Baby showers and champagne!

To say that the last week or so has been awful is an understatement!
Half-term was busy and productive but towards the end I started feel a little under the weather again - my voice went and I felt quite poorly - again.
Sorry to feel sorry for myself but am fed up with feeling poorly!

Wednesday of half-term and we finally did our "R" and "S" of our hotel project. Thje Ritz was...well... not really what I had imagined or had been looking forward to. It was all a bit unimpressive - surprisingly so!
The waiter in the Rivoli bar was a bit full of himself and tried too hard to impress but the cocktail I had on the other hand was gorgeous!
They were quite expensive compared to the other hotels although mine did have gold leaf floating in it!
Not as bad as the Mandarin Oriental  but nowhere near as good as Claridges.
The Savoy was...fabulous. Different from what we were expecting as lots of things have changed but still good service and a wonderful atmosphere. I used to meet Ian in the Savoy for cocktails quite a lot when he worked in the Strand and fell in love with the American bar. It's a  bit different now, maybe a little of the "old-fashioned and classic" element missing (but now lots of dust on the mirrors and vases!!!)
Apart from the waitress spilling my cocktail all over my dress and leg - it was lovely.
We miss the Banquette restaurant but no-one seemed to know what we were talking about - New staff - a shame as they don't seem to know what it used to be like!
Still haven't done our scrapbooking pages - they are next on my list!

Thursday I met with my business managers for lunch (my champagne Friday girls!!!). They sorted my website and were brilliant!
Friday I made toppers for all the baby shower cakes, Bill's taxi topper and finished off the palm trees and Elvis for cakes for the next few weeks.

 I have two baby showers on Sunday and also wanted to make some cakes for baby Leah as I went to visit on Saturday - she is gorgeous. The toppers were really cute and I managed to make about 60.

 Cakes for Leah's mum and dad!
Nicola's dad is a taxi driver and so I made a topper for his cake. He is very sporty and loves a G&T as well. Apparently it was a very good likeness - bless.

Saturday I didn't feel so good and still had to make the cakes for the baby showers. It was quite hard work and my voice decided to go - just in time for going back to work!
The baby shower for Jude was lovely. I don't think I have ever been in a room full of so many mothers and babies and children - it was quite something!
The ladies were lovely and the children cute!
I went with a baby clothes theme for the top cake as I had made so many babygros (is that the plural?)
I knew that the nursery was yellow so tried to match the cute cakes with her theme. I kind of loved the result - baby cakes are so cute!!!

I admire anyone with a baby and how they cope with all the washing!!!

My new stand came in handy and the cakes went down really well! You can't beat cute cupcakes!

Sunday night arrived and my head began to pound. I wasn't quite sure if it was all the babies and children, or all the talk of pregnancies and childbirth (do people always need to go into so much detail??? It made me squirm a bit but I guess it is a such a wonderful experience that people just want to share every single detail with you!) or all the questions about why I wasn't a mother (hello! - I haven't got time!) but by the time I got home I was feeling very under the weather. I had one last cake to make for Amy for the morning and then I could sleep - or I could if Mr Neighbour turned his bloody radio off!!!
No chance there then!

Amy's 21st cake - she is lovely!
Monday and back to work. I rather missed the girls and their funny comments and actions. No voice again- just a croak but managed to get through the day. First of the month comes around so quickly and thank goodness that Mo came round to help decorate the staff cakes. It was St. David's day so daffodils were in order on some of the 150 cupcakes.

I let Mo loose on the lemon ones - haha she was a bit pyschedelic in her use of sprinkles and decorations but they were bright and colourful. New mixer with a very sharp blade meant chopping the top of my finger of whilst washing up. Thank goodness Mo is a nurse!!!! Not sure who was more exhausted me or Mo!
Monday night was horrendous - no sleep, no voice, sore throat and a pounding head. I managed only to get to work and then home again.
The doctor said I had a very nasty ear and chest infection and high blood pressure (I'm not surprised as shouting at Mr Noisy Neighbour every night is quite stressful!) -so bed and rest for me. Thank goodness for parents - what would I do without them!
I haven't felt that bad for ages and 2011 is turning into a horrible year already!
Packets of pills and anti-biotics later I must have slept for a good 48 hours!
I still feel dreadful and really want someone to take it all away but at least I can touch the side of my face now!
Perhaps the voice will come back in time for school tomorrow - fingers crossed!
I still had to make Aston's surprise cake for his 30th - that was hard work!

Then this weekend it was a christening cake for my sister's friend. Another cute baby cake with a blue theme this time.

 Fortunately no more for a little while. All I have done is sleep in between!
Mr Noisy Neighbour decided to have the radio on (Radio 4  now) all night last night from 1.30a.m. to 8.30a.m so no change there!
May need to move if there is no improvement. Anyone know an electrician who can show me how to turn his power off?????
I've missed work and the girls - funny but when I'm there I long for holidays most of the time. I'm hoping they have behaved and have worked hard but something tells me I will have a lot to catch up with!
Please let me feel better in the morning!!!!!

From Vintage to Modern!

I am sitting here taking time out having a cup of coffee and a sneaky biscuit!
How I love half-term!!!!
Well if I could get away without doing any school work and if I was on a hot, sunny island somewhere it would be even better but you can't have it all!!
So the last two weeks have been really busy - cakes, school, baby showers and no voice -AGAIN!
What is with the no voice thing????
I get so fed up of waking up (well that is when I have actually had some sleep thanks to Mr Neighbour with BBC World Service ALL NIGHT!!!!!) and having no voice and feeling like I have been hit by a bus!
At least it doesn't last - maybe I am allergic to school - how cool would that be!
So it's half-term and it's busy, busy, busy!
Last week was mad, especially last weekend. I am still cleaning up icing sugar and food colouring!
So where to start?
John's birthday continued and they celebrated on Wednesday with Nintendo cupcakes - he has favourites so I had to make sure there was a Yoshi, a Mario and a Luigi. I love these, they are so colourful and cute.

I got very excited when my ribbon arrived - all printed and very pretty. Am aiming to get them in every colour!!! (I have five already!)

Roary the Racing car was fun to do for Ashton's 4th birthday. With no children of my own I have to look up all these characters on the internet and I do get a bit carried away. I will be a font of all knowledge soon on CBeebies!!!
May go on Mastermind!!!
Anyway he was fun and I love the hat.
Louise's aunt (very lovely lady!!!) had her birthday too and this was a combination of her caravan, her holidays and her crafting.

She is a very artistic lady and is always making/crafting. I wanted to add little bits and pieces for the scrapbooking and card-making. I loved the pritt stick although if you don't use it very often you may have wondered what it was!
Happy Birthday Carole - hope you had a lovely day!!
The next one on my list was one I have been working on for ages. Another children's one and LOTS of research!
The Octonauts (had never even heard of them!) were lots of fun and lots of work. I made all the characters in advance - they were so cute and I tried to get them all spot on. It was a lot of work but really enjoyable.

They apparently live/work underwater so I loved making the underwater themed cake with fish, crabs, seaweed and starfish. It's cute!

I haven't seen my friend for years so it was lovely dropping the cake off and catching up with her and meeting the boys - they are gorgeous too. We nearly had a disaster when Will decided craftily to play with Tweak bunny whilst we were having a cup of tea - bless him!!!
Cupcakes for Clare's birthday - pink and girly.

More cupcakes for Hannah's birthday. She is mad about dogs/puppies so doggy cupcakes were perfect. I have made these before so tried to make diferent dogs - I love their faces!

This weekend too was busy with a joint 18th and 21st birthday cake for Gemma and Jamie. Gemma is one of my former students - she is a star!!
Gemma loves shopping, shoes and dresses and Jamie loves sport.

The top tier was a false top so they could keep it and put the characters on it to keep. It was silver and sparkly!
At the last minute I had an order for 80 cupcakes for a vintage fair in Blackheath. Half of the cakes had the company initials (My Vintage Affair) and half had roses, violets and sprinkles.

They looked pretty in the vintage cake stands but I forgot to take a photo!
Jo's vintage fair was great - the clothes were amazing and it was like walking back into the fifties. Women were having their hair and make-up done and trying on all the clothes. It was fabulous!
I ended up buying a coat which makes me look like my gran in the fifties and sixties!
So I am having a morning off making cakes (well will start in about ten minutes!) and am concentrating on organising a baby shower for my sister. It's fun and exciting. think I might be going a bit overboard on somethings though. I looked up American baby showers and they do things so much better than us!
I know it's a relatively new idea over here and some people are still a bit sceptical but I think it's great - another excuse to celebrate (and make cakes!).
Every day I come home and another parcel arrives!
I think the lack of sleep means I go onto the internet at all hours and end up ordering bits and pieces!
My neighbour has a lot to answer to!!!
Tomorrow we are off to the Ritz and the Savoy for our "R" and "S" in the alphabet project. I can't wait - it's long overdue!
Thursday I am looking forward to having my "Champagne Friday" girls over for lunch, fun and business. I need their advice!!!!
March is full for cakes and April is getting that way too!
I had better get started!!!!

Fish cakes and swimming pools!!

There are two things I really dislike in the world. (only two this morning but plenty of others at any other time!) One is inconsiderate people and the other is snoring!
I am so tired I think I could sleep for a week!
Well I could only do that if my neighbour managed to turn down his radio that he leaves on ALL NIGHT on BBC World service (yes it beeps on the hour, every hour too!) even if he is asleep as I can hear him snoring too!!!
Sometimes he even leaves the TV on too in another room - just how much can a man listen to in his sleep!!!!!
Also men with colds snore terribly and this just adds to my sleep deprivation as my man has a cold, it's not good. Snoring drives me mad - I NEED SLEEP otherwise I am a grumpy so and so with a short temper!!
So this week has been good for work and cakes but rubbish for sleep. I think now I am over-tired and it makes me a tearful bunny!
Anyway - half term is only in two weeks (thank goodness) and I am going to spend at least one day tucked under my duvet without moving!
Burn's night dinner party was fab- it was such a giggle and good to catch up with lovely people. Lots of haggis and neeps and tatties although not many kilts!!!!

Thank you guys for making it a lovely do!

Last night was John's surprise party for his 30th. His family and girlfriend are so lovely - he didn't have a clue!

His cake had a "fishy" theme as he is mad on fishing. It was a rather strange one but lots of fun. My kitchen was covered in silvery dusting powder for days!
Simon's 40th cake was an American themed one as he apparently loves Buffalo Bills (which I thought was a restaurant until I looked it up!) That ties in nicely with the Superbowl tonight!!!

Grace's birthday on Monday and she is a little swimming star so I thought a pool themed cake would be perfect for her. Her parents threw a fab dinner party last weekend - it was so yummy- thank you!!!

The 1st of the month came round quite quickly and it meant 150 cupcakes for staff at school. I thought I would try a couple of new flavours and some "low-fat" cakes for all the dieting girls!!!
I used a new embossing tool for the fondant topped ones - very pretty paisley designed ones. It was my new cake tool of the week!
We had a Valentine's theme (yes a little early I know) but lots of hearts/roses and chocolate!!!

Just what we all needed in the staffroom at the end of dreary January and a week filled with meetings and a Parent's evening, a little bit of love and buttercream. Now we just need a little bit of sunshine!!!

Yesterday I met up with the girls from Uni in Sussex - oh how we have grown up (ha ha!!!) It was so lovely to get together again for the first time in ages - not as alcohol fuelled as it was back in those days after lectures, then parties in the flats - but much more civilised now we have sort of grown up. Two weddings and one gorgeous baby have changed all that. Well I say that, but we have planned a weekend away and we may resort back to good old uni days, karaoke, Spice girls and beer!

February is full for cakes and I'm glad of a week in the middle to spend all day preparing bits.
Still haven't been to the Ritz to do "R" in our hotel "project"  maybe next week if we can fit it in. It's Chinese new year so we are all heading to the restaurant on Friday to celebrate - should be fun!

Well I need to go and make a caravan, a car, some stars, some shopping bags and some roses for the next batch. I'm going to need lots of coffee and maybe an afternoon snooze so I can then mark all the girls' tests for tomorrow - and I have an observation first thing - I can't wait!
Bring on half-term!!!!

Jules-Sweetart online!!!

It has been a mad couple of weeks but a very exciting time - well for me anyway!
After lots of hours researching and working and with lots of advice from my colleagues Tony and Mike, Jules' Sweetart finally went live last Sunday evening. www.jules-sweetart.co.uk
 I wasn't quite sure what to expect and as I have probably taught myself most things to do with IT (not always successfully!) I was a little apprehensive.
The website finally went live and was there for all to see - I was so excited and wanted to celebrate with champagne!
Loading up lots of photos took forever but it's looking ok and enquiries have gone mad!
It's a shame I have a full time job and it's only a hobby!
Still I'll never give up my job - unless I win the lottery - as much as some days are hard work, my girls are very good and work very hard!

Friday was champagne Friday and my girls are so wonderful. Thank you so much to Mo, Elizabeth, Louise, Kim, Tracey and of course Veg (hope you're having fun in Oz!)
Without you all and all of your encouragement, I would never have got this far with my cakes!!!

So with the website up and running, orders came flooding in and my calendar now looks very full.
This week I had chocolate cupcakes, a "new job" cake and some Manchester United cupcakes to do.

The "new job" cake was for Lynette's niece and so I thought I would go to town with their orange theme and one of their planes. It was very orange!

The Man Utd cupcakes were for a birthday and I had to check what their kit was and their sponsor - they change so often!

So now I need to get organised and really plan ahead to keep on top of things. I managed to mark two sets of homework this weekend but would really like to cut down - Mission Impossible me thinks!

I have also made toppers for Nintendo cupcakes, Octonaut figures (am excited as they are so cute!) and an american footballer - all ready for next week and the week after.
It's Burn's Night on Tuesday and am looking forward to having friends over for neaps and tatties. Don't forget your kilts!!!
Well all the excitement has taken it's toll and again am exhausted (but very happy!)
Back to work tomorrow, more meetings, more drama but lovely people!

Cupcakes,Orchids and Converse!

Is it nearly the end of the week yet???
Today has been very long and I am ready to curl up in front of the TV and relax. At the end of last week my voice almost came back and my mouth was a little less sore.Cupcakes were the order of the day for an 18th Birthday. Blue and football themed, they seemed to go down well on Saturday.

The weekend was very busy but I had plenty of time to start on the next cake, a 70th birthday cake for Susan. She loves orchids so sugarpaste orchids were my weekend job!
I haven't made sugarpaste flowers since the summer and all those wedding cakes so I was looking forward to it. I wanted a delicate but sparkly affair for a special birthday.

Sunday's job was to start a 13th birthday cake with a Converse theme. The boots were a challenge and I tried to get all the details right.It was fiddly but I really liked the end result.
They are kind of cute!

We still haven't been to visit our "R" in our hotel themed scrapbooking project so hopefully we'll get to the Ritz this week. I could do with a nice cocktail in a beautiful place!
Talking of beautiful, the girls at work really spoilt me today for my birthday treat: a beautiful cake, a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and some lovely spending money for shopping!
Thank you girls I love you all lots!!!!

Well I am exhausted. Has anyone got any good ideas to help nerves in public speaking?
Put me in front of hundreds of students or parents and I am fine, but in front of other people or teachers I am a nervous wreck before I start- even if I know what I am talking about!
Today I had to do a presentation in front of a delegation of Government officials and businessmen and women from Hong Kong.
I have to keep a pin in my hand and keep digging it in to take my mind off of the nerves!
All ideas welcome!!!!!
I had no sleep last night worrying so am now ready for an early night!
Sweet dreams!

What a start to the new year!

2011 - Will it be a good year?????

I'm glad I can write as at the moment my voice has gone completely!!!
I struggled at work today (although the girls were fab and very sweet!) and teaching is definitely not the best job to do when your voice has gone!
So my new year got off to a rather dreadful start - an interesting New Year's Eve, a dreadful New Year's Day and then my week just deteriorated from there!
It can only get better!!!!!!

Feeling a little stressed out and in a bit of pain with a toothache on New Year's Day I ventured into London. I wanted to avoid the sales and go for a long walk along the Thames and through the parks. Ha ha, got as far as Trafalgar Square and stood and watched the New Year's Day Parade - it was brilliant!
The atmosphere was great and very exciting. When the rain started I dived into The St James Hotel for tea. It was so comfortable I stayed a while avoiding the cold and rain.
The shops were very inviting and feeling a little windswept and frumpy I was enticed by the sound of a free makeover in Selfridges - what is the worst that could happen???

The assistant (although a little hungover) was lovely and started to work her magic and then brought me a Cosmopolitan - it was all going well until the false eyelashes - not sure if I loooked like a model or a drag queen. Still I was convinced by her banter and parted with a rather large sum of money for a concealer (that will hopefully perform miracles!) and yet another lipgloss... oh well.
A glass of champagne later and I was ready to fight the world - apart from my nagging toothache.
Overnight the so-called toothache turned into an abscess and the rest is...painful!
I woke up to find I looked like the elephant man (thought it might have been the make up at first) but the pain was unbearable.
To cut a long story short and several visits to the dentist, armed with anti-biotics I started to feel better. What a great start to the year - and to top it all some idiot has used my paypal account to run up huge bills in the USA. How did that happen???
Not a happy bunny.
Never mind, despite feeling very rough and depending yet again on mum and dad's help I had to make Lynn's retirement cake. Fortunately when the first party was organised (then cancelled due to snow) I had already made the flower pots and watering can - THANK GOODNESS!

The party was great - it was good to see so many old friends and work colleagues and Lynn had a good farewell. By the end of today I had no voice, a sore throat and a very sore mouth still. I need TLC or some good painkillers!!!!
Orders for cakes have been coming in thick and fast and hopefully the website will be up and running soon. I just need a little bit of time - ha ha.
Cupcakes, orchids and converse this weekend!
Well 2011 hasn't started so well but it can only get better from down here!!!
Here's hoping...

Happy New Year 2011!!!!

Wishing all my friends and family a very happy 2011. I've had a lot of ime to think and reflect and hopefully will make lots of changes to my life in 2011- It's time for a new start!!!
Probably fewer cakes and more time at the gym!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!