Bella Pop

One of the greatest blessings that has come from having this little cupcake shop is the privilege of meeting some really fun, sweet, and fascinating people. So many of you stumbled into our little bungalow to check out the cupcakes, and with each return visit you have become an 'over-the-counter-friend'.

One such friend is a bubbly soul named Brandy Frank. Brandy is one of many Parker County visitors that, if our sweet treat is on her gotta-get list, will make a point to call ahead to have us hold cupcakes for her. Though Brandy is one of many of our familiar customers, she has kindly trusted us with her little dream of becoming a professional photographer.

It’s apparent that many of Brandy’s friends and loved ones have supported and nurtured her toward this gorgeous venture. Such paths are impressive and encouraging to fellow entrepreneurs.

I encourage you to check out her website Bella Pop and learn a little more about her business. Also, I strongly recommend that you read past posts from her blog, Daily Pop, to learn more about her photography, family, special photo shoots, and even an upcoming Halloween gathering called Boo Bash! Most likely, you too will find something you love about Brandy and her Bella ways!

Charming Charms!

Here's a sweet little something for all you cupcake fans!

A couple of years ago while visiting C.C.'s Touch of Nature on West Vickery, I noticed a little shop across the street called Chiffoniers. If you haven't been to either of these wonderful shops, I would highly recommend that you visit both. It was at Chiffoniers that I discovered tiny works of art cleverly created into charms by a local artist.

As we began to get our shop up and running, I found myself thinking how fun it would be to have cupcake themed charms in our bakery as a gift item. Thousands of cupcakes and about 18 months later, I decided to track down and get in touch with Shawnell Williams, the maker of these wee treasures, to see what she thought about the idea.

I quickly learned that this jewelry maker was as sweet and cheerful as her charms! We discussed some ideas, and emailed back and forth as we tweaked it all. The cupcake charms were an instant hit! They're worn as necklaces, put on key chains and even attached to purses and totes. They are the perfect 'no calorie' gift for someone keen on cupcakes!

To see more of Shawnell's gorgeous creations visit: http://www.honeypiejewels.com/

Get Behind Your Ballet

I must admit that my ballet experience is pretty limited. Our daughter was in ballet in Abilene from age 2 to 6, and danced one more year while we lived in Okinawa. We developed a holiday tradition of going to see the Nutcracker beginning in Sacramento, CA in 1990 and ending in 2001 with the English National Ballet in London. Our sons had no interest in dance, but always supported their sister's performances and especially looked forward to the King Mouse vs. Nutcracker battle! As our children entered their teen years, we found ourselves spending a lot more time at the soccer fields and the world of ballet simply went unnoticed.

By now, most folks in Fort Worth would have heard or read about the financial 'hiccup' that the Texas Ballet Theater is experiencing. Some of these lovely dancers discovered our cupcakery some time ago, and I can usually tell when a dancer enters our shop. With a wonderfully straight back, and a chin that lifts up ever so slightly, they carry themselves with instinctive grace.

When a a few such dancers visited recently, we began talking about the slight crisis facing the company. They explained that the dancers had created a "Get Behind Your Ballet" campaign and asked if we would allow a collection box to sit in our shop. Juaquin and I agreed to this simple request, knowing that some of our customers might be willing to contribute. I also decided that it was time to revisit the Nutcracker, and plan to attend this holiday season! Maybe I'll see some of you there.

Thanks, in advance, to each of you that drop that loose change, or a bill into the GBYB box!

=)

Favorite Flavor

I am never quite sure what to say when asked “so what’s your best selling flavor”, or “which is the most popular flavor”? For every flavor cupcake we bake, there is at least one person that would declare that is their favorite flavor.

Some people are strictly white cake fans, while others, such as myself, will always gravitate to any and all chocolate.

I put this box of 12 babycake orange chocolate chip together this morning for a customer that called in asking us to hold them. She, like our daughter Jana, is clearly a fan of this yummy flavor!

Some of the most requested flavors are: Red Velvet, Favorite Chocolate, Pink Lemonade, Lemon, Peanut Butter Cup, Fiori di Sicilia, Pumpkin, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry…wait…see?!? I can’t possibly narrow down our top sellers!

Babycake Palooza

Just in case you have not experienced our cupcakes you should know that we bake in two sizes only. Our 'standard' size cupcake is just that, the size of a standard size cupcake baking pan, and our 'babycakes' are simply a mini-version of our standard size cuppie (think mini-muffin pan)!

Both sizes are yummy and very popular, but I must say that our sweet babycakes are most requested for some of the following events:
baby showers, confirmations, baht-mitzvahs, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, bachelorette parties, luncheons and high-tea, sip 'n sees, christenings, open houses, birthday gatherings, baptisms, and anniversaries!

When gatherings include a fair amount of grown boys (aka: men), we tend to have greater requests for the standard size cupcake. Regardless of the cupcake size, both cakes are made from the same 'baked from scratch that day' batter. mmmm.... =)

For details about our cupcakes visit: www.thecupcakecottage.com

Freckled Pink - fabricards

Last year, when we celebrated our first year of being open, I received a wonderful congratulation card from my brother, Joe, and his wife, Linda. The card had a sweet cupcake with a single candle on it, and 'congratulations!' written below it. It was perfectly sweet!
As I held the card and looked a little closer, I quickly realized that this card was a true labor of love. Not only had the pretty argyle-patterned paper been sewn onto this blank card and envelope, but the cupcake and congratulations had been carefully stitched on as well! What a gorgeous, tiny treasure!

This would be my introduction to the creator of this, and so many wonderful, works of art. I got in touch with Tori, of Freckled Pink, as soon as time allowed. She and I met and discussed the possibility of having cupcake cards available for our customers. Our 'Hey Cupcake' fabricards have been well received!

For those of you looking for more fabulous custom-monogramming gifts from Freckled Pink visit: http://freckledpink.googlepages.com/

Johnny Cupcakes

If you like reading about people that have made their way in this world through a lot of hard work and a little creativity, then you might enjoy reading about Johnny Cupcakes.

I discovered Johnny Cupcakes back in '06 and just loved his story! I won't even try to describe what he does here, but I encourage you take a moment to read his story for yourself: http://shop.johnnycupcakes.com/story/

Johnny continues to take his 'bakery' to new levels and has recently opened a shop in LA. I only peek in on his site every few months, so when I saw webisodes on his blog explaining what he had planned for the new LA shop, I was very impressed!
You can view his final webisode #3 on his blog: http://www.johnnycupcakes.com/blog/ (scroll to entry date July 25, 2008)

Hope you enjoy his story as much as I do! =)

Cuppy Cake Song

I was not familiar with this sweet song until a customer told me to look for it on YouTube. I fell it love with it immediately! It's the perfect song for those moments when a tired, crying or extra busy toddler needs 'redirecting'. Here are the lyrics in case you want to give it a go:

You're my Honeybunch, Sugarplum
Pumpy-umpy-umpkin, You're my Sweetie Pie
You're my Cuppycake, Gumdrop
Snoogums-Boogums, You're the Apple of my Eye
And I love you so and I want you to know
That I'll always be right here
And I love to sing sweet songs to you
Because you are so dear

Hey Cupcake!

Welcome to a simple blog that’s been spinning in my head for the past year. Just when I manage to gather a moment of time to get these entries going, I find myself diverted and on to one thing or another, forcing me to push thoughts aside. It is time to declutter and get these thoughts posted!

After being open for nearly two years we have enjoyed meeting some wonderful people here in our shop. I’m guessing that you may just be one of them! So many of you have entered our little venture wondering what, exactly, were we all about. Once you discovered and embraced our cupcakes you made your way back, and we've been thrilled to see you again…and again! Others have found themselves in cupcake ‘quest-mode’ with hopes of finding us open after discovering us sold-out or closed on previous visits. The perseverance of each of you is deeply appreciated, and incredibly impressive!

For each of you, I simply want to offer snippets of people, places and things that may interest you. These Sweet Mentions are simply that…mentions!

Happy Reading! =)