|Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | The World is a Very Small Place |

Ever since the creation of the internet, and our total adaption to life revolving in and around it, I have never been so aware of just how small it has made the world we live in until now.

Even as recently as 10 years ago, if we wanted to talk to someone around the world, we either wrote them a letter and posted it via snail mail, or we spent hours trying to figure out the time differences, and stayed up until an ungodly hour to make sure that they would be awake, in order for us to call them - and then pay the equivalent of a 2nd mortgage to the phone company for the priveledge.

Now, we email at the drop of a pin - we don't even bother to get up off our office chairs to talk tot he personin the next cubicle 10 feet away, we email them instead.  Why waste the spoken word when a typed one is so much easier?  And we Skype too.  We still need to be up at all hour of the night to do it, but at least it costs almost nothing!

So, where am I going with this ramble?   What possible cake connection could there be to this, you ask?  Well, I'm getting to it!

During this past week, there have been many instances cropping up on discussion threads I belong to about photo theft, specifically of cakes, cupcakes and cookies, made by friends of mine, and sometimes my work, that other people on the other side of the world are helping themselves to in order to promote their own businesses.

Thanks to the power of the internet, we can "out" these cheating and stealing businesses as the cheating and stealing thugs that they are - and we can also alert so many people, all around the globe, about what each business is up to , with a single message.  This simply would have been impossible 10 years ago.  Yes, we had the internet, but the power of the "group" was still in its infancy.  Forums and discussion boards were only just coming into being- and now look at what we have achieved.

Adding a protective shield to our work is a new blog, Stop the Cake Thief, and it also has a page on facebook.  What I would like is for each of you reading this post is to stop by the blog, see what it's up to (it's very new, but there are already a couple of businesses named and shamed), spread the word, 'like' the facebook page if you would, and keep an eye out for cake sites that you come accross that don't look right.  Report them, and help us keep our industry honest.

Thank you!




And in other small world news... I got to speak to a fan yesterday, the very lovely Digella, of Digella Emporium, who knows Sharnell, of Sharnel Dollar Designs, who I know through the cake world - how awesome is that?

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | New Items in Store Now! |

We had a lovely surprise today - the DHL delivery man!  On board was a stash of goodies that I am sure you will adore!

Welcome to our new Gorgeous collection:

Peacock Favour Crates, Cupcake Cases and Petits Fours Cases (Mini Cupcake Cases)

Pink Rose Favour Crates, Cupcake Cases and Petits Fours Cases (Mini Cupcake Cases)

Black Rose Favour Crates, Cupcake Cases and Petits Fours Cases (Mini Cupcake Cases)

Everything is in store now, ready for dispatch!

Happy baking!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Custom Cookie Collection |

Quite some time ago now, when I was first inspired to work on opening a little store, I thought about things tht people might like to buy.  Pretty cupcake things, of course, but then also some edibles too, things that would make perfect thank you gifts for shower teas or dinner parties, and the idea for some custom decorated cookies was born.  I spent days searching the net for the perfect cutters to use for my new cookies - cutters that were not available locally, that's for sure!  I finally stumbled upon a small, artisan crafter who makes copper cookie cutters all by hand, to order - perfect!  Here are the results - I hope you enjoy them!

All cookie varieties are for sale now through the store, which you can reach either through the website, or here on the blog (the link is at the top right of this page).  All cookies come individually bagged and tied with ribbon, and are sold in orders of 6 pcs.  All designs are $48 per 6 pcs, plus shipping, and are available in our standard flavours of Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Sable and Spicy Gingerbread.  Please allow 7 days for baking and decorating before despatch when placing your orders, as these are baked and decorated to order only!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Christmas 2010 Collection |

For quite some time now - well, OK, most of my life!! - I have loved old things, from linen, china and glassware, down to I guess what you would call the "sensibilities" of particular eras - like the 1950's for instance.

From post WWII to the very early 1960's, both class and gender lines were very clearly drawn, directed and, for the most part, embraced by society at large.  Women were very clearly feminine.  Families dressed for dinner, and everyone met without fail around the dinner table every night, even if it was to tackle some new fangled thing (TV dinners anyone?!) just launched to housewives everywhere.

There were pretty specific colour palettes back then too.  Manufacturing was advancing, but not fast enough to expand colour choices past electric brights (red, orange, lime, yellow) or pastel gelatos; pink, aqua, and white - aqua and white was, after all the No 1 colour combination for the American automotive industry during this period - and for good reason - they look fabulous together!

So, this year, to celebrate the memory of what was a golden era, I have been inpired to include a heavy sprinkle of 1950's America - I hope you like it!

All items will be available for order through my online store, which you can reach through the link at the top right on the blog, or you can also reach it via the website.  Orders can be placed now through to December 20th.  Last day for delivery is December 23rd.  Last day for mail order (cookies and coconut ice only) is December 18th.

Cookies are available in

Spicy GIngerbread, Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Sable

Cupcakes are available in all my regular flavours.

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Exciting Update |

Gosh, what a great start to today!  Checking in on emails this morning, I had a fabulous email notifying me that one of my cakes has been featured on Martha Steart's Dreamers Into Doers website.. 'Wow!' I think to myself, and click through - and not only is my cake featured, but it's on the very front page, and on the top row!!!

Now, just to be featured on 'Martha' and my "to do" list would be empty!!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and treats | Open for Business |

Well, finally it's happened, my little fledgling store has spread its wings and opened for business!

I am going to be adding some wonderful, gorgeous new cupcake papers in the next week, so keep a look out for them - they will be available in regular, mini and a special size too, perfect for packing up edible gifts in - so stay tuned!

Also, the website and the blog have both had a facelift today - hope you like it!

You can get to the storefront both on the blog (the page link is right under the header), or on the website, to double your shopportunities!  If you want me to stock something in particular, please drop me a line to let me know...

I will be adding some gorgeous vintage-inspired sparkly toppers in the coming weeks too, just in time for Christmas party season!

Stay tuned next Friday the 15th for my launch of our 2010 Christmas collection - this year, it's all about 1950's vintage style.  Think pink, white and aqua, with sparkles to boot!

Well, that's it, just wanted to stop by and say hello, and thank you for following along!

Happy baking!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Boutique Opens tomorrow! |

Be on the lookout for a giveaway prize pack on Portobello Bride!

Starts Monday!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | Christmas 2010 |

Cupcakes and Cookies

All with a Sweet! vintage twist

For a limited time only - orders open 15 October ~ Close 15 December 2010

Cupcakes for pick-up or delivery only

Cookies shipping nationwide!

| Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats | e-store opening this week! |