I love seeing people's reactions when they come into Steph's Sweet Treats for the first time.  From the outside, my little brick building may not seem like much, but I've put a lot of time and love into making it mine.  A lot of which is reflected in the decor I have around the bakery.  I wanted to take a moment to give shout outs to a few of my favorite pieces since they were made by hand from some special people and/or small businesses.  

Let's start with one my newest additions to my shop.  My "Welcome" graphic!  This graphic was designed and made by Wilson Graphics.  I was beyond happy with the way my decal turned out.   I sent them the dimensions, wording, and what I wanted for a look....rustic, fun, and chalkboard...and they came up with this beauty!  Now, I can't look at this picture without noticing the (also fairly new) front counter.

This front counter is soooo much bigger than my old counter.  It holds four cases instead of two, has shelving on the backside for more storage, and most importantly...it was made by my Uncle Flipper.  His real name is Phillip, but to me he is Uncle Flip  (or Flipper).  

My Uncle Flip means the world to me.  I will always cherish this wedding picture of us because he is picking me up.  This is something he ALWAYS does when he hugs me...so I asked my photographer, Kelsey Jean Photography, to capture it for me.  I don't know exactly why this gesture means so much to me, but it does.  He is always there to help me and has done so much for me personally and when it comes to Steph's Sweet Treats.  See that beautiful arch we are standing under??  He made that!  He also made a stand for my wedding display, which I now use for all my wedding tastings.  

He also installed all the cabinets in the bakery.  He works long construction hours, but still took the time, and made the trip to Dodgeville, to help me out. So my Uncle Flip is a part of Steph's Sweet Treats.  He has put a lot of time and energy into it and that is priceless and beyond meaningful to me.  Quick shout-out to Brett, family friend who I've known since I was born.  He also helped install cabinets and tear down walls.  Thank you, thank you!!

Next up, my signs from Un-BLOCKn-Believable Creations.  Before opening Steph's Sweet Treats I had ordered last name blocks for my parents and grandparents from Un-BLOCKn-Believable.  So when I opened, I asked for some custom hanging signs.  And boy oh boy did she deliver!  The "Steph's Sweet Treats" above the Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake, and the four signs to the right "cupcakes, cake, cookies, and more" were all made by her.  She's too does it all on her own and is out of Galena Illinois.  Check her out!

And last, but certainly not least, it is the newest decoration to be added to Steph's Sweet Treats....this adorable canvas sign! This sign was handmade by my friend Morgan. I cannot get over how cute and perfect it is for Steph's Sweet Treats.  She sent me this saying in a text one night and after seeing how much I loved it, she sneakily made it into this for me!  She surprised me with it at last Friday's open day and I immediately found a spot for it.  She makes beautiful signs (I have another amazing one in my house that she made for a wedding present-pictured below.)  So thank you Morgan for being so talented and thoughtful!  If anyone needs an awesome custom sign, let me know and I can put you in contact with her.

Don't worry Aunt Pat I didn't forget about you!  Many of the little knick-knacks around Steph's Sweet Treats were given to me by my Aunt Pat.  The cupcakes that hang on my front counter and get so much attention from children...Aunt Pat; the teddy bear holding a cupcake (on the chair my mom got me-thanks mom!)...Aunt Pat; the kitchen aid timer on the table...Aunt Pat.  Thanks for finding and giving me some great goodies!

Now when you come into Steph's Sweet Treats you will know the story behind some of the decor. The pieces that come from friends and family mean the most to me and are irreplaceable.  I hope you now see why I take so much joy in seeing others reactions to seeing the inside of Steph's Sweet Treats for the first time.  It's not just me who has made it look the way it does. It's other small businesses, friends, and family.  

Thanks for another week of orders and for helping me sell out on Friday's open day!

Last month I bumped up my Stitch Fix box so that I could get more summer items.  So even though I did a Stitch Fix review last month...I actually got two boxes!  So this review is for the second box I got in June and for the July box I just got.  If you want to try Stitch Fix click here to get started.

What you need to know about Stitch Fix:
-You fill out a detailed style profile of your likes, dislikes, sizes, how much money you prefer to spend, etc. 
- You choose how often you'd like to receive a fix.  Each time you can ask for specifics if you have something specific you want, or have an upcoming event to attend.  
-A stylist chooses and sends you five items based on your wants, style profile, fashion pinterest boards, etc.  Items can include clothing and accessories.  
-You pay a $20 styling fee for the fix, BUT if you keep something from you Stitch Fix the $20 is credited towards your total.  So the only time you "lose" $20 is if you send everything back.  Bonus: If you keep all five items you get 25% off everything!
-You get three days to try on your items and decide, then you checkout online and send back what you don't want in the prepaid shipping bag you get with your box.

I was super excited when I opened my second June box.  I loved everything in it, but not everything fit right..which was sad for me, but good for my wallet!  Here's what I got:  

1. Pixley-Livie Abstract Chevron Maxi Dress: I specifically asked for more than one maxi dress (and my stylist listened!).  I even had this one pinned on my pinterest page..extra points for my stylist! I really loved the colors of this dress, but it was just big enough on me to not look right.  The scrunchy part in the middle hit me a little too low and my husband's comment was "why do you wear things that are so big on you?"  So I take it the intentional baggy look looked more like drowning on me...so sadly I returned it.

2. Skies are Blue-Cress Lace Inset Top:   Oh man oh man I loved this top.  I asked for items with lace on them and again my stylist listened.  I had three pieces to choose from! This shirt is meant to give a little more shape with the lace inset portions on the side.  But it didn't give shape to me.  It ended up being boxy on me and too long.  So back to what my husband said...just looked too big on me.  I sent back this top but LOVED the idea of it.

3. Papermoon- Clarkson Lace Detail Knit Top: Another lace detail top, which I loved.  I was so so close to keeping this top, especially since I need more tank tops.  So close that I'm having a bit of returners remorse.  It was loose enough for me, but not too loose or boxy.  The only reason I didn't keep it was because of the color.  I like the color, but my skin tone says differently.  By time I get even close to getting a tan, summer will be over.  

4. Gilli- Sina V-Neck Printed Maxi Dress:  This is the second maxi dress of my box and it's from one of my favorite brands Stitch Fix offers.  I got a similar maxi a few fixes ago, but this one has sleeves and different colors, so it was a keeper!  So soft, so comfy, stretchy, and just great!

5. 41Hawthorn- McQue Solid Lace Sleeve Blouse:  I really liked the lace sleeves on this top and I liked the simplicity, but it was just a little to simple.  I asked by husband's opinion and he just shrugged his shoulders and said "meh."  Back it went.

From the outside it may look like this fix was a bust since I only kept one item, but I thought it was a great fix.  Why??  Because my stylists listens to what I want and sends me things I pin!

I just got the above box today and surprisingly loved it!  I say surprisingly because I wanted bright summer colors, which these are clearly not.  They are however things I asked for...maxis, wedding attire, lace, and tank tops.

1. Loveappella-Carlita Multi Chevron Print Maxi Dress-  I have been itching for this dress in purple, but when it came in blue I was still really excited to get it...because I have a maxi dress addiction!  Unfortunately, the print just didn't look good on me.  You'd think after getting 3 different chevron dresses I would learn maybe it's just not a good look for me?!  I will not be keeping the dress.

2. Gilli- Jessie Maxi Dress- I wasn't expecting to like this dress because it's just a black maxi...or so I thought.  It has detail right by the bust (tried to throw in a close up of it but it's still hard to see), it's subtle but adds a lot to it.  I don't own a lot of black so having a black maxi in my closet feels like a staple I should have.  That's how I'm justifying anyways!

3. 4Sienna- Kensington Eyelet Detail Top-  I've been trying to dress more like an adult..getting rid of clothes I've had since high school...so my closet is getting kind of sparse.  I need some tank tops and love the details of this top.  I can dress it up and down!  Keep!

4. Fun2Fun- Mirabel Lace Insert Blouse-  I finally found a lace tank top that fits right!  I'm a little sad that it's not colorful.  But like I said earlier, I don't have much of anything that's black, so I suppose it's about time!  And, like other tank in this box, it can be dressed up or down. Keep!

5. Hailey 23- Kerrigan Dress-  I was so excited about this dress I forgot to take a picture of it!  Oh well, now you can see what a style card looks like.  The stylists give you style cards of the item with suggestions of how to wear it.  I have a few weddings to go to this summer and this dress is the perfect mix of casual and dressy.  Keep!

If you want to try Stitch Fix click here.  And I hope to see you all at my open day Friday! Thanks for another week of orders!

I've noticed that the blog post readers seem to enjoy the posts that have to do with my personal life or fun bakery information.  So.... in the spirit of what's been popular.  Here's a combination of both!

I've talked about the grease trap before, so I won't go into a whole bunch of details.  But in case you haven't read/don't know.  Bakeries and restaurants have to have a grease trap to intercept grease and fats from entering the city water supply.  Lucky me...and my husband...get to clean it EVERY month!  It's definitely not as smelly as a restaurant or bars is (thank goodness!), but it's still not very pleasant.  So here's my husband and I preparing to clean the trap.

Sometimes I get oh so lucky to have my husband swing by and do my dishes.  This mostly happens on open days since baking, helping customers, and doing dishes all at once can be a challenge.  I couldn't resist taking this picture when I peeked in the kitchen one day! He's tall...so hunching over the sinks hurts his back...so he stands like this.  I on the other hand, am so short that I'm practically in the sink trying to do the dishes.

Ok.  It's a little hard to see in this picture...but I promise they are there.  My husband stole my stool and sat (well slouched) in it during my last open day.  When he got up, I noticed wrinkles on the top from him slouching in it!  My pretty little stool now has wrinkles.  They have since faded a little bit...but I can still see them because I know they are there!

 


I stand for a very long time when I bake.  I tried sneakers, but found my memory foam Nike flip-flops to work better.  But wearing them in the winter wasn't so great.  When they got a little worn I went in search of something that would help my foot, ankle and back pain from standing.  I do stand on mats, but after 12+ hours...nothing seems to help.  After searching and searching, the same thing kept coming up....crocs.  So I bought a new pair of the same Nike flip flops AND a pair of crocs.  And I must say....they are super comfy!  

Sad, sad, day when you lose an egg.  That's about it for this picture hehe...dropped an egg on accident...

In addition to these behind the scenes pictures, I wanted to talk a little about my very first parade as Steph's Sweet Treats.  I participated in the Farmers Appreciation Day parade this past Sunday with my husband, parents, niece, and mother-in-law.  We handed out pens and can koozies....and I am so glad I didn't hand out anything edible.  It was hard enough keeping up and making people happy with pens and koozies!  I can't imagine what it would have been like if I would have handed out samples.  Even though we had a lot to hand out, we still ran out by the end.

I must say I was a little disappointed in some of the parade viewers. Don't get me wrong, seeing a bunch of customers, meeting new ones, and hearing positive feedback was great; and the good did outweigh the bad.  However,in addition to noticing some viewers get upset about not getting something edible, my dad overheard some people (adults mind you) that called my mom rude for not giving them koozies.  Apparently, they had been standing in a row behind a few other people waving their hands and reaching for a koozie and didn't receive one.  This really upset me.  First off, these are items I purchased to give away to people...they were not free to me, they were free to parade goers...so I feel complaining is not nice.  Secondly, my mom did not see them.  Thirdly, even if she would have seen them, we could not possibly hand something to every single person.  If you've been in a parade, or even just watched parades, you know what it is like.  You hand something to one person, and ten others run over or start reaching for one as well.  So I'm sorry if you did not receive a pen or koozie.  You were not purposely excluded.  We did our best to spread out the items, but it is so difficult, especially when so many people are trying to get something at once. Thanks so so much for all the kind and supportive customers who came and enjoyed the parade and gratefully accepted free items or did not care that they didn't get anything.

Thanks for another week of orders and I hope to see you all at next week's open day!

This week's post is a mix of my life AND the bakery.  If you follow the blog, you know I took a mini vacation to Door County back in April.  When I get away it's usually during the week (since most orders are for the end of the week/weekend). Which is fine and dandy....except that means my husband has to miss work....which he absolutely hates!  So...going away on the weekend has become very challenging.  

Last year, for 4th of July weekend I was baking for a wedding.  This year, I didn't have a wedding and didn't have a lot of order inquiries for the weekend so I tentatively decided to not take orders.  My parents have a house in the Northwoods that I have yet to visit.  I went to their old house many times, but have not had the opportunity or time to get to this one.  And getting away on a weekend with the bakery is few and far between...so I decided to take the holiday weekend to do so! Of course, the week leading up to the holiday I got inquiries for orders.  Everyone was surprisingly understanding about not being able to order, or gladly chose to take their orders early.  I hate hate hate saying no, but I know that it is sometimes necessary.

I swear they weren't really as upset as this picture looks.  This was on the way home so Hanley (dog) was worn out and Smudge (cat) was probably mad because he hates coming home.  He'd rather stay on vacation :)

The Northwoods is probably my favorite place to go.  No matter how much you love what you do, getting away can be one of the best feelings.  I could be doing nothing but drinking coffee and  reading a book..but if I'm in the Northwoods it feels amazing. When we go up north my cat and dog travel with us...oddly enough my cat is great traveler.  He loves water too..he's a strange one! 

So I took the weekend off to enjoy the Northwoods with my husband, parents, and pets.  We went on several boat rides around the chain of lakes, relaxed, and played pool a lot...which I am not so great at but it's fun to try!  I also fished a tiny bit, but didn't catch anything which I was slightly relieved by.  I use to fish a lot when I was a child, but now I have this weird thing where I feel bad for putting a hole in a fishes lip and then throwing it back in the water.  I also feel bad about stabbing a worm...especially since they don't have eyes and can't see it coming...so I used an artificial lure.  Strange...I know!  I should probably just be a vegetarian....

June Wedding Recap
I post pictures of all the Steph's Sweet Treats weddings on my facebook page, but since not everyone sees them, I thought it would be fun to post the pictures and information of them on here once in a while!

June 6th wedding: Dodger Bowl in Dodgeville.  350 cupcakes: vanilla, chocolate, vanilla raspberry, vanilla strawberry, red velvet, chocolate peanut butter, and funfetti.  This wedding also had cupcakes on the centerpieces of the reserved tables.  This rustic yet whimsical display was provided by the couple.  

June 13th:  300 cupcakes set up at the Belmont Convention Center: vanilla, chocolate, and chocolate chip cookie dough.  Love, love, love these rustic cupcake stands!  They were provided by the couple, but I would LOVE to have them for myself for others to rent.  

June 20th: This was a double wedding delivery day.  The first went to the White House in RIchland Center: 200 cupcakes: vanilla raspberry, chocolate, ultimate marble and chocolate chip cookie dough.  The displays were again provided by the couple.

Second wedding of the night: Wisconsin Riverside 310 cupcakes: chocolate chip cheesecake, smore, lemon raspberry, and strawberry cheesecake.  This couple rented their table display from Enhancements Flowers & Decor in Dodgeville.  I don't know if everything was rented from them, you'd have to check with the company, but I know a lot of it was.  Loved that this table had it's own little section of the reception hall.  It was in a little nook with a light and everything.

Thank you for another week of orders!  See you at the Farmers Appreciation parade!!