Creative Cake Break

I've taken a bit of a blog break this past week so I can concentrate on my latest project...cake decorating. For the past few months, I have been obsessed watching those cake shows on TV like Ace of Cakes, Cake Boss, Fabulous Cakes, and more recently Cupcake Wars, and DC Cupcakes. You see, baking has never been my forté, although I have always loved, loved, loved cakes and pastries. So...in order to expand my creative side, last month, I enrolled in a series of cake decorating classes and it has taken quite a chunk of my free time. Which explains why I have not been around as much to comment on your lovely blogs (sorry). But in the end, I am hoping I can offer you one of these yummy, delicious, fabulous, sugary-sweet, heart-melting treats.





The next two cakes are from Amelie's House. Wow, is she talented!!!







Cupcakes are a bit easier to decorate for me, and the best part is, there is no need for cake cutting









My very favorite patisserie in Paris, the world famous Ladurée, is really known for their macarons, although they also have the best cakes I have ever seen.









(A scene from 2006 film Marie Antoinette)


And finally, these lovely decorated cakes are from my class:

(created by my classmate Adrianna)



(created by my classmate Tabitha)



This one is my first ever decorated cake




These are the flowers I made using royal icing



I used them as cupcake toppers




The second cake I decorated, it's for my Mom's birthday






The lily and daffodils are also made using royal icing




And my third cake in Tiffany Bleu :)







So the next time I have a tea party



I'm hoping I can surprise my guests with something that looks as divine as these

My Dream Job

What is your dream job? Are you lucky enough to be doing it now? If you follow my blog on a regular basis (thanks by the way), you will know by now that my favorite things are shopping and traveling. Also, that one of my very favorite place to shop is Anthropologie. When it's my birthday or Christmas, my family and friends know a gift card from Anthro makes me happy like a kid in a candy store.

Well, there happens to be a show (now in its 2nd season) in Sundance Channel called "Man Shops Globe". The Buyer-At-Large for Anthropologie, Keith Johnson has my dream job. Keith travels to different parts of the world, in search of fantastic and unusual decorative objects, furniture, and textiles. He also seeks out the world's best artists and crafts people. The show follows Keith to ends-of-the-earth excursions, from flea markets in Paris to remote villages in India and obscure art studios in Turkey.

HOW COOL IS THIS JOB and how did he get it???


Here's Keith Johnson shopping with designer Anna Sui in Syria



In Thailand



In South Africa



In Tunisia



In Turkey



In Mexico



In Venice



In Holland



One of his agent's apartment in Australia (j'adore this room by the way)


To the producers of Man Shops Globe and Sundance, if you are reading this, I love this show...don't cancel it!

Keith Johnson, if you're reading this, take me with you!!! I'll be your groupie, your intern, your assistant. I will carry your bags, do your laundry and iron (even if I hate ironing), get your coffee, shine your shoes, give you facials and manicures (my facials are to die for, ask my husband), I can do anything Mr. Johnson...anything to be your intern.

Ahem...geez...enough groveling...If you're interested in design and how a buyer's job works, you should watch this program.

What's Blu & Nu in My Cottage?

My guest room project has been coming along. This weekend, I was busy looking for a few pieces to add to my soon to be French Bohemian Bleu theme. Like a game of scavenger hunt, I went to my most favorite places to shop.


For $10 dollars, I couldn't resist this mirrored french window at my local consignment shop. I thought it's perfect for my master bath (yes, I get sidetracked a lot).



And added a few personal blue trinkets of course








Anywho...here's a sneak peak of a few items that are going in my French Bohemian Bleu guest room. I have a really low budget for this project...very low, so had to find me some bargain.

Lamp from Home Goods for $49.99



I painted this visage back in 1999, although I really didn't like it. However, I think it will look good in the guest room so I got a new frame for it at Michael's for $15 bucks.



Instead of collecting those vintage milky glasses, I poured various shades of blue paint inside these used bottles I already own. Once the bottles are completely covered, the rest of the paint inside can be poured back to its original container and used again. Aren't those blue ceramic cabinet knobs the cutest???



This murano glass is made in Italy, but bought it from Home Goods for $12.99.




Here's a charming way to play tic tac toe, which I learned from my friend Martha (Living edition Aug 2010)



You only need a plain fabric placemat, white paint, paint brush, pencil and ruler




Finally, here's a vintage blue bag I found at a local thrift store for $3 dollars.



Linking this Monday's post with Sally's Blue Monday and Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage. Happy Monday to all!

Rewards from My Garden

For some odd reason, the usual June gloom here in San Diego has lasted through mid-July. Today however, it's finally sunny so it was nice to be out in mon jardin to take pictures. I have a very young garden, and in early spring this year, we decided to experiment by planting seeds instead of buying those little pint of starter plants like we normally do. Well...talk about a rewarding garden, I am now a "seed" convert. It's amazing how easy and inexpensive they are to grow!!!


First, here's the strip of "weed patch" on our front yard. We removed the grass that was there and scattered Sunflower seeds and California wildflower seeds. Here it is now.







Luv these blue and pink bachelor buttons!



Don't know what these small red flowers are, but luv 'em too!



The seeds we planted are called "mammoth sunflowers" and the blooms are like bright sunshine!



These basil, and thyme plants are happy in our front yard



And so are the soon to be eggplants...



And green bell peppers...



These mushrooms however are not something I planted. They just appeared in my front garden. Should I remove them...are these poisonous???




Now here's "le potagerie" in my backyard. This is now the second round of seed plantings as we've already harvested from the last season. The grapevine is pretty much halfway over the arbor. We planted this vine last February.



And I can't even believe that it's now producing grapes!



The corn stalks are taller than me and they all started from seeds that we planted in March.


I found more than 20 corn cobs and can't wait to taste them this summer.






In this planter box we planted edamame, green beans and herbs, again all from seeds. They were planted in March also.




I think these are from the squash seeds I scattered randomly around the edge of the "potagerie".




Although the next two trees are not from seeds (they were already here when we bought the house two years ago), this is the first year they have produced and will finally get to taste them.

Avocados...hmmm one of my favorite



and lemons



And here's the best reward of all, our little Ms. Coco. She was rescued from the humane society last March and we enjoy her everyday. Her curly hair reminds me of my white hydrangeas.




Linking to the Outdoor Wednesday post hosted by Susan from A Southern Daydreamer. Happy Wednesday to all!!! I can see the weekend from here.