Cupcakes & Aprons

Earlier this year we were had the opportunity to participate in a fun photo shoot for 50th issue of Military Spouse Magazine.  Although I am not a military wife (I’m not married), I was thankful when photographer Athena Plichta of Athena Plichta Photography asked me if I wanted to participate in this project.  I believe in supporting those who protect our country and was thrilled when I heard their theme.  The concept for this shoot was ‘Cupcakes & Aprons’ and would featuring vintage 1950’s themed dresses, cute hair styles and yummy desserts.  Our models for the shoot were real life military spouses Adria Libby & Amanda Ogletree – Air Force spouses, and Jessica Cortezpena – Navy spouse.  The girls did a great job transforming to a different decade with the help of outfits from Catherine’s Closet, make-up by Corvette De La Cruz and hairstyling by Monae Johnson Watkins.  Propping and styling to turn the modern kitchen to a setting perfect Beaver Cleaver’s mother was done by Karine France-Matsumoto of Seasons of Life Wedding & Event Planning.  
For the cupcakes we made our Yellow Butter Cupcakes with buttercream icing.  The cupcakes were decorated with a sweet and summery yellow, pink and white color scheme perfect for any tea party with your girlfriends.  Each cupcake was topped with gumpaste white daisies, yellow bows, and pink buttercream roses & begonias. 
You can pick up your copy of Military Spouse Magazine in bookstores, on base or military commissary exchanges.
  
These shots weren’t published in the magazine but I still love them!  Thanks girls!
 
Photo by Pinky Yoshimoto of Pinky Photography
Photo by: Athena Plichta of Athena Plichta Photography

 

Thank you Athena for this opportunity and I look forward to working with you again!
Here are the wonderful ladies who contributed to this shoot! =)
Photography by Athena Plichta Photography  
with assistance from Pinky Yoshimoto, Kim Chau, and Alisa Greig
Styling, Propping & Coordination by Karine France-Matsumoto of  Seasons of Life Wedding & Event Planning
Wardrobe by Catherine Fong of Catherine’s Closet Vintage Boutique
Make Up by Corvette De La Cruz
Hair Styling by Monae Johnson Watkins
Models and real-life military spouses Adria Libby, Jessica Cortezpena, and Amanda Ogletree
And Military Spouse Magazine

 
Aloha!
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Rated 2010

A very big MAHALO to our fans, followers and lovely brides for your wonderful reviews and comments of our services.  We just received the Rated 2010 award on WeddingWire.com for your great testimonials.  Check out them out at http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/cake-life-honolulu/808b7855f8f524ec.html

Thank you for your continued support!  We love making the cakes to celebrate your special occasions and are look forward all the great cakes we have coming up!  

With Warmest Aloha,
Kristin
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Yellow Plumeria Wedding Cake

Plumerias are such a happy flower!  Plumeria trees are fresh in bloom during these summer months.  Every time I see a tree full of flowers, it reminds me how lucky I am to live in Hawaii. =)

  Plumerias are a popular selection with both local and destination brides who want to include them on their wedding cake for that special Hawaiian touch.  But, as lovely as they are, the plumeria is one example of a fresh flower that is not food safe.  I remember when I was growing up, my elementary school had lots of plumeria trees in the courtyard where we played during recess.  As the flowers bloomed, my friends and I used to pick them from the trees to wear in our ears.  Each time we picked a flower, a white milky sap would drip from the bud.  Our teachers and parents warmed us the not to to touch the sap and especially, not to eat it.  Its this sap from the plumeria thats toxic and shouldn’t come into contact with your food.  But, for you plumeria lovers out there, not to worry, there is a safe alternative… Sugar flowers!  Most sugar flowers are made from either gumpaste or modeling chocolate and although the flowers are made from sugar, they’re usually just for decoration rather than to be eaten.  Each of these edible confections are a work of art and is delicately handcrafted, shaped and painted for that realistic likeness to your favorite flower.  And, unlike fresh flowers, sugar flowers can be saved as a keepsake to remind you of your special day.  So, when you’re ready to create your wedding cake, consider custom sugar flowers to give you a creation you’ll always remember!
Aloha!

Pictured: Handmade Sugar Yellow Plumeria Cake Topper
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Ni Hao Kai Lan!

“Ni Hao!”  This means ‘hello’ in Mandarin Chinese.

I do not have kids so when I received this inquiry for a Ni Hao Kai Lan theme cake, it was completely new territory for me.  In order to do some research for this cake, I decided to DVR a few episodes so I could check out what Kai Lan was all about.   If you don’t have little children, you probably haven’t seen this new Nickelodeon show either.  It follows Kai Lan Chow, a bi-lingual preschool aged girl who together with her Ye-Ye and friends introduce children to the Chinese language.  Think Dora the Explorer meets in China!

For the cupcake tree set up, it was all about COLOR!  We kept to a birght, fun loving cake fit for little Ava’s First Birthday!  The 120 mini cupcakes were decorated in pink, red, violet, and teal colors and topped with sugar daisies and flower blossoms.  The top cake featured Kai Lan herself on her grassy lawn with bunches and bunches of colorful flowers.  The flavors Ava’s parents chose were Strawberry Vanilla Swirl & Devils Food Chocolate mini cupcakes and Pretty Pink Strawberry Cake with Fresh Strawberry Cream filling for the cake topper.  
Sheng Ri Kuai Le (Happy Birthday) Ava!

Posted in A Cake Life, Hawaii Birthday Cakes, Ni Hao Kai Lan Cakes | 4 Comments

The Year of the White Tiger

In May, Jocelyn & Jim celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary by renewing their wedding vows before a group of their closest family and friends.  To celebrate this special occasion, Jocelyn ordered a completely customize wedding cake to be showcased at their reception held at Roy’s in Ko Olina.  Everything about this cake, from design to cake flavors, was symbolic and meaningful of Jocelyn & Jim’s relationship.
Jocelyn & Jim were married in 2000 and recommitted themselves in this year 2010.  According to Chinese Astrology, 2000 was the year of the Golden Dragon and 2010 is the year of the White Tiger.  The two mythical animals are revered as celestial companions and symbolize the duality the universe and make a complete whole when brought together.  When I met with Jocelyn for her consultation, she knew right away she wanted to use this symbolism to celebrate their vow renewals and have the Golden Dragon and White Tiger as main focal points on the cake.  The figurines were hand molded from sugar paste and positioned on the top tier as a contrast against the Ying & Yang design.  The Dragon and Tiger were positions as if they were youthfully playing with each other.  Jocelyn described Jim as her voice of reason and thought the Red & Purple Ying Yang was the perfect way to symbolize the balance and contrast of their relationship.  
Jocelyn, Jim and their children are very involved in_____________  and wanted to showcase their dedication to this form of asian martial arts with the Martial Morality kanji.  Jocelyn explained this was the philosophy of their martial arts ethics and virtue.  The cake itself was an octagon shape as a nod to their involvement in (Mixed Martial Arts).  The opposite end of the octagon featured a had painted ‘Double Happiness’ kanji and the other points were finished with ‘J&J’ monograms.
For the cake flavors, Jocelyn wanted to continue with symbolizing their relationship so she chose Mocha Cake with Mocha Buttercream filling and Chocolate Amaretto Cake with Chocolate Buttercream filling as a dedication to Jim’s Italian roots.  
Congratulations Jocelyn & Jim!  We wish you many more years filled with love and happiness!
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