

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, darlings. Today is Wednesday. To many of you this day marks the halfway point between the introduction of a new work week and the much anticipated weekend. Hopefully the day flies by for you, but just in case you're feeling a little pick me up, here's a fab image, that I've been shamelessly drooling over for the past week, via Cupcakes and Cashmere. Dibs on the front vanilla cupcake, jinx! 

Even all the way over in numbing New York, I can feel your day getting brighter already. Here's to you! Xx

I can't help myself.

I am breaking laws in Cuppity Cake city, and posting twice in one day...I know. I honestly had to though when I randomly came across this wonderful post from the ever inspiring Bakerella, displaying her friend's mostly HAND MADE holiday decorations. Handmade... unbelievable. Take a look for yourself.

{Oh, hi. This is a Christmas tree}

{Extraordinary ornaments}

{Every sweet should have a (handmade) nest such as this}

{A handcrafted play bakery. Accessorized to perfection with plush, hand sewn cupcakes}

{Not edible, but completely jaw dropping}

The genius behind all of this is Julie, a dear friend of Bakerella. She doesn't have a blog nor does she have an Etsy shop. She has got to be, without a doubt, one of the most talented decorators I have seen ever, in my 22 years of life.

Dear Julie,

Wow.

Quickly.

... Aren't these little penguins divine hiding behind their little snow mountains? Okay, that's all, just thought I'd share some sugary cuteness. Carry on.

I'm So Excited.

Thanksgiving is most definitely up there on my list of favorite holidays. When you think of Thanksgiving, what automatically fills up your mind? Most would say food- but for me this year, it's all about seeing my friends and especially my younger bro who bravely moved down to Daytona beach in the later days of August, I have missed more than anyone in the entire world! Heres to a happy Thanksgiving and tons, and TONS of hugs from your favorite people around. Xx

Oh, Childhood.

Today, I realized how much I miss the days when I stood three feet tall and could get away with wearing frilly socks with patent mary janes. My favorite moments when I was a little girl consisted of pink tutu's, playing outside until the sun sank deep behind the hills, and who could forget, birthday parties at school. You know, the ones where your mom would slave all night over a batch of cupcakes for your second grade class and tone deaf seven year olds screaming (and I do mean screaming) happy birthday at the top of their little lungs. Yes, all of these memories suddenly came back to me and as I was preparing a batch of cupcakes (aren't they mouthwatering?) for our friend's daughter, Katie's birthday party at school, and I couldn't help but to get a tad nostalgic. What simple pleasures of childhood do you miss most?

Cake Update.

I admit that over the past couple of weeks I have been lacking in the cake post department. It's just that about this time every year, the fashions quickly change for the colder holiday seasons and for a fashion obsessed person, they're too fun not to mention. So I am dedicating this post to the cakes and cupcakes that Cuppity Cake has created recently. We have been experimenting with new recipes for icing as well as cake batter, and each cake comes out as moist and as delicious as the last! Lately we have nearly mastered the technique of sugar work as you will see in images below. If I do say so myself, I think we have found some perfect cake equations.

Mini Halloween Cupcakes.

Sugar work! Candied hazelnuts for...

these.

Mummy cake.

Harry Potter theme cupcakes.

Really delicious mini chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing.

Halloween Birthday cake for our good friend Tammy!

More Hours in a Day, Please.

Isn't it funny how in a matter of minutes your weekend can go from a carefree dinner reservation and watching movies, to a frenzied mess of going out to dinner, then making a cake and two dozen cupcakes at very short notice, local news interview, and then finding it in you to settle down and watch a movie? Sometimes it seems as though there isn't enough time in one day, so who can I speak with to add more hours? Yesterday was our first and sudden local news interview spotlighting Cuppity Cake. The reporter filmed us whipping up some frosting and decorating regular and bite sized cakes, and then interviewed both my mom and I separately. I still have yet to see the story mainly because I find it painful to watch and or hear myself on TV. After the reporter had packed up and left, we let out a huge breath of "I can't believe that just happened," and decided to go for a fall hike up to see my grandparents. So with cupcakes in hand, we set off for the walk. I always seem to overlook how beautiful it is around here during the fall season. The warm colors of the leaves alone, are enough to make you stop and take in the greatness of it all.

.

On a Bright Note.

The cake chosen to bake up for my mom's birthday was fun, colorful, and pretty with an emphasis on style. It couldn't have fit my mom better- perhaps if I had added dumbbells to the cake, then it would be completely her. I wanted to incorporate her huge pearl bracelet that she wears almost every day, her adoration of shoes, as well as her favorite color, orange. Just to make sure that she knew that cake was for her, I added a boutique tag that said, " To: Mom xoxo". Her face when she saw the cake was just as bright as the color on her custom cake.

Classic White Cake, Vanilla Butter cream Icing, Gum paste objects.

Our Busy Saturday.

This weekend was, to say the least, quite busy for our cupcake company. We baked and decorated eighty cupcakes for an SPCA event, Rescues and Runways, in addition we created a two tiered baby shower cake for my friend Jessica and her baby, Alorah. The Rescues and Runways event was showcasing not only fashions from a local boutique, but also the adoptable animals at the local SPCA. It was really amusing seeing the excited and confused dogs attempt to walk with the high heeled wearing models down the runway. There was a brown, black, and white cat that I especially wish that I had snuck in my purse and taken her home with me. Overall, there were a lot of cupcakes being eaten and more importantly, tons of adoption application forms being filled out which makes me a million times happier than the sweet hand sized cakes.

Baby Shower Cake for Jess and Alorah.

If I had my way, I'd be petting her now.

If your family is looking for a new addition, don't go to expensive breeders or to a pet store. Those puppies will get good homes no matter what. There are too many dogs and cats at the SPCA that are overlooked and are in need of good homes. We adopted our cat, Hershey, from the local SPCA and she has so much personality and gives so much love. They'll be your best friends in the world if you just choose them.

I (Really, Really) Heart Amy Atlas.

My last semester of college was spent mostly at my fabulous internship at world renowned fashion house, Hermes, in the Special Events department. During my time at my internship I fell in love with event planning and learned how to transform an empty echoing event hall to something that Cinderella couldn't even dream up. Along with event planning, baking has always been my other fixation, but I could never comprehend how the two could go hand in hand... that was before I came across the company, Amy Atlas Events . Convinced that I had found the best pick me up ever, I was searching countless cupcake and baking blogs, admiring sweetly adorned cookies, and cupcakes topped with whipped pastel colored frosting. When I came across Amy Atlas' website, I was in awe at pictures of events held for corporate meetings, baby showers, and weddings. Amy Atlas is a company that combines the art of event planning with extraordinary pastries and cakes. (Aka my dream company). The color coordination of the events, and the exquisite yet simple desserts, are what really caught my eye. Take a look for yourself. (Here )

Photo: Amyatlas.com

The Skinny on the Cake Competition.

As most of you know, last Saturday was my first cake decorating competition. The theme for the competition was fall and harvest, so I set out the door with my fall inspired cake and my plaid button down shirt to top it off. Let me start by saying that I didn't win first place in my division, but honestly, I'm not at all upset about it. Some of the other cakes that were presented on Saturday were nothing short of jaw-dropping.

After my cake was all set up, I did numerous laps around the table looking at other cakes and wondered how some of these creations were even possible. I still don't know how the three tier pumpkin cake didn't fall over onto its creator, or how the car cake that was constructed completely out of cake, had so much detail that it would even leave car enthusiasts scratching their heads. When a group of people would come to look and my cake an intense rush of excitement would take over me. I couldn't help but think that this is what my boxer, Ruby, must feel like when we get visitors. If people took out their cameras to take pictures- forget it. My excitement went through the roof and I had trouble containing myself.
I left the competition relieved, and amazed at how much talent there is around this area. Although I didn't win first place, numerous lessons were learned and I was ultimately satisfied that I completed what I had set out to accomplish several weeks before.

...

Putting some final touches on my cake.

The car cake that won in my division, aaamazing.

Pumpkin cake, not done by me.