The Painted Cake

Never one to back down from a challenge, I've received just that from one of my July brides.  She brought me a gallery of hand-painted wedding cakes and would like me to paint an all-over orchid motif on a small, three-tiered fondant cake.  I think the look is incredibly beautiful and unique, and this bride is really into bright colors, so it fits perfectly with her overall vision.  The only thing is...I've never painted something this intricate on a cake.  Thus, I have enlisted the help of my artistic mentor, Carolyn VanSant, aka:  Grandma Strawberry.  Yes, she's my maternal grandmother.  She's also won awards for her watercolors, weaving, tapestries, you name it.  She made all of my Christmas and Easter dresses growing up, and my senior prom dress (stunning).  I have four of her watercolors in my apartment, a Hello Kitty tapestry (I know I know), and so many special little trinkets from her world travels I can't even start to mention them all.  I owe my mother for my birth and good genes, but I owe my artistic talents to my grandmother.

The coolest person you will ever meet:

Grandma on her 80th birthday

  As luck would have it, the watercolor queen is going to be in town NEXT WEEK for my cousin's graduation and she's going to give me a little lesson, help me pick out brushes, etc.  I'm looking forward to it so much! 

Here are some of the pictures Miss July shared with me for inspiration.  These are her colors:

Source unknown

 And these are the cakes.  We decided on a color version of the first one you see here:

 I'm waiting on a photo of what her actual flowers will be, but these are photos she shared with me of what she is hoping for:

What do you think of the painted look?  Tell me in the comments!

Love,

Rachel

30th Birthday Three Tier Cake

This was a last minute order I received this past week that ended up being the highlight of the my weekend.  The client send me a link to these party wares for the colors:

Via celebrateexpress.com

I sent him a couple photos of design ideas, and here is the final product:

I was really pleased with how the topper came out, it may be my favorite element.  The "30" is chocolate, affixed to a fondant circle with chocolate.

Three tiered fondant cake to serve 75 guests: About $425

Top tier: Chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse

Middle tier: White cake with fresh strawberries and pastry cream

Bottom tier: Marble cake with dark chocolate ganache filling

The age of Aquarius

 Have I mentioned the weather here in St. Paul has improved and thus also lifted my mood?  LONGEST WINTER EVER.  I even wore shorts yesterday :)

And albeit a little cloudy today, we can still enjoy having the windows open and the views of trees with actual leaves!!!

So with spirits lifted and renewed energy, I'm thinking about summer projects.  A list:

1 - Start and finish a sewing project.

2 - Make a drinkable batch of hard cider (first batch was a fail).

3 - Find more houseplants the cats won't eat.

4 - Paint an accent wall (or two!).

White walls are so boring...

Via blushpaperie.blogspot.com

Via blog.styleestate.com

Via modresdes.com

Via housebeautiful.com

Via designtrackmind.com

Via thesweetestoccasion.com

I {heart} Clemence

Miss Poesy has been busy making the rounds at Cannes Film Festival this week.  Her style is a breath of fresh air compared to the overstyled and oversexed starlets that tend to clutter the red carpet (she's 28, by the by).  The first look is my favorite:  The gorgeous vintage-inspired YSL Edition Soir dress, juxtaposed with loose, undone hair, is impeccable.  The jade heels add just enough modern edge to keep it age appropriate.  Flawless.

Details details!

Via wireimage.com

In a pleated Chanel number, via style.com

Alas, she makes me want to be blonde, in Calvin Klein, via wireimage.com

I just read that the title role of Joan of Arc will be played by Clemence in an upcoming French biopic.  Tres magnifique!

Avec amour,

Rachel

FAQ Friday!

Q:  "Rachel, what is your favorite thing to make?"

A:  This is a very vague question.  Driven by my mood swings, the occasion, time, money...there could be a lot of different answers.  In general, I like baking all things.  The process of setting up, measuring, mixing techniques, that's like meditation to me, no matter what the final product may be.  When people ask me this question, I feel like they want me to say some grand dessert with a million bells and whistles, but I get the most pleasure out of creating a beautiful cake that lights up a room and satisfies the desires of my clients.

Also, as simple as it may sound, I still get a little giddy when making ganache (pronounced "guh-nosh").  Boiling hot cream is poured over chopped chocolate and stirred to create the most silky, sinful, velveteen concoction of decadence.  Two ordinary things come together as liquid sin.  I could take a bath in it.   

Image via treschicbellevue.wordpress.com

Pray, Rachel, what ARE you favorite sweets to eat?

Number 1:  Cookie Dough

 

I just can't help myself.  I'm one of those people that enjoys the dough more than baked cookies.  At work, if there is fresh cookie dough around, I'm in it.  Maybe I even sneak it from the freezer.  Maybe...


Number 2:  Dark Chocolate

Via Guidespot.com

 Mmmm, Scharffen Berger is so good.  I prefer at least 60-80% cacao content.  A good "snap" is also important, that is, when you break off a piece of chocolate, it has a loud, hard break to it.  This means we have some high quality product on our hands, with a good amount of cocoa butter.  The flip side would be a low quality bar made with more vegetable fat [coughHersheyscoughcough], which solidifies softer and melts faster than cocoa butter.  And don't get me started on milk chocolate - that stuff's for babies.


Number 3 - Ice Cream/Gelato/Frozen Custard

Via Benjerry.com

Where do I begin...well, with Phish Food.  Chocolate, caramel, marshmallow.  Win, win, win.  But I'll eat any ice cream, I'm not bias.  As a kid, my favorite was Chocolate Chip Mint, and I still feel like it should always be green colored, artificial dyes be damned.  Ice cream is an occasional treat for me, so I like to go big when I do have the change to indulge.  None if this one scoop crap.  Give me the bucket.

Wishing you all a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend with plenty of your favorite sweets!  Congratulations to the vet students who complete their last day of school today!!!

Love,
Rach

Cakes cakes cakes

Instead of highlighting my favorite cakes of the week, I wanted y'all to see more of what kind of orders I have been receiving, and the quantities are definitely increasing.  I don't take pictures of everything I do, either because I'm busy or just forget, but I'm trying to get better at that.  Sometimes I don't take a picture because I feel like I didn't live up to my expectations for a project and I really need to CUT THAT OUT.  We can learn from our mistakes/weaknesses and use those to improve, and I'm just way too critical of myself sometimes.  I went from working at a bakery that has a very distinct style and vision to one where they were completely open to anything.  As great as that may sound - creative freedom - I'm still figuring out my own style.  Imagine being given a house, and being told you can decorate it however you want!  But make sure other people will like the house and want to buy it from you!  *Sigh*.....

These are some cakes from the past two weeks.

U of M grad

Mini, last-minute wedding cake

Liv really likes pink spaceships and aliens.

Close up of a sheetcake for newborn twins' babyshower.

Das froot tart.

First communion cake.  Pink is a popular request.

Groom's cake for a surfer dude.

Pretty princesses.

Cake donated to a local community organization.

Golf ball two tier.  I had to pipe each blade of grass individually - took me a whole hour!

Garden party 1st B-day

Lip Smacking

In desperate need of a diversion from all things cake, we change the channel to FASHION.  Or more precisely, makeup.  I love putting on makeup in the morning.  Maybe if I didn't like it so much, I wouldn't always be late for work.  ANYWAYS, Mr. Scott calls it my female tribal ritual, explaining that I'm only answering a subconscious instinct to paint my face.  Neat!

Mr. Scott may not be a fan of my new urge to paint my lips, however.  No worries, he can kiss my cheeks for a night :)  About a year ago I tried red lipstick for the first time and found it to be totally empowering.  Skipping the subtle bus has its rewards!  Now I'm ready to try some new shades, and I think summer is the perfect time to debut a bright lip paired with clean eye makeup.  I loathe the embarrassment of lipstick on your teeth, so my strategy is a lipstain that can be freshened with gloss.

Shopping List:

 

A poppy orange-red, a la Karla of Karla's Closet. 

Electric pink, on Ms. Bosworth, via Instyle.com

Coral is sweet and sassy on Rachel McAdams, via Glamour.com

The girl on a budget, I can't wait to try Maybelline's ColorSensational Lip Stain, which has received great reviews online and rings in under $10 a pop.  

Via Maybelline.com

I would love to hear your favorite colors and brands in the comments!

Lippy love,

Rachel

"Stressed" spelled backwards...

Backstory:  My partner in crime, Nick, as been on "stay-cation" for two weeks while his family is here visiting from France.  I knew it would be rough at the bakery with him gone, but also that I could handle it and we all need our time to reboot.

So yes, it has been rough.  I spent two weeks trying to do the work of two people, plus had some pretty involved cake orders.  Saturday I somehow managed to finish my orders and do three wedding cake tastings (two have booked so far!). 

Thursday was also my last day at the salon :(  A bittersweet ending, I'm happy to have my hours back a the bakery and to be working on cakes is where my heart is.  Yet, I will miss the gang at Japa, the awesome perks, and the endless stream of estrogen.  Hey guys, can I come in just to read magazines sometime?!  I will continue to confidently refer anyone with hair to this amazingly talented group of women.  Even Mr. Scott made it in last week to get a much  needed trim.  He would never tell you he looks hot, but I will :) 

Looking for a great way to check out the salon without making a huge commitment?  Check out one of their styling events!  These are super fun evenings put on by the ladies where you can enjoy some snacks and wine, get pampered, and go home with a new look and the knowledge of how to recreate it at home.  There is no cutting involved, so its a commitment free way to work with what you've got to try something new.  Whether you crave beachy waves but lack curling iron skills, flat irons have always intrigued you, or you want to check out the best new Bumble and Bumble styling products,  this is the perfect way to learn how to style yourself one-on-one with a professional.  Plus you get free products and the chance to win valuable door prizes, all for $25!  Mark you calendar and make a reservation, space is limited!

www.japasalon.com

Love,

 

Little Rachel

The Cider Chronicles: Part 1- The Story Begins

Here's the deal:  A couple years ago, my uncle, Uncle Steve, aka "Unka Steve" took me as his travel companion to London.  Yes, London, England, silly.  Apart from the fabulous museums, historical sights, Paris, shopping, and double-decker bus rides, there is one distinct and special memory that stands out in my mind from the trip.

We were staying at a relatively nice hostel in Notting Hill on the edge of a large, public park.  I think that day we had gone to Kensington Palace and seen evening gowns worn by Princess Diana, among other things.  Unka had mentioned finding some hard cider for me to taste for the first time, and while wondering the streets in search of dinner, we came upon a quaint wine and spirits shop.  There we procured a bottle of Weston's hard cider.

Now, alcohol is not allowed at the hostel, as is drinking on the streets.  But that's not an issue when you have a brown paper sack and the cover of night to hide your liquor.  Unka and I meandered through the park like a couple of vagabonds, and took in the quiet of the evening.  The cider was crisp and refreshing, a light, sweet finish to the meal we just had.  Upon our return, I slept like a kitten in my hostel bunk.

Thus began my fascination with hard ciders.  This series will highlight some common brands of cider to be found in the US and their varying flavor nuances, Mr. Scott and I's adventures in making cider at home (it's easier than you think!), recipes, and more!

At the top of St. Paul's Cathedral, overlooking London.  Boring brown hair.

Love,
Rachel

FAQ

You get two posts today because I was so busy last week!

This question doesn't pertain to pastry so much, but its an inquiry I receive mucho, nonetheless.

Q:  "Why do you like Hello Kitty so much?"


A:  I don't know.

I have been collecting HK since I was 12 or so.  There is more scattered about the house, but the agreement with Mr. Scott is to keep most of it confined to my corner of the front closet :)

Two of my favorite pieces: The espresso cup is a souvenir from my trip to London.  The teapot was a gift from my dear friend Audrey.

The Jelly Belly jar is new - Thanks Aunt Nancy and Uncle Lon!

The wallet front and center was one of my very first.

Miss Kelly in Denver sent me this hilarious box of teeny tiny Hello Kitty food for Christmas! 

My two real kitties, Chandler Bing and Murph, sunbathing.  They work nights.

 Love and kitties,
Rachel