Twilight Series+Breaking Dawn +Gluten Free Party

Lat year I brought together some of the valley's most influential people in the gluten free community for a night of fun, food and networking.  A ground breaking party that provided proof positive that a party can be elegant, fun, delicious, and also gluten free!  It took a while to get all of the photos together and get this posted, but I wanted to make sure that this was shared with everyone.  The first annual Gluten Free Networking Event was such a hit, joining me in hosting this event were Nina Spitzer (founder of The Celiac Disease Foundation's Greater Phoenix Chapter and owner of Gluten Free Absolutely) and Chandice Probst (founder of  The Celiac Disease Foundation's East Valley Support Group and owner of Gluten Free Frenzy) we are already planning for 2012.  We are hoping to be hosting the party at a local valley resort, and are planning for early October 2012.  Bigger, better and even more fun than 2011, and a great networking opportunity for gluten free vendors, chefs, businesses, and writers as well.  Enjoy!

THE PARTY

This night was absolutely filled with fabulous food,  interesting people and a fun, intriguing theme.  November 18th was the movie premier of The Twilight Series Breaking Dawn Part 1.  I have to admit, I was not a fan before I decided to create an evening of networking and off-the-chart gluten free cuisine.  But, as I researched, surfed the Internet and watched the previous Twilight movies, I became excited to create an evening full of unique details.  With the help of my daughter-in law Trista, I began to pull it all together.  The love story and struggle between Edward, Bella and Jacob set the stage for this dark, romantic, and slightly twisted evening.
The invitation was emailed and looked just like the wedding invitation from the movie, simple and elegant.

As guests walked up the driveway , they were greeted by Bella's vintage truck (a bit gussied up for the wedding) and an exact replica of the sign from Forks, Washington, which is where the movie is set.  Flaming torches led the way down the red carpet and into the party. 

 A photo booth area gave the guests some wild fun with team signs, and fangs or furry wolf ears. 

 A huge Twilight centerpiece was created by Trista out of actual pages from the book.  So authentic and creative, just like her!  I think this item was the most photographed by everyone at the party.

The bar offered signature drinks, all Twilight themed...

I loved the Juicy Sucker, the black cherry vodka was so delicious.
Each cocktail table featured a very unique centerpiece, a candle glowing through branches.  These were created over several days, but were such a great addition to the overall feel of the party.

Maggie Wark with Jennifer's Catering provided all of the delicious gluten free appetizers, and they were beyond fabulous.  Chebe donated the baking mixes and Maggie whipped up the most wonderful little buns for sliders that were amazing!  I don't know how many I ate, but I wish it had been more! Jennifer's makes their own potato chips and serves them with fresh avocado dip that is to die for.   Little cherry tomato salads, pork belly, and salmon, all so yummy and all gluten free!

Then it was time for dessert, and if you know me, then you know that I had to do it in a BIG way!  A dessert table with both Twilight teams represented, and a wedding cake including tulips, black pearls, and red lace.  maybe not Bella and Edwards choice, but definitely in theme with the evening.  Red velvet and vanilla inside, and on the bottom tier, chocolate pine trees surrounded the cake.

The night would not have been a premier party without a great swag bag for everyone to take home.  Our wonderful sponsors made sure that no one was disappointed.  Julia's cinnamon rolls,  Tom Sawyer's gf flour Tom and his wife joined us for the party!) , coupons and samples from Arbonne, Udi's cookies and snacks from me were included with the bags.  Other sponsors for this event were New Planet Beer who generously provided delicious gluten free Raspberry Ale, G Sounds  by Gabriel Solis surrounded us with music from the Twilight movies, and splashed the wall with beautiful photos from the movies. Designs by E created our forest environment with moss covered florals and roses dripping from branches.  This evening would not have been quite so fabulous without everyone who worked so hard to make it possible, my wonderful family supported me and helped to make this all so perfect. Special thanks to Trista (my daughter in law) Jennifer ( my daughter), Jake (my son) and my wonderful husband Charley, who has always supported my ideas, no matter how crazy they may have been!

 Last, but not least, some great photos of all of us just enjoying the evening, posing (a little) and having lots of fun getting to know each other and sharing some great ideas for our businesses and the gluten free community.

 Can't wait till our next event!  For more information about being a part of the next Gluten Free Networking Event, stay tuned for all the updates on location, date and time. A website has been created with these photos and more, and will be updated with all of the latest info.  Stay in touch here:GFNE

Angel Cakes Bakery New Web Site!

Our new website just launched today and I am very excited to share it with everyone!  Check it out here
Angel Cakes Bakery


Thanks and have a Sweet Day!

A Little Sesame Street + A Big Bird

Big Cakes are grand, but sometimes a little cake feels just right.  This little Sesame Street Cake for the cutest little two year old had a lot of details for such a small treat.  The 6" cake was sky blue on a grey cobblestone street with Big Bird on the side of the cake and Elmo jumping out of a little present box on top. The entire cake was edible, even Big Bird, with the exception of some wires holding Big Bird on the cake. The big pink bow and pearl dotted number "2" made the cake super sweet, so did the double chocolate cake and the fresh strawberries that were inside. Thanks to Vibha's Mom and Dad for sending me this picture, I was in such a hurry to get the cake delivered for her special Birthday that I forgot to take a picture of my own!

Phoenix Bridal Expo

We are just coming down from the Phoenix Bridal Expo and all I can say is WOW!  this was our first show of this kind and we didn't really know what to expect.  The response to our booth was overwhelming to say the least.  Different, unique, elegant, classic, vintage, all of these kind words just melted my heart as the day went on.  I had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful souls just trying to make sure that their special day was so memorable, so gorgeous, and most importantly....."all about their story".  I LOVE WEDDINGS!  If weddings had a Disneyland, this would be it for me.  Here are a few pictures of our booth.

The pink table is a return of The Divine Southern Dessert Table with an addition of more grey details.  The cake has a bouquet of sugar flowers and grey lace with pearls matching the table skirt.  Small pearls between the layers, and the cake was very simple and elegant.  I located some beautiful glass doorknobs on Etsy and my wonderful husband twisted delicate wire to make the unique dessert label holders.  Instead of using lots of flowers on the table, I decided to use only branches and greenery as a natural backdrop to the delicate details of the table top. Little Bourbon Pecan Pies, Vanilla Meringues, Peach Cobbler Cupcakes, and Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes completed the Southern inspired menu, and definitely got a lot of attention from the brides.

 

A hot new color for 2012 is Tangerine, and our "Key to My Heart" table scape makes it romantic, modern, fresh and all about LOVE.  My favorite element was the vintage skeleton keys used as dessert label holders.  And I really love the little keys and locks on the cookies and the glasses. The Chocolate Martinis were so yummy!  I used bright orange edible glitter on the huge cake balls made from vanilla cake and orange butter cream for the ultimate Dreamsicle treat. Orange tulips and white spider mums were so fresh and bright, this would make a gorgeous Arizona wedding for Spring or Summer.

The "Love Story" theme was created entirely around the cake.  This "Words Take Flight Cake"  design was first seen on Sprinkles Bakes.  I fell in love with the design and decided to give it a try.  The addition of the vintage luggage cake under the book added to the romance and luxurious feeling of the setting.  This cake was so much fun to make, and no one could believe that it was ALL cake, even the butterflies are edible.  I think there were more pictures taken of the two blue butterfly cupcakes than anything else during the entire show.  The brilliant blue color is so bold, and would be  lovely for bridesmaid's dresses, linens and especially for flowers, real ones as well as sugar flowers.  Gold touches, books, Banana Custard with blueberries,, raspberries and blackberries in short vintage jars, and even rhinestones made this romantic love story the envy of lots of brides-to-be.

I can't wait to get started on all the weddings and gorgeous cakes that we have scheduled for 2012 and 2013, consults with all the new brides start this week and I am so excited to hear all about the venues, themes, styles and love stories.  Call me for your design!  And thank you to my beautiful daughter-in-law Trista for coming to join me all the way from Atlanta, all of her help talking to so many brides, grooms and families, and also for taking all of the fabulous photos at the show.  I honestly don't know what I would do without your talent and sweet Southern charm!

Angela