Open Sesame

Calling all my dessert lovers! We have finally opened up our online bakery! Click here or on the 'SHOP' button at the top of our blog.
Our online bakery is open for shipping orders....so my customers that do not live local can enjoy yummy organic custom desserts.

{Online bakery only ships cake pops, truffles and sugar cookies/pops}

Here at Baby Boy Bakery you know we love to celebrate! We have a few exciting offers as we launch our online bakery...

For our first 10 orders I will include 10 FREE cake truffles...YUM! I will even decorate them to match your order.

{This applies to all orders; custom, cupcake/cake, and online orders}

Also use the code OPEN at checkout for a 30% discount. This discount is for my readers to enjoy.

{This code is valid ONLY for online orders}

Do you have an event or party coming up? Order from Baby Boy Bakery! Check out our menu....please email me prior to ordering so I can answer any questions you may have. Plus, we can discuss your specific decorations wanted.

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I hope you all have a really great weekend! Dan, Ryan and I kicked off our Holiday Go-See-Do list with a mini vacay trip to Northern California to enjoy time with family. We plan on visiting my mom's pumpkin patch and San Francisco.

Heads up for next week....
Baby Boy Bakery will be doing a giveaway on Rags to Stitches blog! Be sure to enter to win free cake truffles and a Halloween cookie pop decorating kit!

Sugar High

This past weekend I attended my very first blog conference...Blog Sugar! I learned a lot about myself over the weekend thanks to some fantastic girls. {Alissa, Meagan, Erika...to name a few)

At Blog Sugar I was so nervous my stomach was in knots till I left the building. I was overwhelmed and felt as though I didn't belong. I have only been blogging for about 6 months now and at Blog Sugar I was surrounded by such amazing and talented girls whom I felt so small next to. In the end I know I deserved to be there and I loved listening to their stories, their advice and their laughs. It all was so intoxicating....I couldn't get enough. In fact I still feel as though I am on a sugar high...a Blog Sugar high.

{Erika makes the best headbands!}

Reflecting back on the weekend I have realized a common trend...encouragement. I was very vocal about my nerves and  through out the weekend my closest blogger gal pals gave me unconditional encouragement. While I sat listening to the speakers detail their stories and advice I heard encouragement. And while driving home I heard encouragement. Sometimes all you need is a little encouragement to make you feel like your worth something.

{Even Alissa's daughter was encouraging me...I love her!}

{Alissa made these in 5 minutes when she found out I didn't have any for Blog Sugar}

{Love these girls...thanks for sticking by my side}

Because of the overwhelming sense of encouragement I have been feeling since Blog Sugar...I intend on focusing on my blog and business. I will forget how many followers I have and stop obsessing over how many people view my blog a day. I need to let things happen at their own pace, I need to let God take control. {Which I always have a hard time doing}
I'm excited for the new things I have planned for Baby Boy Bakery and I look forward to the future. I also can't wait for the next blog conference so I can redeem myself and show people just how fun I can be. {No more wall flower!}

In the end Blog Sugar was amazing and I feel so blessed to have gone and spent time with some great new friends.

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To the girls I spent this past weekend with;
I thank you for you warmth and hospitality over this past weekend. I don't think I could have made it through with out your never ending generosity. I am so grateful to have you as a resource and most of all a friend. I cherish our first laughs together and look forward to spending more time with you. I met you for a reason, and I am excited to see what God has planned for us next!
xo
Jacqui

{THANK YOU}

What I {Love} Wednesday-Cupcake Wars

Happy Wednesday friends! It is time to link up with Krystina from Lollipops to share what we are loving most this week! I am still on a sugar high from Blog Sugar {re-cap soon}....but until then I want to share this week's crush and some exciting news!

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As a baker I am naturally obsessed with the television show Cupcake Wars. I watch it every Tuesday and can be found watching re-runs. I often picture myself on this show and try and think of what I would do if competing for 10,000 dollars. I can only hope and pray I will be on the show at some point!



{Lemon Blueberry. Season 3}




{Sweet Tea Cupcake. Season 3}



Recently, when I was participating at Cupcake Camp OC I was lucky enough to be in the same room as some Cupcake War alums! Through Cupcake Camp OC I was able to network with Desi from {Desi}gn Cakes and Cupcakes... here she is on Cupcake Wars.

'Cupcake Wars; Going For The Gold'

I was lucky enough to be invited into her kitchen for a little interview/baking session next week! YA BABY! I am so excited and feel so blessed and honored to be meeting up with her! I look forward to learning from her and tasting her signature cupcakes fresh from the oven!
I'll be doing a feature post on Desi soon! Until then....go eat a cupcake or two! ;)


{photo:cupcake wars art. foodnetwork.com}



{Go-See-Do} Holiday

{photo: eatdrinkchic.com}

It is now my favorite time of year. The time when the weather is starting to turn crisp and cool, pumpkins are in everything from decor, food and road side patches and holiday planning is starting to happen. I love Autumn and Winter more than any other seasons. Last year our son Ryan had just been born and Dan and I were learning how to become a family with a new baby. This year we are ready to experience this time of year as a family unit and are excited to make some new memories and instill our very own traditions with Ryan.

{photo: ih6.ggpht.com}

I first saw this idea on one of my favorite blogs {Funky Vintage Lovely}. April made this family 'Go-See-Do' list to be finished through-out the year using the alphabet. I thought it was very clever and wanted to make one too...though I never got around to do it. So, now I am holiday style.

I am making this list and will be keeping track of what we accomplish with blog post updates and twitter updates #goseedo. We have until January 1st to complete all of the activities! I am so excited to get started! I encourage you to make a list and maximize your holiday time with your family. Check out our list for ideas.

Our Holiday Go-See-Do List

A `Apple picking in Julian w. Grandpa, Grandma and Tia Rhiannon

B `Big Bear overnight in family cabin & take Ryan sledding....{mini-sledding}

C `Christmas cocktail party w. our friends

D `Disneyland trip to see the holiday decorations and Mickey w. Nana & Poppa

E `Evening dinner picnic on our living room floor. Popcorn for dessert while watching a holiday movie.

F `Homemade funnel cake & holiday movie night

G `Griffith Park to ride the train & go for a hike.

H `Hand make holiday decorations for our home

I `Flagstaff & Sacramento to see Uncle Andy play football

J `Jacqui's favorite....Make caramel apples w. real twigs for sticks

K `Kite flying in Newport then warm cinnamon rolls @ Cinnamon Fare

L `Light viewing around the neighborhood. While listening to Christmas music & drinking hot chocolate.

M `Mall Santa picture {& shopping!}

N `Night out! Dinner & drinks w. our closest friends. {While Ryan has fun w. God-Momma, Tia or Grandparents}

O `Observatory @ Griffith Park & picnic lunch

P `Pumpkin Patch & Pumpkin Painting/Carving

Q `....

R `Runs in Mammoth. Annual New Years Snowboard Trip

S `Santa Cruz trip to spend time w. the Curley's & {Aunt Val}

T `Trick or Treating w. Ryan's God-Momma & Cousin's

U `UCLA game w. our whole family

V `Volunteer/Donate for families in need


W `Walnut Creek trip to see Abuelos & SF


X `Make a fall wreath for our door & someone else's :)

Y `Yogurtland after I cook dinner for my cousin's at my house! {Holiday themed like last year}

Z `SD Zoo w. Grandma, Grandpa & Tia Rhiannon

{photo: dooce.com}

How are you spending your holiday season?!

{Delish Monday}-Mac & Cheese Cupcakes

Happy {Delish} Monday! Every Monday I share a super easy and healthy recipe to enjoy with your family. Most of my recipes can be blended for your baby to enjoy as well! I am hoping to help mommas transition from store bought food to making it at home. YUM!
This Monday I am sharing a super easy recipe to make your own macaroni and cheese....better yet macaroni and cheese CUPCAKES!

Mac & Cheese Cupcakes

Ingredients
`1 lb Organic whole wheat macaroni
`1/2 cup Organic butter
`2 cups Organic cheddar cheese (shredded)
`1cup Organic whole milk
`1 cup of Italian bread crumbs
`12 Cupcake liners & pan

Directions
`Cook pasta till it still has a little bite to it. (Do not cook it all the way....it will finish cooking in the oven)
`Drain pasta and put it back in the pan (Keep a little bit of the pasta water to add for the sauce)
`Mix in the butter, milk and cheese and stir until it is all incorporated
`Add a little pasta water until you get a nice consistency
`Pour the mac and cheese mixture in each of the cupcake liners
`Top each cheesy cupcake with bread crumbs
`Bake @ 350 for about 15 min or until golden brown

{Good for babies who can feed themselves.....10 months & up}

These are perfect at parties because everyone gets their own. I made them for my son's 1st birthday and they didn't last very long. I hope you try them! Enjoy!

More Sugar 4 Blog Sugar

When Andrea from Four Flights of Fancy {oh yes...we are all huge fans of hers!} asked if I could make a little something something for the Blog Sugar speaker dinner on Saturday I couldn't say YES fast enough! I think I screamed YES and scared Dan and Ryan awake. Now, it may not be a big deal for some of you....and maybe a few won't even know what I am talking about. But for those of you who do and are aware of the brilliant speakers coming to Blog Sugar to share their wisdom can understand my eager excitement!
Here is what I am making them....

Cookies and Milk

*Milk chocolate cake topped  with fluffy chocolate cookie butter cream and topped with cookie crumbs

 

Vanilla Bean & Raspberry

*Vanilla bean cake with raspberry butter cream topped with a raspberry

I am praying the Blog Sugar speakers love them!

Enjoy Chicas!

I got SWAG!

When I first found out about Blog Sugar I was wondering if it would be a good fit for me to join in on the so called fun. I saw a lot of #blogsugar11 action on Twitter and was convinced if i didn't go to this event....well I would be out of the loop for months! Then after checking out the Blog Sugar blog and seeing what it was about I fell in love with the idea and couldn't wait to be in the same room as all these amazing girls!
After it all sunk in I couldn't help but wonder....if these Blog Sugar chicas could use a little bit more sugar?! Signal me! After some email chats I was signed up to provide sugar for the speakers dinner Saturday night! Say what?! Oh that's right! The likes of Lindsay from The Pleated Poppy and Maggie from Gussy Sews {to name a few} will be noshing on my cupcakes! I could not be more honored! {More detail about the flavors soon}
PLUS...I decided that wasn't enough. I wanted all the chicas to taste what I've got. I am making 200 organic sugar cookies for the Blog Sugar Swag Bags! Needless to say, I  have been covered in flour for the past 3 days and have been loving it!

Check out this sweet-tastic mess going on!

Can't wait to deliver the goodness...plus meet all you awesome girls!

*holds up a cupcake* Here is a fabulous weekend! Cheers!

What I {Love} Wednesday-Garnish

Happy {What I Love Wednesday}!

This week I am crushing on an online shop/blog called Garnish! If you haven't heard about it, Garnish is super fun and useful. If you are already a fan of Garnish...shame on you for not telling me sooner!!


{photo:thinkgarnish.com}

Garnish is a blog dedicated to celebrating life's moments in super cute, stylish and creative ways. They are all about transforming something out of nothing and everyday on their blog is something for you to get inspired by. Garnish uses the things they sell in their shop to show you easy DIY's, gift ideas and hosting tips. Garnish sells boxes, twine, paper goods and anything you need to garnish a party/event. Clever! Not to mention their prices are not bad!

{photo:thinkgarnish.com}

{pictured are their new milk bottles...you can personalize them and fill them with anything!}

{photo:thinkgarnish.com}

{Paper goods for every one at your party! Recycle them...and you have no clean up!}

If you love their products, but just don't know what to do with them...they can help you! The have an idea section showing the best ways to put together fun personalized place settings, favor bags and more.
I am excited to have found this site and will be bookmarking it for reference and to buy my dessert packaging!

{photo:thinkgarnish.com}

{photo:thinkgarnish.com}

Enjoy getting creative guys! Hope your week is going smoothly!

{Mine is insane! More on that later! #busybaker}

{Linking up with Lollipops}



Making Time For Fun

Recently I have been so busy trying to consume everything on my plate right now. I am notorious for biting off more than I can chew and then proceed to scream, cry and feel super overwhelmed as I choke it all down. I love what I am doing, so in the end it makes it all worth it. However, I can't help but wonder if I am doing it all right. ?
I have been reading this 'Shop/Talk' series on a favorite blog of mine Lollipops.

The writer Krystina has detailed the important parts of running your own online shop and I have learned a lot from it. {Thank you Krystina!} I have to say my favorite part of this series was learning how to maximize your productivity and balance. {Click here to read it} In this post Krystina tells the importance of creating balance in your life, taking care of yourself and spending quality time with family, friends and by yourself. I read this right before my weekend started and this quote really hit home for me.

"Balance doesn't just happen. You need to plan it."

I had two very important orders this last week and I wanted to get the house clean before the chaos of Blog Sugar week {I'm making the dessert for the speaker dinner & 200 cookies for the Swag Bags..I'm insane.} PLUS spend time with Dan and Ryan....and well my list went on and on. Then I read this and something clicked. Balance doesn't just happen. I, myself must create ways for it to happen....I needed to make myself take breaks and enjoy doing nothing and everything with my family, friends and myself!

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So, that is exactly what I did. Here is how I made time for fun, work and relaxation.

{I color coded how I spent my time}

Work   Friends   Family   Myself

Thursday I delivered a cookie order and then went shopping with two new friends! Alyson and Meagan. It was the perfect dose of girl time. Plus, I bought a little something for myself that made me feel happy. {and it was under 6$...score!}

{Here are the cookie favors I made for a birthday party}

Friday Ryan and I went for a morning walk. It is starting to cool off here a bit so we went for a nice walk and at the end I treated myself to a extra hot whole milk vanilla latte'.  During Ryan's nap time I decorated the baby blocks for the baby shower cake.

{Baby blocks made from rice krispy treats and butter cream.}

Friday night I bundled up Ryan for a super fun outing. My good friend Tory and I took Ryan to Disneyland to see the World of Color. It was the best time! The 3 of us had a blast and Ryan LOVED the show.


Saturday I woke up early and baked and frosted the baby shower cake. Spent some time blogging while my boys were still asleep and grabbed a coffee all by myself.
Saturday afternoon we decided to do a family trip to Disneyland. Saturday afternoon was one of the best days we have had as a family! Disneyland brings out the kid in you! It makes my heart melt experiencing the Happiest Place on Earth through my son's eyes.

{We have passes....if you want to meet up let me know!}

Sunday we woke up and had breakfast together. Then the boys went to a friends house to watch football while I went and delivered the baby shower cake.

Sunday afternoon we had BBQ dinner with some friends.
Sunday night I cleaned up the house and made some plans for this week ahead.

{We all ended up like Ryan...But the weekend was productive and fun!}

The important thing here is you have to make time for fun. And when you do it leaves you feeling refreshed and happy. Not to mention you create some fun memories!

Embrace the time you have and make time for fun.


I would love to know how you balance your time and any advice you have. What seems to work for you? What are you favorite things to do with the family, your friends or alone?

Have a good Tuesday! 

{Delish Monday}- Pancakes w. Vanilla Yogurt Topping

Good Morning Monday loves! This Delish Monday I bring you pancakes with a creamy twist.
Oh My Yum! It is filling, sweet and such a treat...

Over here at mi casa we LOVE pancakes and I have to honest I have an obsession with making them from scratch and creating new ways to devour them. Now, my favorite way to enjoy pancakes is with extra butter, extra syrup and extra bacon! However, we can't eat that everyday! Darn!
So today I bring you a creamy, EASY topping.....Vanilla Flavored Yogurt. You can certainly just top your pancakes with any yogurt, but we love vanilla. I buy a large container of plain yogurt so we can flavor it how we choose through out the week. But we {and by we I mean my son and I} have found topping our pancakes with creamy yogurt is a healthy alternative to syrup! I hope you try it and love it!

Vanilla Flavored Yogurt
`Mix 1 cup of plain yogurt or Greek yogurt with 1tsp of vanilla flavor
`Here are some other flavors we love; banana & mango, strawberry & blueberry. Just slice the fruit and mix in the yogurt! One of my favorite snacks.

The Perfect Pancakes

Ingredients`1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
`3 teaspoons of baking powder
`1 tablespoon sugar
`pinch of salt
`1 1/4 cup of whole milk
`1 egg
`3 tablespoons melted butter (most important part)

Directions`whisk ingredients together until smooth

`heat a skillet and melt some butter on it
`pour about 1/4 cup of batter on to the skillet...

`once the pancake is bubbling it is ready to flip!
`Important Step: once you have flipped the pancake add a pad of butter to the top so it melts onto the pancake.

OMG! Yum!

What is your favorite thing to top pancakes with?!?!

Have a yummy Monday!

Congrats to...

Last week we launched our new website babyboybakery.com and celebrated with a giveaway open for all our followers. Thank you to everyone who tweeted and facebook-ed about our yummy giveaway! We are so grateful for all you guys!
Also, I would like to say WELCOME! to all my new blog followers! I am so happy to have you and I hope you enjoy my dessert, recipes and love of life! I look forward to getting to know you and sharing with you all my delish ideas.

{photo;caughtthestar}

The winner of our 'All Grown Up' Giveaway is Miss. Jenelle from Rellas Bellas!

Yum! You won a dozen cake bites in any flavor you choose! Please check out our Menu and email me your order with a shipping address! Easy as that!  And thank you for being a Baby Boy Bakery reader!

I love doing giveaways to celebrate our growth! I know we will be doing another giveaway very soon!!

Inspiration Workshop {Carmela}

It’s that time of week where we link up with Gussy Sews and share what we find inspiring.
If you are new re,ad more about the Inspiration Workshop here. I have found so many amazing blogs and inspiration in the past months and am so excited that we are still linking up!
This week the theme is...SHOPS!

I love a TON of online shops and I when I find one I can't live with out I buy what I can...use it and then write testimonials on it.
Here are a few I have done in the past I hope you visit them and become as inspired as I have.
Whippy Cake
Sunshine and Carousels
Hidden Cupcakes

This week I would love to shed light on a local ice cream shop that has quickly become one of my favorite places to visit and indulge. I'm talking about Carmela Ice Cream.

{Sorry guys there is only 1 store front and it is in Pasadena CA or sold at local super markets in Los Angeles}
Carmela offers funky flavors that you wouldn't see just anywhere such as; brown sugar vanilla bean (my favorite), lemon basil, lavender honey and strawberry buttermilk! YUM!!! Click here to read there great story!

{photo: carmelaicecream.com}

You may be asking yourself how I find ice cream inspiring....well I don't really. Ice cream just happens to be my most favorite thing to eat and Carmela is a little slice of heaven for me and my family. It has fast become a reason to take walks together with the end result being ice cream. We choose our flavors and all taste each others. I see it as bonding time :) It is definitely a great end to our long days! And when my family gets together...I feel inspired.

{photo:carmelaicecream.com}

YES! They can take whatever flavor you want and sandwich it between two soft cookies!

Now I ask you....where is your favorite local place to indulge in that has brought your family together? I would love to know!
Hope you all had a great Thursday!

{Linking up with Gussy Sews {Inspiration Workshop}