A Domestic Goddess in Every Way

I cook, I bake, I scrapbook, I make jewelry, I mean I do all things crafty. Oh, and I sew. Maybe I don't actively sew, but I can sew. Same difference. Actually I haven't sewn anything in about 7 years, but it's just like riding a bike...right?

I have a wedding to attend on New Years Eve. My husband is in The wedding an he's wearing a tux, so you know what that means! I have to wear a gown! I am excited too because the wedding is at the The Merion Tribute House, where we got married 2 years ago. Yay!!

I haven't really tapped in to my fashion designer alter ego in a while. But I've run in to a dilemma that has motivated me to pick up my needle and thread. Whenever I have somewhere special to go, I meditate on what I want to wear. What, you don't meditate? What look am I going for? What's my inspiration? Once I have a grasp on the look I hit up Google for some reality to my fantasy. I search red carpet looks, and magazine covers. Lucky and Instyle magazines are the best for this type of research. But as usual Google never lets me down. I searched for a long sleeved  evening gown and after I weeded through all of the horrible MOB gowns I found this amazing BCBG jersey dress.

It looks so simple and glam at the same time, and it's jersey, so it's probably super comfy. Now here's the catch. This dress is online on "final cut", basically meaning clearance. Anything on sale at BCBG is not returnable. What do you mean I can't return it? So, if I order this dress and it is a terrible fit I can't send it back? I'm not taking that chance. But it's perfect, and I want it soooo bad.
Then The light bulb went off. I was a fashion student darn it! I used to sew and design all the time. I'll make that dress myself, humph. Who needs BCBG anyway. Not me! I'm a Domestic Goddess, I can do this.

Now as I said before, it's been a while. I mean, I designed the dresses for my girls for my wedding, but I didn't make them. I'm really nervous, so I better get started soon, just in case I need to run out and buy a dress. I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck!

Count them, 1...2...3 cupcakes

I started this blog in January as a New Year's resolution in conjunction with getting serious about BCC. I tried a couple of different blogging start ups and fell in love with Blogger. It was so easy to navigate. I tried a few templates and settled on one with polka dots in the background. It was cute, but it didn't say what I wanted Babycakes Couture to say. I consulted a few firms and even word of mouth recommendations to spruce up my site. Either they were too expensive for me, or they were unreliable or not able to deliver on my vision. One day I was perusing Party Box Design and just admiring the beautiful setup of the blog and the web site. I scrolled to the bottom and saw Amy Shepard's name. I clicked it and it took me to her site Mammalicious Finds, which I love. I didn't see anything about a blog design business but I took a chance anyway and emailed her. She responded that she no longer did it, and if in the future she wasn't too busy with all the other stuff she does, besides being a mom, she would let me know. I was disappointed, but how could I blame her. Well a few weeks later she emailed me to see if I was still interested and of course I was.

After a couple of emails discussing my vision for my site Amy sent me a few mock ups, I had a tweak here and there, but for the most part Amy hit the nail right on the head. And that's how the new Babycakes Couture was born.

Well, now Amy has a new full blown blog design company called 3 Cupcakes Blog Design. They have an awesome cupcake concept for ordering services, I'm so into it. They even have Premade Cupcake Packages if you're in a crunch. With the premades looking the way that they do, you can imagine how good the packages made just for you would be. I love my site, but I'm struggling not to revamp BCC again. we're not even a year old and I'm starting to want a 3 Cupcakes redo.

I do..

I recently tried my hand at something I've wanted to do for a long time now. A cupcake bouquet.
I was hired for an office bridal shower and given free range to be creative. This was my chance. I had it all mapped out it my head, but then I got nervous. I've never done this before. I don't even know where to begin. Those were the thoughts that were running through my head. I decided that it could only go one of two ways. Either I would do it and do it well or I would try it and fail miserably. I don't do failing miserably, or failing at all for that matter... so I went for it. And I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.

  



The bouquet is made up of  red velvet cupcakes, and is surrounded by mini strawberry cupcakes with strawberry  cream cheese frosting rosettes. So pretty!!!

And check out my topper... I love love love it!!!

The bride was so pleased that she packed it right up and took it home. It's a good thing they had the minis.

I’m usually not into domestic wines, I prefer Italian; not that I’m some fancy schmancy wine connoissseur with my pinky up. I just know what I like. Anyway, California’s Cupcake Vinyard has peaked my curiosity, and I bet you know why. How cute is that; Cupcake Vinyards. I first saw the commercial this weekend and I was so excited that I went straight to their website and to my delight they even have a Red Velvet wine. Now, I am also not normally a fan of red wine, but this description got me for sure…

Red Velvet is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's reminiscent of a blackberry chocolate cupcake with a mocha coulis.

I’m sold!

I mean I’ve had a Cabernet Sauvignon that I liked, and Zinfandel is ok so the combination might be something special. Either way I am definitely ordering a bottle. And I’ll admit it, I’m only buying it because it’s called Cupcake. I had plenty of maketing courses when I was in school so I know all about branding and target markets, blah, blah, blah. Whatever, all i know is I want cupcake wine. I just hope it’s not bad.

Too bad I can’t order it; no shipping to PA. I’ll find it though. Somebody has to carry it nearby. I’ll let you know. I’m on a hunt for cupcake wine.



My Day with Bobby Flay...

I had the most amazing day yesterday. Besides the weather being absolutely beautiful, I knew that one of my birthday wishes would come true. I met Bobby Flay yesterday!!!!!!!

If you can recall my birthday post, I made three wishes. I wished for a cupcake truck, to meet Paula Deen and to meet Bobby Flay. Well how about that, it only took four months for me to get that wish! I woke up two weeks ago to an email from Williams and Sonoma, I so love that store, inviting me to a meet and greet with my Bobby to promote his new Throwdown cook book. I immediately called and registered for my spot.

When I got there the line was pretty long, but the Williams and Sonoma staff were great, they made if fun and they fed us. All I have to say is Butternut Squash Soup with caramelized onions and cornbread croutons, YUM!!!!! Now, I have to make one suggestion to W&S for next time. If you’re gonna serve soup with caramelized onions, please hand out mints afterward. I was not trying to meet my Bobby with questionable breath. Ewww! Luckily the woman in front of me had gum. They gave out little books and recipe cards. It was great. And before I knew it, it was time to go in. I instantly got extremely nervous, I started sweating and had to pee so bad, I thought I might have to get out of line. It would be horrible to meet Bobby with wet pants. I had to pull myself together, and after a few moments of internal insanity, I was fine.

Once I got inside the store there was still a little bit of a wait before my group got to interact with him so I had time to take in the sites and make a little wish list.

This is a Cornucopia Cake Pan

I'll take one of these please for my Thanksgiving spread!

Beautiful!!

This is a like a little muffin pan but it shapes like nuts and acorns. It is so cool and if you can see in the bottom right corner they displayed them in and Apothecary Jar. Love it!!!

This is the kiddie birthday display. There are cupcake liners and toppers and plates. A pirate ship for the boys and a princess castle for the girls. The castle was amazing. I think I'll be ordering it. You never know when you'll need a good castle.

Enough window shopping.
As I got closer to Mr. Flay I noticed that there were people assisting him with greeting and signing books. It was like an assembly line. They were herding people like cattle. Book, camera, sign, stop, smile, flash, good bye. Oh no, that was not going to work for me. I needed a moment. I need the 3 minute conversation that I’d rehearsed in my head on the way to the mall. Finally it was my turn and I handed off my book to the girl on the right and my camera to the girl on the left. And I did not wait to be invited I walked right up to my Bobby and said "Hello!" He said hello back, very relaxed like he wasn't as excited to see me as I was to see him. I said "I brought you a present." I was looking for a better reaction than I initially received. He looked up and said "You did?" I said "Yes, red velvet cupcakes." Well his face lit up and he let out a grunt of excitement and turned to the crowd and said "Take note people, take note. This is how you do it" I told him that I made them for him and that my card was in the box. He said they looked beautiful and that he could smell them through the box. I also told him that I wished to meet him for my birthday.  He said he was flattered and glad that it came true! Awesomeness! Then he gave me a hug. And he smelled good. I’m crushing on him a little bit; I better stop before the hubby gets jealous. But really, he was super sweet and funny.  That jealous hubby said he wasn’t going to eat my cupcakes and that he would think I was a stalker and trying to poison him or something. Jealous I tell you. Anyway, he seemed genuinely happy about them. We started posing for the picture and he said wait... he turned around and put the box on the table and said "We have to style this picture correctly" and pulled out a cupcake and held it up for the picture. I almost melted into a pile of cream cheese icing. It was a great Day!



I'm so excited...

I cannot wait to share this with you. I am about to do something so exciting I can hardly hold it in. Just know that birthday wishes do come true, even when you tell them.

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Whooo, I'm tired...

Today I finished one really big order and realized how much BCC is taking over the Ford household. I actually had to throw away a few things in my refridgerator to make room for cupcake. Well, they probably should have been thrown away anyway, but that's not the point. I was nervous that they all wouldn't fit for their overnight stay. I removed one of the shelves and it all worked out. Every one had a place to sleep.

But then in the AM, they took over my dining room table and the kids had to eat breakfast in the living room, which you know was not a problem for them. Why do kids like to eat in the living room? Because they know they're not supposed to I guess. 

Anyway, all this cupcake madness was because of a baby girl named Zoie Amore. Her Aunt and Grandmother threw her Mommy and Daddy a shower for her. For the pink, brown and cream shower they ordered Scarlet (my red velvet) and a custom order of my Plain Jane (Vanilla pound with Vanilla buttercreme). Instead on vanilla buttercreme they opted for strawberry cream cheese icing to keep with their color scheme. What an amazing combo! My strawberry cream cheese frosting tastes just like Breyer's strawberry ice cream; one of my favorites! Super yummy if I do say so myself! Oh and by the way... I made a new discovery. An upside down sundae glass makes and awesome individual cupcake stand. Very elegant! Who knew!

  

One last thing, the lovely ladies that placed this order also requested a small red velvet cake for the top of there tiered stand, not knowing that BCC only does cupcakes and cookie pops. At first I said no, but I can't stand saying no. But I absolutely hate making cakes. It's too much pressure. They have to be perfect and these days with all the fondant, I just don't have the attention span for all of that. Any who, I took on the challenge and did a 6 inch layer cake; red velvet with pink cream cheese icing. It turned out really cute especially once I added the cutesy little topper I made for them. Love it! It turned out so well that I'm considering adding it to my menu, naming it, what else but The Baby Cake! I'm still undecided though, cakes are hard.

 



Kids... Gotta love 'em

I love that Chik-fil-A gives books in their kids meals. Well, they just took it to another level. My son received, "If you Give a cat a Cupcake." Of course we already have that book, so I thought Zaire would be mad. Instead my sweet little 5 year old son says to me "It's ok mom, you can have this one since you like cupcakes so much." How sweet is that? I love that little boy!

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