A weekend in Denver

Two years ago, I moved to the Twin Cities from Denver, CO.  After having lived there for 6.5 years, I was itching for change:  A new job, new faces, new places, and a new chapter with Mr. Scott, who was in his second year of vet school here in St. Paul.  It's been an eventful two years, with highs and lows, successes and curve balls.  I have to be thankful for the life lessons I have learned and the insight I have gained.

I also consider myself extremely blessed to have been quickly welcomed into the fold of Scott's peers.  Having witnessed countless hours of studying and cringe-worthy slide shows, I've been deemed an "honorary vet student."  Along with baking a cake, I could probably diagnose your horse with colic and give your cat a body condition score.

Still, I have missed my girlfriends in Denver since the day I left.  It took longer than I had ever expected, but two weeks ago I was finally able to fly back and spend a long weekend visiting my college and work buddies and their families.  It was wonderful, glorious, and full of sunshine.

Elle and I met as freshman at Johnson & Wales.  We didn't bond until the second trimester, as I slept through our academic classes {but still pulled A's, thank you very much}.  But once we got in the kitchen, she made me laugh, and we've been fast friends ever since.  A couple years later, I got her a job working with me at Gateaux Bakery.  She is an INCREDIBLE cake artist with an eye for whimsy and style for miles.  I've told Elle before that she is the voice in my head that coaches me through decorating.

Audrey was a fellow pastry student and Gateaux employee as well.  I adore her for being so sweet and silly.  She and her husband Rob "adopted" me, and spending time with them showed me what true love should look like.  I can't wait for a Baby Jones, as these two will be the most devoted parents.  

Miss Kelly infiltrated Gateaux after relocating from Charlotte, NC, where she also attended Johnson & Wales.  Honestly, she's too cool to be my friend.  I am Screech and she is Kelly Kapowski.  But somehow our opposites attract and made for some of the most memorable Denver nights to go down in history.  Thank you, Kelly, for helping me find my inner badass.  I would walk 10,000 miles for you.

My darling Elle, my faux-hawk and I, enjoying a night on the town.

Sunday: A Rockies game.  My first grand slam!

What hangover?

Audrey's dad, Stephan, Audrey, myself and Audrey's "roommate" Rob, who she happens to be married to ;).  Audrey makes THE BEST spanikopita you will ever eat. 

The Trifecta!  Me, Kelly, and Elle

Elle's dad, Steven, and her FIANCE! Chris.  Elle's family hosted a BBQ on Monday.

Love this one of Chris and I.  You know you missed me!

One of my many mommies, Donna, and Elle

I wish I could hop on a plane and visit every month, but my heart is full to the brim for a little bit having seen these great people again.  Elle and Chris are planning to wed in 2014 in New York, so I will for sure be seeing this bunch again then, if not sooner {please, oh please}.  Kelly and I are collaborating on her cake!

Love,
Rachel

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Is this a blog about cakes?

One of my loyal readers "complained" that I haven't been posting enough cakes on here.  So, T**, this is for you :)

Just to give you an idea of how hard I have been working lately, I've upped my output to about 20-25 custom cakes in a 12 hour shift (Saturdays). On those days I could go through upwards of 10 gallons of buttercream.  We are trying to hire another decorator to help with the ever-growing weekend load.  Last week in total we did just shy of 160 custom orders.  Even with the growing demand, I still LOVE what I'm doing, adore my coworkers and boss, and feel completely spoiled.

Fondant ladybug

Reuben for Mr. Scott's birthday!

Lab coat I've done three times now

Isn't the tutu the cutest?

High heel "Teeny" cakes

Old school Mario

These buttercream elephants were a challenge!

Hello Kitty + Gumballs = Sweet

Ruby is a popular name I guess....pink chef hat!

Not many wedding cakes yet, but those are starting to pick up as well as the season progresses.  I will be taking more of those on once the new person is hired.  

Until next time!

Cake and cats,
Rachel


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Mallory's Wedding Cake Inspiration

My best friend from since middle school is getting married in July.  God, just saying that makes me feel old.  This is the girl I spent every weekend with as a teenager.  She's known me through my best and worst times, supporting me through breakups, cheering me on as I pursue my dreams, and making me laugh every moment in between.  We've come a long way since the days of barking like dogs out the windows of my parents' minivan and coloring our hair over the kitchen sink (her's blonde, mine blackish brown).  I still have a {locked} box of notes we passed in class, my favorite being the drawings of which outfits we would wear to the Britney Spears concert (What the hell was I thinking with those zebra shorts??).

After high school I moved to Colorado to attend pastry school, but Mallory and I kept in touch.  She set the standard of what I look for in a friend (sense of humor, big hands), yet could never be replaced.  Lucky for me, she's stayed close to the Rogue Valley, so we were always able to visit when I went home.

Needless to say, Mallory holds a special piece of my heart.  Mal deserves every happiness life brings her way, and her fiance Nate has been nothing less than a blessing.  There wasn't really a question as to whether or not I would do her wedding cake - I couldn't imagine it any way else.  I used to bake for Mal quite a bit (shortbread and cheesecake are her favorites), and she had a huge impact on my decision to go into the pastry field.  Thinking about it now, there was never a time since we've known each other that I wasn't obsessed with food and opening a bakery.

Making cakes for people you know is as nerve-wracking as it is fulfilling, and you know I will be stressing over every detail until July 7th!  She has just a few simple requests:  Red Velvet cake with an all black and white exterior.  How cool is that going to look when they cut into it?!  Oh, and Nate prefers square tiers.  The wedding is being held at the River House in Shady Cove, Oregon, and needs to be able to hold up outside.  Other than that, I have free rein.  I've been scouting out inspiration on Pinterest based on the other details she's shared with me regarding her dress, invites, and flowers:

Invites similar to Mallory's, via Etsy.com

Close-up of a flower from her wedding dress (which is a frothy, dreamy confection in itself!)

Rose and carnation bouquet inspiration from conroysflowersdowney.com

These are some cakes I'm pulling inspiration from.  Mallory sent a few of them to me, others I found on Pinterest.  I want to create drama for her evening wedding, but without getting to formal or stiff.  Being the fun couple Mal and Nate are, it needs to have some playful elements.  I'm seeing black lace/damask details, asymmetrical draping strands of black pearls, a chic monogram, topped with gum paste white roses and carnations....perhaps in a vessel of some sort?  I would love to play with the proportions of the tiers as well. 

Follow me on Pinterest for more cake and floral inspiration, fashion picks, hair musings, recipes, and some Hello Kitty too :)  There is a entire board dedicated to Mallory's wedding!

I'm still working on sketches, then I will submit them to Mallory for approval.  I think the final pick should be a surprise, don't you?

xoxo,
Rachel

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50's Frocks

Spring gets me excited about fashion like no other.  Especially in MN, it's hard to rock a cute outfit when its bloody cold out and heels are not an option.

This year I'm feeling drawn to vintage dresses with a 50's vibe, bold colors, and prints.  These dresses may require tights for a while yet, but hope is on the horizon!  The best thing about 50's styles is how they emphasize shapely, feminine curves with a nipped waistline.  Just add pumps for a truly flattering silhouette. 

Here are some examples from my favorite bloggers:

Jessica Quirk in a self-made shift.

Iris in a recent fave on Fashion Zen.  I want those glasses!

Adorbs-balls Keiko Lynn, whom I am now stalking thanks to my sister in law.

Top off your 50's look with a turban/headwrap.  Learn how here.

Karla models some vintage and re-worked vintage dresses on Karla's Closet.

My virtually non-existent shopping budget is a challenge, but I found an adorable sundress at Goodwill for $3 last week!  I also scoured the nearby Marshall's for deals and clearance items that can be altered.  I'd love to find some frocks like these!

Hunky Dory dress, ModCloth

Work with Me dress, ModCloth

Silence and Noise dress, Urban Outfitters

Custom Pinafore, Etsy

Nina Ricci Spring 2012 - Complete with pillbox hat!  Sheer fantasy.

What looks are you anxious to wear this spring?

Love and sunshine,
Rachel

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Buttercream Flowers

Hello!

Mr. Scott wonders why I'm spending my day off writing about "work," but I just can't help myself.

As I mentioned before, buttercream flowers are a new challenge for me.  Previous to now, I had only been shown how to pipe roses.  My roses these days are passable, but show room for improvement.  The trick is having really stiff buttercream to work with (Add powdered sugar.  A lot.)  I found this little image of how they are piped using a "nail", since trying to explain the nail concept to my mother was difficult ("It's a stick with a flat thingy on top...")  The majority of flowers are piped first onto the nail and then transferred to the cake with small scissors or a spatula (I use scissors).  The stiffer the flower is, the better it holds its shape, the easier the transfer.

You can also pipe flowers using Royal Icing and allowing them to dry before transferring.  This is a variation  I would like to look into more down the road.

In researching piping , I've found a multitude of flower varieties that can be created from frosting.  It blows my mind how one slanted tip (#104) can create so many flowers!  Its all about pressure and angles.  Check these out:

Carnation

Primroses (violets made with a drop flower tip)

Hibiscus

Daffodil

Orchid

Iris

Wild Rose

Pansy

Daisy

These are other flowers that use special tips:

Poinsettia

Bachelor Button

Chrysanthemum

Shaggy Mum

Drop flowers

Lily of the Valley

Here are some recent cakes I've done with flowers.  Practice practice practice, I say!  

For floral cakes, I pipe the border and stems first as a guide to how I want the design to flow and fill the space.  The largest flowers are placed first and create the focal point of the spray.  Leaves and small flowers fill in and cover any flaws, then I write the message.

Did I mention all of this intricate piping has caused my carpel tunnel flair up again?  Wonderful perk of the job...wearing a wrist brace for a couple hours a day is helping slightly.


The sun is shining outside, so I'm going to go catch it for a few hours and sketch ideas for Mallory's wedding cake!

xoxo,
Rachel


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