Fashionably Inspired

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

 - Coco Chanel

 

Artists and designers alike draw inspiration from the world around us. It is not unrealistic then to see a juxtaposition of the world of food and fashion. Such fashion designers as Gucci, Coach, Chanel, Capucci and Prada have inspired cake artists around the world to capture their designs in sugar. These stunning clothing pieces provide inspiration on color palettes, texture and form. Belle the Magazine's July 11, 2011 article Fashion Inspired Cakes says, "A mega-genius resource of inspiration for your wedding is your closet." Check out some of their examples:

Maggie Austin cake inspired by the Carolina Herrera 2011 Resort Collection

Image via weddingnouveau.com

Image via bostonmagazine.com/articles/tailor_made_dress_and_gown

Images via Fashionbride's Weblog and Austin Wedding Blog 

Riddle Me This...

So in doing research for this cake quite a few Batman quotes came up:

• Holy Bill of Rights Batman! (Robin)
• I'm not just pussyfooting around Batman. (Catwoman)
• You had better leave the crime fighting to the men. (Batman)
• Holy rusted metal Batman! (Robin)
• Don't interrupt! I'm trying to fathom the sub-conscience of a deadly criminal! (Batman)
• We who laugh and run away, live to laugh another day! (Joker)
• Up my sleeve, Batgirl? Riddle me once: what's most alluring when it's highest or lowest; when it's in the air or in a hole; when it's served you, yet you can't touch it? An enchanting ace! (Riddler)

 But the final riddle that went onto the cake says this:

Riddle Me This...

My lifespan is already foretold, one gust of wind and I fold.

Thin I am quick, fat I am slow; increasing each year as I go.

What am I?

Do you think you know what the answer is?

Shadow The Hedgehog

A little background information on a subject that I knew nothing about but that my boys eat, sleep and dream...video games. Specifically, the Sonic the Hedgehog series.

Shadow the Hedgehog is a character from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Shadow is an artificially-created life form. His trademark hover shoes propel him at extreme speeds that rival those of Sonic, and with a Chaos Emerald he has the ability to distort time and space using "Chaos Control." Often referred to as being the "Ultimate Life Form," he is a black and crimson male hedgehog that debuted in Sonic Adventure 2. He resembles Sonic in many ways, such as the ability to travel at incredible speeds. He is Sonic's rival and is the antithesis of Sonic himself in all aspects of his life. He has been featured in a variety of media, including his own self-titled game. Shadow works together with either Sonic's group or Dr. Eggman, depending on what suits his own needs. (via Wikipedia)

 So when asked to create a cake for a birthday with Shadow the Hedgehog I realized there was a lot of detail in this character that had to be just right. From the boots to the spikes I had to make this one as true to the design as possible.
 

 Shadow is taking a day off from chasing Dr. Eggman or working with Sonic. He's enjoying a relaxing day at the ocean and taking in the surf. After all, every hard working hedgehog needs a little R & R.

You rented your Wedding cake?

A growing trend in these economic times is the rental wedding cake. Jane Singleton from Singleton’s Kitchen, says that at first she was "not that enthusiastic about the idea, as she took much pride in offering many combinations of fresh baked wedding cakes . But after looking into the idea, and doing a few dummy cakes, she decided to be flexible and began to offer cake rentals to her clientale."  Singleton offers these reasons in favor of rental wedding cakes:

1. It's a better fit for the bride on a tight budget; she can have the cake of her dreams at a fraction of the cost. Sheet cakes can be cut in the kitchen and served to the wedding guest in lieu of a costly tiered wedding cake.

2. The bride has a better chance of booking her wedding date because the cakes can be assembled and decorated ahead of time.

3. Delivery and costly set up fees may be saved if the bride opts to pick up the display cake and sheet cakes before the wedding.

4. If planning an outdoor wedding, a dummy cake reduces worry of invading insects, bees or other pesky critters . It is also less susceptible to damage caused by high temperatures during the summer months; thus allowing the wedding cake to be prominently displayed during the reception from the beginning to the end.

5. Sometimes reception venues add a cutting fee into the package deals and the bride might be unaware she is paying for it. If the charge is per slice, that fee could add up to a hefty amount, sometimes as much as the price of the cake itself. By renting a dummy cake, these extra charges can be avoided.

6. The bride can order her dummy cake via the Internet having it shipped to directly to her home address. UPS is able to package and ship to insure a successful delivery.

7. One may choose to rent the wedding cake with an option to purchase.

8. The designs are limitless because dummies can be made in almost any shape.

9. No special clean up needed. Just return the cake intact to the decorator.

Some people would say that it is a disservice to wedding guests to not have an actual "cake" because the wedding cake is quite often a centerpiece of the evening. I agree that there is definitely something nostalgic in displaying, cutting, and serving a real cake. But for me I go with whatever makes the bride happy. If she's happy with the service that I have provided her on one of the most important days of her life, then she will be likely to return for other important occasions, which gives me a chance to be part of the best moments in her life.

Buy for Bazoombas!

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® and launched the global breast cancer movement.

Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure^® and the 3-Day for the Cure, the organization has invested more than $1.9 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Torta Cakes proudly does pink to support 3-Day Walk For A Cure participants:  4 Strong Girls, in their efforts to raise donations for this event. Torta Cakes will be donating pink cupcakes to be sold at the Buy For Bazoombas event. Please join us as we back these women in the fight against breast cancer.