cake decorations
There are 25 entries for the tag
cake decorations
Every week, I compiled the list on Sunday from what bloggers published over the last 7 days.
+ The Los Angeles Times talked about how a 1958 Edward Fickett house hangs on to its contemporary cool. The current owners are huge fan of this architect since this is their second Fickett house. The interior is a feast for the eyes. I really like the hip sun umbrella next to the pool. Via Apartment Therapy Los Angeles
+ This pretty snack is from a collection of charming photos sent by emma to the famous Holly of Decor8 for Haug Maus, her latest blog project. Haus Maus is Holly’s diary about living part time in Germany.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
HOME + GARDEN
MODERN architecture
posted @ Monday, August 04, 2008 12:39 AM | Feedback (0)
Passing from a NASA engineer to a successful cake designer and baker makes a pretty extraordinary story. BethAnn Goldberg had the creative gene since she started out as a ceramic sculptor before graduating from Stanford.
Studio Cake makes three types: the tiered cakes, the sculpted cakes and the cupcakes. The level of details is impressive. Look at the icy snow on the ground of the snowman cupcakes.
Let the Birthday Cake Be The Gift
If you are planning a birthday for someone that has everything, give a one of kind birthday cake instead. The guest of honor will be in awe when he/she sees the cake. Highlight the event with harmonizing invites, party décor and even wear costumes. Let the party of a lifetime be your gift.
To offset the extra costs, you can ask the guests for contributions instead of giving individual gifts.
Categories:
KIDS party
CAKES
DINING
KIDS + BABY
posted @ Thursday, July 24, 2008 12:30 PM | Feedback (0)
I marked down this hipster bakery and coffee shop on my itinerary for my next visit to New York. Baked NYC is located in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Baked first caught my attention for their third place as the best cupcakes in New York city. That ranking was obtained on the 2008 New York City Gourmet Shopping & Entertaining survey organized by Zarat. In fact, three NYC bakeries shared the third place.
It is finally the design of the place, the beautiful photos and the stylish cupcakes that convinced me to bookmark Baked. I hope these cupcakes taste as good as they look.
Baked’s Sweet and Salty cupcake
I am curious to taste their famous Sweet and Salty cupcake. This creation is composed of a dark chocolate cake infused with salty caramel, topped with caramel chocolate ganache and fleur de sel. I know this is a winning combination. MSN.com named it the one the best cupcakes in the United States.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:46 AM | Feedback (1)
I am happy to announce that the Real-life Party series which will feature actual parties done by you is officially opened.
To be fair, it is the third real-life parties from readers since I showcased the Caveman Theme for a 40th Birthday Party in January 2008 and Yuri Gagarin's Night Party 2008 in Montreal in April 2008.
Birthday Cake and Party Favors
Steph, a.k.a. KiwiGirlSteph on Flickr made these adorable cupcakes for a boy fourth birthday party. This mom is very talented and she bakes cakes for her friends and family.
Categories:
KIDS party
CAKES
REAL-LIFE
ENTERTAINING
DINING
KIDS + BABY
posted @ Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:47 PM | Feedback (1)
Buying the candles for the birthday cake is the last thing I typically do when I host a party. This means that I settled too many times for the usual tricolor 24-candle package. I would feel less rush if I stock in advance.
With these 5 candles from 3 brands, you will be ready the next time you celebrate the birthday of a loved one.
Fred
The first two comes from the whimsical Fred brand. The Birthday Candelabra is available in pink or white. I want it next year on my cake.
I finished a couple weeks ago watching Rome series on DVD. Therefore I feel an attachment to the Roman candles.
Worldwide Co.
Continuing with humor, Worldwide Co. proposes 10 Who's Counting? models for or age sensitive friends or just for some Birthday fun. You can let the cake speak and say Lost Count, Don’t Ask, 21 again, 29 again, Thirty-ish, Forty-ish, Young at Heart, You’re Old. The traditional I Love You and Happy Birthday complete this collection. The Who's Counting? Candles collection won the Gift of the Year award in 2007.
Categories:
EVERYDAY entertaining
PARTY supplies
CAKES
ENTERTAINING
DINING
posted @ Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:48 AM | Feedback (1)
The pirate theme seduces both children and adults. A pirate party is fit to be really creative with the décor and the food. I spot the cutest pirate cake and cupcakes on Cupcakes Take The Cake blog.
The Sweet Tooth Fairy, a cake shop from Salt Lake City made a Jolly Roger pirate cake plus several dozens of pirate cupcakes for a pirate party. I like everything from the blue and red color palette to the execution.
Pirate Kid Party Ideas
If you are looking for decor ideas, check out the pirate party mood board I did last year. The pirate theme was designed for an outdoor kid birthday party. Yo-ho-ho! A Pirate Party! written by The Finer Things provides more cool ideas.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Monday, July 14, 2008 7:17 PM | Feedback (1)
We can always find unexpected creative products from the design team at Fred. This time, they outshine themselves with their latest collection.
My favorite new products from the Autumn 2008 collection are:
FINGERFOOD is an imaginative concept. The charming little plates with rings fit right on your finger to let you carry around hors d’oeuvres.
Fred is contributing a portion of the proceeds from the PEACE of CAKE mould to organizations dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflict, justice for all, and respect for human rights.
This little truck made from satiny porcelain rolls on real rubber wheels. I love the slogan for TOOTHPICKUP: it’s where to park your picks.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
PARTY supplies
DISHING tips
TABLEWARE
ENTERTAINING
DINING
posted @ Monday, July 14, 2008 1:56 AM | Feedback (3)
While browsing on Tastespotting this morning, I spotted this adorable truck cake. I am even more impressed since this lorry cake is made by a Northern Irish foodie named Sarah. Her cakes stand out by the attention to details.
I explored her blog to know more. Stuff Yer Bake is not only about cakes. She also publishes recipes of meal she cooked on an everyday basis.
Sarah baked and decorated these cakes at the request of co-workers. I feel sad she lived on the other side of the Atlantic. Do you know any non-professional in Montreal (or elsewhere) who is as talented?
>>> Sourcing:
Learn more: Cakes Galores [Stuff Yer Bake]
Learn more:Pirate Birthday [Stuff Yer Bake]
Recipe:Crab Ravioli [Stuff Yer Bake]
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:12 AM | Feedback (1)
A superbly decorated cake makes a statement at any party. Here are some adorable and fun cakes for a graduation party, a baby shower or a kid birthday party.
On LovinSullivanCake Web site, we can read that the owner Kate Sullivan learned baking and cake decorating from books, and many trial and error. She has more than learned it, she mastered it. Her designs are cutely refined.
If you always dream of creating your own fabulous birthday cakes, do not be shy to try a simpler version. Kate Sullivan is not only a cake decorator, she is also an author of a cook book. Grab a copy of her book Fun & Fancy Cake Decorating: Tips and Techniques for Decorating Unique Cakes for any Occasion to discover her tricks.
Categories:
DINING
REVIEWS
COOKBOOKS
posted @ Thursday, May 22, 2008 1:20 AM | Feedback (0)
For a few annual celebrations, Sprinkles Cupcakes creates specific designs. These limited edition cupcakes are a quick and chic way to personalize your party or to simply highlight your day. The next four calendar events are in April and May.
Passover – April 19 to 26
Flourless Belgian dark chocolate cake topped with a Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean glaze. A blue Star of David put the finishing touch to the Passover cupcake design.
Earth Day – April 21 to 25
Like they did in the past with the Pink Ribbon strawberry cupcake, Sprinkles will donate the proceeds of a dedicated cupcake. The proceeds will go to local tree planting and environmental care organizations. To show your support, get a vanilla cupcake with a green tree on the top.
Categories:
HOLIDAY
CAKES
ENTERTAINING
DINING
posted @ Friday, April 18, 2008 5:37 PM | Feedback (0)
When selecting a cake topper it is important that the bride and groom select one that represents well their couple. I am showing three that thinks outside the box.
Anime and Video Game Figurines
A cake topper is basically a cake doll. There is no reason why you should restrict your choose to a character wearing a wedding dress. With the profusion of adorable and well executed figurines from anime, video games and TV series, the universe of potential cake toppers is expanding fast.
Russ and Lisa selected Toshiro Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori from the anime series Bleach as their wedding cake topper. The figurines carry a mystical, refined mood. I love it! Thanks to ToastyKen for posting his pictures of Russ and Lisa’s wedding on Flickr.
Categories:
PARTY supplies
FORMAL entertaining
CAKES
ENTERTAINING
DINING
posted @ Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:28 PM | Feedback (3)
When I realized yesterday night that this would be the 500th post of At Home with Kim Vallée, I started a search for the perfect cake to represent what my brand stands for: stylish, unique, modern, lively and entertaining. I found my match at I Dream of Cake in San Francisco.
Cake Gallery
When you walk into this appointment-only shop you are surrounded by the cream of the cream in cake decorations.
People did not nickname I Dream of Cake the Cake Gallery for nothing. The retail space is designed as a gallery. Naturally, every cake is made to order. With an art degree, the cake designer Shinmin Li refers to her cake creations as commissioning a piece of edible art. When I look at her cake creations, I must agree with Shinmin.
It took me a while to create my board due to abundance of fabulous cake designs on her Web site. Her Wedding cakes are incredible and so the rest of I Dream of Cake creations. People commission cakes for all occasions from kid birthday cakes to sweet 16, bar mitzvahs, christenings up to anniversaries.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Wednesday, April 02, 2008 12:39 PM | Feedback (4)
I am always watching for stylishly decorated cupcakes. Fondant decorated cakes are my favorites. So imagine how glad I was yesterday when I came across the most stunning cupcakes I ever saw.
The power of social networks
My journey started by looking at the Facebook profile of new friends I made last Wednesday at the Montreal Girl Geek Dinner. I spotted a comment about a cupcake montage for the m0851 Fashion Show and Press conference. This event occurred this week as part of the current Montreal Fashion Week. This is how I discovered Michelle, the talented girl behind Clever Cupcakes.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Saturday, March 29, 2008 1:35 PM | Feedback (3)
After a career as a jewelry, fashion and accessories designer, Alison Dawson found a new vocation when she founded Chapeau de Gateau (cake hat in French).
As you can see, Alison Dawson produces stylish cake toppers. Every detail is taking care including delivering your one-of-a-kind cake topper in a keepsake box.
Ideal for wedding and any special occasions, each Chapeau de Gateau topper is handmade with the finest quality Mokuba ribbons. These ribbons are imported from Japan.
Cake toppers can be chosen from the Chapeau de Gateau line. For the ultimate in event design harmonization, opt for a custom designed topper.
The talented cake maker / decorator, Papillon Cakes, that I introduced two days ago, works with Chapeau de Gateau.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Tuesday, February 12, 2008 1:21 AM | Feedback (1)
Like everything else, the cake industry has evolved a lot over the years. The popularity of the TV series Ace of Cakes gives more ideas to people.
If you want a one-of-a-kind marvelous cake, first of all know that it is pricey because it requires a lot of time and know-how to decorate these remarkable cakes.
These cakes are popular at weddings, since people often allocate a huge budget for their wedding cake. If you plan an extraordinary party for a milestone birthday, a 25th wedding anniversary, a baptism or a shower, you cannot pretend to host the ultimate stylish event without a fabulous cake.
How does it work?
The process starts with a consultation and cake tasting, often complimentary. Be prepared before you set up a meeting. It is best to sit down with the cake maker after you booked your venue. Figure out the style of your event first as the cake must harmonize with the rest of your theme and decorative elements. You need to have a pretty good idea of how many guests will assist or be invited.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Sunday, February 10, 2008 12:19 PM | Feedback (3)
I am not a huge fan of wedding cake toppers but these ones got my attention. As a leisure gamer, I found those cake toppers pretty amazing.
Targeting the fans of Nintendo Wii this Valentine, Paul Pape Designs got an overwhelming demand. Their production does not start there. Paul Pape Designs also produces clay imitations of your game avatar characters.
For a wedding, the mid and deluxe options are worthwhile. For $200, the deluxe version delivers a custom job including the reproduction of your wedding dress and the groom's tuxedo. You can decide on your own pose and even, add a scenery.
Not just for getting hitched!
If it is your birthday, have them create a clay imitative sculpture for your event.
Paul Pape Designs is also renowned for its true-to-scale, laser die-cut paper furniture called Pop-Out Furniture.
Sourcing:
Buy online: Mid-grade Cake Topper by Paul Pape Designs - price: $150
Via: Chocolate Mii for you and Wii on Popgadget
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Friday, January 25, 2008 12:56 AM | Feedback (7)
January 6 officially marks the end of the Christmas celebrations. You should take down all your Holiday decorations by this date.
Epiphany is referred to as Three Kings Day for commemorating the visit of Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, the three Magi.
But really, everyone can host an Epiphany party since beside its origin no religious ceremony is involved on the celebrations as I know it. And the Three Kings Day customs are fun and simple!
What is a traditional Three Kings Day party?
To make a story short, the tradition goes like that. You host a feast and serve a cake for dessert with a hidden dried bean inside a King cake or the Galette des Rois (puff pastry with an almond paste). You served a piece of cake to everyone. The person who found the Bean is elected King or Queen for the day. The custom implies giving a gift and a head crown to the winner. The winner elects his Queen or her King.
I recalled when I was a kid, I looked forward for Epiphany. I was either invited to a party or my mother would throw a party with my friends and cousins. It is not just for kids, the event has been popular with adults for centuries. I encourage you to have one this Sunday.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
HOLIDAY
CAKES
ENTERTAINING
DINING
posted @ Friday, January 04, 2008 3:25 PM | Feedback (3)
I went looking for inspirations on how to decorate cupcakes for you on Flickr. I would several types.
Textile cupcakes
First, Amigurumi Kingdom is excellent at crafting decorative cupcakes. Although you cannot eat her creations, they would be a cute way to decorate your dessert table at a baby shower or a party.
Super Mario cupcakes
My husband is a gamer and we like to host Wii parties as I told you earlier. Hello Naomi makes these amazing Super Mario cupcakes. The levels of details are well executed. I wish I knew how to decorate cupcakes like that. These cupcakes are perfect for birthday parties for kids and adults that enjoy video games.
Categories:
DISHING tips
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Friday, November 16, 2007 1:32 PM | Feedback (4)
Tuesday night on my way home from a conference, I passed by the front store of Petits Gateaux, one of the few cupcake shops in Montreal.
Their Halloween cupcakes on the front window caught my eyes. Look at them as a source of inspirations to bake and decorate your own cupcakes for a Halloween party.
I guess that these looks can be reproduced successfully if you possess some skills in cake decorations. I really like the RIP designs and they can be a hit with children. I am predicting that the eye would not go unnoticed.
About Petits Gateaux
Located in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal, Petits Gateaux store design is another retro style concept. I am tired of the retro old-fashioned concept for cupcake shops. Are you? Still, this little cake bakery got fans in the city.
For their simple Halloween cupcake designs, Petits Gateaux won points on my book. Especially, since these seems like good DIY projects. If you give them a try, do not forget to share your tips with us.
Categories:
HOLIDAY
CAKES
ENTERTAINING
DINING
posted @ Thursday, October 18, 2007 1:32 AM | Feedback (2)
If you wish to create awareness for a cause, throwing a party around your cause is a great idea.
For the fight against Breast Cancer, you can plan a dessert buffet or a tea party in the afternoon with your girlfriends.
I fell in love with the cute cupcakes by Sprinkles Cupcakes a few months ago. From October 1 to 14, they will donate the proceeds of the sales of their Pink Ribbon strawberry cupcakes to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund. During that period, the strawberry flavor will be available every day.
Modern decor, refined style and strong packaging
Frankly, the retro look so typical of cupcake bakeries look tired; we need more varieties. Here come Sprinkles Cupcakes that opened its first shop in Beverly Hills in 2005. At last, a fresh and modern architecture boutique décor.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
CAKES
PARTY favors
ENTERTAINING
DINING
posted @ Saturday, September 29, 2007 12:45 AM | Feedback (3)
We all dream to be able to decorate cakes with like the pro instead of making all-buttercream cakes. If you are not a beginner cake decorator, you may be ready to learn the art of fondant and royal icing.
Before you invest in cake decorating classes, flip the pages of books to see if this is for you. I compiled a list of 4 excellent books.
They all received great reviews on Amazon.com by people that effectively tried to make the cakes. And they passed my tests for the aesthetic and the usefulness of their instructions.
Spectacular Cakes: Special Occasion Cakes for any Celebration by Mich Turner
Mich Turner's credentials include wedding cakes for Madonna, Pierce Brosnan, Paul McCartney, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. In November 2005, her first book Spectacular Cakes was published. She wrote a second book which will hit the store on November 6, 2007.
Her book, Spectacular Cakes goes over cake decoration styles and techniques from the traditional to the cutting edge. Mich Turner's book supplies cake recipes plus a portfolio of incredible cake designs with step-by-step that you can copy or adapt to suit any formal or informal event.
Categories:
DINING
REVIEWS
COOKBOOKS
posted @ Wednesday, September 12, 2007 10:44 PM | Feedback (2)
If you are a fan of Martha Stewart, you are probably familiar with the cake creations of Wendy Kromer. Reproducing her look at home is possible if you buy online her fabulous decorative kits.
I guess that anyone who masters more than the basics of cake decoration can get a pleasing result. These handmade decorative items are carefully crafted. I have to warm you; these are fairly expensive cake decorations. But if you wish to impress your guests with a homemade cake, that is certainly the way to go.
You need to know that some pieces are just decorative. Due to the wires, none of the Marzipan Cherry pieces or the shown Hellebore leaves and flowers are meant be eaten. The Hellebore wired leaves and flowers appear tricky to do.
If you wish to eat them, order instead the box of 16 Marzipan Fall Leaves. Easier to use, these almond paste treats nicely decorate cakes or embellish your dessert trays.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Monday, September 03, 2007 1:20 AM | Feedback (1)
Cakes are an important part of any celebrations. This is one custom that I hope with never go out of fashion. Even if decorated cakes are widely available, the best hostesses like to make a bold statement with her cakes.
Bakery Bar specializes in custom designs specifically tailored to your individual style. Their creations are stunning. They are cute, fun, fresh and stylish. In short, they exhibit my favorite qualities.
Gracious whimsical and organic themes
Many of their cake designs are inspired by nature. The bakers at Bakery Bar cleverly and realistically shape fruits, vegetables, plants and much more. Nothing looks tacky here. I would take pleasure in getting that kind of cakes for my upcoming wedding anniversary.
The whimsical Pirate cake for a kid birthday has the usual elements done in an appealing way. The houses / neighborhoods cakes talk to me; you feel a part of the community just by looking at it. If you belong to the welcoming committee of a club or if you are hosting a housewarming party, this rendering cannot be more apropos.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:34 PM | Feedback (1)
I want to share a smile or two with you. This is not really about at home entertaining but we are around the wedding season. I came by these comical cake toppers by Weddingstar today.
Whether you are a fan or not of bride and groom cake toppers, you have to admit that these ones are funny. I will never go for a comical formula myself but everyone has their own idea about what is the perfect wedding.
My wedding was about the Duchess-Empress Sissi (you know the one played by Romy Schneider) spirit: classical music, princess dress, a five-star dinner setting and a choreographed Viennese waltz for the first dance. My wedding cake was a sophisticated three-tiered ivory cake decorated with trios of creamy white roses sculpted in fondant. Frankly Considering the choices available at the time, my cake design was better off without a bride and groom cake topper.
If you want a bride and groom cake topper, take a look at Weddingstar's collection. The Reaching Bride and Helpful Groom cake topper and the Sitting Bride and Groom are sweet. The Golf Fanatic Groom and Exasperated Bride cake topper is hilarious. The Couple with The Groom "Taking a plunge" can be an inside joke.
Most of the Weddingstar’s selection is available in ethnic and multiracial models. Yes, you can mix and match the bride and groom. Beside the comical ones, other varieties are traditional, unique look and based on a theme. The Beach bride and groom cake topper wears a little bit less formal clothes and naturally, they are barefoot.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Thursday, May 24, 2007 8:27 PM | Feedback (2)
As a Canadian blogger, I like to point out great Web sites from my country. This morning I discovered Brides in the City, a fascinating blog published by two Torontians. I lived in TO for five years a decade ago. Gal pals Diana and Holly both works on the bridal industry.
Diana Stepanovic is the owner and pastry chef of Pavillon Cakes. Diana makes traditional, contemporary and super chic cakes. Holly Hatam operates an invitation and greeting card company called TearDrop Weddings. So if you are getting married soon and live near Toronto, their blog provides good sourcing information.
Recently, these gals started doing something out of the ordinary for weddings. They use the same design for the cake and the invite. Great idea! As an event designer, I usually try not repeating the same exact pattern too many times. I approve of this application because it is a nice way to link together your design elements. Invitations should introduce the key design elements of your event. It fits the bill here.
Categories:
PAPER goods
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:13 AM | Feedback (3)