Better late, than never!

Hello!!
Wow it's been a while, I know! "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans". Love that quote, it describes my life perfectly over the past 6 months.

I've been busy with house hunting, as well as working on a healthier lifestyle for myself!
Anybody who's house hunted before, and/or goes to the gym, can relate with me on how time consuming each of these things can be. I won't lie, house hunting is fun and exciting n' all, but it's also extremely stressful and nerve racking. ANYTHING can happen, that is the advice that I give to all you future first time home buyers! 
Also, and I know I'm not alone when saying that this has been a terribly LONG winter. As a result I've suffered from minor seasonal depression. My friends and I, often blame our problems on the weather, what about you? The other month I was listening to CJAD (I am officially my father), and they were discussing how seasonal depression is a legit condition, many people suffer from it and don't even realise it. So having said that, I am extremely happy Spring is here, and that Summer is on it's way!

As mentioned, I've been really trying to live a healthier lifestyle. This means working out, eating healthier, avoiding processed foods, and just simply paying attention to what I am putting in my body! Don't get me wrong, I still cheat, I eat junk once in a while, and on a hangover I will definitely destroy a poutine (ha). But in general, I've been having so much fun exploring super foods, their benefits, and creating daily recipes out of food that I would have normally never even cared to look at! My plan for this blog, is to continue on with my cupcake love, but to also share my healthy tips & recipes with you all!

So stayed tuned for new meals, cupcake ideas and products, and of course, new music ;-)

Cheers!

xo

Tuesday's Tune - November 27th, 2012

Hello! Long time I know... Been busy & adjusting to the darkness/ colder weather, that time of year folks!

Today's tune is off The Lumineers' debut album, which was released on April 3rd 2012. The band is based in Denver Colorado, and is made up of 3 talented members; Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites, and Neyla Pekarek. For any of you who have listened to their album, you know that picking a "favorite" song is close to impossible, as all the songs are fantastic! One that has been sticking to me for a couple of weeks now is today's tune. So without further a do, please check out "Dead Sea", by the Lumineers.

Cheers!



Lucky Charms

Hello!! Well this snow is certainly putting a damper on my day, you? The GREAT news is, this weekend is supposed to go up to +17! Fantastic weather for the downtown Montreal St-Patrick's Day Parade, that is taking place this sunday! In other good news, it's hump day! We're half way there, and I don't know if its just me, but this is a fast week!

Check out these cute St-Patties Cupcakes that I found online, I'm hoping to have time between orders to make some for my friends this year! Love those cute Rainbows -Genius!

Photo Credit: creative-cupcake-recipes.net

Photo Credit: asianmommy.com

Photo Credit: flickriver.com

Photo Credit: easycupcakes.com

Photo Credit: kidsfunreviewed.com

Cheers!

L'amour

Can you believe that a month ago was Christmas? So crazy right? We are now only a couple of weeks away from the day fully dedicated towards Love, Valentine's Day. I'm not one of those people who goes all out for my man, in the past we've done dinner and little things, but one year I made cupcakes and it was the perfect gift. What a better way to your lover's heart than decadent sweets right? So this year why not replace the box of chocolates and go for a box of Les Gâteaux Mignons' delicious cupcakes! Prices start at $3.00 and Les Gâteaux Mignons is offering a limited time special* on all regular and mini size cupcakes for Valentine's day, free fondant hearts & flowers toppings!

Here are a few styles that have been done in the past for Valentine's Day!

Photography by Emilie Olson

Please place your orders by the end of the weekend, as Les Gâteaux Mignons requires a minimum of 2 weeks notice for all regular orders.

Cheers! xo

*Deal ends February 15th, 2012

Color me Crazy

Photography By: Emilie Olson

It sounds kinda lame, but I think part of what got me into cupcakes was the endless possibility of icing colors! When I see something with vibrant color, it gets me excited! (The little things in life eh?)
I knew that a basic white vanilla wouldn't do it for me! I started with a basic food coloring kit from your local grocery store, and soon moved to their "neon" brand, which made really awesome blues, greens, purples & pinks, and from there I discovered the magical world of Wilton!

Wilton has a great variety of icing colors to choose from, and you can always alter them, by either mixing colors together, or start by adding a little bit at a time to get the right shade! This works great when working with a client's party theme or edible vision!

Photo Credit: bakerskitchen.net

My goal for 2012 in the cupcake world, is to discover new brands similar to Wilton, and start exploring what they have to offer in colors, cupcake liners etc. I'm sure with a little digging I'll find some exciting new products!

Cheers xo

Small Spaces

They say that good things come in small packages, and well, great cupcakes come out of my extremely small production space! I currently work out of my studio sized apartment. I can't say that it's not challenging working in such a small space, especially with next to nothing storage. As a baker, I go through tons of sugar & flour, and ideally I'd love to buy my ingredients in bulk, but unfortunately due to lack of storage space, I have to stick with the regular sizes. Just like I dream of my perfect cupcake café, I also dream of the perfect stock room! I would kill it with organization! (slightly OCD)

Now that you've seen the size of my kitchen, you can understand why I require 3 weeks’ notice for orders! I've had to turn down orders before because people ask me literally days before. Sometimes it works out that I'm free and able to do it, but most of the time I already have orders lined up, which makes it impossible to tackle multiple orders in that small space with no notice! Having to say no to somebody, is probably one of the worst feelings I've experienced, but at the same time I need to stick to my guns and respect my policy!

Getting there...

Photography by Emilie Olson

Hello! It's been awhile I know... I finally saw a doctor that put me on these massive horse pills and an inhaler, the meds are finally kicking in and I'm slowly but surely starting to feel like myself again. I'm attempting to work in the office today but I don't know how long I will last, as it's not even 8 am and I'm sweating bullets again.


I'm excited to share a few new ideas with you all in the New Year, I've been thinking about a couple of spins on the average Cupcake that I think you'll all enjoy! So be sure to stay tuned for these new and exciting ideas!


Well, sadly that is all the energy I have for blogging today...(weak I know). For all of you who have been back on your regular schedules, you're allllmost there! Friday is around the corner!


Cheers xo

Under the Weather :(

Going on day 5 now with this cold virus, it's a bad one. The walk in clinics and my local medicenter have been closed for the holidays, so tomorrow I will be first in line to get checked out, pretty sure I'll be needing some antibiotics in order to cure whatever this is. BOO :(

I toughed it out New Years Eve to say that I at least saw my friends and did something over the 4 day vacation, probably wasn't the best idea, but I don't regret it, I had a great night! We made filet mignon, cesar salad and potatoes, it was delicious!

Here are the Cupcakes I did for the evening! 

Happy New Year to all of you! Hopefully 2012 will be a good one, I know 2011 was a rough year for a lot of my close friends and family members, I wish nothing but health, wealth & happiness to all of you! xo

Cheers!

Back to life, Back to reality...

Well back to work...feels like just yesterday I was here, 4 days really just isn't enough time to relax and do all the things you want to do with time off. Looks like I should start playing the loto in 2012 to up my chances in early retirement! (One can dream right?)

I've got some baking to do tonight and my girlfriend visiting from Toronto brought me these really cute cupcake liners for Christmas! I'm super excited to use them... I find Cupcake liners can really jazz up an average cupcake! I've started up quite the collection with Les Gateaux Mignons in full production mode, golds, silvers, florals, poka dots etc, there's alot of variety these days!

After a little online browsing, check out how cute these liners are, one day I hope to have them ALL!

Photo Credit: blog.dressmycupcake.com

Photo Credit: thepartyworks.com

Photo Credit: 20%music

Photo Credit: delish.com

Photo Credit: duluthstartofthenorth.blogspot.com

Photo Credit: thecupcakeblog.com

As you can tell I'm really into florals, I think they're super feminin and fun! But keep in mind, there's endless possibilities for cupcake liners! You can meet any party theme with colors and designs, anywhere from princess to skulls. Cupcake liners come in giant to mini sizes, it's a great way to get your creative cupcake juices flowing!

Cheers xo

Almost there...

This week has been SO busy, work during the day, Les Gateaux Mignons at night, and all while trying to prepare myself for the holidays! Friday is so close, yet feels so far! It’s funny normally when I’m mad busy the days and weeks fly, however it seems to be the opposite right now, so slow!

For some reason I just can’t get into the holiday spirit this year, maybe it’s because Mother Nature has been lacking on the snow? (however I have to admit, I’m happy) But I’ve literally listened to Christmas music, watched Christmas movies and tv specials, decorated, baked friggin’ cookies AND bought and wrapped all my gifts early this year and yet I just don’t feel it? Maybe because it snuck up on us like a picture sneak attack this year, I don’t know… but I just don’t feel it!

One thing I do feel is how exhausted I am, I can’t wait to have a few days off to just relax and spend time with friends and family, feels like it’s been awhile!

On another note, the Montreal region got slammed with freezing rain yesterday. Very stressful driving in those conditions, walking Behr was also a challenge, but I really do think it’s super pretty to see all the trees glistening from the ice! Feels like we’re in a little winter wonderland (minus the snow).

More cupcakes tonight! Will post pictures soon!

Cheers xo

Celebrate!

What a weekend! My body totally hates me right now and my liver is begging for a divorce, little does it know we're just getting into the holiday festivities! Love this time of year for the fact that we all get together and dress up! So fun!

Here are some Mini Christmas Cupcakes I did for a client this weekend, they had peanut butter, Skor and Mint centers!

 Mini Santa Hat

Mini Mint

Mini Tree

1 week till Christmas! Although I really don't feel like its already here!

Cheers xo

Sometime's I get a good Feeling...

I've totally had Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" song stuck in my head all morning! I guess it's not the worst song to have stuck in your head and I mean really it's Friday, so it's fitting that I would have a good feeling. My friends will all be done school as of about 4pm this afternoon! It's been quite lonely during their exam time, so I am anxiously awaiting to celebrate with them tonight, tomorrow night and well let's be honest, all throughout the holidays!!

I started working on a cupcake order last night, decorations will go on tonight! I'm eager to share the pictures with you guys but I have a rule of only posting them after my customer has received them! (Seems like a fair rule no?) So I think it's safe to say by Saturday afternoon or Sunday, they'll be up. I did mini's with peanut butter, Skor bar  & mint centers, all with extremely cute Christmas decorations!



Here is Jenna Marble's latest video, she's totally crazy and I freaking love it. Hilarious! Enjoy!!

bahaha She makes me laugh everytime!

Well folks enjoy this glorious Friday!!!

Cheers xo

Going International

My ultimate dream is to have a cute cupcake café one day. Where I can run Les Gateaux Mignons' Cupcake Catering out of,  but also people can sit down and enjoy a nice coffee or tea with decadent cupcakes! I can literally visualize the entire place in my head, with inspirations of Audrey Hepburn and Marie Antoinette, my place would definitely have a feminine Parisian vibe. *Sighhhh* one day!

I thought I would share with you my top five Cupcake Shops that I would like to visit one day, but also that I am totally inspired by. If you live anywhere near these locations, I highly suggest you check them out, as I have heard amazing reviews! Hopefully one day I’ll be able to write up a review after tasting these cakes for myself J

First off is actually quite close to home, and I suggest to my Toronto friend (shout out!) to check it out! It’s called “The Cupcake Shoppe” and it is located on 2417 Yonge Street in Toronto Ontario.

Photo Credits: thecupcakeshoppe.ca

Next up is over the pond, called "Cox Cookies & Cake". I actually saw these cupcakes in a magazine once and got inspired to start using edible paper. The Shop is located on 13 Brewer Street in Soho, London, England.

Photo Credit: timeout.com

Photo Credit: coxcookiesandcake.com

Cupcakes & Co. is a really cute shop is Paris, France. They are located on 25 rue de la Forgé Royale, 75011 Paris. I would KILL to go try these!

Photo Credit: cupcakesandco.fr

Photo Credit: cupcakesandco.fr

Next is literally on the other side of the Globe for me, "My Little Cupcake" is located in Sydney Australia. This little shop looks so fun! They sell cupcakes but also a wide range of cupcake related products! You can find this sweet shop at 62 Ben Boyd Road, Neutral Bay,NSW 2089.



Photo Credit: mylittlecupcake.com.au

And last but not least, famous for being in the show "Sex & the City", Magnolia Bakery, located in New York City. I have always wanted to try these cupcakes, as I've heard they're delicious! If you're in New York and looking for a tasty treat, pop in to this fab bakery which is located on 401 Bleecker Street. For other locations, refer to their website!

Photo Credits: magnoliabakery.com

Cheers xo

Oh Christmas Tree....

So I'm sloowwwly getting into the holiday spirit. Last night I picked up some decos from the dollarama (how awesome is that place). Unfortunately I cant fit a tree in my place, so I bought this little guy that's about 30 cm high, it works! (Picture to follow sometime this week).

Since I'm trying to get into the spirit, I thought I would share some cupcakes I did for a festival in Hudson. My client wanted them to replicate a tree cupcake ornament that she was selling. The result was amazing with thanks to a couple of girlfriends! 

So here are some pics to get you in the spirit!

Cheers xo

Success!

The Second Annual Tea Amore Fashion show was a success! As Facade owner Jeannette Plamondon stated towards the end of the show, "There were a lot other events going on tonight, Prince was in town, Christmas parties etc, so I know a lot of my regular clients couldn't make it, but I am so pleased to see all of you here for such a great cause!". It really was a great turn out, the mother- daughter fashion show brought many smiles on viewers faces, styled by the talented Lindsay Hart,  I literally wished I had every piece off the runway! 

The Silent Auction was just as amazing as the year before! My show partner Andrea, scored a stunning Michael Kors Leather purse for $100, reg. price $225!! Insane! 

I'm not sure the total amount raised yet, but I will for sure let you know once it is all tallied up! Here are a few pictures from the show!

 

I WANT this coat! So nice. Soia & Kyo

 

Gorgeous.

I want this lace dress! Stunning.

All items you see on the models can be purchased at Vetements Facade.
Cheers!