Valentines @Paperchase

Firstly, I really wish that Paperchase would sort out their website. It doesn't seem to catch up to what they have in store very quickly and the variety of their goods available to buy on-line, via Amazon, is shocking. They're one of my favourite shops, and I've found some great cupcake goodies there but they need to sort out their on-line presence imo.

They have a few gifts instore for cupcake lovers this Valentines day, including this rather nice notebook which I very nearly bought but I have about 10 cupcake notebooks lying empty and I just cannot justify buying anymore! They also have this cute birthday and anniversary book - which is a bit too organised for me, and hardly anyone I know gets married so the anniversary part would be a waste, but I'm sure some people would find it immensely useful.

Finally, they also have a choice of cupcake valentines cards - my favourite one says "you're my cupcake" (available in the Covent Garden store if anyone is interested..ahem!) but that one isn't available online but this "I think you're yummy" one is rather cute too. Oh and its not cupcake related but for all you Twitter fans out there this "You're so tweet" card is just perfect!

My advice with Paperchase, if you're near one go instore for a much better selection of cupcake and Valentine goodies. They have the red heart shaped kitchenware again, including bowls, measuring spoons and egg cups - I love the giant bowl I got last year!

Crappy Valentines

I'm a bit bah humbug* about Valentines this year however to counter-act the crappiness of the day I ate cupcakes** from Hummingbird Bakery which were gorgeous, and bought myself some rather spiffy pyjamas for a fiver from Primark.

*or whatever the equivalent for made up days when you're meant to be romantic is...piffle cupid??!

** I didn't eat all of these...well not at once!

Cake that...

From today's Daily Candy (London) (I stole the title from there too as I like it..sorry DC)

Mandatory hand-holding, pricey champagne, cringe-worthy you-complete-me’s and heart-shaped, well, everything.
Not your idea of romance?
If it’s the sweet stuff you’re after, look no further than home-baked cupcakes from new London-based bakers Lily Vanilli. Chocolate, vanilla, red velvet or cherry sponges come laden with vanilla, mango, coconut or orange buttercream frosting and topped with fresh fruit or nuts. Brownies and custom cakes are available to order, too.
To indulge in something decadent without a heavy commitment, there’s a flourless almond poppy seed cupcake on offer.
At least something will rise to the occasion.

The plan for Sunday is to go along and try some of Lily's fab looking cupcakes so hopefully I shall have some pictures/an update on them soon :)

The flavour of the month is...

Vanilla Rose...yum! I shall definitely be heading along to Crumbs and Doilies next Saturday for some of these;

Our Vanilla Rose cupcakes are made using the very finest Madagascan vanilla and stream-distilled Damask rose water. They’re light, fragrant and incredibly more-ish. Just the thing for Valentines Day (or any other day!)

And then I shall be heading there alone on Valentines day for some of their Valentines cupcakes. And I shall deserve them as I'm going to be a sad single on Valentines day as my other half will be twiddling with his bass in some studio in Soho...pout!

All pics are courtesy of Crumbs and Doilies

Crazy in love...for cupcakes!

Wilton's latest email is chock-a-block full of Valentines goodies for you to surprise your loved one with this February 14th.

You can see all the Valentines cupcakes here, but I thought I'd share a few of my faves above!

Lolas Love...an update

From today's inbox - an update on Lola's Love cupcake valentine box and the flavours they come in; strawberry, marshmallow, pink champagne and red velvet.

I heart all these flavours - they sound totally yum!

Love is all around us...

Lola's have launched their Valentines cupcake box - time to start hinting to your other half ;)

Love is in the air...

The Valentines stock is in store already, but then again in the UK so are blooming Easter eggs!

I cannot wait to go to Williams Sonoma when I get to NY - I shall be buying some cuteness to bring home for sure!

You can make your own heart shaped cupcakes for your love with this really cute heart shaped pan, and then decorate them using the valentines fondant and cutters kit which comes in a set for under $50! Or you can buy some cupcakes from Perfect Endings -

Perfect Endings, Sam Godfrey’s nationally acclaimed boutique bakery in the Napa Valley. The luscious little cakes are prepared from scratch based on recipes from Godfrey’s mentor, his Southern grandmother. Made with fresh eggs, real butter and other premium ingredients, our selection includes three flavors, each topped with a different sugared flower and heart: red velvet, generously swirled with old-fashioned vanilla icing and topped with white sprinkles; rich chocolate, frosted with chocolate ganache and scattered with dark chocolate sprinkles; and chocolate caramel, chocolate cake slathered with chocolate caramel buttercream and crowned with milk chocolate sprinkles. Set of nine, three of each flavor

I heart valentines cupcake goodies :)

Happy Valentines day

Okay its 2 days early but my gorgeous husband realised he couldn't get to Selfridges on the day itself so he went today and got me four beautiful cupcakes from Lola's. Well when I say "got me" I mean us - Manny can't say no to a cupcake - especially a chocolate one!!!

I have had the pink one with the hearts so far today and it was fabulous - the base is more like a fairy cake than an American style cupcake but very nice and the frosting was lovely and not too sweet! I'm saving the other one for tomorrow but if you read this head down to Selfridges asap if you want to catch them - I think they only have the valentine ones till Thursday!! You can also order Lola's cupcakes from http://www.lolas-kitchen.co.uk/ but there are no slots left for the 14th Feb!

Thanks Manny for such a lovely suprise :)