Movin' Out

Just a reminder that we haven't disappeared ... but we will soon! The new blog is just undergoing some tweaking and will be ready in the blink of an eye. It looks FAB so far!
Until then, visit our archives and let us know if there's anything you want to se more of! :)

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You Might Think ...

We have *not* disappeared. Honest! The big absence has been because of preparation for our new blog! Right now we're having some difficulties with our web host but as soon as that is resolved, we'll be ready to launch and show off the new digs!

In the meantime, I'll be posting when I can and I know some of the guest authors will be able to keep the ship afloat :)

Cheers,

Susan

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To Be Out In The Road

After watching the Daily Show on Wednesday night, I *had* to look up something they were talking about. And it's perfect for Friday Footwear (something I haven't posted about in a while).

They've been on the news quite a bit but have you heard of .: Heelarious :.? The company was started by two friends and their product? High heels for babies 0-6 months of age. When I first heard about it, I have to admit I was taken aback and thought it was a touch overboard. Now that I've gone to the site and seen the product more closely, I'm finding them quite adorable. I'll let you decide for yourselves ...And here is the rest of it.

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I've Got Something New To See

I came across this list on .: The Knot :. and thought it would be a great new topic and discussion. They listed the "50 First Song Ideas" ... totally subjective, of course. There are some great classics on the list but if I hear any more Celine Dion, Shania Twain or Chris DeBurgh as that first song, I may scream. Okay. I won't scream because I do believe people should play what makes them happy ... but I can scream inside, right? I'm a self-proclaimed music snob. Anyhow, the list gave me an idea to find alternatives that people may not have heard of. I focused on a Cowboy Junkies song a few weeks ago ... perhaps I'll have to find some other gems for you.


Without further adieu, here's the list ...

1. "At Last" (Etta James)
2. "As Time Goes By" (from Casablanca)
3. "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Ray Charles)
4. "Because You Loved Me" (Celine Dion)
5. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (Elton John)
6. "Can't Help Falling In Love" (Elvis Presley)
7. "Chances Are" (Johnny Mathis)
8. "Close To You" (The Carpenters)
9. "Could I Have This Dance?" (Anne Murray)
10. "Dream A Little Dream" (Mamas & the Papas)
11. "Embraceable You" (Nat King Cole)
12. "Endless Love" (Diana Ross & Lionel Richie)
13. "Fascination" (Jane Morgan)
14. "Fever" (Peggy Lee)
15. "Forever and Ever, Amen" (Randy Travis)
16. "Forever" (Kenny Loggins)
17. "From This Moment" (Shania Twain & Brian White)
18. "Grow Old With Me" (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
19. "Here And Now" (Luther Vandross)
20. "I Finally Found Someone" (Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams)
21. "I Only Have Eyes For You" (The Flamingos)
22. "I Will" (The Beatles)
23. "If I Loved You" (from Carousel)
24. "In My Life" (The Beatles)
25. "It Had To Be You" (Harry Connick, Jr.)
26. "Lady In Red" (Chris DeBurgh)
27. "Love Theme To Romeo & Juliet" (from Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet)
28. "Marry Me" (Neil Diamond & Buffy Lawson)
29. "One Moment In Time" (Whitney Houston)
30. "Our Love Is Here To Stay" (Billie Holiday)
31. "So This Is Love" (James Ingram)
32. "Some Enchanted Evening" (from South Pacific)
33. "Something" (The Beatles)
34. "Somewhere" (from West Side Story)
35. "The Best Is Yet To Come" (Frank Sinatra)
36. "The Rose" (Bette Midler)
37. "Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You" (Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson)
38. "True" (Spandau Ballet)
39. "Unforgettable" (Nat King Cole)
40. "Up Where We Belong" (Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warrens)
41. "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" (Captain & Tennille)
42. "Wedding Song (There is Love)" (Petula Clark)
43. "We've Got Tonight" (Bob Seger)
44. "We've Only Just Begun" (The Carpenters)
45. "When I Fall In Love" (Nat King Cole)
46. "Will You Marry Me?" (Vonda Shepard)
47. "Woman" (John Lennon)
48. "Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong)
49. "You Are So Beautiful" (Joe Cocker)
50. "Your Song" (Elton John)

Some of these are great but others ... oh man ... Whitney Houston? The 80's called and want their playlist back :P

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To Love Somebody

It was a little bit later than expected. Thirteen days to be exact. Reem was, um, 'anxious' to see her sweet pea born. Yes, we'll go with the word anxious.

Happily we received news a few hours after baby's birth that SHE had arrived. All ten fingers and ten toes were accounted for and mom & baby were completely healthy. The moment we had all been waiting had arrived! So what was the name? Well, Reem and Craig had been pretty sure the baby would be a boy ... they had that name picked out ... but baby GIRL would have to wait until tomorrow morning for that detail to be sorted.

Below are some pictures of the beautiful SERENA MAE in a pea pod outfit I gave her from Etsy artist .: Jolie M :.




And I can't resist posting a photo of my first visit with Serena.


I promise to always make you smile, Sweet Pea :)

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An Interview With Ambrosia Cakes

Hey Crystal! Welcome to the blog-side of Moments That Shine ;) Before I start asking questions about the wonderful cake (and more) you created for me, can you tell us a bit about .: Ambrosia Cakes :. and how you got started?

.: Ambrosia Cakes :. was established from the true love of being creative. I have always loved creative careers; photography, cooking and now baking. There was a day when I really did not know what I was going to do as a career. I believed why go to school pay ridiculous amounts of money and then leave not wanting anything to do with what you studied. So I decided that I would work and get paid to figure out what I wanted to eventually go to school for. Michael’s is one of my favourite stores. One day I was standing in the checkout and saw the Calendar showing what classes they offered. So I went over got a copy for myself and then signed up for the Wilton cake decorating classes. Loved every minute of it and noticed that I was also pretty good at it. That’s when it began. I started experimenting with recipes and using my co-workers as guinea pigs. Then the orders started coming in.

That’s wonderful! Okay, on to this project you so lovingly took on. When I first told you my friend was going to be having a baby, I mentioned I called him (or her) ‘Sweet Pea’. One day you sent along a photo of some cupcakes and this is how the ball got rolling. Let’s pretend I didn’t add to things buy asking you to make a cake .... let’s talk about the cupcakes first. They were a fairly simple base but you added fondant pea pods to the top. Take us through how you mapped it out, what supplies are involved and how much time they took.


The cupcakes were actually very easy. The pea pods were made from fondant and took approximately three minutes each. Once you perfect one the rest take no time at all.
I should also add they tasted yummy. I can (unfortunately for my waistline) attest to that from having more than one ;) Okay … so that’s the run-down on the minis … what about the cake? I gave you a bunch of different inspiration photos. First, how did you decide on the final cake design? Take us through the steps again.
I like to challenge myself! I looked at all the photos and said which one would be the most rewarding when finished? After I chose the cake design, I baked the cake, made the icing, made the polka dots and then assembled it all together.

The icing on the cake (pun intended) with everything was the amazing figurine you put together for the cake topper. Pictures can’t really do it justice. For all of you reading, I wanted a pregnant lady cake topper with a twist … my friend is always on her laptop so I was hoping to capture that somehow. What Crystal managed to do was make fondant resemble my friend AND add the laptop. Crystal, I know you were up late the night before getting everything done but how far in advance did you start the figurine? I can’t even imagine how you would start something like that … drawings, maybe? And the colours used … help us learn your craft of molding sheets of fondant into an actual sculpture.

The figurine was the deciding factor when I chose that particular cake design. I had never made a figurine before. I have books that describe how to go about doing it but actually sitting down and molding fondant was an exciting experience. First I analyzed the picture and how it had been made. Then I wrote down in order what I would need to make first. The body was first not including the arms or the legs. I started the figurine a week before the cake was to be delivered. First I made the body and the head. I allowed those to dry for a couple days. The arms, hair and clothes where made next. Her legs were made the day of the delivery and set under the body so that they would hang naturally over the end of the cake. Oh the laptop I made the same day I did the clothes.


Crystal, thank you again for bringing this very special order to life. If people want to contact you with their own cake challenges, how should they get in touch with you and how much time do orders normally take?

Depending on the difficulty of the order I appreciate two weeks for celebratory cakes and cupcakes and two months in advance for wedding cakes. You can contact me at ambrosia_cakes@aroma.com and Susan thank you for the challenge.

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Forever Isn't Far, It's Coming Soon

There isn't really a more important time in one's life than when having a baby. And when two people you absolutely love and adore announce that they're becoming first-time parents there isn't a more exciting time as a friend.

Reem and Craig dropped by for a visit one weekend last summer and right before they left, Reem gave us the good news. Besides instant jubilation, my Planner Brain started in full force and the next nine months (yeah, I refuse to do weeks) flew by. After all, I don't have a sister, my brother is a mere fifteen years old and almost all of my close friends with babies are far from me. This was my opportunity to become an honourary aunt!!! It's all about the baby though, right? ;)

I'm not sure how it started or why but I decided to call the baby 'Sweet Pea' ... and it kind of stuck. Every month I would package up some kind of a Sweet Pea related gift and mail it off to Reem. Hopefully it was as fun for her as it was for me!


Christmas rolled around and Reem was VERY pregnant. What better gift than a portrait session with .: JBSmith Photography :.? I picked up a gift certificate from Jessica and then made sure Reem arranged to have the session when I was planning her top-secret Sweet Pea baby shower! There were quite a few hiccups but we managed to get all of her friends here for the day before the session for a nice surprise. Before I go into the shower itself, I'd love for you to tune in tomorrow to read Jessica's post about the portrait session. Perhaps backwards but it works ;)


Tomorrow is Baby's 120th day with all of us so we'll continue this story then ...

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There Is A Town In North Ontario

This week I went on a hunt for cool finds either in Toronto (or the areas closeby) or things about Toronto. I found a great assortment!


Sam the Record Man was an icon in Toronto and is sadly now gone. Thankfully there were photographers such as .: digitalkangaroo :. around to document the landmark.


.: allthingsjenuine :. comes up with great paper art! The Etsy shop may be closing soon so also be sure to check out the website at .: THIS LINK :.


Hot weather is here and we all need a little relief. Spice up your wardrobe with a shirt like this from .: PrettyRaccoon :.


.: greavesdesign :. wants you to add some colour into your wardrobe with these great cuffs!


If you're looking for a gift for the newlyweds in your calander, how about some beautiful ceramic bowls by .: lurearts :.? I know I use mine all the time!


I was fortunate enough to meet .: kateszabone :. at Christmas last year as she hand-delivered a gift I had made for my best friend. Lovely woman and her jewellery is outstanding!


A bit out of the way of Toronto but I had to feature this next artist anyhow. .: jellybeans :. does these colourful paintings sure to brighten up anyone's room :)


.: bananastrudel :. has dug up something very close to my heart. And old-fashioned map of where I grew up. I just may have to bid on this one myself.


.: gotamago :. has come up with a perfect case to carry all of your travel documents in!


My favourite of the week ... something I'm kind of conflicted with since I'm not a big fan of the TTC ... but this necklace by .: storybeads :. is so innovative, colourful and FUN that I *had* to share it :)

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You Closed Your Eyes, You Made A Wish

Completely stealing a blog post today. It's a great one from .: The Knot :. though. It's also giving me a chance to post some cakes from one of my favourite artists Anne Heap from .: The Pink Cake Box :. Enjoy! :)

Wedding Cakes: 6 Steps to Getting the Perfect One

Visions of wedding cakes dancing in your head? First figure out the difference between fondant and marzipan. Here's what you need to know when it comes to cakes.

Step 1. Finding Your Cake Mate
Which baker is for you? You want someone who is open to your ideas and capable of delivering what you're looking for within your budget. Your caterer will most likely have relationships with a few bakers, and it's a great idea to meet several (every baker has a unique style) in order to make the best decision.

Before setting up appointments, do a little research on each baker by checking out his or her website. At the meeting, discuss time and place of the wedding; degree of formality; colors; what your gown is like; and any other important details. Feel free to bring pictures of cakes or swatches of fabric you like. If you like a particular photograph from the baker's portfolio, make sure it represents work done by current staff. When you think you've met your match, book the baker to secure her services (often a deposit is required at this time). Locking in your cake maker should be done as soon as you can before your wedding -- some top bakers book up to a year in advance.

Step 2. Getting Personal
Now for the fun part -- devising a style. Ask yourself these questions: What is your reception space like? What are your wedding colors? Do you want something extravagant? Or do you want something playful, whimsical? Are you classic types? Or is your couple motto The simpler the better? How do you want to personalize your cake? Your baker will take this information and come up with a sketch of the proposed design, and you just might find her zeroing in on a piece of lace or the beading on your wedding gown to use as a key element.

Cakes featuring sugar or buttercream interpretations of feathers, draping, monograms, and embroidery are popular, as are more modern, squared-off cakes with different shapes on different tiers. Have a sculpted cake constructed in the shape of your home, dog, or even your car! When you're working with a talented pastry chef, the sky's the limit.

Step 3. A Matter of Taste
The biggest misconception about wedding cakes is that they are designed to look good but taste less than fabulous. We've taken the taste test from several top bakers (lucky us) and beg to differ. Far from the cake being just a showpiece, it's what's inside that counts. You'll taste lots of samples along the way (forget the diet -- this is "research"), and you might be surprised to find this isn't average chocolate cake because of the...fillings! Yes, interspersed between layers of moist cake, you could find fresh fruit, custard, or ganache (a fancy word for a concoction of chocolate and heavy cream). And once cut, each piece -- with horizontal layers of different-hued flavors and fillings -- makes a dramatic statement on the plate.


Don't be confused by insider cake talk. Learn the basics, so you'll be sure to ask for exactly what you want. When it comes to icing your cake, you'll have a number of delicious and gorgeous choices. Buttercream, made from butter and sugar is smooth and creamy, and it stays soft so it's easy to cut, color, and flavor. It's also easily shaped into swags, borders, and flowers. Fondant, another popular option is made of sugar, corn syrup, water, and gelatin, and is rolled out with a rolling pin before it's draped over the cake. It makes a smooth firm base for decorative details, and it has a porcelain finish. Other icing choices include marzipan, a paste made from ground almonds, used in sheets like fondant; whipped cream, a sweetened whipped heavy cream (great with fruit fillings); and ganache, a rich mix of chocolate and cream.

When it comes to the details of your sweet tower, the options are numerous too. Here are a few ornamentation techniques you're likely to encounter: Gumpaste, made of sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin and used to craft lifelike fruits and flowers; cornelli is an elaborate piping technique that yields a lacelike pattern; pulled sugar is a technique in which boiled sugar is manipulated and pulled to produce flowers and bows; and dragees are edible sugar balls coated with silver or gold.

Step 4. So Happy Together
Top designers are seeing a trend for more complex flavorings such as coconut-key lime, blood orange-mango, and chocolate hazelnut-mocha. (Are you drooling yet?) Your selection of flavors may be based on the season, with heavier combinations like chocolate cake with mocha praline filling perfect for winter weddings and lighter sponge cakes with fruits, curds, and preserves more ideal for a summer affair. Some flavorful combinations we especially like: chocolate-banana cake layered with custard and brushed with banana liqueur, white cake with raspberries and cream, and almond cake with apricot preserves brushed with rum.

Step 5. The Price Of A Slice
Be prepared to pay anywhere from $1.50 all the way up to $20 a slice. If this gives you a bit of sticker shock, realize the more complicated the cake, the more you'll pay. Fondant icing is generally more expensive than buttercream, and if you want elaborately molded shapes, vibrant colors, or handmade sugar-flower detailing, you'll pay for the cake designer's time and labor. A good cost-cutting option is to order a cake for half of the head count -- guests are served "half-servings," which you can supplement with ice cream or fruit. Or have the cake of your dreams made on a small scale for a price you can comfortably afford, and then order sheet cakes of the same flavor to be cut in the kitchen (some but not all designers will do this). Though it sounds like a classic "bait and switch," no one will know the difference because the taste will be the same as the original -- delectable.

Step 6. It's Showtime
Just as you would with a fine painting, once your masterpiece is a reality, you must make certain that great care is taken transporting it in one piece to the reception site. Most cake designers prefer to deliver the precious cargo themselves, and we think paying the extra delivery fee is worth the peace of mind that the cake will arrive in top form. Make certain that the baker has a contact person at the reception site so he or she can give the catering manager or event planner any pertinent information on handling it -- it might have to be refrigerated or stationed in a cool, out-of-the-way location in the reception room. Most importantly, don't forget to marvel at the culinary tour de force before taking a cut -- those delicious details will surely be your reception's icing on the cake.

-- Colleen Brewer

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Funk To Funky

I caught a glimpse of something on Etsy this week that was green ... so I decided to do a search for that colour. Hours later, I came up with a few I wanted to share ;)


Fun felt cake topper by .: EmilieFriday :.


Local artist .: Maylui Designs :. put together these ultra fab earrings.


This vintage piece by .: PenelliBelle :. adds a splash of colour that no one can resist.


This necklace by .: Adenangier :. was too incredible not to share!


As well as this fabric design by .: Mollusa :. ... perfect for bridesmaids!


This is a great idea that may help you with your organizing skills. .: CutTheCakeDesigns :. has put together a filing system for your guests to add their addresses on to ... making thank-you cards that much easier!


Paper-embellished votive holders add pizazz to any reception area. These designs are by .: Gamiworks :.


Scroll invitations are simply awesome. .: Artful Beginnings :. will create just what you're looking for.


.: Paper Platypus :. has come up with a template for a paper bouquet! Perfect for destination weddings, rehearsals or even the wedding itself.

And my pick of the week is actually an artist instead of a product. .: AprilHilerDesigns :. does some amazing things using all natural materials. Just check out the monogram, mini-lantern and ring bearer pillow. Love love love them!!!

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I'll Carve Initials In It

Yes, I stated my displeasure for pocketfold invitations last week. With all of that being said, I do get quite a few orders for them. I'll suck it up, I guess ;)

I have a couple different options for the pocketfolds now. One of them is a bit more frugal and pockets are pre-made (ie. less labour involved) ... the other are more on the pricey side but the options (colour, texture, etc) are more plentiful. Totally depends on what the client prefers! Below I'll break both down a bit more ...

The following shells are the pre-made pockets. I have well over twenty colours to choose from and a few different textures. One of the cool things is you first choose between a square or rectangle shape ...



This brown rectangle pocketfold is a marketing project I completed for the wonderful
.: Irina Photography :.



Rébecca wanted a mix of French and English invitations (something we're happy to do!) ...



The other pocketfold design is a bit more custom. The paper is cut off site (over a fifty papers to choose from) but then everything else (construction of the pockets) is done in studio.




The shape decided on is almost always square in this situation. It's a *very* classic look when completed though.

All I ask when you decide to go the pocketfold route is that you know how many materials you're using (no need to go crazy!) ... after all, you're the one that will be keeping these forever, right?

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