Strawberry Mousse - Cake Filling that Works

A few weeks back, I delivered my second ever wedding cake (stay tuned for details). The bride and groom requested a vanilla cake with strawberry filling. I knew just the recipe for the tiers thanks to the Gender Reveal cake from last year but I very rarely bake with strawberries. They're more of a tart and pie kind of ingredient, right? It was time to roll up the sleeves, muss up the ol' apron, and pretend to be America's Test Kitchen.

Excursions: Portugal

The intent of this post is to share a breath of the wanderlust that we experienced during our Honeymoon last year. There are so many places in this world to explore and creating a reasonable list of destinations was taxing. Oh what a blessed and fortunate dilemma to overcome.

I've always wanted to see Greece but was anxious about their economic straits as Mike felt about Italy. Peru? Istanbul? New Zealand? Or should we just stay in the US to save resources? Unless I'm passionate about something, I tend to be a bit too indecisive. Mike said, "enough!" and made the call for us. And so it was settled.

Portugal.

Happy and safe travels!

Rock the Bells... Wedding Bells!

The weeks following our wedding, people kept asking, "So- do things feel different now that you're married?" This question genuinely surprised me; I'm not sure what they wanted or expected to hear. The root of Mike+Michele has always been an uncompromising friendship.  We supported one another's goals, guarded each other's hearts, and shared dreams. (And lots of music.) This may sound strange, but there are things in this world that the soul fundamentally knows to be Truth. Being around Mike feels like home.

Things felt exactly how they should.

This post has been months in the making- I wanted to let everything settle down before sharing a few moments from our wedding. Much love to our friends and family, especially the all-star bridal party who almost entirely traveled great distances, from West Virginia to Japan. And of course, special thanks to our parents for their support and patience. They have taught and given us so much- we will never be able to show our full appreciation. Beijus. 

I hope you enjoy this post and maybe pull some inspiration for your own planning purposes!

Mike and I did our best to personalize this occasion- from hand picking the entire playlist to the quiz pencils inscribed with "thank you" in Portuguese, my heritage, and Hawaiian, his place of birth. Our goal was to have a bit of our personalities shine through. There were several DIY projects and amazing vendors. Heck, even our sneakers were customized from NikeID (we met on the dance floor after all).

Weddings get expensive- cut corners where it makes sense. Get crafty and ask your friends for help! We all have that hipster buddy with a bunch of mason jars that are perfect vases and reduce florist costs! Please feel free to grab ideas and hit me up if you have any questions. 

For the cocktail hour, I wanted something hanging through the terrace but got my socks knocked off when I heard the estimate to string bistro lights through a vendor. An affordable and fun alternative were Pennants! This was a joint effort between myself and a girlfriend who sews on the side. She carried the team and showed me how to shop smart at JoAnn Fabrics! The time consuming part was cutting out the pennants and then she tore through the sewing while watching Downton Abbey! Thank you so much Rhubarb! Who knew triangles could be so much fun?





The Wedding Invitations, Table Numbers, and Couple's Quiz were made by Mike in Illustrator (got to love being married to a Graphic Artist). They were printed on card stock between Kinko's and a family hook-up in Cali. Nothing a little baker's twine and a hole punch can't handle. There are so many online resources these days, no one should pay exorbitant prices for print materials! Plus, if you ever need a custom design, feel free to contract Mike!

The Wedding Address Labels, Guest Seating Assignments, and Wedding Programs were made in Microsoft Publisher by yours truly. I loved this idea for Address Labels but simplified by creating a template similar to these examples. Multiple labels were printed on a single Avery full sheet and then cut with a paper cropper. The Wedding Programs were printed at Kinkos;  the top sheet is vellum paper (which is slightly transparent) and can be found at Paper Source. Guest Seating Assignments were also printed on the home printer with the business card template in Publisher! We hand wrote the names and numbers in case there were any last minute changes.

As much as a Photo Booth tickled us, we knew it was not in the budget. Instead, we borrowed  a Polaroid camera and bought a second as back up. Guests took pictures of one another and signed with sharpies to hang on a clothesline. We threw in a few gag props (stuff lying round the house from past Halloweens etc.) in a cardboard suitcase I got at Michael's. Note: the film was more expensive than anticipated but a lot cheaper than an authentic photo booth!



The bridal party's flowers and boutonnieres were done by Mike's cousin as a wedding gift. Apparently she dabbled in arrangements on the side! She was legit and took us to a flower depot in Maryland to pick out our theme. It was comforting to be holding something so personal throughout the day. Just look at that beast of a bouquet!

There were a few bumps but we got through the day with flying colors! Susana gave me the best piece of advise the night before: "remember- it's a giant party- have fun!" That message didn't hit until the moment right before the ceremony. I was nervous about walking down the aisle... With my luck, I'd trip or lose a heel in the grass. When I looked up, it was sea of smiling faces and the HusBun's big, amazing grin waiting ahead.

Your love is a fundamental Truth of my life. I love you, Michael.

Ceremony: Oxen Hill Manor
Reception: St. Francis Hall
Cake Topper: Custom Order- Sofie Skein
Wedding Cupcakes: Confections
Lace Cupcake Liners: Jen Bailey
Chalk Art: The Watermelon Stand
Goodie Bags: Pedoozle
Inscribed Pencils:  The Carbon Crusader 
Vintage Plates: Something Vintage
Photographer: Cassidy DuHon

Pre Wedding Muse

As I sit in the living room, petting Autumn, I cannot help but take it all in. I am more than happy to be marrying my best friend. I know that's cliche but it's honest. We met doing something we both love- dancing- and formed a great friendship over the years. It was filled with car rides to practice, epic long emails, sharing songs, trash talk, laughing at the lengths we'd go to all hang out, letting our creativity bounce off the walls (the muse & interpreter), hoping "she dreams of me", wishing on stars in Costa Rica, and unconditional encouragement. That's one of the things that really caught my heart about Mike.... his positivity. All we've ever wanted was the other to be happy and we pushed each other to be better people (just "keeping the honest people honest!"). I knew from the moment I heard his laugh that this guy was special and I wanted him in my life. I just can't believe I would be so lucky to have this engagement ring on my finger. 

Te amo.

Peach Bellini Cup

A subject of heated debate in our home has been the wedding cake. First we had to convince my mother that cupcakes are just as a good as a traditional cake. Second, find the perfect shop to make the cupcakes (post to follow). After several trials- we found our winner! And finally, picking an actual flavor. Done! 

Well. Sort of. 

I wanted to make the top cake. You know, the cute little one that the bridal party shares. In my brain, it would be a sweet personal touch. Not everyone shared my opinion that my making the cake was a brilliant idea. By everyone... I mean my entire family plus Mike shouting, "NO!" 

And so, like any healthy couple, Mike and I compromised. His argument was the stress factor. If something should go wrong, he knew I would be one fig short of being a fruit cake. Somehow, I managed to convince him to let me do a trial run! He could time it and everything. Should the slightest detail go wrong, I would throw in the white flag.

A co-worker suggested Peach and Champagne as the flavor since the rest of the cupcakes are plain champagne  It was serendipity that I stumbled (without even searching) upon this Peach Bellini cake recipe. I whipped it up on a Saturday night with an audience of friends as taste testers! 

The verdict? Totally wedding worthy. It's a heavenly cake- light as a cloud when fresh from the oven! I added chopped, frozen peaches to the batter that provided a little surprise in each bite. This was the first time I've used peach shnapps in baking and I was very impressed. A little bit goes a really long way!  

The frosting, however, was a touch too sweet for our likes. I gently scraped it off the outer coat and replaced it with 7 minute meringue frosting. If you're feeling frisky, add a pinch of cinnamon to the mix! This variation was instant success. I can only imagine this at a spring or summer dinner party. Ooo... a little shredded coconut perhaps? 

When we served the left over cake the next day, it had a slightly denser texture from sitting over night. Much to my delight, my mom greatly enjoyed the cake. Victory at last! Then I made the mistake of saying, "good. We're having this at the wedding." In that moment, all air left the room and I saw flames in my mother's eyes. Uh oh. 

Ahem. In conclusion. I will not be making this cake for the wedding. That doesn't mean you shouldn't make it though!

For the Peach Bellini Cake recipe, check out Java Cupcake's yummy blog! If you prefer a lighter, less sweet frosting, I recommend this 7 minute meringue frosting. 

PS. Thanks Colleen for the adorable bear cake stand!!

Wedding Planning: The Cupcake War

By the time our wedding planning is finalized, my mother is going to kick me. She's an amazing woman with the patience of a saint, hence her ability to raise me. I grew up in the same culture my grandmother raised her own daughters overseas. It was a tough code, but in retrospect, I understand and respect it. For example, during college, co-ed living situations were common. I asked if it was cool to rent an apartment with two male friends. Her response: "Excuse me? Does this look like 'Three's Company?'" Point goes to mom. Over the years, we have become a hybrid of old and new world. 

What hasn't changed, however, is her opinion on weddings. There is a formula. Thou shalt not deviate from the formula. This includes the church ceremony, transportation, food, and oh yes... a white wedding cake. 

Uh oh. 

Mike and I have opted out of the traditional wedding cake. They tend to be too gawdy, plain, or expensive. Plus, I hate fondant which is what's used for the majority of wedding cakes. Guests should bite in and love every aspect.  

Our response to this baker's dilemma: have guests pick their cupcake flavor on the invitations to create a cupcake tower. We've started the hunt for the perfect cupcake shop! Pictured above is our most recent trip to Buzz Bakery. Sad to say, we were not impressed. The shop itself is HELLA cute and there are lots of highschool students studying. It's family friendly and has a great variety of sweets.  Baked and Wired is at the top of the list and we even took a family trip there for a tasting. Mom's still working on liking this cupcake idea!

So. Who do you think reigns supreme in the cupcake scene? All feedback is appreciated! Thank you and have a great weekend!

PS. Art work by Mike. Check out his freelance art blog, that he never updates (kiss kiss)!