Sugar and Spice Baby Shower

 This baby shower was thrown for my younger sister by me, our mom, and our aunts in January, and I'm FINALLY getting around to blogging it.  The theme was "Sugar and Spice" and the colors were brown and pink.  It was such a fun shower!
 

 The dessert bar contained cupcakes from a local bakery, and various cookies baked by me in the "Sugar & Spice" theme: Orange Spice, Brown Sugar and Spice, Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Spice, Snickerdoodle.

 A better view of the super-cute cupcakes!

The diaper cake and a view of the paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling- not edible, but added a beautiful touch!

 The drink bar included the Sugar & Spice theme and the Brown and Pink: Pink and brown water bottles, sugar rimmed glasses for the strawberry lemonade, and Vanilla Chai Tea with cinnamon sticks.

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Food included: Tomato Pesto Croissants, Turkey / Ham / Roast Beef Sandwiches, Chicken Salad, Potato Salad (traditional family recipe used), Green Salad with Romaine / Spiced Nuts / Cranberries and Raspberry Vinagrette, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, a Vegetable tray with various dips and Baked Brie covered in Honey and Spiced Pecans served with an assortment of crackers.

The first favor was a brown and pink box filled with Hershey's kisses.

 

 The second favor was a tealight candle with a poem written on it - to encourage the recipient to say a prayer in the baby's name when she was born.

 

The third favor was "Seegars"- chocolate cigars from Sees Candy.

 

We had a fondue table with homemade marshmallows, rice krispy treats, sponge cake and various fruits.

The Flavored milk bar with: Chocolate, Regular and Strawberry milks.

Onesie Sugar Cookies :)

 The Mommy-To-Be chair with an adorable banner found on Etsy.

 Mommy-to-Be's reaction when she first saw the house (standing right next to her Aunt- one of the hostesses)

Mommy-to-Be in her first "real" photo of the day.

Mommy-to-be with her(our) mom.

Mommy-to-Be with Me (Older Sister).

Onesie / Washcloth Cupcakes- used for various table decorations.

Paper lanterns everywhere!

More paper lanterns and a view of the Sugar & Spice sign.

Another Sugar and Spice Sign in Pink and Brown.

Such a fun event- the entire family chipped in, worked hard, and put on a fabulous event.  My niece was born on March 5, 2011- such an adorable baby- I love her to pieces.  Congrats to my lil' sis!!!

Navy and Silver Wedding Cake

It was such a joy making this cake for a wonderful couple! Their colors were Navy Blue and Silver- they wanted their cake topped with gorgeous blue roses from Ecuador, and a two-heart topper.  This photo doesn't do the roses justice, but you get the idea!

The Happy Couple! Congratulations to you both!!

The bottom layer was dark chocolate WASC cake with chocolate filling and chocolate buttercream. The base of the layer was lined with navy blue ribbon, and the details were hand-piped royal icing dots accented with silver dragees.*

The middle layer was a white almond sour cream cake with a raspberry filling and vanilla buttercream. The base of the layer was lined with navy blue ribbon, and the details were hand-piped royal icing scrolling accented with silver dragees.

The top layer flavor was a repeat of the bottom layer, and the details included navy blue ribbon, hand-piped royal icing dots accented with silver dragees.

The chocolate buttercream I used was my take on the Wilton Buttercream recipe- it held up great in the 90+ degree heat!

Crusting Chocolate Buttercream:

Quantities used were to cover a 16" square cake and an 8" square cake- split recipe as needed.

 

2 1/2 C Vegetable Shortening
1 1/2 C (3 sticks) Butter
3 C Cocoa powder
4 teaspoons vanilla
16 C Confectioner Sugar
1/2 C Heavy Whipping Cream or Whole Milk

1/2 - 3/4 C Water (depending on the consistency you're trying to achieve)

1) In a stand mixer (you can use a hand mixer, but it can get difficult with large quantities) Blend the shortening and butter together.

2) Slowly add in the cocoa powder and vanilla.

3) Mix in the Confectioner (powdered) Sugar alternately with the whipping cream/milk and water until you achieve the desired consistency.

4) Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

*Dragees were used for decoration only.

Ambulance Cake

Our niece was turning 3, and wanted an Ambulance cake for her Ambulance-themed birthday party!  So I made a 3-layer Dark Chocolate cake with a Bavarian Cream filling and Vanilla Buttercream icing- all covered in fondant.  Excuse the sad photos- I couldn't find my camera so had to resort to my cell phone camera.

 

Ambulance pre-party- notice the Lego carnage on the table :)

Inside the cake after the birthday girl sliced into it!

Birthday Girl posing with her cake and her big sister:) She was the envy of the park with her custom cake!