One big step in the right direction...

After procrastinating for so long, I finally purchased my domain name and in the beginning stages of starting my website. When I took my "baking break", one of the things I wanted to do was start shipping my cupcakes to clients all over. 

While I am still looking into those avenues, I am just proud that I am able to take the steps into the right direction of being a great cupcake business.


In the meantime, I will keep you updated on the official launch of www.iamcupcakesshop.com!!

peace, <3, & cupcakes,

i.a.m.

Long time no write...

I'M BACK & READY TO BAKE!!!!  

Amaya, Alyssa & Addyson
Easter 2013

 Oh how I've missed my blog!! Can't believe I haven't written anything since August (insert shocked face here).  Since then I have had a lot of beautiful changes happen in my life.  My husband and I welcomed our third daughter, Addyson, into the world (pictured here with her sisters).

Although my due date was March 28th, she decided to make her entrance into the world on February 6th.  Being 7 weeks early, she spent 3 of those weeks in the NICU.  Miraculously, she overcame so many obstacles and was able to come home earlier than expected.  She's been a joy and a wonderful addition to our crazy yet loving family.

Research materials

While I was pregnant with Addyson, I decided to take some time off of baking to focus on revamping my business. I felt like I was just baking to fill orders and not caring about my product.  I started researching some of the more "famous" cupcakeries (Sprinkles, Georgetown Cupcakes, The Cake Mamas...) to see the kind of cupcakes they were putting out.  I noticed that their cupcakes were decorated to the nines and very eye-catching.  After months of stalking their websites and instagram pages, I knew I had to step up my presentation game.

Pricing structure

But sadly, in order to do this I had to slightly raise my pricing. I feel guilty doing it but in order to make a profit it has to be done.  My pricing is now based on my materials and time rather than convenience and need for orders.  I was pricing my orders just to keep the client happy, not worrying about a profit and I was losing.  Now having 3 mouths to feed, a profit is so much more important (lol!).  So please understand that when I give you a price, you have to factor in my materials and labor and know that I WILL NOT deliver a bad looking or tasting product.

Prom season is approaching so don't wait the last minute to place your orders for the extravagantly affordable treats that i.a.m cupcakes creates!

Next project for i.a.m. cupcakes : Cupcakes for my cousin Daiza's prom!! So excited! 

Peace, love & cupcakes,

i.a.m.

Thank You!

Hi fellow cupcake lovers! I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for all of your support and kind words!! There's nothing better than knowing you are loved and appreciated.  I've taken some time off due to moving (and not having an oven) so I will be back to post photos of my wonderful cupcake treats soon.

Stay cool you guys!

peace, <3, & cupcakes,
i.a.m.

Happy 5th Birthday Jehden!

w/out Spiderman

All of the Superhero cupcakes

I love the Summertime..more parties and more CUPCAKES!! Another fondant request from my friend Teisge, but this time the theme was "superhero".  Let me first say that without the assistance of my husband, these would not have come out as great as they are.  His steady hand and the x-acto knife were a godsend!! Love you honey (LOL!) Well, its time for me to get ready to celebrate with Jehden & his family for his 5th birthday!

Peace, <3, & cupcakes
i.a.m.

Blog Update

Hello readers,

sums up my life!! 

So I've finally decided to create a Facebook page just for my cupcakes.  I know my family and friends were tired of the countless posts of cupcakes and being tagged in a limitless amount of photos.  There are a number of personal reasons I did not want to create a page, but I figured even Jesus had haters so why not?!  Your support is appreciated and means a lot to me!

So go on over and take a gander and like my page i.a.m. cupcakes and while you're at it follow me on twitter @IAM_CupCakes!!!

Hope you guys have a great weekend <3

Peace, <3, & Cupcakes
i.a.m.

Girls Night Out w/ Suite 106 Cupcakery

YES, you read the title of this blog correctly...I got to take a decorating class from the winners of Cupcake Wars (insert your jealousy here)!!!!

Rebecca & Christy of Suite 106 Cupcakery were nice enough to open their lab & design center for an awesome night of decorating.  The class included 4 themed cupcakes and 4 themed cookies.  The instructor was such a sweet young lady and very helpful with any and all questions we had.  And of course  Rebecca & Christy were there.  Let me add that they are the most down to earth ladies, you'd never know they ran the most successful cupcake business in the Inland Empire, let alone were Cupcake Wars champions.

I had been preparing for this day in my head for the past week. I tweeted, emailed, and facebooked my desire to attend this class.  Once I got the email saying there was a spot available I was beyond excited.  I had to wait for the phone call to give my information.  When that phone call came I know I scared Michael (Suite 106 employee) to death.  I screamed and told him how much of a fan I was and everything in between...I'm sure he thought I was more than looney tunes. But hey, how often can you say you took a class from the winner of Cupcake Wars??!!!

Getting ready to leave for "Girls Night Out"

The week leading up to the class seemed to drag like no other.  I had a million and eighteen questions in my mind, pictures to show and outfits picked out.  When Sunday finally arrived, I was more nervous than a sinner at altar call.  But with the help and kind words of my husband, I calmed down.

When I pulled up to the "lab" I was very happy to see the signature "Suite 106" decal on the door (pictured below).  I was greeted by Christy and was told to sign in and grab a seat in the lab.  Boy was I happy to be there.  I looked around as if someone let me into heaven.

"yaaay!!"

They provided us with the tools for the decorating class which included: 4 cookies (dress, shoe, martini glass, and lips) 4 cupcakes (2 vanilla, 1 red velvet, and 1 chocolate), colored fondant, gumpaste, a rolling pin, an x-acto knife, paint brush, and a food writing pen.

Decorating tools

 We began our lesson with creating a purse from gumpaste, not as easy as it sounds either.  I wasn't the kid in preschool playing with play-doh making shapes and worms so I was a little out of my comfort zone.  Now working with fondant is easy because I can create letters and 3D images, but never anything like a purse. 

Our instructor made everything so simple and easy.  She explained things in non-baker terms which made things so much more comfortable.  Next we created the lipstick (bottom).  This was so much more easier than the purse. I finished that one with no issues. Then it was time to do the rose (top)...no words for how that came out (LOL!)

 Now it was time to start the cookies!! To the left are the naked cookies and the right are my decorated cookies.  My personal fave is a tie between the martini glass and the shoe.

My instructors cookies (show-off, lol!)

Proudly displaying my cupcake

Rebecca, Christy and I goofing off!

Needless to say, I had so much fun!! Learned a lot, asked a lot of questions and laughed even more.  I am looking forward to taking more classes with Suite 106 Cupcakery and getting to know more about designing cupcake toppers and other fun things.

Suite 106 Cupcakery owners Rebecca & Christy and I

Happy 2nd Birthday Jayce!!

My practice characters...came out ok!
(please excuse the sugar on the table)

Oh how I LOVE  a challenge!! My classmate Tseige is always giving me a challenge for her kids' birthday parties.  First it was the Cookie Monster & Elmo cupcakes now Yo Gabba Gabba.  She sent me a picture of what she wanted them to look like...and I was intimidated.  My husband was wondering why I was staring at the computer with tears in my eyes. I told him that I didn't think I was going to be able to replicate this picture. There was no way in h-e-double hockey sticks my beginner level fondant skills were going to do this...I was defeated and I hadn't even tried.  So last week I got up the nerve to make the fondant (YES I MAKE MY FONDANT FROM SCRATCH!) and practice the characters from the picture AND I DID IT! Needless to say, I felt confident with this order.

When I delivered the cake & cupcakes this morning, I could see that she was more than happy with how they turned out (as was I).

Cake & cupcakes

I love this cake & these cupcakes SOOO much.  They allowed me to step outside of my box and showcase my fondant skills.

Jayce is 2!!! 

Yo Gabba Gabba rocks! 

Well I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am preparing for Little Mermaid & Angry Birds events next weekend.  Cannot wait to show those pictures off.

PEACE, <3, & CUPCAKES
i.a.m.