Time for a break

Spring is a perfect time to take a break before the craziness and busyness of Summer. Whether it's at home to do much needed cleaning and organizing or to get away from our usual day to day routines and travel and see new places.

This week I feel privileged to be able to do some traveling with some very dear friends. Our trip takes us back east to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. There are going to be many exciting things to see I'm sure, but I think I'm secretly excited to visit some sweet shops when we get NYC... it is the birthplace for the cupcake craze you see :) I've got a few on my list to try out: one is Magnolia Bakery www.magnoliabakery.com and the other is Buttercup Bake Shop buttercupbakeshop.com both were started by the same gal and are well known all over New York.

I will post pictures when I return... till then I hope you can squeeze some moments from your routines for a much needed break. :)

Cupcake Camp Seattle: Year two!

I'm excited to be apart of Cupcake Camp Seattle for the second year in a row. This is a fun event for local bakeries and bakers in the Seattle area to come together and show off their finest creations while supporting a great cause - the Hope Heart Institute. It will be held on Sunday, April 17th from 12-4 at The Canal in Seattle. You all are welcome to come as well. Tickets cost $8 or $10 at the door. Last year, the line was out the door for several hours. So, if you are planning to come... get your tickets early! For more information and to purchase tickets check out http://cupcakecampseattle.com/.

Rattles, Bottles and Babies

I think this sunny weather we are having this weekend inspired me to think Summer a bit early with this fresh Strawberry Buttercream. This delicate touch of strawberry, pared with a moist chocolate cake and then topped with a strawberry slice and rattle was the perfect choice for a sweet baby girl shower.

Tis the season for birthdays!

Birthdays are always a great time to celebrate those very special people in our lives. Our family keeps growing as my sister and family are going to welcome a new little one this July. That will bring us up to 9! But the first family birthday of the new year will be my mom's 60th this Thursday.

We are putting on a surprise (hoping she still doesn't know) birthday with family and friends. I am doing a slight Retro theme for the occasion. Bringing in some of her old time favorite candies when she was a kid as well as pictures of her growing up.

This will be a BIG week of baking. Thank goodness I am on break from school! New recipes I hope to try this week will be Italian Cream Cupcakes (infused with coconut and hazelnut flavors) and for the savory side, Mac and Cheese French Gnocchi. I will let you know how these go with pics to follow. Now all this said, I hope she doesn't read my blog this week... Shhhh :)

The party was a success! Here are some of the pics from the day.

With the retro theme, we had pictures of my mom growing up as well as some of the different candies that you would find from the 1960's that guests could take home in candy bags.

I made Italian Cream and Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes (the latter pictured here) for the occasion. I believe there was only one left at the end of the day!

Here Comes the Bride...

Thank you to all the brides who came out this weekend! My mom and I had such great response and for it being my first wedding show, I enjoyed every moment of it! Thank you to Pauline, Laura and my sister, Jessica for coming out and helping us! Here are a few pics from the show...

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Beginning of a New Year

The New Year is a good time to look back on the previous year to remember all the moments and events that were woven into its tapestry. I can't believe that my first full year as an enterpreneur is already behind me. This past year, Delicately Sweet was a part of many birthday parties, bridal showers, weddings, farmers markets and Seattle's first cupcake camp and contest. I am looking forward to what new adventures await in 2011!

For the first event of the year, I will be participating in my first ever wedding show at the Everett Wedding Expo on January 15th and 16th. I will be sharing a booth with my mom who is representing Bridal Elegance & Alterations, her business of 14 years. If you are engaged or know someone who is please come and check us out at the show. We look forward to seeing you there!

*For more information about the show and Bridal Elegance check out their websites below.

http://www.nwbridalshowcase.com/

http://bridaleleganceandalterations.com/Site/Welcome.html

Natalie and Curtis' Wedding November 28th, 2010

It was a joy to be a part of Natalie and Curtis' special day. It all began at the Hotel Andra in Seattle where the bridal party got ready for the day. Pictures were taken as we strolled through downtown Seattle. It was a perfectly, gorgeous clear day! Unusual for us Seattlites. The wedding site was at the Lake Union Cafe, a beautiful venue with art deco embellishments throughout. They served red velvet and pumpkin cupcakes with a hummingbird bride and groom cake. Catered by Delicately Sweet.

Pictures courtesy of Lucid Captures Photography