A Friendly Reminder

FLAVOUR's run on blogspot was discontinued earlier this year (and I totally forgot about this space until now!!). Feel free to follow all future activities directly on the FLAVOUR website: www.flavourcakes.ca/blog

Happy caking!

Hello? It's Me.

After an extended period of living out of a suitcase and juggling a multitude of projects, I'm back! Yes, things have been a little nuts. Overwhelming. EXHAUSTING even. BUT I'm still standing so that's a good sign.

For those that follow the blog regularly I know I've been MIA and I apologize for my absence. I promise it's for good reason. The most important of which is this: The new FLAVOUR website is on its way...with a completely new look! Although we're still at least a month away from launch, it's been exciting to watch this unfold.

I recently teamed up with two fantastic women who are helping to bring this new vision to life. One of which is Tricia of http://www.triciamariephotography.ca/ who took some time out of her busy schedule to help produce some gorgeous photography for the site. If you're newly expecting or have little ones that you'd like to capture in time check out her work. Her newborn and children's shots are adorable!

Another exciting announcement is that Tricia will be offering Cake Smash packages for one year olds and yours truly will be providing the edible smash art for these shoots. If you don't know what a cake smash is...well it's exactly what it sounds like. A one year old + a mini cake/cupcake = one big mess and a great photo opportunity! Contact Tricia directly for more info on this.

I'll leave you today with a photo of Marisa's baby shower cupcakes. She's due in a couple of weeks and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her baby girl. I did Marisa's wedding cupcakes in 2009 and have to say I love watching my former couples' lives unfold from one stage to another.

Wishing Marisa and Nik all the best as they embark on this new adventure!

Happy Holidays!

I can't believe Christmas is only two weeks away. It's shocking actually. In fact, as I sit here I wonder where most of 2010 went. It all seems to be a fast blur, but a fast blur with some captured stills of some truly awesome people.

This was a busy year for FLAVOUR and at some point since my last blog post and now, I disappeared. Not on purpose (o.k., maybe a little on purpose!). But in all seriousness, I needed a break so I took one. Always honour yourself no matter what. Despite my intentional break it became extended for some other reasons beyond my control.

Now I find myself on the other side of the country, nowhere near my kitchen, trying to prepare for the holiday season. By the time I get back I'll have a total of 7 days to finish all my shopping, wrapping, baking, cleaning, and prepare for back-to-back Christmas gatherings. What was I thinking?!? Ahh well. 'Tis the season to lose your mind I guess.

Anyways, I just wanted to jump back on the blog today and wish all my fabulous clients a Merry Christmas and a totally glam holiday season!

AND stay tuned because in early 2011 FLAVOUR will be taking on a whole new look! I love surprises :)

Stay warm people!

Count Your Blessings

It's a beautiful weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving. The sun is shining and as I drove out this morning I couldn't help but be in awe over the tapestry of autumn leaves lining the trees. The colours were so vibrant and striking that my immediate instinct was to smile.

I'm just as guilty as anyone else of taking things for granted in the craziness of daily life. But when I actually stop to think, I realize that so many things in life are truly amazing and that there's so much to be grateful for on a regular basis.

Take for example earlier this week. I was in a rush to pick up a few groceries after work so I ran through the store, picked the shortest check-out line possible, threw everything in my bag and took off out the door. As I stepped out I noticed a man standing to my left holding up his Blackberry to take a picture. Curiously, I followed the direction of his shot and what I saw stopped me dead in my tracks.

It was a full sized rainbow. But not just any rainbow. It was accompanied by the most gorgeous sunset I have EVER seen. Purples, pinks, oranges and fire reds lined the skyline and were reflected through the clouds in all directions. I was stunned at the beauty of it all and wished I had my camera. It didn't last long, but it was there long enough for me to appreciate it. And luckily the next night's sunset was just as stunning (minus the rainbow) so I automatically knew I needed to stop what I was doing and just observe it.

So this weekend I'm giving thanks for everyday life, for the spontaneous beauty that surrounds us, and for the wonderful people in my life including those that are sometimes a challenge! Finally, a big thanks to the awesome clients I have had a chance to work with over the last 2 years. This includes new client Lara who is celebrating her son's baptism this weekend. Another one of life's true blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and may you find your own blessings each and every day.

A Good Example

This weekend's cake is based on Dora the Explorer. I'm sure most people have heard of her, but do you really know anything about her? I didn't. So I looked her up and was pleasantly surprised.

Dora is a young girl who embarks on a trip in every episode in order to find something or help somebody. She has a positive view of the characters she meets, acts against villians only when compromise is not possible (but still doesn't display anger), loves her family, and overall is a teacher not only of Spanish and map use, but on how to be better person. It's nice to know that some shows continue to teach values. (Maybe some adults should be watching this!)

Anyways, Kaitlyn celebrated her second birthday yesterday and her party was themed in Dora. Her vanilla with raspberry buttercream cake was designed after one of the party napkins to match the event decor.

Sometimes I'm asked why I continue to spend hours of my personal time making cakes. And sometimes I ask myself the same question. Well apparently "Kaitlyn loved it and was very excited to show everyone her Dora cake". THAT is what makes it worthwhile.

Happy birthday Kaitlyn!

Fit for a Prince

Prince is actually a little girl who celebrated her first birthday last weekend. Her mom had planned a pretty big party (which got even bigger as time went on) and requested a cupcake display for the event.

The cupcake tower was to take on a turquoise and orange colour pattern based on Prince's birthday dress which had stripes in the same colour combination along with some gold. The stripes were used in the topper along with a small gold crown to complete the look.

Initially the crown was going to be more like a tiara, but the day before the party I was informed that the theme had been overhauled to "carnival". At that point it was too late to change the cupcake display, but the tiara was altered to represent a more carnival-like look and the much loved "dots-on-a-stick" were also added for fun. Vanilla and chocolate cupcakes were iced in vanilla buttercream also tinted in the theme colours.

Overall it sounds like this was quite the party. I got a sneak peek at the candy apples which were headed to the event and they looked fantastic! Surely all those guests had a blast.

Happy birthday to Prince!

Flower Power

Ann and her loved ones celebrated her 60th birthday this weekend up at the family's cottage retreat and this was her centerpiece.

One of her daughters emailed me a few months ago about the possibility of creating a gardening themed cake for the event. Ann loves flowers and gardening and the party was set to take place outdoors in a "garden party" kinda way so it seemed to be the most appropriate focus. We tossed around a couple of ideas and settled on a sculpted cake in the shape of a watering can. Gumpaste flowers were to complete the look in fall colours.

I wanted to keep this feminine and bright so I opted for a pale yellow watering can airbrushed in gold shading. Red roses and some orange fantasy flowers were used for a punch of colour and the "dirt" was also edible.

This was probably the tallest cake I have ever attempted to make and proved to be a structural challenge to say the least. Not to mention the stress of having to move it! I was actually terrified at how long this cake would have to sit in the backseat of a car to get to its destination because some cakes get car sick - and this one had the potential. BUT I'm happy to report that I didn't get any frantic phone calls of casualties so it looks like the watering can made it safe and sound.

Happy birthday Ann! Hope you had a great day with family and friends.

Champagne Wishes

Congratulations to this week's wedded couple Hailey and Derek!

Hailey was referred to me by a former client and despite the many months of meetings, emails and phone calls I never once got the chance to actually meet Derek. BUT regardless, I'm sure he's a great guy!

This couple's event was designed to be a classy affair with black, white, and champagne selected as the colour theme. Both the ceremony and the reception were held at Whistle Bear Golf Course which not only boasts excellent golf, but offers a nice venue for large or small events. A friend of mine got married there several years ago and I gotta say, it's pretty fun getting all dressed up and chauffeured by golf cart to a wedding ceremony! Hopefully the threat of rain didn't rob this couple of their opportunity to experience the same.

When it came to the cake, Hailey and Derek decided to scrap the formality of this tradition and go with a cupcake display instead. There really was no requirement for the decor other than the need to have them match the colour theme so an assortment of black and ivory fondant toppers were used. And with no topper cake needed, three fun black floral puffs were planted in a crystal-filled glass vase to complete the look.

Hailey and Derek, I wish you a lifetime of happiness! Thanks for letting me be a part of your day :)

It's in the Stars

Every so often you meet a couple who you know were absolutely destined to be together. I don't really know how to describe it. It's a feeling. An energy. Maybe it's the way they look at eachother or compliment one another. Yin to yang. Sun to moon. Black to white.

Chris and Cristina are highschool sweethearts who after many years spent making eachother better people finally sealed the deal. Even through the distance of post-secondary education and conflicting schedules these two made it work. Their fun-loving nature is evident in even the smallest interactions. And Cristina has a smile that could turn the night to day.

When they asked me to create their wedding cake I was honoured. Honoured because the love and appreciation they show for eachother is truly unique and the kind that will stand the test of time.

Take for the example the way that Chris proposed. This guy actually spent hours upon hours creating a scrapbook of their relationship and taped the ring to the last page! That beats a "so do you want to marry me" proposal in a grocery store parking lot any day (true story!).

I've also known these two for a number of years which makes their cake equally special. In fact, Chris has in a way become an honourary member of the family.

The colour theme for this event was rose red and granny smith apple green. Roses and apples were a huge decor element and symbolism is key here. The colours were pulled from Chris and Cristina's birth stones. Having studied nutrition, the apple also tied in with her career path. I assume the roses also have some special meaning, but alas I didn't dig that deep! Everything down to the actual wedding date is in some way connected to their journey together.

The most interesting element of their cake design is the monogram on the second tier. It was actually designed by Chris who has a good eye for detail. If you're also good with details you'll get the message embedded in the design quite easily. If not, I'll just tell you! The monogram is two letter Cs in scroll type, partially intertwined, reading as C squared. In addition, the roses on this cake were entirely made of gumpaste and brushed with lustre dust for a little extra sparkle.

What could be better than the joining of two hearts when both hearts are made of gold? Congratulations Chris and Cristina! Looking forward to watching what the stars have in store for you from this day forward.

King of the Castle

This weekend's feature cake belongs to Jack who's turning one today. Jack's mom loves to scrapbook and always manages to find the cutest cards for her kids. This little guy's birthday card was no exception.

The concept for his cake was inspired by his card which showcased a tiered castle with a dragon slithering its way through open windows and doors. And the flavour of choice here was chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream.

As an energetic extrovert, apparently this fun theme was quite fitting for Jack. And I'm sure in no time at all he'll grow up to pursue his own adventures.

This is actually my first attempt at anything close to a castle so a big thanks to Jack's mom for pushing me past my boundaries on this one!

Happy birthday to Jack!