Support Small Business!

The Vintage Emporium in Long Beach is so much more than your average local gift shop with "delightful gifts for you and your home." Not only do they carry an array of eclectic flea market and vintage finds, but they also support local artists! The Vintage Emporium is owned by a sweet vivacious lady by the name of Julie Woolley. Julie's story is so very inspiring. She turned her small dream into a thriving small business that does more than provide for her and her family, but engages the local creative community.

Every month, The Vintage Emporium chooses a Featured Artist at their sweet little boutique to showcase their unique crafts. I have the honor of being the Featured Artist for the month of November as Abs of Cakes. Join us this Thursday for their Sip 'N Savor where I will be showcasing and selling a variety of sweet treats.

Who: Abs of Cakes

What: Vintage Emporium's Featured Artist, November

When: Thursday, November 29, 2012 [1-5pm]

Where: The Vintage Emporium, 3423 Orange Ave/ Long Beach, CA 90807

Why: Support Small Business, Support the Artist

Here's a screen shot of Vintage Emporium's website. Visit their site at www.VintageEmporium.com

The Vintage Emporium

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday having passed, I'm pretty sure a lot of you got a lot of good deals and completed the majority of your Christmas shopping. If you are reading this post, I really hope you also participated in Small Business Saturday! I believe that EVERYDAY that you shop should be "Small Business Saturday". I can go on and on about how important it is to support small business, but I came across an article that explains it perfectly...Click HERE!

Come join us on Thursday, get a unique gift for your loved one, sip on some libations, pick up some sweet treats....I'll even be taking preorders for sweet packages. Hope to see you there!

~Abs of Cakes~ 

Twig & Willow

By the cross streets of 4th and Grand Ave. in the City of Long Beach, you might come across a quaint little boutique named Twig & Willow, run by partners Karen Quimby Lobo and Billie Gentry. Here you'll find things from jewelry and accessories, to clothes and gift items that cater mainly to women.

Last year, Twig & Willow celebrated their two year anniversary and "pre-web launch bash". Their dear friend, Robin Jones, Director of Events for We Love Long Beach (WLLB) and Living Long Beach, contacted me to make some special sweet treats for their big event. Long Beach supporting Long Beach! Gotta love it! As Twig & Willow's three year anniversary approaches, I'd like take this opportunity to reminisce on last year's festivities.

For the cake, I was inspired by Twig & Willow's logo. I decided to turn it into something more dimensional and focused on keeping it simple. I wanted their name to be the focal point with the red bird and brown twig serving as accents to the design...just like their logo.

Storefront Signage

Of course I had to incorporate Long Beach somewhere! I added We <3 LB to the back side of the cake.

Using wax paper over the We Love Long Beach logo, I traced it using melted chocolate in a parchment bag.

In addition to the cake, they also ordered two different types of mini cupcakes as a "thank you" to their guests. By the time I got to the party, they were all gone!

Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, topped with a Raspberry

Chocolate Cupcakes with a Cocoa-dusted Meringue Swirl, topped with a Torched Marshmallow

This time last year is also when I first started working at Sweet E's Bake Shop in Los Angeles, so I was unable to deliver and set up this order that morning. Luckily, I knew who I could trust for this....my partner in crime when it comes to events....Caroline Cervantez from Oh, Lovestruck Event Design and Styling! I've worked with Caroline on quite a few events already, and I know she has impeccable style and taste. I was blown away with how good she made this dessert table look, perfect and in theme with the look of Twig & Willow. She also invited Eloisa Hernandez from Storybox Collection to capture these AMAZING shots. (Twig & Willow loved the photos so much, that you can also view them on their website). 

It was a great turnout for Twig & Willow's 2nd anniversary and "pre-web launch bash". They even closed off a portion of Grand Ave to celebrate! There was a custom photo booth, live music, screen printing, and my personal fave...FOOD TRUCKS! It was a great way for the Long Beach community to come out and support their local business...not even the rain would ruin this day.

To view more photos from this event please visit www.eloisanadine.blogspot.com

This Rainy November day called for a clam chowder from the Lobsta Truck. YUM!!

Congratulations to Twig & Willow on approaching their 3rd year anniversary! Abs of Cakes wishes you continued success and prosperity. Long Beach appreciates you.

~Abs of Cakes~

Special thanks:

Twig & Willow, Venue

www.twigandwillow.com

Robin Jones, Director of Events

We Love Long Beach (www.welovelb.org)

Living Long Beach (www.livinglb.com)

Caroline Cervantez, Styling

Oh, Lovestruck Event Design and Styling (ohlovestruck.com)

Eloisa Hernandez, Photography

Storybox Collection (eloisanadine.blogspot.com and storyboxcollection.com)