Cupcakes take the cake

For several years now, people have been obsessing about cupcakes, making them the highlight of important events instead of the convential cakes.  A lot of creative flavors have been born apart from the usual chocolate and vanilla flavored cupcakes.  Gazillion flavors and uber cute decors adorn this little dessert that everyone's going gaga over.  For the longest time I have been wanting to go back to what I've always loved doing as a kid - baking.  I used to bake cookies and cakes and sold them during Christmas, but that stopped when I became too busy with work.  I'd rather sleep than bake, that was how tired I was.  I regret the fact that I stopped.  But now, I'm trying to go back to my first love, especially now that I have Rocco.  I want to be the one to make all his birthday/ celebration treats.

Celebrations are more special if you make it personal. Hell yes, there are a lot of dessert gurus out there that I can order from, but nothing beats homemade goodies.  One day, I'd love to be able to say, "I made my son's birthday cake," or my son say," My mom made my birthday cake and it's so cool!" Hence, this is the reason why I enrolled at Heny Sison's Theme Cupcakes in preparation for Rocco's baptism.

The Theme Cupcakes (by Chef Aggy) workshop teaches you how to make 3D cupcake toppers (so don't expect that you'll have hands on training on how to make different cupcakes since that's another class). When you come to class, the cupcakes are already prepared, topped with fondant that acts as your topper's base.   Chef Aggy will  quickly show you how to make the banana choco chip cupcakes, fondant and gum paste and the rest of the time, she will teach you how to make the toppers.

Initially I was wondering why the class would run from 10am to 6pm.  That long to 'just' make 3D toppers? I never thought that making these little toppers would be so tiring because you'd be using your hands all day molding (gum paste) them into works of art.  You will need A LOT of patience especially if  it's your first!  I'd say it's also not for everyone because you will need to be creative.  Time flew so fast  and before I knew it, the day was over.  I took home all 10 cupcakes that I made by myself and was itching to start on my 1st project, my son's baptism!

Under the sea : our first cupcake, I had a hard time doing the starfish because I forgot to cut my nails!  Lesson learned: always have short fingernails!

Baby shower/ Baptism

For the Bagaholics

Safari/Jungle theme

 My first project: give aways for my son's christening

Bottles (yes, those are bottles ;) ) and booties

For Heny Sison's schedule of classes, check her website: http://www.henysison.com/ .  The Theme cupcake workshop costs P2800, a whole day hands on class where you get to take home your works of art.

Mommy Finds: I'm masaya over my SAYA!

Ever since I gave birth to Rocco, I have been in search for the perfect carrier.  Not that I'm too lazy to carry him --- he's just way too heavy to carry especially when we go out.  I've gone through three carriers/ slings and I am so happy that on my 3rd attempt, i finally found my match, the SAYA sling!

The very first carrier/ sling that I bought was the Ring Sling (P995).  The video tutorial looked very easy to follow, thus I quickly went to Shangri-la mall to purchase one.  Alas, I found out that it wasn't easy to use after all. It was a  good thing that the store allowed me to return the item, and I just exchanged it for another set of cloth diapers.

My second affair with a carrier/ sling was with the Chicco carrier (P1700) which I bought after returning the ring sling.  I felt that this would be the way to go since it's as if I'm just carrying a backpack.  It was ok after awhile.  However, Rocco also got heavier and carrying him using the carrier caused my back and shoulders to ache big time! I couldn't stand carrying him for 10 mins while walking around the mall.   Right now, the Chicco carrier is back in the box.

So, I honestly gave up on ever putting my little Shaolin in any carrier until I saw one of my high school batchmates in Shangri-la with her daughter in this sling that looked so comfy!  She told me that one of the kiosks in the children's floor is selling it.  That day, I also saw another mom in the mall happily carrying her little girl in this sling and they both seemed  happy and comfortable with it.    I didn't waste any time and rushed to the 4th floor of the mall in search of what would be one of my good finds.  I found out that this sling is called the SAYA.

The SAYA comes in two kinds, the semi-stretch knit (P950) and the Versatekk (P1400).   I loved the feeling of the fabric, which is the same fabric used in work out/yoga clothes. Since Rocco was with me in the mall that day, I was able to practice putting on the SAYA and Rocco before I made the purchase.  To my excitement, I used it at once while my mom and I went to the grocery.  My dad was also happy with it and even uses the SAYA when he carries his grandson around the house.  As for the hubby, his first reaction was furious at first, commenting " Not another carrier! That's your third and am sure you'll not use it!"  I had to make him feel the difference and he had to agree that wearing Rocco using this new carrier was more forgiving to the back and shoulders and our son seem to be enjoying it.  The true test was when we went to the mall and didn't bring the stroller with us, just the SAYA.  For 1 1/2 hrs, I wore my son comfortably. The verdict: We are truly maSAYA with the SAYA!

 Photo borrowed from Indigo Baby

Hubby trying on the Saya with Rocco

Thank God I found you!