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Oh I DeCLarE…I did some digging! Naticakes in the News?

SO…woke up to my cupcake alarm clock “ding ding” it was time for anotha cupcake adventure.  I decided to head down to good ol downtown Franklin, TN and see what sort of trouble I could get into. 

Tweeted the usual “ ”sounds alarms* let’s roll” and all of twitterville seemed to be needing a cupcake fix along with me.  First stop…Naticakes for some Nati-Chino and Nati-bites.  Hold onto your skirts ladies and gentlemen…I walked in and right in the middle of Naticakes was News 2 my Fav Julie Kroenig, WKRN Anchor/Reporter with her crew interviewing owner Nicole Sloane!  Lordie, I know how to sniff out cupcake FUN!

You all know me…always have my camera handy…so as she was interviewing her I whipped out my big girl camera and started shooting!  This was like heaven for me!  I tried not to be a distraction..as I stood right there next the camera and  Photojournalist Mr Ken Wilson and listened quietly..sort of while snapping pictures and smelling all the cupcakes! 

As I listened what I heard wasn’t about cupcakes…it was all about Naticakes story and mission  Look at Nicole Sloanes face…tell me that woman is NOT on a freakin mission!  Lordie…someone give that girl a cupcake…she’s got passion flowing out of her ears  ” Whether it’s cupcakes, coffee or conversation, we hope to “make your life a little sweeter” at Naticakes! In honor of my niece (Nati), our mission at Naticakes is to generate awareness and funds for the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation.” http://www.nataliewynn.com/

So of course after the interview I sat down and broke cupcake with Julie Kroenig, WKRN Anchor/Reporter it turns out she is a cupcakeluva too *poof* we were instant cupcake friends!  As you all know I love makin new cupcake friends!!  Well it seems Julie had been on a similar path as I..except her path was Positively Tennessee – ish sharing the coolest most positive stories of Tennessee businesses…she and I talked cupcake about all the great cupcake stories and missions of our local businesses. 

So…I got to thinkin and I came up with the GREATEST IDEA IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD…however, you will have to wait to hear about it in my next cupcake adventure blog.  Until then click here to see the interview and meet my new cupcake friends!

CLICK LINK TO VIEW STORY:

http://www.wkrn.com/global/Category.asp?c=175880&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4556785&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

MUAH..my cupcake luvah friends!

S

February 19, 2010 | Categories: #1 CUPCAKE NASHVEGAS, TN | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Dear CuPiD…Shoot me some of these!

So here I was feeling a little under the weather when I get the memo…NATICAKES ROLLED OUT THE NATIBITE just in time for Valentines Day!  If you have bought your special someone chocolates..TOSS THEM NOW and call Naticakes.  I’m telling you there’s nothing like them..and I’ve had my fair share of cake balls, cake pops, cake whateva but these are melt in your mouth awesome!  Did I mention these can be shipped! DID YOU HEAR ME?  ORDER NOW BEFORE I EAT THEM ALL!

Remember this is the cupcake with the mission so it’s in your best interest to eat as many as you can!  from the words of Auntie-Nati herself  ”Mission is to generate revenue and awareness for the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation (NWCF), in order to impact the lives of children throughout the world. From our sweet products to our mission, we strive to “make life a little sweeter.” Whether you’re catering an outside event, or throwing a party in our shop, we hope that Naticakes will be an extension of your sweet experience!”

“Enjoy an elegant collection of our most popular flavors in a delicate, bite size portion! Our Chocolate Collection features Caramel, Coconut, Peanut Butter, Cookies ‘n Cream, and Opera. The Fruit Collection showcases Orange, Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, and Lemon. You may also select a favorite flavor that will be elegantly boxed in groups of 5 or 15. The perfect collection of sweets…for your sweet!” <-more Auntie -Nati

Join Facebook Naticakes Follow on Twitter

Thank you Cupid!

February 12, 2010 | Categories: TN | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

If you don’t do it…Christie Cookie JUST IN TIME FOR VaLeNtInEs DAY!

I was planning on a cupcake review today until Noel from Christie Cookie said “you should come by and try our Valentines Shortbread cookie” – first thought…Noel KNOWS I am the cupcake queen, he MUST BEEE REEAALLLYYYY confident in these shortbread cookies to even mention them to me over a cupcake.

Close your eyes and imagine the perfect cookie.  DO IT….1..2..3…GO!!!!  Now, did you imagine a shortbread cookie?  Lordie I would neva have either…until my little trip to Christie Cookie today!

The cookie is homemade with all-natural, high-quality ingredients, hand rolled and oven baked with love and care. It emerges from the oven evenly baked with a hardy exterior, but the inside is melt-in-your mouth moist. The thin layer of satiny frosting boasts a depth of flavor so unexpected it stuns the senses. However, this rich flavor does not overwhelm the taste buds, but rather surprises and entices them into always wanting more and more…and can you believe I am NOT talking about a cupcake? 

Just so you are aware they ship!!  DID YOU HEAR ME????  THEY SHIP…MEANING GET ONLINE AND ORDER NOW  https://www.christiecookies.com - you know I do NOT waste words!  They’ve been perfecting the cookie for 25 years…who else would you order from?  Be sure to tell them I said HELLO…

February 2, 2010 | Categories: TN | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Say it ain’t so…a brownie?

So I thought I was going to FiddleCakes today for lunch..was thinking warm soup…when I walked in the guy in front of me ordered a brownie…so the soup idea flew out the door!  I found myself standing in front of the display case drooling over all the great looking treats…then decided I was having a brownie and hot chocolate…a girl can neva have enough chocolate.  Did I mention the brownie was the size of my head?  oh yes..this was a BBBRRRROOOOOWWNNIIIEEEE baby.

So I decided to have a seat and enjoy my brownie the size of my head and hot chocolate while I tweeted “na nah nana” out to 17, 000 followers on twitter.  I just love rubbing it in that I’m running around having fun yapping about brownies and cupcakes!

So the low down, the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had.  I have no idea what’s in it but it is sooooo good and not too much chocolate.  The brownie..so good I swear I almost had to start a new blog fortheloveofbrownies and maybe that’s the next step in my cupcake filled fun life! 

SO if you have a chance go by and visit Fiddle Cakes  on Eighth Avenue South, between Douglas and Bradford. If you have a party coming up be sure to swing by and order a cake! 

December 10, 2009 | Categories: TN | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

*sounds alarms* FiDDLe CaKes *NeW BaKerY – CaFe – CoFFee*

So there I was reading my Nashville Scene cover to cover..have to keep up with everything as you know…when there is was…an ad for Fiddle Cakes.  First thought, I laughed..what a silly name then I saw the picture of 2 cupcakes….HIT THE BRAKES LORDIE THERE’S A NEW KID IN TOWN! 

Well as you all know I take my cupcake crown VERY seriously here in NashVegas and heck if I was going to let this one go for too long.  SO I hopped in the baby benzo and headed for 8th AVE SOUTH baby!  Really easy to find and in a cute house…yes the first thing I did was check the door knob – it was original hardware VERY IMPRESSED.  Walked in not a cupcake in site…however, I wanted to dive head first into the display case of yummies! 

Of course my first question was “where are you hiding the cupcakes” I’m sure the look on my face was priceless..she let me know they keep them in the fridge to keep the butter cream fresh…oh lordie BuTTeR CreAm.  She then offered me a mini Red Velvet delight and I took 1 of each of the cupcakes they offered yesterday.  Of course she just had to tell me about all the other great things they offered in addition to cupcakes (I was really standing there with my fingers in my ears saying lalalalalalalalal) it’s a European Cafe with anything and everything you would want shi shi as well as CoFFee! 

Here’s a link about the chef http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091125/FEATURES0202/911250355/1004/FEATURES/Butter+is+a+baker+s+best+friend

Customer Review “Lindsay Beckner and Tasha Ross opened Fiddle Cakes as a Melrose bakery and cafe. Yummy gourmet cupcakes and big cakes are flavored with common flavors like carrot, strawberry, chocolate and apple. A half dozen cookie varieties are baked as well as brownies. Baked goods are mostly desserts. Cafe paninis, sandwiches, salads and soups are good for lunch. If you come in weekdays at 7am for a breakfast snack try the quiche or yogurt parfait.”

What you really want to know is what did I think?  VERY GOOD – and they deliver in Nashville!  They are also working on shipping cupcakes – they do ship cookies and other for the holidays for gifts.  I will be headed back to try some…but I have a feeling you might be needing to order some if the other yummies are as good as the cupcakes!  More soon…promise!

December 2, 2009 | Categories: TN | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

*sounds alarms* Figured it out..THE MInI CuPCake!

So I went back to review the history of the cupcake (pls see below..you’re welcome) really wanting to understand if the Mini.  My first thought was some skinny person decided they would create the Mini to limit themselves – shorely they haven’t had a Naticake, downtown Franklin, TN.. today I discovered the Mini Nati. 

NOW WAS THE TIME –  I HAD to figure this Mini out…drum roll please….the Mini was created so you can have a selection of MANY cupcakes all at once!  NOW THATS GENIUS..now you aren’t limited to 1 cupcake or the cupcake split (I will neva understand this one) the Mini allows everyone to have many cupcakes and nobody has to share!  YIPPPPIEEEEEEE!!

Eat on my little cupcake friends! 

A Little CupCakE HiStOry!

The term ‘cupcake’ is first mentioned in E. Leslie’s ‘Receipts’ of 1828. Breaking with tradition of weighing ingredients at this time they ingredients began to be measured in cups. According to “Baking in America” by Greg Patent, this was revolutionary because of the tremendous time it saved in the kitchen. “The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America.” explains that the cup name had a double meaning because of the practice of baking in small containers — including tea cups.

Cups were convenient because hearth ovens took a long time to bake large cakes. Gem pans, early muffin tins, were common in households around the turn of the 20th Century and cupcakes were baked directly in these. Throughout the 1900′s cupcakes became popular kids treats partly due to their ease in baking. In the early 1900′s Hostess introduced the snack cupcake, but it didn’t become the Hostess Cupcake we know today until the 1950′s.

Many people associate cupcakes with the popularity of homemaking of the 1950′s and 60′s although this is an myth. Cupcakes were no more popular during that time period then they are today. More likely is that adults associate cupcakes with memories from their childhood. What is different today is that cupcakes have gone crazy. Traditionally they have been made for children in basic flavors. Today the cupcake has gone gourmet and is playful, hip and glamorous.  This craze is here to stay.

November 24, 2009 | Categories: #1 CUPCAKE NASHVEGAS, TN, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Celebrating 1st Year-ish

So today…ahhhhhhh…very interesting start.  Had early meeting with publisher and had a text from my friend D while getting ready.  We have been having photog dialog which got me to thinking…D and his son T were my very first official photo shoot eva!  I shot some pictures of them for his Mom’s Christmas gift and it happened to be about this time of year…I thought it was 2 years ago however, D reminded me it was last year. 

At that point I started thinking back…it has only been 1 year since I felt confident enough in my photog abilities to actually charge money for photos.  Well lordie, what a dang year it’s been…someone opened those gates and life took off along with my photography! YEAH ME!

Oh and I need to mention….D, T, L, A have had a hell of a year as well…they hired me Nov 08, Dec 08 for Christmas cards, March 09 for engagement photo’s, then again in May 09 for a wedding!  Seems my friends and I don’t waste time…ha!THANK YOU CLARKS FOR ALL THE BUSINESS..KEEP IT COMIN!

So back to today…blowing through the past year, there’s been weddings, PR pics, holidays, lots of shoots, recent shoots like baby Hayden, Sloans, Dovers the Monell’s 15th anv book deal, pics published…and they keep coming!  That being said…I decided to celebrate with a Naticake cupcake.  I haven’t been in  a week or so and was missing my cupcakes. 

I just finished my meeting with the Monell’s publisher and decided to take my files in and enjoy a little time sitting down and enjoying my cupcake.  It was funny, I found myself helping the lady in front of me decide which ones she wanted…I was really just wanting her to hurry so I could get my cupcake and then 2 sisters came in behind me.  They wanted to know what a Naticake was, well they sure asked the right person!  See they weren’t from around here, they were here from KY so I got to start at the beginning with them and share they were the best cupcakes in the world, then they had to try the Natichino…and then I started in sharing Nati story, mission, and Naticlub info.  Before they hit the counter they were both so excited they even bought matching Nati-shirts! 

We all sat together and shared stories, the Nati story hit home personally for them so we shared a nice time chatting and learning about each other.  It really reminded me how very important it is to always be open and avail to others..you never know who might need you to listen, or who might be there to listen to you.  They were both 2 of the neatest,  most creative, caring people I have met in a long while.  We all shared a hug before I sent them to Monell’s for lunch around the corner.  I’m assuming they prob rolled back to KY so full from all the food…ha anyway…I wanted to share a picture of them as well as a picture of the write-up on Naticakes that included one of my photos..what a great wrap up to a blessed 1st-ish year!

Thank you Naticakes for being a part of my celebration!

November 18, 2009 | Categories: #1 CUPCAKE NASHVEGAS, TN | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Short and Sweet…Naticakes RocKs it once again!

Naticakes_NashvilleLifestyles_Nov09

The BEST cupcake in the WORLD.  Mission – Priceless.  The End. 

 

November 16, 2009 | Categories: TN | Leave A Comment »

How In The World…JUST EAT ALREADY!

So..been working on the books..in fact so much I’ve not been as good getting my cupcakes in as I should.  Today I decided to be a GOOD CUPCAKE LADY..so I headed out in the baby benzo to my FAV cupcake location in Franklin, TN Naticakes (makes my mouth water just to type this blog). 

Of course I open the Nati-door and whooooosssshhhhhhh the smell of fresh baked cupcakes…it’s like that cartoon with the snake eyes that go all silly..that’s what the smell does to me when I open the Nati-door.  Who’s with me on this one?  Lordie, we need to bottle that smell and make Nati-home spray and Nati-candles.  I bet they would fly off the shelf!  OK, back to the story….

I usually get my Naticake to go however, I decided to plant my rear and people watch.  OH OH lordie can’t believe I didn’t mention….hello Chocolate Peanut Butter dreamiest cupcake yet.  New flavor..and it has GOO!  Huge fan of the GOO in the middle Naticakes HUGE….however, before I could dig in a huge group of younger less exp cupcake fans came in…one claimed the line of tables on the left…I knew they were here for a long while.  They were having a little Naticake love time togetha…I just love that.  THEN…4 more exp Nati-lova’s came in – these were the fully decked,  big huge bling, vuitton, dior sporting SKINNYYYY Nati-lova’s (we come in all shapes and sizes). 

As I was listening to the orders…they all ordered Nati-chinno’s and then they were all deciding which cupcake they were going to SPLIT..STOP RIGHT THERE..did you hear me?  SPLIT?  a NATICAKE?  how do you split a Naticake 4 ways?  are they nuts?  right then I decided they were nuts!  Then I decided I would rather be fat and have my OWN NATICAKE thank you…and then I felt sorry for the skinny Nati-lova’s…I can’t imagine having that kind of control!  If Nati-team would let me…I would dive head first into the cupcakes and I wouldn’t come up for air..who needs air when you have Naticakes cupcakes?  So I thought…JUST EAT ALREADY SKINNY NATI-LOVA’s! FREE YO-SELF..

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November 7, 2009 | Categories: #1 CUPCAKE NASHVEGAS, TN | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

GiGi’s Cupcakes .. round two

So today while out running around I was thinking it had been a while since I’ve tried GiGi’s Cupcakes. In all fairness I like to keep giving everyone a fair shot at the best cupcake in Nashville, TN.

As you all know, I believe there is an ass for every seat and I think cupcakes are the same…some you will like, some I will like…it’s just all opinions so please feel free to voice yours…and I am always open to trying new cupcakes so please keep me posted!

So I went in to the GiGi’s location music row and was greeted by some great people…I shared with them this was my 2nd visit to GiGi’s and I asked for coaching on picking 2 cupcakes. They were super sweet and I ended up with a Lemon Dream Supreme, and a Midnight Magic with choc buttercream icing. They packed them up and I headed home.

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This is what I found when I opened the box. It seems they are top heavy and took a spill…I had them so they wouldn’t move in the car…so I was less than excited.

As far as taste well….they were almost as bad as the Ivey Cupcakes – GiGi’s Cupcakes are runny, way too much too-sweet frosting. The cake portion was dense but gummy and the Lemon Dream Supreme had a chemical-like aftertaste. The Midnight Magic choc buttercream icing was like eating straight sugar…there seems to be a HUGE difference in what people call “buttercream icing”.

So Naticakes is still the champ for BEST CUPCAKE Nashville, TN and surrounding with the best service with a smile. This looks as slick as the Ivey Cakes - What is that?

October 29, 2009 | Categories: TN | Tags: , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

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