that time i made a wedding cake

Making someone's wedding cake wasn't on my Bucket List or anything.

But now that I've done it, I'm totally writing it on The List..

Just so I can have that sweet satisfaction of ticking it off!

∙ Make someone's Wedding Cake  ✓

But it wasn't just someone..

I honestly don't think I could make a wedding cake for just any old couple..

This was probably a good thing though..

Because it meant that it wasn't your standard, fancy, fondant-frosted, rose-piped cake.

This cake was a special order.

For a special pair.

T H E   C L I E N T

Lady P and The Thomas

T H E   O C C A S I O N

Their Wedding! (eek!)

T H E   B R I E F

Make a cake.

Any flavour.

Any frosting.

Put dinosaurs on top of cake.

C R E A T I V E   L I C E N S E

The part where I decided to create a 3-tiered cake despite never stacking cake on cake before in my life. Ever.

Each layer a different flavour.

Playing dress ups with the dinosaurs...

Because even dinosaurs deserve to look a bit fancy for a special occasion.

T H E   F L A V O U R S

Tier 1. Chocolate Fudge Mud Cake

Tier 2. Chocolate and Coffee Mud Cake

Top Tier. Orange and Almond Meal Cake

M I D - C R E A T I O N   M O C K   U P

T H E   F R O S T I N G

Vanilla Cream Cheese Buttercream

It is the ideal “crusting” buttercream to create cakes with a bakery-style smooth fondant look but with the classic cream cheese buttercream taste everyone loves!

1 cup (226 grams) butter, slightly softened

12 tablespoons (144 grams) organic palm shortening

24 ounces (680 grams) chilled cream cheese

2 kg icing sugar

1½ tablespoons (22.5 ml) pure vanilla extract

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) pure almond extract

Beat butter and shortening on medium speed until creamy. 

Add cream cheese and extract(s); beat until fully incorporated. 

Gradually increase mixer speed to high and continue beating until light and fluffy.

Gradually add icing sugar, beating on low to medium-low speed, until well combined. 

Beat on high speed until well combined and smooth. 

Buttercream will be very stiff and thick. 

Before frosting cake layers, rebeat buttercream to ensure smoothness.

If not using immediately, keep bowl covered tightly to keep buttercream from drying before frosting cake or cupcakes.

The buttercream can be refrigerated for up to 1 week in an airtight container. 

Before using, bring to near room temperature before beating smooth again.

T H E   U N V E I L I N G

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S   
P I P P A   A N D   T O M   

xx

what's in a name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

- Romeo and Juliet

Having gone through the process of changing my name back to it's original form in the past 12 months ('maiden name' sounds old and stuffy) I was impressed beyond words at the gift I received from The Lady P for my birthday.

Gold Monogram Necklace

More than just a gift - this necklace is a symbol of my identity. 

Yep... I just went there. Gettin all emotional and stuff.

And even more exciting is that it is the same necklace that the ever flawless Bee wears on her blog which I stalk follow.

Look at that - This necklace works with practically any outfit.

Love love love it.

xx

Images 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7

Happy D-Day to Me

Yesterday was a significant day.

To me it marked the beginning of something wonderful. 

People talk about moments in our lives marking the beginning or the end of a chapter.

I think this new phase in my life is more like an entirely different book.

Miss Pip and Lady Candice helped me to celebrate the day with some bubbles.

Cheers to D-Day!

xx

Crocodile Cupcakes

Sometimes you just need a little funfetti in your life!

These little crocodile cakes make me smile whenever I look at them.

Baked with a basic vanilla cupcake recipe and plain vanilla frosting - this little cakes were allllll about the decoration.

Crocodile Funfetti Cupcakes

xx

It's Official

Last year for Pip's birthday, I made her a cake.

This year ? I made it again.

Yep - Some might call me unoriginal. But I'm calling it Tradition!

I hereby dub this The Official Cake of Pippa.

Orange and Almond Meal Cake

HOORAY!

xx

It's Not a Dead Muppet, I Swear

I wrote about my ideas for decorating the new house here.

Shortly after, by pure coincidence, I came across a rug which ticked several boxes - fun; girly; PINK! Plus it's oh so soft.

And totally the style Miss Morgan and I are going for in the new house.

It was quickly labelled a Dead Muppet by the Pippa, which is fine because Muppets are weird and scare me, so I'd much prefer it be dead and on my floor... Sorry kids.

Anyway, the Dead Muppet rug was one of the first things to be unpacked in the new house and I think it fits in quite nicely with our borrowed couch (Thanks Pip!), glass coffee table and sparkly cushions.

Barbie pink shag pile rug = Dead Muppet

More pics of the new place to come as we unpacked a little more over the weekend - in between playing with Miss Emmy and eating chocolate..!

xx

MAC o'clock

Miss Pip and I are heading to an industry Christmas Function tonight.

And on Wednesday, she gave me a birthday present - 

It's a macaroon.

Yeah. I know what you're thinking - "What on earth has a macaroon got to do with your birthday and a Christmas party?" 

Well... The lovely Pippa has organised for me to get my makeup done at MAC Cosmetics! 

Get it ?

MACaroon ?!

Yeah...... took me a while too.

Anyway, I'm super excited.

Thank you Miss Pip.

xx

Hip-Pip Hooray!

Yesterday was Miss Pip's birthday.

Knowing that our dear Pip believes cupcakes to be 'over-rated' I baked her a dairy-free cake instead.

An Orange and Almond Meal cake.

Birthday celebrations took place at Star of Siam, where Miss Pip, her bf Tom, Kimberlee and I ate so much food, we couldn't possibly indulge in cake for dessert (there was also the threat of being evicted from Cork - where we went after dinner - as consuming food is a breach of security, as previously discovered by Pip & Kimberlee during the 'Prawn Cracker Incident').

Anyway, the Birthday Festivities continued today with afternoon tea - Orange cake and green tea.

So keen were we to try the cake, that photos weren't snapped until we had consumed half...

Don't judge us.

xx

Not Dodgeois At All

Remember the gorgeous pearl necklace I blogged about here??

Well, the gorgeous Miss Pip worked her internet-trawling magic and found an almost identical replicate AND purchased it for me.

The package arrived earlier this week and already I am thinking of all the outfits I can wear it with. Oh, the possibilities!

Thank you Miss Pip for finding this truely amazing necklace. I am in L-O-V-E !

xx