HOLY....

Mountain, Sandy. Sandy, Mountain....

I had NO idea how labor intensive this was going to get. Let's just say I put the cart in front of the hourse on this one. Lessons learned:

1) bake ALL cakes well in advance of actually using them to decorate

2) make your OWN buttercream and make MORE than you anticipate using

3) red is nearly unattainable without actual red food dye.

4) food coloring/dye is a mess

5) gumpaste and fondant should NOT be used interchangeably

6) a cake turntable is essential in cake decorating.

7) mise en place is HUGE. ... HUGE.

and number 8...

8) I need a TON of practice. a TON.

thankfully, I signed up for some practice in a few weeks at an old college haunt.

in the mean time, my hands are all shades of green, blue and red. My back is seriously aching, my kitchen is a MESS and I'm sure I have powdered sugar all over my face and hair. I'm refusing to look in the mirror.

But I know I would see this- a GIANT smile on my face. Today was awesome....

Inspiration

I had the pleasure of eating my way through Chicago's cupcake shops... I only hit up four of them, and seriouly each was better than the one prior. So I won't say which order I went in- but the red velvet was from The Cupcake Counter, The "Happy" ones are from Swirlz and the chocolate lovelies are from Molly's. I also took a picture of their sign out front because it was perfect, as is their website: www.mollyscupcakes.com

Now to bake some of my own goodness

BLISS

Where to begin! I made my visits this week/weekend.
You know how you can walk in somewhere and feel home immediately? I had that happen this weekend.
I went to Chicago to check out the last stop. Perhaps I saved it for last because I knew in my heart I would love it and didn't want to be biased. I don't want to call it out yet... I don't want to jinx myself and anyhow, there are about 12 things I need to do and have to make work in order for this next part of my dream to become a reality.

Either way, I walked in and felt like a recruited athlete. They rolled out the red carpet for me and I was in awe, humbled and so inspired. Surrounded by people who were just as excited about flour, butter and sugar as me- it was a sugar high for sure.

AND! and... I FINALLY had dinner at Frontera Grill. yup! it lived up to my every expectation and then some. had some fiiiiine tequila as well. was a good, good night.

lots and lots to think about and discuss. ahhhhh! seriously, I'm so giddy and inspired.
Which is good timing because I have to start PRACTICING for #1's upcoming b-day cake.
Can anyone say "Yoooooooooooooooooooo Gabba Gabba!!!"
I'll post my results later