My friends and family will tell you that I have a small obsession with capturing the best photo. I am guilty of “vetoing” more than my share of photos because I didn’t like the position of something or in most cases, just didn’t like my face and unfortunately it didn’t get any better when I started photographing my sweet treats, if anything, it got worse. My neurosis has reached an all time low and I’ve stalked countless blogs, websites and search engines to find the best and most economical way to take photos of my treats without A. hiring a full-time photographer or B. spending 2 Months rent on camera equipment because although I am a perfectionist, I am not, however, a millionaire, yet, I still understand that a picture is worth a thousand words.
At last, I stumbled upon the wonderfully talented and creative KC Bakes. Her tutorial on making a light box is not only genius but easy and economical too. If you are looking to improve your photography and need a way to capture your items using man-made “natural light” (especially us crazy bakers who tend to work through the night like sugar zombies) then her tutorial will be your jackpot.
And for those of you who don’t know, KC Bakes also makes some adorable cake pop stands…check them out!!

KC Bakes

Whenever I go hunting for photography tips, there’s always one resounding golden rule: use natural light!  I agree that natural light is ideal, however 99% of my baking is done at night because I have a full-time day job.  Snapping shadowy pictures in my kitchen had finally worked my last nerve – I needed another solution!

Enter, the light box.  I made a quick trip to Home Depot and AC Moore, and I was ready to go. The entire project cost $30 and took me a little over 1 hour – it would’ve probably gone a lot quicker if I didn’t stop at every step to take pictures.  I hope you have fun following along!  Make sure you read this one til the end to see my cat’s version of the day…

Supplies Needed: 

• Large cardboard box (preferably a perfect cube, but this one was free from the trash…

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Cake Pops for a Cure

The month of October has become a time to indulge in all things pumpkin, break out the cute winter clothes, and start planning your holiday travels, but it’s also a time for all things PINK.

You may notice the color pink everywhere from store banners, websites, clothing or food.  Even all the professional sports players are sporting the, formerly-reserved-for-girls-only color.  Pink is now a symbol of Awareness, a symbol of Strength, a symbol of Hope and a symbol for finding a Cure to breast cancer.  I have known far too many women that have battled this disease, both young and old and from all walks of life.   I wanted to do my part to stand with them and show my support.

So without further adieu, Sugar and Spiked presents: Proud to be PINK Cake pops:

Pink in all different hues from all walks of life.

Pink Power!

Proud to be PINK pops, inside and out

Pink Pops rainbow

I even had the pleasure of seeing my brother, Shane yesterday.  For those of you who don’t know he’s currently in college and lives about 7 hours away.  He too, is proud to rock the pink pops for a cure:

Boys are still proud to be Pink

From now until October 31st, 2012, you can purchase a dozen Proud to be Pink pops from Sugar and Spiked for $30 dollars, with the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen (http://ww5.komen.org/).  One flavor per dozen, choose from Pink Vanilla, Chocolate, RedVelvet or Pumpkin Spice.

Email your order to: SugarandSpiked@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SugarandSpikedInc and inbox us your order.  Please allow up to 3 days for your order to be ready.  *Sorry, local (South Florida) delivery/pick-up only at this time, but you can still do your part and make a donation to Susan G. Komen at the link provided above.

Get your fight on…Pink Power!!

Editors Note: Special “Thank You” to my Mom, Donna, for being my Photographer for this shoot and for dealing with my perfectionism!

Falling for Fall

If I had to choose any season to be my lover, Fall would, hands down, win the prize.  That being said, I have to surround myself with all things Fall and “pretend” for arguments sake, that it’s not 90 degrees outside, as I live in toasty South Florida.  Nevertheless, all the more reason to go above and beyond to celebrate this wonderful time of year.

Fall has this cozy comforting feeling that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks, cinnamon brooms, pumpkin patches, picking the perfect Halloween costume, the changing of the leaves (for those lucky enough to have something other than a palm tree decorating their lawn) and the adorable fall fashion that dons the boutiques.

All of those things, got me thinking of a great way to portray Fall in a cake pop.  The pumpkin flavor, the glitz of the fashion and the spookiness of Halloween.  So, I am proud to share with you Sugar and Spiked’s 2012 Fall/Halloween Cake-pop Collection:

The cake pop flavor is pumpkin spice with cream cheese frosting.  I hand molded them into the different pumpkin shapes and dipped them into different colored candy coatings.  I used a sugaring technique for the outside and a green tic-tac as the stem.

I love spiders, and by that, I mean fake ones or dead ones.  If they’re moving, no chance, however I think they are an iconic part of this time of year, as are the pumpkins so it seemed only fitting to incorporate them into the collection.  The spiders are made using black Duff Buttercream Fondant.

If you haven’t already, I hope these make you fall for Fall just like I have.

xx-Jessica, your Sweet Treats Designer

Editors credits: A special Thank You to Jenn of The Sunshine Party Studio (www.TheSunshinePartyStudio.com) for styling and photographing the shoot.

 

HI! First timer here…

So, after months and months (I’m being kind….years) of persuading, I have finally ventured into the blogging world.  I guess the best thing for me to do now is to introduce myself.  My name is Jessica, my favorite color is purple, I like long walks…oh wait, sorry, this isn’t eharmony.  Err, rewind, my name is Jessica and I love all things creative, girlie and sweet.  The perfect day includes a little Starbucks, a little cake pop making, and an episode of Jeopardy (yes, I’m a little bit of a nerd too).  So those are some tidbits on me, I’m sure I’ll spill more later…now on to what I do…

I LOVE making sugary goodness happen, whether it be cupcakes, some cake-pops, a cookie or a lolli, I am all about it.  Willy Wonka and the Sugar Plum Princess are my heroes and if I can make someone smile with a sweat treat, my job is done.

Here I will share my latest creations, ideas, disasters (because there will be some) and plenty of things to make you smile.  Trust me, you won’t regret the follow.

xx-Jessica, your Sweet Treats Designer