Sweet catastrophe!

I want to be in this picture (with those beautiful shoes)..

by Unusually Fine Photography

..In this gown..

by Bruce Oldfield

Okay, fantasies aside, this weekend was my friend Becca's bridal shower so I decided to make her some sweet treats for the party. I had seen some very clean cupcakes similar to these in a book somewhere and have been dreaming of them ever since. They didn't turn out as perfect as I had hoped but I was working with some new flavors.

It is a rich chocolate cake with a fresh strawberry in the center, a vanilla-white chocolate frosting, and some edible pearls on top.

I almost always make some flavored variation of a fluffy cream cheese frosting for my cupcakes because I am not into frosting - too sweet for me! I didn't have much time to commit this time around so I doctored up some store-bought can frosting with melted white chocolate. I had trouble making the new texture look as pretty as my usual fluffy frosting.

In the meantime I remembered that a friend had recently showed me her new white cupcake tree and thought it would be perfect to feature my cupcakes. I went to her house first, just a few minutes from the party, to stage the treats. I took them to my car and hit the road. Unfortunately I had forgotten about the weight of the strawberries inside the cupcakes and a few of them immediately did back flips off of the tree. One of them completely fell apart and made a mess of the tree so I decided I couldn't salvage, borrowed a plate and took them into the party. This photo is from my phone while they were still on the tree in my car (you can see one flipped in the background). My beautiful display didnt work out as planned but they were still loved by all!



LOVE today!

Nothing spectacular happened today but it was..well..spectacular! I got up and let Lucy out and it was warm outside bright and early. We snuggled on the couch and watched No Strings Attached. (I LOVE this movie for all the wrong reasons, but I won't elaborate on that...you're welcome) Lucy and I went for a liesurely, sunny walk to return the movie and then I took myself on a short but powerful bike ride.

ALL of this was before 10am!!

Then I had to go to work where we were preparing to cater a wedding but I also committed to the cake today. I went to work for an hour, changed and looked fabulous, went to one of the most beautiful venues in the area and set up the cupcake tower and arranged flowers. Once completely satisfied with my work I headed back to the kitchen to finish my shift. It wasn't busy, it went quickly, and I didn't get stuck with any of the tasks that I usually hate.

Here is the final product!

I get paid to do this!!

The whole set-up for the reception was beautiful with hot pink and lime everywhere. Our bartenders were serving up gallons of lemonade and mojitos in the sun. The welcome table held shawls for the ladies when the sun goes down and flip flops for those soaking up the sun by the pool. What a fun day and I didn't even get to see the event!

I believe things happen for a reason..

...most of the time.

The third time was not a charm for me. Three interviews, three rejections. All of these followed by "We loved you, but.." or "we really enjoyed your interview, but..". While my strengths, passion and energy have been appreciated, experience seems to be my weakness in this game. With each of these phone calls I have been crushed and my day ruined, but with each it gets a little easier and I try to think it's for the good. I thought it was great I didn't get the dream job far away because it meant I should stay here and maybe then I would get the local job. It was good I didn't get the local job because the staff in the interview made me very uncomfortable and it was in a school I found very disorganized. And now..well maybe it's good I didn't get this job because I belong at the other opening that just appeared in the district - one that I have experience for.

While I try to be positive..oh, how I try..I still fall down and beat myself up.
*If I'm talking to myself - I'm not good enough. For someone I love, for schools, to even get a call on so many applications I have put out there.
*If YOU ask me (on a good day), I am totally worth it! :) I am good at what I do and create such unique and personal relationships with my students that are really based on their growth as people and "good humans" as I call them. I know I have made a difference to their futures in the real world.

So where to go when it seems like there is only up but I keep finding new lows?

On the positive, I got a five-day work week this week for the first time in about a year! I am the only person in the world this excited to work five days! Hopefully that and my wedding cake fun keeps up. I have multiple offers by people who believe in me to start a business or take over a management opportunity. Problem - both of these are far down the line and could require financial supports.

Today, on my only day off this week, I get to go to Target! After four years it still makes me laugh that this is such a treat, but in my blog addiction, baking obsession and crafty mood it becomes more apparent each day how many things I don't have access to in this small town. However, I still live in paradise and it is one of the greatest gifts I have and I wouldn't trade it - besides, the drive is a nice break once in a while.

TODAY'S GIFTS!

Lucy and Rhino, best buddies and the best gifts I have. This morning I have been loved by the two biggest hearts I know! <3

OH HAPPY DAY!

One of the blogs that has inspired me to write/post/create is called Oh Happy Day - not even sure how I came across this one but there are so many beautiful things that I check it daily (sometimes more) for an update. They are giving away a trip to paris so you should positively check it out at ohhappyday.com before it ends on Monday. (or before I win the trip right out from under everyone!)

What a fabulous trip that could be...

INDULGE!

ohhh how beautiful.. from Style Me Pretty

To new beginnings...

It's time for a fresh start!

Some days I feel that it's just been a year of lows - getting knocked down over and over each time it feels like I am almost back on my feet. Losing a job that I love, finding it difficult to stay in the place that I love, an unsuccessful ongoing search for a new chapter to the career that I love, and the loss of love.

Lately I have found some inspiration through the blogs of some positively lovely and optimistic friends and the blog world quickly became an addiction. I found beauty on design blogs, indulgence on food blogs, and daily happiness on the blogs of some friends. I find beautiful photographs, crafty DIY projects, wedding ideas for a new friend, funky party planning, and beautiful sweet treats that I want to make to give someone else a smile.

My hope, as I try and find that happiness I used to exude, is to share things that I find beautiful or that make me smile.