pretty cakes.

Though I'm not currently in the market for one, I've known for years what my dream wedding cake would look like. Years ago, it was love at first sight when I happened across a version of this cake in Martha Stewart's magazine. Its petals were shaded from pale to dark pink and was the most delicate and elegant thing I had ever seen. So when my dear friend Francina at OneGirlCookies created her own version for a customer last summer, I was very excited that this design was still around.

(photo courtesy onegirlcookies)

But today a new contender jumped in the ring. I was checking out Francina's website for a jolt of inspiration when I caught my breath upon opening this little beauty:

(photo courtesy francinastewart.com)
How gorgeous is this vintage-y, almost fabric-inspired cake?! The yellow is so happy and refreshing that I can't help but smile thinking about a giant slice.

And in other yellow cake news, check out this cake from LovinSullivanCakes!

saturday marketing, chicago-style.

This past weekend I was in Chicago visiting my sister for a short weekend away. Though it started out with horrendous traffic and what felt like the longest drive of my life, the rest of the weekend was low-key and casual: just the way I like my work-free weekends! While there, Emma took me to the Green City Market where I came face-to-face with the fact that summer is nearly over! Once the most hated time of year,

the wonders of cheese.

So I'm a pastry chef. And I'm always thinking about wedding cakes, their shapes, and designs. But when AnnaD sent me to this website, my mind exploded.

Cheese Wedding Cakes! Can you believe it? A "cake" made entirely of giant wheels of cheese. Ooey, gooey cheese to your heart's desire. I'm partial to the Harford Bridge--three layers of goat's milk cheese, and one layer of blue (though not my fave to munch on, I must leave some for my make-believe guests).

(photo courtesy of the cheese shed)

What will they think of next?