Special Food Talk: Charlieee!

Hey guys! A little after we opened The 2nd Shoppe, I got into baking. I don't know if I have really nailed it yet but.... I'm actually selling the stuff I make. ^^ Like these cuppies.

I haven't quite officially opened Charlieee! yet but most of my customers are my sister's classmates ^^ I sell each regular cupcake at 45 Php and the "special ones" at 60 Php (like the Strawberry one and the triple chocolate one). I'm still experimenting on new flavors so...this list can actually grow. ^^

If you're interested in trying out my cupcakes, you can send me an email at charlieandthemirror@gmail.com or shoot me a message at 09228361086.

Have a good Sunday. Cheerio!

Food Talk Special: Cupcakes by Sonja Customized Mini Cuppies

Hey guys! Just another short entry before I continue my Harry Potter movie marathon. ^^ 

A couple of weeks ago, my little sister celebrated her 18th birthday. And since it's her "debut" celebration, I decided to get her customized cupcakes from her favorite cupcake shop, Cupcakes by Sonja. 

I actually ordered her cupcakes two months in advance. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't forget anything and actually have enough time to ask for changes if ever there was a need for it. Thankfully, Ms. Erika, the one I was in contact with in Cupcakes by Sonja, readily answered all of my questions so everything went smoothly.

Here are a few shots of her mini cupcakes in Peppermint Patty and Vanilla Surprise topped with mini representations of her favorite stuff like a telephone booth, Minions, coffee, instant camera, vinyl record, the Betty Autier X Lancaster bag, the gold Statue of Liberty from her favorite TV show, Fringe, Eiffel Tower, a guitar, Taylor's signature, her favorite show in the entire world X-Files' logo, and a UFO.

It was really cool because whoever designed the toppers really captured the details of the pictures I sent. I was actually pretty nervous because my sis sent some pretty detailed shots but they actually got it. My sister was very happy with her cuppies so I'm all good. Plus, the mini cupcakes were just as divine as the regular-sized ones.

Have you ever tried having your cupcakes customized? How did it go? Lemme know. Cheerio!

Food Talk: J Cuppacakes

Hi! It's been a while since I last posted something about cupcakes. No, I didn't stop eating them like every week (I exaggerate of course because that would be very bad *haha*). It's just that I haven't tried a new cupcake store until last week. ^^

My dad was picking up stuff at SM Megamall and I just remembered that there was a cupcake store there that I wanted to try. So after a few very long text messages to my dad, he went home with these cupcakes. My sister and I also had special instructions: Please take pictures of the cupcake place. *haha* Although, I think we should've told my dad to take a "few" pictures because he sent like more than 10 pictures to my email and I had to pick only a couple.

Their cupcakes' prices range from around 60.00-85.00 Php (based on the pictures my dad sent me) which is not so bad. I was actually quite impressed with their packaging because it's so dainty.

I don't really know the exact names of the cupcakes (my dad doesn't remember and there are no flavors indicated on the receipt) but on the first row are Mint Chocolate, S'mores, Salted Caramel; 2nd row: Carrot Cake, Chocolate, Mocha. 

Here are some pictures of their cupcakes from the store. When I saw the pictures, I was pretty sad I wasn't with my dad. *haha* I would've picked up more flavors. ^^

And here's their stall! Pretty neat actually. I really like their design and all the floral stuff going on.

Now back to the cupcakes.

The Verdict:
The cupcakes were all very distinct, more than just in terms of flavor. Some had very moist base cakes, like the S'mores, carrot, and the salted caramel one. Other's had a little dry base cakes, like the chocolate, mocha, and mint. There were also some with foam-y frosting and the others, quite good. I loved the S'mores and carrot one by the way. The chocolate was pretty nice too. I wish all the base cakes were moist but that's probably just due to baking time. 

Price-wise, the cupcakes are at the middle range. Their packaging? Awesome! ^^

I'd still love to try their other flavors become some really look very interesting. I just hope I could grab the ones with moist base cakes and a little less foam-y frosting. ^^

J Cuppacakes is located at the 2/F of SM Megamall, Mega B.

Cheerio!

Food Talk: Epicurean Cakes

Hey! Am I the only one who thought today is Thursday? That's bad I guess since that means that I've lost track of time and it's seemingly slowing down. ^^

Anyway, let the cupcake testing continue! A few weeks ago, I came across Epicurean Cakes in Sumi Go's blog, The Purple Doll (Check out her entry here.) Yes, I do love reading food blogs just as much as I love beauty blogs and Sumi's blog is one of the awesome-st food blogs I've ever read. Let's just say I dare you not to get hungry while looking at her pictures or reading her entries. 

I was a bit hesitant to try these out, mainly because it was online and I have a thing about online purchases. I've only bought makeup online because I trust my color-instincts when it comes to makeup. But with food or clothes and shoes, my gut-feel falls down to the zero-range.

But being the pretend daredevil that I am, and since Sumi spoke highly of these babies, I immediately sent a text to the owner of Epicurean Cakes and braced myself.

I later on found out, a countless text messages later that is, that Epicurean Cakes is owned by blogger Kim Buenafe of kimiviajera and her sister. I actually read her blog and couldn't make the connection until I asked her about it. ^^She was really kind and patient enough to answer my questions and I had a LOT because it was my first time buying food online. Well, unless you'd count takeouts from McDonalds. After a few arrangements, I made my payment thru BPI and had my dad pick it up from BGC. (Pick-ups are available around Antipolo and BGC and delivery are for orders 12 pcs. and up)

Minimum order is 6 pcs./flavor. Each cupcake is 40 Php. Quite on the lower-priced side of the cupcake town. This one is called Kitkat Choco Swirl/Twirl, I forgot. ^^ I was having a KitKat episode when I ordered this, but I did ask for my family's opinion. There are other interesting flavors like Red Velvet, Oreo S'mores, and others. Oh,they also have Charlie's Chocolate cupcake, which is 200% chocolate. Maybe it's meant for me? *haha*

Each cupcake is placed in a royal blue tin paper-is cup and they are all housed in a cute blue box.

The Verdict:

 I must say that I expected it to taste like the run-of-the-mill cupcakes I used to have but I was quite impressed. A little blown away actually. For its price, the cupcakes were pretty good. The base was very moist. The cupcake itself had a great balance between the base and frosting and I loved the Kitkat. I mean, that's an entire Kitkat stick jammed into a single cupcake. And the frosting, and you know I have frosting issues, the frosting was really good. My sister found it a little to milk-y but said it was still good. My family enjoyed it too. Let's just say the three of us enjoyed it so much that my dad just had to take our word for it with the taste. Loved it. ^^

We'd definitely be ordering from Epicurean Cakes again. Actually, my dad just ordered 6 of their red velvet cupcakes when he picked these up. Visit Epicurean Cake's Facebook page here for more information.

By the way, Epicurean Cakes needs at least 1 to 2 days to prep before delivery and a 50% downpayment is needed. ^^ Totally worth it, trust me.

I'd always be a loyal fan of Cupcakes by Sonja, but I must say, these cupcakes may just be as awesome. ^^

Cheerio!

UPDATE (05/31/13)- Tried their Red Velvet cuppies. So good! The frosting almost seemed like pure cream cheese. It was so thick and creamy and the cupcake base was just as great. Next flavor coming next week! ^^

Food Talk: Cupcakes by Sonja

Hi guys! Another cupcake entry here. This one probably is the most way overdue post. ^^ My first "legit" cupcake was the Bunny Hugger from Sonja's (we call it Sonja's at home since saying Cupcakes by Sonja is quite a mouthful). That was around 2007 or 2008. I remember reading a short feature on her shop in a magazine and immediately decided that I wanted to try Sonja Ocampo's cupcakes, even if it's at Serendra in Taguig, which is very very very far from where I'm from. Since then, I've been a big, big fan and Cupcakes by Sonja has become a family favorite. Birthdays in our family were celebrated with cupcakes from Sonja's cupcake shop. ^^ I think her shop is actually what tickled my fancy in trying out other cupcake shops.

During my family's recent trip to Sonja's, I wasn't able to come but it seems that her shop has gone some major revamping and she's branching out (YEY!). Cupcakes by Sonja actually just opened a stall at Glorietta 2. Although I loved her quaint floral themed shop before, I love her new shop better. She infused a lot of red to what used to be pastel-colored.

*Photos by my sister

Cupcakes by Sonja's signature light blue box with the new red sticker

                                                             Bunny Hugger (80.00)

                                          

Vanilla Sunshine (65.00)

                                                                

Mocha Motion (72.00)

S'mores Tart (88.00)

Peppermint Patty (72.00)

Choco Surprise (80.00)

The Verdict:
Without a doubt, Cupcakes by Sonja will always be my favorite. So far, all their cupcakes I've tried for the past 5 years have never failed to impress me ^^-- moist base with awesomely flavored frosting. Most of the cupcakes look simple but they are all oozing with flavor. The cupcakes are never too sweet for me. My ultimate favorite is the Bunny Hugger, which is basically a carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting dusted with cinnamon. I've never really enjoyed frosting because most frostings can be too butter-y and greasy, but that's different when it comes to these cupcakes. My sister loves the Vanilla Surprise. It was also her first Sonja's cupcake. ^^ All in all, love these cupcakes. ^^
We've tried a couple of their berries and cream variations, the lemon drop one, and the S'mores tart. All were amazing, but, a word of advice, if you'll be trying the S'mores tart, eat it just as it comes of the freezer or refrigerator. It's a refrigerated cupcake so it has a tendency to fall apart and become a little messy to eat when in room temperature. ^^

You can visit Cupcakes by Sonja at Serendra or at the 2nd floor of Bridgeway, Glorietta 2.

Cheerio!

UPDATE (11-10-13)- I saw to-be-shops in Greenhills and SM North Edsa recently wrapped in Cupcakes by Sonja banners. Yes, I am sooooooooooo excited that my favorite cupcake shop will have branches closer to home. ^^
UPDATE (05-20-14) - I saw a stall for Cupcakes by Sonja in the the new fashion hall of SM Megamall. So many branches, so little time. :D