First of all, I am actually posting two days in a row because Ryan firmly believes that when I post anything about him it is the kiss of death to my comments. He is getting a little self conscious people…show him some love!
So you ever have those days where you are looking at something that deep down inside you think…”Man, if I had the time and money…I would totally rock at that.” Then you sit there with jealous eyes looking at pictures or watching someone on TV do that skill and stew in your misery. Then you jump off a bridge.
Well I am having one of those days. Ever since thinking about Chloe’s impending birthday. Can you use the word impending if it is three months away? Doesn’t the word impend allude to the fact that it is coming fast? Well three months seems fast to me.
Anyway, I was all sentimental about her b-day…now I am thinking about the fun stuff…..CUPCAKES!!!! My friend Candace is an extremely skilled baker and made some adorable cupcakes for her son’s 1st b-day. At first I was like, “I don’t get it, he won’t even remember and you are working so hard.” I mean the adults appreciated it. But Candace…I get it! The bug has bitten me and I am transforming into the mommy who wants to have the most adorable b-day ever for Chloe. I have been looking at flickr sites for cupcake ideas. This is a slippery slope, my friends. Do you know the talent that exists out there in the world…do you….DO YOU?????
Check this out. This is from a flickr site, Zalita.
Are you kidding me? That is redunkulous! I am in love. What a girly fun cupcake. If that isn’t girly enough for you…well look at the Vogue of cupcakes.
SHOES, I heart shoes. A purse and scarf. She has others with high heels and lipsticks. Can you smell the estrogen?
Do I even know how to make fondant? Nope….but do I have hopes and dreams of grander after looking at these inspiring beauties? Yup!
I could go this route. Ryan found this on a site called Not Martha. Tee hee….
We could go for one gigantic cupcake-cake
How rad is that? Check out the pans.
At least when you decorate you aren’t making 30 eentsy beentsy cut outs. You can make large items one time. Decisions, decisions. The thing is, and I am not trying to sound conceited, but I bet I would be really good at it. It is such an artistic outlet with color, shape, composition….I think if I had all the equipment and skills I could do it. Oh and if I didn’t have a baby, husband, or time obligations to do anything else.
I have also decided that I want a British accent so I could say “cuppies” instead of cupcakes. It sounds so much more fun. I already told Candace we are opening up a cupcake shop here in Lynchburg that will specialize only in cupcakes, coffees and teas, have a craft store and reading room and be decorated in the sweetest pastel polka dots, stripes and florals that you have ever seen. I also decided we would call it….can you guess……”CUPPIES”. Can’t you see it now? Anyone want to donate to the CUPPIES fund?
Maybe God is just saving me from a fate of weighing 500lbs. I dont ‘know about you, but you don’t have to ask me twice if I want to lick the bowl or beaters.
UPDATE: Amanda gave this most amazing link for a Tea Party themed b-day. I don’t know what I love more, the photography, the decorations or the little girls names. THANKS AMANDA…..in five years, this IS the party she will have.
So I move onto something I know about or at least am learning about, photography. Always room to grow here. Ryan turned me onto this flickr, State of the Nation. They are the guru’s of outdoor flash lighting. We finally picked up some pocket wizards and Ryan is messing around trying to figure out how to slave the flashes and all that non-sense. Again, I am a total leach of his knowledge. The end result is incredible. Your subjects are perfectly lit and it looks like you could reach into a photo and pluck them out. Almost 3Dish.
It doesn’t even look real does it? I mean their location helps. I don’t have oceanside cliffs at my disposal, but you get the idea.
So dream a little dream with me sweet readers. What is your hidden dream?
I’m lovin’ the cupcakes. Cupcakes are kinda a cult, I think. I’ve poked around a few cupcake blogs and I’m jealous!
First birthday parties are the best. Here’s a birthday party I want to have:
http://jessicaclaire.net/index.cfm?postID=134
I have also begun thinking (aka stressing) about Peyton’s first birthday. Only about a month and a half away now - but I’ve been thinking about it for awhile now. I don’t know if I want to try and do a theme myself or just buy everything in a nice (and overpriced) package from target or the party store. Agh, decisions!
Those cupcakes are *amazing*! Emily’s first birthday is coming up too, and because she’s a girl I want to go big…or go home!
I dream of learning to use the manual functions on my camera. Sigh. Also? After every episode of SYTYCD I think that I should be a professional dancer.
A girl can dream.
Wow!! I love all the ideas for the big B-day party!! Party on Chloe!! I’m sure you’ll have the grandest party, whatever theme you choose…but I really love the cupcake idea!! Fun, Fun!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!
Side Note: Thanks for my sweet comment. Really, I would fly you out here to help me decorate…you got crazy skills girl!! I’m serious…when you coming?! Haaha!!
i love “not so martha.” she always has great ideas for projects.
and i think you should make one giant cupcake and let everyone divide it up. that way, when working with the fondant, you could have big-ass balloons, numbers or bunnies atop of your cupcake.
and i know all about obsessing over little girls and their birthday parties, when really all the kids care about is the icing. if nothing else, i know i cared about the presentation.
wow those cupcakes are insane! i love them but i can’t even begin to imagine decorating them myself. can’t wait to see pics of whatever you end up doing!
My dream? Well, it’s to eat OTHER people’s cooking whenever I want to, like giant cupcakes at “Cuppies”. Tell me when you open! Thanks for the pics of giant girly cupcakes that are now killing my self control over sweets….aaaah!
No, for real? I dream so badly of doing what you and Ryan are doing. The photography! I ache to be able to know all the things that you can do with the lighting and photoshop etc. Someday…someday….
So! There you have it, and you can tell Ryan that I am jealous of his photo knowledge. Will that make him feel better after the morning breath pics on here? Ha!
So,
I am your photofan now!
I just ordered my Canon EOS 30d today. The bad news is that my son probably won’t be able to go to college, but the good news is that now I have a *real* camera that is not held together with duct tape and hope!
Here is a cute Cupcake Blog:
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com
I LOVE the huge cupcake.
Chloe should have a party every year!
OMG! Girl! I’m pretty sure that you are ALREADY uber talented & oh so crafteh!!
Now… hand over that link so I can order that rad cupcake cake pan. Mama needs.
Those cupcakes (and photos) are like works of art!
Dude I am all about the storebought Publix cake cuz I have no mad baking skillz. Oh well. I have come to embrace my inner domestic ineptness. I’m taking baby steps and trying a little bit at a time.
I do make a major (to quote Posh Spice) homemade pepperoni pizza, though.
uhmmmmmmm yeah. that’s a lot of work for me. adorable. but a lot of work. i’d opt for the giant cupcake, cake. and dude…..do it. cuppies. i’d SO come and support you by buying cupcakes. and i want to thank you, in advance, for my fat rear….
p.s. speaking of cool Martha types, I have recently discovered two cool design blogs you might fancy (yes, imagine I am British for .2 seconds and not a hick from Nash-veele)
http://www.designmom.com and http://www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com
Enjoy!
Yes cupcakes. I love ‘em. Candace’s were pretty stinkin’ amazing, I remember. Anyhow, I think that cake-decorating should be fun so go WILD. And… I so wish that we lived closer so we could practice with fondant together - it’s been a long-standing dream of mine, who knows when I’ll get there…
oops “practise” not with a c
Thanks for the cupcake-love, and I love that huge cupcake cake - now I know what I want to do for MY next birthday. And I’m glad you no longer think I’m crazy for going all-out for lil’ C’s bday - once you get bitten, you can’t help it! Can’t wait to see what you do for Chloe’s bday, and remember this is a celebration for you - you survived the first year of motherhood!!
Planning the first birthday party is the best! And I know you have it in you to make any fancy cake your heart desires. You do great with everything else! Miss Chloe is worth it!
We just got over the whole first birthday craziness. I went a little overboard, but how many times will the baby turn one and husband turn thirty all in the same weekend!?! We did a cowboy themed BBQ and it turned out great. I am lucky enough to have a brother who works in the bakery at Whole Foods, so I baked the cupcakes and he frosted them. His secret, use a piping bag to swirl it on. All these years I’ve been slaving away frosting cupcakes, if I had only known…
I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for the party, I expect it to be amazing.
The look is important, but please remember than fondant tastes like styrofoam with some sugar mixed in.
I want to bury my face in that cupcake CAKE. So freaking cool!
And those cupcakes made even Steve say, “Wow.”
My hidden dream(s) are as follows:
1. learn how to use photoshop and make kickass banners for my blog and design cool stationary and be all rad and stuff
2. go to the Greek islands
3. write something worthwhile that people would like to read
4. meet Kelly Portnoy. I love her.
Here is a site a friend has recently set up. I thought it was something you could appreciate and some of your readers might like to check out as well. She has pretty mad skillz and is putting them to good use! :^) http://www.babyblossom.org Enjoy!
Love the photo stuff! I am in major photo learn mode. Can you give me more info on that?
Holy Moly those cupcakes are renunculous!! hmmm - now I’m hungry…. but if you’re truly going to go British, you need to spell neighbours correctly…..
And those photos of the kids on the cliffs ……. ‘o’ for awesome!! it’s amazing, they look just like my kids!! ……
loving your work!!