Lately I’ve received a lot of questions about my blog, how I’ve designed it, styled it, and managed it. It’s been a labor of love and lots of work, but I do have some tips and tricks to help you along the way. Below are some companies that I highly recommend:
If you’re looking for a blog-friendly webhost, I’d definitely recommend Blue Host. Click on the ad to the left to sign up.
Cinnamon Girl Studio: The company that helped me with my original blog design. To see what they can offer for you, click here.
This is my current blog theme. Perfect if you don’t know HTML or CSS; it’s very user friendly!
If you’re on WordPress and looking for a great template, I suggest the Thesis themes. Super user-friendly! Click on the banner to the left.
Cupcake Papers: I purchase some of mine from Hobby Lobby and Michael’s, but buy most of them at a local Baking Shop. I have ordered some from bakeitpretty.com and various sites on Etsy. I’ve found that you should always try to buy grease-proof liners, and if you’re making chocolate or dark cupcakes, don’t even attempt to buy pretty liners – you won’t be able to see the design after they come out of the oven anyway. Your best bet is a dark, solid-color liner.
Pastry Tips: Most of my smaller tips come from Hobby Lobby, but my big pastry tips came from bakeitpretty.com.
Marscapone Cheese: This can be found in your specialty cheese section at your grocery store. Mine has a “cheese island,” and the Marscapone is kept there. It comes in a round tub and is generally around $6 for 8oz. MOST grocery stores will have it.
Cupcake/Bakery Boxes: You can find these at Hobby Lobby and Michael’s, and they’re generally between $1 and $2 each. The 10×14 flat box is the best for cupcakes, and holds about 20 cupcakes.
Meringue Powder: Specialty baking shops (Sur La Table, Dean & Deluca) or you can find an unflavored powder at Hobby Lobby/Michael’s. A small can is about $7. I prefer to buy vanilla-flavored meringue, but you can also flavor it yourself.
Garnishes: I’m always on the lookout for a fun garnish – in fact, most of my cupcake ideas start with the garnish! The candy and cookie aisles at your grocery store are great places to start – especially the mini-candies and mini-cookies!
Magazines: If you are a foodie, I would highly recommend the following magazines: Cooks Illustrated, Bon Appetit, Saveur, Food Network, Rachael Ray (yes, I know!!) and even Better Homes & Gardens and Real Simple.
Cookbooks: Martha Stewart Cupcakes, Barefoot Contessa Parties!, Baked, Miette, Dorie Greenspan Baking, Jamie Oliver’s books and the Williams Sonoma line of cookbooks.