[S]ound [O]ff [S]ummer

The nights are getting cooler, the days are a bit shorter and I find myself reaching for a hoodie before I walk out the door each morning.. Fall is quickly approaching and I couldn’t be happier. It’s my favorite season filled with my favorite scents, flavors and activities!

As I wrap up a sizzling summer of endless cake popping and cake decorating, I can’t help but feel unbelievably thankful for the love and support I’ve received this summer, from all my family and friends who gave me such exciting projects to work on! I literally have not stopped, and I will finish strong this coming weekend with my first ever complete dessert display table for a wedding.  I think I would be naturally freaking out over 300 cake pops, a wedding cake and cupcakes, but after everything I mastered this summer, the thought of this wedding makes me ecstatic, and I can’t wait to pull it all together.

But first, I shall share two little projects I did in the last two weeks for a friend from college.  Kyla and her family have been following my pastry journey for a long time now, and recently they placed two orders with me.  One was for some birthday pops in a Hawaiian theme!

Now I’ve done these before but this time I decided to add in little hula skirts!

The second, larger order is for the investment firm in Boston that Kyla works for.  We went with a sailing theme, as the name is Anchor Capital and the owners are huge sailing enthusiasts.

Little sugar sailboats, buoys and anchors!

I had a lot of fun making these, as usual and they were a great way to get some new themes under my belt!

Now on to this wedding display table!!!!!!

-Elena

Love Anchors All

A month or so ago, I posted the beach themed wedding sampler for Kathy and Paul, two people I have known for a very long time.  It was an exciting event and I was insanely flattered that they asked me to contribute cake pops to their special day in place of a traditional wedding cake. After careful planning and color coordination, yesterday was the day, and I spent all week prepping for this one.  It meant a lot to me to do these, and I think they are my most favorite so far!

To be successful in this display, I needed to create something "beachy" but classy, keeping in mind the very elegant venue which was the Branford House on UConn's Avery Point campus.  The colors needed to be eye catching but muted, and the designs had to be intricate but not gaudy.

I wanted them to stand on their own without any distraction from ribbons or "cake topper" focal points. I wanted it to be 100% edible, because it's to easy to get beach themed stuff at the craft store to put on the top. I needed sugar starfish...just HAD to have them.

This display required a lot of detailed fondant work.  The bride told me she was incorporating anchors into her centerpieces so I wanted to add them to my display as well.  They were gorgeous with a pretty gold rope.  The anchor is such a beautiful symbol of love and marriage, and I love how it was used in the decor. The fondant work was tedious but totally worth it!

Now my favorite design ended up being the ones I decided to create on a total whim.  As I molded the flip flops, I couldn't help but think sticking them on would be cute but not enough, I needed something more.  I once had seen cookies that looked like a wave washing onto shore with sand and flip flops, so I decided to create this on a cake pop not knowing what I was getting myself into! These were tough!! But I think they came out beautiful!

The pictures of the Branford House do not do it justice. I was literally floored when I walked in and saw the fireplace.  The detail in the woodwork was exquisite and the ceilings were so beautiful.  

I could not have been happier with the finished product!

The woodwork was the perfect backdrop for these bright cakes.  I took a million pictures, completely obsessed with the dark designs against the white plates.

Such a beautiful venue for a beautiful wedding. Could not be happier for the couple and they had a perfect day for the occasion!  I absolutely love catering weddings.