Cupcakes Take The Cake 7th Anniversary

Founding Editors Nichelle Stephens (L) and
Rachel Kramer Bussel (R)

Attention all cupcake lovers! There is a new cupcake bakery in town. Georgetown Cupcake from Washington DC has moved into Soho. I'm happy to hear that another cupcakery has moved in. As overexposed or boring they may seem, there's nothing like a cupcake to quench your sweet cravings. I could go for one right about now. Being that it is 9:00 PM and I am stuck in Queens, I'll just visit one of my favorite baked goods blog Cupcakes Take The Cake. Heard of it? They're quite popular, if you didn't know.

The number one cupcake blog Cupcakes Take The Cake celebrated their 7th anniversary last December at the Soho Gallery For Digital Arts. It was an extremely tight space with all the cupcake fans in attendance but everyone was sweet and the event was pretty orderly. Tickets were sold for $10 and granted drinks, Driscoll's berries, and unlimited cupcake tastings.

The event was busy and packed with over a hundred people confined in a tiny space. Cupcakes lined the perimeter of the room as well as a main table in the middle. The big name cupcakes were present such as Buttercup, Magnolia, and Sweet Revenge as well as a slew of independents such as Robicelli's, Suzie Cakes, and Lux Sugar Bakery. There were two gluten-free cupcakes by Tu-Lu's Gluten-Free Bakery and Polka Dot Cupcake Shop.

If all that sweetness sounds like it was too much, bowls of mixed nuts were available to balance out all the sugar with a little salt.

Happy Birthday Ms. Cupcake!

There was one cupcake by Nibbles by Nora that was neglected. It was a very artistic cupcake as well. Nibbles by Nora's "7 Year Itch" cupcake was a cherry 7-Up cupcake covered in a lemon honey buttercream disguised as Marilyn Monroe. It even came with a white chocolate cake cup "skirt". I tried it and found it pretty tasty. Perhaps it was the real estate as some of the cupcakes that were placed in the corners went unnoticed.

Cupcakes galore tasting table

Those who ventured to all areas of the room were rewarded as there was really no shortage of cupcakes at this event.

Miniature vanilla cupcake

Congratulations Cupcake Takes The Cake! Can't wait to celebrate with you again this year!

Cupcakes Take The Cake

Soho Gallery For Digital Arts
138 Sullivan Street
New York, NY 10014

Writing Workshop- Version 1.0

Me and Restaurant Baby at our very first Writing Workshop session.

One of my goals in 2011 was to become a writer professionally. Writing has always been my passion and I had come to a point where I was willing to give up my day job for one that incorporated more of a writer's role whether it be in corporate communications, journalism, public relations, or freelance. This was an industry switch for me and I was encountering the same problem over and over again with every job I was applying to. I had no applicable writing samples to share.

Over a year ago, I was talking with my friend Madeline, who writes the blog Restaurant Baby. She proposed for us to start and commit to a writing session every month. This session would entail one hour of writing with half an hour of feedback. The common goal was to take time out of our busy lives and commit to writing. These sessions, dubbed Writing Workshop, would give us time to work on blog content, writing portfolios, and overall improve our writing skills.

We structured our sessions in this manner:

• 5-10 minute introductions of what we were writing about and any concerns we had regarding our writing topics
• 1 hour of solid writing
• 15 minutes of critique

The formula worked well and Writing Workshop was serious. Towards the end of the year we decided to try a new method and adopted the Southeastern Louisiana University writing program writing marathon method.

The approach was similar to ours. Write for an hour uninterrupted. The difference at the end was that we did not critique each other. Each participant was to read out loud their writing sample. The point was to hear your own voice. Reading what we wrote out loud gave our words a new dimension. It is a challenge to feel comfortable with one's own voice.

After one year of Writing Workshop, we evaluated our method again. It is working well. Future changes may include adding in short 10 minute writing exercises whether it be to focus on descriptions, answering questions, or something like a writing rant.

Are you a part of a writing group? Do you use writing exercises to polish your craft? What has worked for you? Please post your comments or advice here. We'd love to hear about your experiences.


Restaurant Baby

Southeastern Louisiana University Writing Marathons

Say It With Legos- I Love New York

NYC Tourism Ads

My New York is the kind I see in the movies. It's clean, romanticized, busy, full of lights and filled with lots and lots of cheer. Magical things happen throughout the day and treats abound. I love the adventure and rewards that happen if you give the city a chance.

If I take a walk after work, I stroll down Fifth Avenue and pass by Rockefeller Center. Rock Center is a madhouse, especially during the holidays. A lot flock to see the tree but others could care less and want to avoid it at all costs year round. There's really only one thing I care about in Rock Center and that's The Lego Store.

The Lego Store is filled with dioramas depicting famous NY icons, landmarks, and scenes. Here are my favorite which I feel represents my NY.

Ice Skating at Rock Center

The Statue of Prometheus by sculptor Paul Manship is quintessential Rock Center, as is the skating rink. I have taken so many photos in front of this statue from when I was a toddler all the way to last year. I've never skated at Rock Center. It never interested me, is so expensive, and most spectators laugh at and ridicule the people skating. I do, however, love ice skating. I highly recommend Wollman Rink in Central Park for a classic New York City ice skating experience.

Central Park Horse and Carriage Ride

I have been brainwashed by the movies to believe that being pulled by a horse through Central Park is exciting and romantic. In reality, it's expensive and smells like horse poop. Look at the Lego horse. It looks sad, much like the horses in real life. Okay, I'm not going to lie. I still want to experience this just to say I've done it.

concert

NY is a wonderful city that supports live music. The shows at parks and such attract big crowds. The energy is great and for sure I'd be part of that scene.

Subway

Awww, this is my daily commute on the subway (of course with about 200 more Lego folk). I love how the guy is leaning forward to see if the train is coming.

NY Street Smarts

So here we are, fresh off the subway and on the streets of New York. People move fast and if you don't keep up, you will be pushed aside. Look at the mean guys in the front and back. What I like is that there are four smiling Legos in this scene. Happy people win.

The Lego Store
620 5th Ave.
New York, NY 10020

Publicity Posters- Old School

One of my favorite jobs was working in the Marketing department for an independent private arts school in Oakland, California. The school focused on music, dance, and art. It was an amazing environment to be in.

Throughout the year, the school had a variety of programs. From fundraisers to music performances and art shows, I spent plenty of hours pushing events and setting up to making sure everything ran smoothly and everyone was in place. The time I spent there was extremely rewarding.

I recently came across these posters I designed. They really take me back to the old school. It's a new year but I'm gonna enjoy this quick trip through memory lane.

Beacon Day School
2101 Livingston St.
Oakland, CA 94606

Xmas Eve at Woks & Lox

At The Queens Kickshaw produced by Jeff Orlick and Veronica Chan 

We did it! Woks & Lox turned out to be a smashing success. On a night when most businesses were closed, The Queens Kickshaw in Astoria, Queens played host to the first Jewish and Asian Christmas celebration. It brought the tradition of Chinese food and a movie on Christmas Eve to a whole new level.

Woks & Lox, produced by Jeff Orlick and Veronica Chan, featured a nine course Asian and Jewish inspired meal, a nosh party including drinks (craft beers, Golden Monkey Chocolate Egg Cream Bubble Tea, Double Happy Five Spice Hot Mulled Manischewitz), a raffle, dreidel games, Jewish Mahjong, and a beach themed Bar Mitzvah sign in board. Folks came from all over and much merriment was made over Sweet Red Bean Rugelach.

A lot of hardwork went into planning this event. It was an honor to work side by side with the masterminds behind Woks & Lox, the talented chef Chichi Wang who poured love into the dishes, keen photographer Stella Dacuma Schour, and everyone else who pitched in muscle. On that note, let's raise our Manischewitz! L'chaim!


Woks & Lox

5 Recipes by Chichi Wang

Jeffrey Tastes- Queens Qustodian

World to Table

Stella Dacuma Schour Photography

The Queens Kickshaw
40-17 Broadway
Astoria, NY 11103    

Neighbors and Friends at The Queens Kickshaw

Jen and Ben holding down the fort.

The Queens Kickshaw is a neighborhood coffee shop in Astoria, Queens. It's a small business that I have been following over the past year and one that has quickly become one of my favorites to support. The owners Ben and Jen are adorable, sweet, kind, and friendly. Every time my friends and I stop by for a drink and bite, they come over for some conversation. It is this kind of hospitality that keeps customers coming back. They're genuine and the relaxing atmosphere designed by Ecosystems Brand is just as inviting.

One pitfall of small businesses is growing too fast too soon. It's dangerous to grow a business you can't support with the manpower you have or the limited resources available. The Queens Kickshaw is taking it slow and easy. In the beginning they had a simple coffee menu, grilled cheeses, and limited hours.

The owners keep their full time jobs and pitch in hours when they can. When you own your own business, you breathe life into it even if it means being on your feet all day, using extra brain power, pouring in your life savings, and working 80 hours plus every week. You do what you can to keep it alive.

The Queens Kickshaw is now open in the evenings until 1 AM. They take pride in the craft beers and wine they now serve and are experimenting with adding new vegetarian friendly items to the menu. I tried the three cheese macaroni and cheese last night. It was a dreamy concoction of pasta with smoked mozzarella, gruyere, and cheddar. Also on the menu is chestnut stuffing. I'm really excited about that. It's the same variation my grandma used to cook during Thanksgiving. Most of all, I like that The Queens Kickshaw added in the element of live music on Friday nights. The acts are locals showcasing their own style of folk, acoustic guitar, klezmer, blues, and all sorts. Last night I grooved while dj Ab*Soul* played some soulful R&B. It was a nice way to relax and end our Thanksgiving festivities. Yes, The Queens Kickshaw was open during Thanksgiving. For that, I thank them. In a city where so many are transplants and family is so far away, New Yorkers are rich with alternatives to the traditional.  Dinner in Flushing Chinatown followed by late night snacks, dessert, drink, and music at The Queens Kickshaw. Yup, sounds just like the New York life I never imagined I'd be living. And perfect at the same time.

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 26 is the second annual Small Business Saturday. It was a day created by American Express to support small businesses. Stop by The Queens Kickshaw. It's like a home away from home. They serve killer coffee to get you going, amazing grilled cheeses, and Balthazar sticky buns. Save yourself the trip to SoHo and stick to Queens.

Owner Jen Lim and Barista Alisha

Gouda w/black bean hummus, guava jam, pickled jalapenos

Inside shot of Gouda sandwich

Green Salad w/pickled golden raisins

Balthazar Sticky Bun

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee

My favorite way to enjoy The Queens Kickshaw:
1. Go with 3 other friends
2. Order 4 grilled cheeses
3. Make a Franken-cheese sandwich!
Pictured: (clockwise from top) Gouda, Fontina Val d'Aosta, Gruyere, Manchego & Ricotta

The Queens Kickshaw
40-17 Broadway
Astoria, NY 11103    

Small Business Saturday

Halloween- Happy NYC Anniversary

When I decided to move back to New York, my goal was to be in NYC by Halloween. I wanted to feel alive in the streets with all the energy of the people. I always thought Halloween was festive and believed it was the perfect time to celebrate the big change in my life. I booked a one way red-eye ticket on October 30th and landed in NYC on October 31st, Halloween.

Instead of going out and wreaking havoc with ghouls and goblins, I decided to stay in. I was tired from my plane ride and the realist in me began to take over. I couldn't party when I had a job to look for!

Four years later, I finally celebrated properly by going to Coney Island's Nights of Horror to get spooked out and walking the streets of Greenwich Village to check out all the costumes. If you are ever in New York for Halloween, I highly recommend checking out the Village. It's free entertainment all the way.

-BOO!-

Thor and Captain America

Dr. Who

Avatar

Jambi

Shake it Peep Show!

Robot

Day of the Dead 

Futurama

Pan Am 

Lion? 

Chucky

Happy 4 Years New York! Thanks for the memories.