Monte Carlo Sweet 16

When Molly asked me to make cake pops for her sweet 16 party, I died!  First off, I can't really believe she is 16.  I used to push her on the swing set and take her for ice cream when she was a mere 5 years old... I watched her and her three sisters grow up while I spent many days and nights babysitting them through middle school, high school and even college.  I was so thrilled to do these for her big event! 

There is nothing I love more than a good theme party.  Molly gave me her colors of black and gold and said they'd be playing card games in her dance studio that they turned into a mini casino! I was loving it.. and instantly dice cake pops came to mind!

I had a lot of fun executing the display, Simple black and gold ribbon with card suit stickers helped incorporate otherwise bland white plates into the fun theme, and I stuck with the strict color pallet of white, black, gold and red. 

These were a mix of mint chocolate and vanilla.  I really like the little card suits, I've been wanting to buy this little tin of mini cookie cutter symbols and this order pushed me to finally order them!  My cookie cutter obsession continues.... 

Thanks for letting me add something special to your big day, Molly!

-Elena

Sunny Treats

It is hard to believe it is the end of October. With Halloween right around the corner, I find myself in awe at how fast time is flying by me.

A few weeks ago, my blog turned 1! I've been baking like this for over two years now.  My two year anniversary at my job is very soon.  Louis is almost done with another semester in school, and we've almost been in this cozy apartment for almost a whole year already. November also marks our 3 1/2 year anniversary (do people celebrate half anniversaries?) The time is literally flying.

In between all the craziness that's been going on this month, I've managed to get a few orders in!

First was another birch tree cake.

I was a bit more heavy handed on this one... Not sure if I like it more or less than my first, because it just is different. We added sunflowers and I definitely hand painted more onto the fondant.

This couple was eloping and having the ceremony in the woods aside a stream.. Very fall, and the cake was a perfect touch!

Second order was for 100 cake pops for a housewarming/engagement party!

These were chocolate and pumpkin spice, and the color scheme was yellow and gray with sunflowers. 

 

I wanted to add a fun, artsy element to these, so I decided to try stenciling on fondant with some oil based food coloring. I was so in love with the results!

 

Sunflowers are definitely a great fall theme that I hope to do again soon.  They are classic New England, and fit in with this gorgeous fall season we've been lucky to experience this year!

 Next up, some spooky treats to pack in my suitcase next week, as Lou and I fly out on Halloween to visit Nick and Marissa in Ft. Lauderdale!!! We DEFINITELY could use some days away in the sunshine!

-Elena

[Cake] For the Love of the Game

My first passion in this life was the game of basketball.

I was 6 years old and my mom asked if I wanted to sign up and play, and I said no. I had no interest. Then she took me with her to my brother's first practice and I watched so intently, at the end of it I asked if I could play.  So she signed me up late, I joined the rec team and learned how to dribble, pass and shoot, and I never looked back.

I played for 15 years.  I went from rec teams, to travel rec teams, to the school teams and AAU.. summer league, fall league.. it was my entire life.  I loved being on a team. I loved meeting the girls (most of them anyways).. I got to travel on the weekends with my family and spend the days hot and sticky in the gym, playing game after game and eating Subway for lunches while listening to Sox games in the parking lot.  High school team was a blast.. I loved the away trips on the bus.. Pasta dinners and time spent with 20 girls who, for those four months, felt like sisters I never had.

But to play the game was what I loved the most.  Weighing 100lbs, I fluttered across the court like a butterfly, mostly on my toes.. speeding past everyone, lay up after layup.. You couldn't catch me.  I worked best outside the key, on the 3pt line, waiting until someone dished out the ball to me from inside and swish.. in it went.  I wasn't the best at defense, and I couldn't handle the ball in the best way to play point guard, but I always found my place on the floor, and I loved it.

A month ago my friend and old teammate Chelsea asked me to do a tray of cake pops for her sister's high school graduation.  Her sister was an outstanding player for Ellington, and even wore my old number, 23.  I was thrilled to do it, and it really took me back to my playing days.

Basketballs with purple and gold Knight pride..

I owe my passion and drive to the game of basketball.  Every coach that pushed me, every player that helped make me better by shoving me to the ground, and to my parents for pushing me through on the days when I felt like giving up.  Basketball taught me patience, how to set goals and work towards them, how to do things with passion, how to be aggressive, and how to work with people as a team. I owe the game so much.

This fall I am Captaining a women’s league team in a local league, and I literally shriek with excitement whenever I talk about it.  It’s like a child on their way to Disney World – I AM SO EXCITED to get back on that court.. but instead of a tiny young girl, I’ll be a more confident, toned woman.. with over 20 years of experience and an eagerness to feel the rush of scoring a basket again.   

-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.

Lions and Tigers and Cake, Oh My!

Animals invaded my kitchen this weekend..

Some were cute with their tongues sticking out, waiting for flies to catch!

Some were ferocious beasts..

HA HA Ok, not so much ferocious, but they were little sugary beasts that definitely put a smile on your face!

The elephants are my favorite..

 I love the fondant ears!

I made 40 cute pops for a 1^st birthday party, and my talented friend Becky put it all together with other treats and made it the cutest little display!

These were fun. I want to make them again!

Hope your weekend was relaxing and full of sunshine! Mine was full of both, plus sugar of course! 

-Elena

A Little Disney Magic

Every summer when I was little, my parents packed up the car with suitcases, snacks, pillows and car games and we made the drive from New England to Florida to go to Disney World.  My aunt, uncle and cousins came too, and together the eight of us made the best memories of our childhoods. Hot, sticky days spent waiting in lines to meet Mickey mouse, looking forward to the ride lines that had the fans that blew mist onto you... buying waters and making them last as long as possible because they were like $10 a bottle... spending days at the pool or at the beach.. picking out our souvenirs.. We had so much fun.. Disney definitely holds a special place in my heart.

This display has been in the works for months. An old high school classmate of mine reached out to me to create a display for his sister and her fiancee's Jack & Jill that would be completely Disney themed since the couple is planning to be married there in a few months! Obviously I was thrilled to do it!

This display included a lot of fondant work. I wanted it too look authentic and fun! We went with the classic red, white and black colors to capture the essence of Mickey and Minnie.

These Mickey sprinkles were a great find on Amazon that added a great touch!

I picked up some Mickey scrapbook paper and put it together to make a mat that the plates would sit on.  I also included some romantic quotes from famous Disney movies and typed them into a Disney font generator which I thought was so cool!  The Disney font is so distinct, and this really added to the authenticity of my display.

Recently I have invested in a lot of fondant tools so I can start enhancing the displays and getting more into detail.  I created dresses for Belle and Cinderella, as we decided to include them in the display as well!

More details.. Aren't the Mickey & Minnie so adorable! I feel like they are looking off into the distance at their future together.

 

 A plate of Disney treats! Mickey & Minnie, Cinderella's glass slippers and Belle's red roses.

 Finished display! I love how you could see the mat through the clear glass plates.

 Cinderella and her carriage and glass slipper!

And Belle with her red roses!

I really loved doing this display and I hope everyone enjoyed it! The details really made it and I love this color scheme! Disney themes are the best themes and this one definitely brought me back to my childhood.

-Elena