Minnie Mouse 1st Birthday Cake

Minnie Mouse posing on the top of this red velvet cake was perfect for a cute little 1st Birthday cake this past Saturday. Ii am never quite sure how to approach a fondant sculpture, but it seems that if I have a good photo or model, the rest just happens.  Not bragging, just don't really understand how it happens, as I have never considered myself "artistic".  But, no matter how it happened, I was happy with how this one turned out.  Happy Birthday to little Julia!

BABY SHOWER ALPHABET BLOCK CAKES

A baby shower for 12 guests turned into an interesting project.  What most customers don't understand is the amount of time that is involved in each single cake, no matter the size or shape.  In this case, 13 cakes.  One large and simple BABY cake, and 12 blocks spelling out BABY TEMPLE, the last name of the newborn on his way.  5"x5" Blue Velvet cakes with blueberry butter cream, and each cake meticulously paneled with fondant, then hand cut alphabet letters applied.  The specific shade of blue was requested via a paint swatch. Can you spell, SIMPLY PRETTY?   The hostess sent me this picture after the delivery to Olive& Ivy in Scottsdale.  Each guest received one of these blocks in a gorgeous little white box to take home.

"Sweet Dreams" Sweets Table

Dessert Tables are sweet, but combine a dessert table with a sweets table and you'll have exactly "what dreams are made of".  This is the second half of the styled photo shoot that I recently styled at Creekside Estates, a private venue right here in the heart of the Northwest Valley of Phoenix.  Photographed by Diana Elizabeth, the sweetest little shooter ever, and such a blessing to have as a friend. Thank you, once again for making everything I create look like a dream.

Julie, of the famed Juju's Tutus, desired a styled shoot to show of her "Brights" collection of party wear.  So, I let my imagination run wild, or rather, I let my dreams run wild.  The design involved a space that felt like a kid's dream.  Floating on the clouds with feathers all around, with nothing in sight but bright, sweet, swirls of sugar.  I have to thank my newest intern, Christine Young for all her help with this shoot, there was lots of prep work, climbing on ladders and fighting a wild breeze that day. I couldn't have done it without her!

 The gorgeous invitation and feathery labels were perfectly created by the sweetness of Amy of Page and Mason, and they complimented my design perfectly.

The chuppa, which makes an appearance at many of our weddings, was topped off  here with ruffles to match the table skirt.  Flowing white chiffon gave the illusion of floating on a cloud, the gorgeous backdrop of the castle-like house certainly helped with this fanciful illusion.

 The spectacular center piece on this table is my favorite part of the design.  A whimsical creation using over sized super psychedelic jaw breakers! All of the candies were purchased at a local candy company with a 50 year history here in Phoenix.  The candelabra is surrounded by little swirly lollipops and mallow suckers dipped in white chocolate.

Blueberries floating on clouds of meringue topped cupcakes, and little candy boxes in all the colors of the rainbow.  Sweet Dreams cookies designed by The Baked Equation were a perfect addition to the super sweet collection.

 Raspberry french macarons filled with creamy vanilla butter cream dance sweetly with Marshmallow
 filled sugar cones.

 Milkshake shots in glasses rimmed with chocolate and sprinkles are surround by rock crystal pink ropes and topped with striped grey straws and even more sprinkles.

 This design could easily transform any event into something guests would never forget.  For a wedding, this would be a showstopper.  So, I had my super talented friend Ivy, of Garage by Ivy, create a bright, sweet bridal bouquet.  It looks almost good enough to eat! 

 Instead of vases full of flowers, I used vases full of candy, layered in bright colors and topped off with bouquets of mallow cones and sugar-filled straws in neon colors.

 Little Angels of cake drizzled with icing and perched on polka dot cups.

Feather details surround the rim of the table with a border of white lace, and floating overhead in the breeze, white roses tied up like candies in tulle. Brilliant design, again by Garage by Ivy.

This was such a fun design, and such a fresh project for me.  Sweets tables are still so popular for all kinds of events, sweetness will never go out of style.
 Lets don't forget the cute little reasons that I did this shoot...Julies little angels (models) which includes my gorgeous, and sweet little grand daughter, Promise. 

 

 
 

 THE END!  so cute...

Venue: Private Residence at Creek Side Estates / Event designer, custom linens, chuppa structure and props: Angela Saban Design / Paper goods: Page and Mason / Cup Cakes,candy and dessert shots: Angel Cakes Bakery / Cookies: The Baked Equation / Florals: The Garage by Ivy /  Hair styling: Mariana Marie / Tutus: Juju’s Tutus / Jewelry: My Sassy Sister / Hair accessories: Princess Pie Boutique / Shirts, leggings and bloomers: Mak May Designs

Storybook Tea Party + Styled Shoot

When the ever-talented Julie from Juju's Tutus called me to create a styled shoot for her newest lines of darling tutus. I couldn't wait to get started.  I had been waiting for the chance to have a Tea Party, and this was the perfect setting.

I discovered Creekside Estates through the contracting business that my husband has owned and operated for 30 years here in the valley.  We have created some unique natural stone items and counter tops in this beautiful residence over the last few years. The owners graciously allowed a whole "gaggle" of giggly little girls to take over their home for a gorgeous day full of tulle, bouncy curls, doilies and cups full of pretend princess tea.

The inspiration for a "Storybook" theme really took flight when I spoke to Desiree from Paper Candee.  When she told me about her dream of a mirror invitation delivered to the special little princess in it's own fairy tale story book!  I instantly saw the entire shoot in my head.  Sometimes it takes just the right element to fire off all of the vision for an event.

 

It was the perfect storybook tea party setting – romantic and sweet.  This lovely shoot was full of cute tea party tutus by Juju’s Tutus.  Perfectly shabby chic and so romantic, these tutus will be perfect for flower girls and birthday girls.  The adorable tops, leggings and bloomers were a perfect compliment made by Makmay Designs.  Featuring vintage China from Tea Crockery, (a great new find) cookies by The Baked Equation, romantic florals by The Garage by Ivy (love the toadstools and succulents), and a tea cart rental by Modern Revival. 

Polishing off the little models were hair accessories from Princess Pie Boutique and necklaces by My Sassy Sister, and adorable hair styling by Mariana Marie.  The cake was one of my favorite elements. 

 I had been waiting for an opportunity to do a "naked cake"  Stacked with pale pink frosting and topped off with Ivy's beautiful fairytale flowers, and surrounded by little pearls, I am loving it!  As always, Angel Cakes Bakery, my own creations, provided some yummy little mini treats like mini french macarons, meringues, and cake truffles.

Diana Elizabeth and her fairytale camera captured all the magic, as usual.  In a perfect, fairytale land, Diana would just follow me around and make my world all mystical and magical and stuff!  Until then, I'll just keep dreaming of my very own Tea Party, and by the way, my grand daughter is one of the gorgeous little models, which made the day truly MAGICAL!  OK, I know I just used the word magic 4 times in the same paragraph...and I am not sorry!

 

Please visit these vendors, most are located in Phoenix but most all do business nationwide and we had items flown from these talented vendors.  Whether it’s for a birthday party, shower or wedding, these vendors can supply everything you need for a unique and gorgeous party.

Venue: Private Residence at Creek Side Estates / Event designer, custom linens: Angela Saban Design / Paper goods: Paper Candee / Tea Party Table and vintage China: Tea Crockery / Gluten Free Cake: Angel Cakes Bakery / Cookies: The Baked Equation / Florals: The Garage by Ivy / Tea cart, candy tins: Modern Revival / Hair styling: Mariana Marie / Tutus: Juju’s Tutus / Jewelry: My Sassy Sister / Hair accessories: Princess Pie Boutique / Tops, leggings, bloomers: Makmay Designs

Baby Bum + Baby Shower Cake

I have a confession to make...I watch Cake Boss.  No surprise right?  I just love to watch them throw together a super-sized, over-the top, crazy a** cake, and then see them struggle to deliver it.  It's my life, only on steroids!  Last week, I bit off a little more than I should have and ended up with a 4 tier wedding cake and full wedding design package, a two tier gluten free wedding cake, and a sculpted (sort of) baby shower cake.  I still can't believe that I did all that!  I could here the music fro Mission Impossible playing in my head the entire week.  And, I slept 12 straight hours from Saturday at 6 pm until Sunday morning 8 am.

It was all worth it, everyone was happy, and I got the first pictures back from the baby shower.

 I first saw a "baby bum" cake on Cake Boss, then pictures started showing up on Pinterest of other Baby Bums.  A very cute concept, until my grand daughter asked me why the baby had his face buried in the cake?!

Still, it's a very cute idea.  The cake was a delicious combination of Almond and Orange with Vanilla Butter Cream.