So.. The FOOD NETWORK just called….
May 13th, 2008QUICK! Everyone cross your fingers for me!!!
Social Butterfly
April 26th, 2008Busy week for blog entries, huh?
Back on Monday, I was enjoying a day off (so I thought!), and happened to catch a segment on Showcase Minnesota that caught my attention. Jim Leighton was on the show, talking about the upcoming Social Butterfly event. It was a benefit for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
He talked a bit about what they do for families through the Care Partners - particularly assisting families that are in town for their child’s treatment programs. I couldn’t possibly do justice by paraphrasing what he said, but it really inspired me. So.. I looked him up and emailled to offer a donation of desserts for the event - which was only a few days away! Read the rest of this entry »
Mpls Mag Party
April 25th, 2008
One part of running a wedding related business is something that I (usually) find fun, and that my husband hates - the industry events. I dragged him to another one last night, and he actually enjoyed it.
This was the magazine launch/rebranding of Mpls St Paul Wedding Magazine. We’ve been to a few such events in the past.. a bit of networking, some mediocre food, then looooong and boring presentations and sales pitches. Yawn. I’m a big believer in networking, and with our move to the cities next month, it’s something we really need to do more of. So, I arm twisted him into going. Read the rest of this entry »
International Fame! (Or something like it, anyway!)
April 23rd, 2008A few months ago, I submitted some photos to my favorite cake related publication - “Wedding Cakes: A Design Source”. It’s a magazine out of the UK and is basically.. cake porn. LOL. Hundreds of gorgeous cakes in each issue.. and pretty much nothing but! I make a point to buy every issue, and like to have them on hand for cake consults - it’s great to have such a variety of techniques in one spot! Very handy.
Anyway.. received an email this morning. They selected some of my work to be published in the next issue, which comes out tomorrow! I have no idea which photo(s) they picked, or how many.. but I find this pretty cool. First time I’ve had my work in a magazine!
So, I called the Barnes and Noble to find out when it will *actually* be in stores on this
continent.. most importantly, their store. They have *no* idea. Sigh. Looks like it could be anytime in the next few weeks. I’ll definitely have to keep my eye out!
For those interested, it will be in issue 27. Issue 26 is currently on shelves, it has a pink cover. The new one will have a tealish cover. Here’s the image they sent me for promotional purposes:
So.. check it out!
What a weekend!
April 7th, 2008
Wow, where to start?
I haven’t had a day off in weeks. Getting ready for the TCBA show, then a roadtrip, then the tasting… I was looking forward to this weekend being a time-out. No such luck! Read the rest of this entry »
Kickbacks and Collusion in the Wedding Industry
February 26th, 2008
It’s a subject that not many people know about, and that isn’t talked about often enough!. If you, as a bride, are going to be denied / strongly encouraged against having the wedding you really want, you have the right to know what the true motivation is - money.I was watching 27 Dresses with my friend Lynnie recently - nurturing my mega crush on James Marsden, of course - when he said the line about collusion among wedding cake bakers. Of course, I got a friendly prod and a giggle when he said that, but it really got me to thinking.While I’m not aware of any collusion amongst local cake bakers, many brides are subjected to the effects of collusion in the wedding industry. It’s a bit of a hush-hush subject - and I know I’m going to take heat for this article - but some things really need to be said.
Hrm. So much to say.. where to start? Read the rest of this entry »
Symbiosis in the Workplace
February 4th, 2008
Like many online business owners, I get a LOT of email. Questions about ordering, RSVPs for tastings, fan mail, questions about tecnhiques from fellow cake decorators, and more. Lately I’ve been getting a lot of email on the same two subjects. Given recent lack of inspiration for blog entries, I figured this would be a great topic for a new entry!
The two subjects? The photography on my website, and the clear cake stands I use. Interestingly enough, the two are related! You see, I’m not really a one person operation - my husband helps me a lot with the non-baking stuff. He is the one who takes the professional photos of my work, and he also builds custom stands for me!
My husband is actually a professional photographer - mostly weddings, but getting more into product photography. He is the proprietor behind Happenstance Photography (www.happenstancephoto.com). Read the rest of this entry »
“So.. What’s the Deal with Fondant?”
December 21st, 2007
Wow, it’s been over a month since our last blog, about time we write about SOMETHING, huh? I figure today would be as good a time as any to address something that is a bit of a mystery to some people.. fondant!
Now, if you’ve read about fondant at all, you’ll already know that in some circles, it has a bit of a bad rap. I think I’ll start by explaining that. Read the rest of this entry »
Star-Tribune Article
December 20th, 2007The following appeared as part of the “What’s Cooking”/”Front Burner” page of the Taste Section today:
She’s fond of fondant
For Marie Porter, it’s been a natural progression from designing wedding gowns to wedding florals and now to wedding cakes. And what cakes! She’s parlayed her bartender skills into boozy concoctions such as Southern Belle (peaches and Southern Comfort) and Bananas Foster (crème de banana and rum), but also offers an unusual chai spice cake, along with variations on more traditional chocolate and lemon cakes. Her website, www. celebrationgenerationcakes. com, includes some eye-popping photos of her fondant designs, including a “Coach Bag” and a brown-and-green coating that resembles military camouflage. Prices (minimum order to serve 100) begin at $450. Celebration Generation Cakes also offers cookies, tarts and truffles. She’s based in Princeton, Minn., but serves the Twin Cities. Call 612-388-9409 or e-mail cakes@ celebrationgeneration.com.
..It’s the icing on MY cake!
November 18th, 2007 
A couple of days ago, I participated in the Kare 11 OnLive Potluck. Crazy amounts of fun!
A few of their regulars met at the studio for some online/OnLive chat, and a potluck to follow. I knew it was going to be a lot of fun, but I didn’t know I’d be filming a commercial, OR that I’d walk out with my very own catchphrase!
