(500) Days of Summer

Summer officailly started on June 20!  YAY!  There are million reasons why I love summer.  I am going to just list a few here:

• I got to see the sun even after a long work day or getting out from the gym at 7pm.
• I got to take my bike out for cruising along the beach
• I got to chill by the pool.
• I got to do some BBQ at our cute patio.
• I got to wear skirt and slippers!

Talking about summer, (500) Days of Summer is my ALL TIME FAVORITE movie!  This is not a love story, this is a story about love.  If you have not got a chance to watch it, you need to watch it this summer.  Besides the story of the movie, I also fall in love with the actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the vintage fashion style of Summer, the music in the movie and of course, appreciating the beauty of Los Angeles.  Mr. G and I even spent a day in Los Angeles to re-discover the gems of the city.  Few weeks ago, my hands got a major itch and wanted to make some cake pops to dedicate for the lovely summer in Southern California and the movie.  I have some left over cake at home (FYI - left over cake is the best for making cake pops), so I decided making some cake pops.  I will make some real cupcake decoration soon for this movie (ideas have been in my brain since last summer), I just need to find the time to do it (need to fight the time with all the wonderful outdoor activities I like to do in summer).

Here are some pictures we took when Mr. G and I pretended we are Summer and Tom in L.A.:

*P.S. I found some amazing engagment pictures of a couple on Pinterest and their theme is (500) Days of Summer for the engagment pictures and the wedding.  Would share with everyone here in our next post!

The Best Dessert I ever Ate - Bacon Chocolate Bar with S&P Ice Cream

We don't go to Los Angeles (LA) as often as we want to due to couple reasons (far distance from OC and the horrible traffic and parking situation).  We felt that we did miss out a lot in LA - all the bar scene, fancy and classy restaurants, interesting and unique places and museums...  About a month ago, we decided to take a mini weekend get away trip in West Hollywood area to explore the city and escape our normal busy lives in Orange County for a few days.

The highlight of the trip to me was visiting Animal restaurant, located in LA, by the famous Melrose neighborhood.  I have heard so many positive comments and impressive compliments about this place on different media.  I was beyond excited when we got there.  We didn't make any reservation, so we waited for about an hour and half for our table (not bad for a busy Saturday evening at a hip restaurant like this in LA).  We ordered five small dishes (Pork Belly BBQ Sandwich, Fois Gras with maple sussage and home made biscuit and gravy, Halibut with Peas, Churrizo with Melted Cheese, Marrow Bone with Chumichurri Sauce) for the two of us.  Everything was amazing and I could taste the freshness and well-preparations in each dishes.  Of course, we could not leave the restaurant without having some sweet to end our meal, so we ordered their signature bacon chocolate bar with salt and pepper ice cream and Dulce De Leche.  The Dulce De Leche was average, nothing really special about it.  However, on the other hand, the bacon chocolate bar and the s&p ice cream was delish!  No wonder it was featured on Food Network's show, The Best Thing I ever Ate. 

 

Let me tell you the presentation of the dessert - Very elegant and modern looking presentation.  And the bar looked like a piece of bacon with different kinds of chocolate in between.  The saltiness from the bacon mixed with the bitterness from different kinds of chocolates and the perfect sweetness from the creamy and silky ice cream was a perfect harmony; it was undescribably incredible. 

That's the way they do it in 90210

You were rushing for a deadline at midnight.  You kept filling  up yourself with coffee and tea to try to be awake; one thing kept popping up in your mind was that sugar, a moist cupcake with fluffy frosting will do the trick.  And you know there is no way you could cure your sinful craving that late.  The story will be changed if you were in Beverly Hill (90210) -

Sprinkles in Beverly Hill is getting ready to install a new cupcake ATM, which will dispense fresh cupcakes 24 hours a day. The ATM is continuously restocked with freshly baked cupcakes.  And ever better, it even offers doggie cupcakes for cupcake-loving/craving pets.

When I first heard about this news on the radio, I thought that's pretty crazy!  But well that might work, because I used to think the idea of 24-hour fitness was pretty silly...but guess what, I did go to the gym around midnight in the past. 

It just reminded me of a song from Weezer:  Beverly Hill...

That's where I want to be! (gimme, gimme)
Living in Beverly Hills...
Beverly Hills... Rolling like a celebrity! (gimme, gimme)
Living in Beverly Hills...

Be a Donor, Become a Miracle.

I have this sweetest and prettiest friend I met through my older sister in college.  After we left Pasadena City College, we hardly saw each other due to our busy schedules and other reasons.  However, we still managed to see each other once in a long while.  Even though I didn't get to see this friend a lot; I still see her as one of handful good friends of mine in the States.  I just found out this friend has been going through chemotherapy in treating her cancer from our mutual friend.  She is a very tough and positive girl and she is SO READY to fight a good fight for herself and her family.  I heard that the chemotherapies are doing well; however, the only way to cure her illness will be finding a 10/10 AHA matching bond marrow.    My friend is also having a bone marrow registration drive for her at Agape Bible Missions Church (ABMC), located at 535 West Roses Road, San Gabriel, CA 91775 at 1pm this Sunday.  If you are living in Los Angeles area or we be around, please stop by and register to be a donor. If you are not going to be around in Los Angeles area, but want to help, please kindly register on American RedCross's website.


Here are some frequently asked questions about registering to be a bone marrow donor:

1) How could they determine I am THE ONE?
According to the President of "Be a Hero, Become a Donor", they will use your race, blood type, and Human Bone Marrow Plasma (AHA) to determine you are the match for the patient. 

2) After register to become a donor, what do I need to do?
NOTHING...until they call you when they determine you are the potential donor for the patient.

3) How do I know I am eligible?
Almost everyone is eligible; however, if you have sickness or you have doubt, please refer to the medical guidlines and find out more.  

4) Could I go to work the next day after I donate the bone marrow?
After donating, it requires very minimal time to recover to back to normal.  
5) Who will be responsible for the medical fees?
The insurance company of the patient will cover 100% of the medical fee, transportation fee and even hotel fee (if needed).


6)  Why don't they try their brothers/sisters or even cousin?!
According to recent studies, even brothers/sisters from the same parents, only have 25-30% chance of having 10/10 AHA matching bone marrow.  Therefore, relying on other donors are very very very critical!!!


For more Q&A, please click here.

I Love Sewing Cupcake Toppers

Hi, how's your weekend?  I had a great but busy weekend this week.  Went to visit my family and my new nephew, attended my good friend's wedding and went to Mr. G's grandpa's birthday party.  But don't worry, no matter how busy I am, I have never forgot about my C for Cupcake Cupcakery's blog to remain connected with everyone.

I made these cute sewing cupcake toppers couple weeks ago.  They are a great way to dress up your cupcakes, cookies or other baked goodies.  Just want to remind everyone that I just opened our C for Cupcake Cupcakery Etsy shop online (click here to check out our online store) to sell cupcake toppers, cupcake wrappers, gift tags and much more...I know I know, now my online store is still pretty empty.  But I promise more items will be posted soon.  

The idea and concept about my Etsy shop is serving more people! My online cupcake business is limited to serve those who live in Orange County, Los Angeles County and part of Inland Empires.  I also know that a lot of people like to bake by using their own recipes, but they may not have time to make the "accessories" to dress up their baked goodies; therefore, our C for Cupcake Cupcakery Etsy Shop could serve those customers, who live outside of the LA and OC area, and also serve those who love to bake, but do not have time to make the "accessories" to dress up their baked goodies.  Hopefully, I could share more sweetness through my Etsy shop with everyone. 

I will post more projects on my Etsy shop soon, stay tuned!

Waffle + Pizza = Waffza at Love to Go (San Gabriel, CA)

Hours:

Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm Fri-Sat 2 pm - 12 am

307 S Mission Dr
San Gabriel, CA 91776

I always admire entrepreneurs (just like myself); these people are fearless, innovative, passionate, driven, open mind and they always have that JUST DO IT positive attitude and a strong work ethic. The market has not been going to anywhere these few years, it's extremely challenging to become an entrepreneur.  I hope all of us could just hang in there during this tough economy.  Believing in yourself and your companies because your confidence will show to your customers, your employees, your stakeholders and your suppliers.    Eventually, our passions and services will touch people's hearts.

A refreshing Kiwi yogurt Italian soda

I met this girl, Sundi from church when I was living in Pasadena back to year 2000.  I heard so many good things about her cookings, her sweet personality and her food from others at the church we both went to.  Few years ago, I found out that she finally opened her first cafe, Love to Go in City of San Gabriel, California.  I am so excited and happy for her when I first discovered this news.  Because turning your interests and hobbies into a career require a lot of efforts, time, money and a lot more...Her passion towards food have shown on her works.  She created this sweet treat called waffza (think about a combination of waffle and pizza).  This signature dessert is very popular at her cafe (so does their Italian soda).  I am so honor to share her journey and passions with everyone on my blog.

Enjoy these interview Q&A, and I truly wish that after reading this post, you could sit back and take a moment to think about what you are passionate about and GO FOR IT because life is too short to wake up with regrets.

Mrs. G = G
Sundi = S

G:  When did you open your own store, Love to Go?
S:  I opened my store on April 18, 2010

G:  When did you discover you have passion toward food?
S:  When I was studying in college, I started cooking dinner for my friends, brothers and sisters from church all the time.
One day, I saw a commercial on TV about Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena.  I immediately made a phone call and scheduled a visit at their campus.  After the visit, I finally made up my mind and decided to complete an associate degree in Culinary Arts.

Four different types of waffzas

Hong Kong style peanut butter waffle pocket

G:  What inspired you to create waffza?
S:  I found out that many people in the States like to eat waffles.   They also like  pizzas. I think people like these two food because you could put a lot of different toppings on these two food items.  I got inspired by pizzas and waffles and create waffza. At first, I made my waffza on a whole waffle and topped with ice-cream, whipped cream, strawberries and bananas, later I realized most of the people could not finish the whole waffza by themselves.  It made me wonder how I could alternate my creation with more varieties. At last, I came up with the idea of separating the whole waffle into smaller size (their original quarter size) and decorate them slice by slice...Waffza was created ^.^

G:  What is your favorite waffza?
S:  I like all of my waffza, but the most favorite waffza that I love is the banana & nut coated with dark chocolate.

A banana waffza cake

A strawberry and banana waffza cake

Kee Wah Chinese Bakery, Rowland Heights, CA

I stopped by Kee Wah Bakery to get some mooncakes for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival last month.  Of course, I didn't take home with only one item, beside a case of mooncakes, I also got some Chinese pastries.  By saying Chinese pastries, they are not quite "Chinese".  However, I am sure you won't see them from any American bakeries.  A lot of the pastries sold here are crossover with Asian and Western styles (aka fusion).

Except for these fusion pastries, they also offer traditional Chinese pastries.  I tried to take couple pictures inside the shop; I immediately got caught by the staff and asked me not to take pictures ;(

Here are some background information about this bakery from Wikipedia:


Kee Wah Bakery is a chain of bakery stores in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and in the Los Angeles area and the San Francisco area of the United States (California). Kee Wah was originally founded in Hong Kong in 1938 by Mr. Wong Yip Wing (1911–1999). The company is well known in Hong Kong and overseas for its signature products ― Chinese Bridal Cakes and mooncakes ― though a wide range of Chinese and Western delicacies is equally popular.  
They have few different locations through out California.  If you would like to stop by to get some yummy Chinese pastries, or fusion pastries, click here for their locations.

A case of lotus paste mooncakes ($28.00usd)

Mooncake=)

Assorted baked treats - coconut cream bun on the right bottom
Char siu buns in the middle
Curry empanada on the top
Pineapple bun at the top right corner

A box of assorted baked goodies

I also picked up few Portuguese egg tarts for my in-laws to try.
 Of course, these tarts can't compare to the ones I had in Macau.

Inside the char siu bun

LA County Fair Summer 2011, Pomona, CA

Few weekends ago, we went to the LA County Fair with our family.  We had some yummy but unhealthy fair food; we also checked out a lot of cool stuffs and different exhibitions at the fair.  One of my favorite things to see is the cake contest and table setting contest exhibits.  We had a very great time at the fair.  Can't wait to go back next year.

Here are my favorite cakes from the contest, enjoy=)

Can you believe this cake was not made by a professional?

Everything is so detail

Does this look like your kitchen?  LOL

Everything is so sweet!

Does this cake make you want to fly to Venice (I mean the one in Italy)?

A very realistic fish cake

I am sure my cousin will love this cake.