Believe it or not, the holidays are already here!  If you haven't started Christmas shopping yet, don't panic....in fact, read on and you'll get some great ideas!  There's always those people in life you have no idea what to get.  What do you give those people???  Steph's Sweet Treats goodies of course!

Let's start with Steph's Sweet Treats food gifts!  

-Caramel corn!  This is an item that I just added to the menu.  It's actually the caramel corn I grew up on.  My mom would make it at Christmas and I would eat it until my stomach hurt...ok...so I still do that.  Give a tin of caramel corn for a gift, or just get one for yourself!  Due to the way I make caramel corn, all orders will need to be picked up the week of Christmas, instead of a tin here and there.  Don't get me wrong...I would love to eat all the extra if I only put together one tin here and there throughout December...but in an effort to not eat 10 pounds of caramel corn on my own, I'm planning on doing them the same week.

-Gift baskets-  Want to really spoil someone with Steph's Sweet Treats goodies?  Get them a treat filled gift basket.  Baskets can be filled with cupcakes, cookies, caramel corn, quick-breads, etc.  You can order a gift basket one of two ways.  You can give me a price point and I can give you a few different "filling options" to meet that price, or you can tell me what you want in the basket and I can tell you how much it would be.

-Cupcakes-  Don't forget about the cupcakes!  Cupcakes are always a great gift.  Better yet...do you have a holiday work party or clients that you usually get goodies for?  Why not order from Steph's Sweet Treats this year?!

Cookie Decorating Kit
I came up with this after a customer wanted to only decorate cookies, not bake them.  So I can't take full credit for this fun idea, even though I'd like to! Anyways...last year it was a real hit!

Cookie decorating kits!  These can be a gift or just really fun to do with kids, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends, etc.  You get 2 dozen cookies, 3 colors of frosting, and 3 kinds of sprinkles for $22.  So you can have all the fun of decorating without the baking!  I'll gladly do that part for you.

Speaking of the fun without the baking.  If you have a cookie exchange to attend but don't the time, energy, or desire to make 10 dozen cookies...call me!

Steph's Sweet Treats Calendar-  I created a Steph's Sweet Treats calendar that has pictures of various orders and events throughout the year.  I also created stickers that go with the calendar.  With the purchase of a calendar you get 12 "open day" stickers (so you never miss one!), 6 "place order" stickers and 6 "pick up order" stickers so you can remind yourself of your orders.  I was originally selling these for $20, but I was able to get a really good deal on them by using coupon codes and early black Friday codes, so they will only be $12!  So if you order now you can get one for $12...if I have to reorder more, they will go up in cost a bit since I don't have the really good deal anymore.  So what I'm saying is...get one now so you get the deal before they are gone! I am not selling these for a profit, just selling them for what I paid for them.

Steph's Sweet Treats apparel- I have a variety of Steph's Sweet Treats shirts available at my shop for $9.  Just like with the calendars, I do not sell the shirts for a profit, I sell them for what I paid for them.  I even cover sales tax on my own instead of adding it to the price of the shirts.  You are advertising and showing your love of Steph's Sweet Treats after all!  If you want a specific color, size, or want something other than the T's I have in the shop please let me know and I can place an order before Christmas.  I have the styles to the right in my shop.  If I were to order, it would just be the Steph's Sweet Treats tag line (like the purple shirt to the right).  

Some other styles I have an would recommend would be:
-Long sleeve hooded T- $17
-Sweatshirt- $29-35 depending on the style
-Bag- I have pink and purple and they are $8

Don't forget about gift certificates!  I hope you have a few gift ideas for the season and I hope Steph's Sweet Treats can be a part of your holidays!  Whether it's through a gift, work party, or your own holiday feast.  

Thanks for another week of orders, have a great Thanksgiving, and don't forget to swing by the December 4th open day!  Psst....make sure you check the Steph's Sweet Treats facebook page on Small Business Saturday.....BIG giveaway coming your way!  SOOOO excited about it!

I really liked giving some background and "behind the scenes" info on orders the first time around....so I decided to make it a monthly thing.  As long as there aren't more pertinent things that need to be blogged about, I will do some behind the order stories.  Sooo let's get started with a few recent orders!  

I'll start with this deer cupcake cake.  This cupcake cake was for a very good customer of mine.  She has ordered countless times, comes to open days, and it's always fun to think up something to fit what she needs!  This time around she told me her son wanted a deer on something or camo;he loves hunting.  She gave me numbers and flavors and left the rest up to me.  I really wanted to do a deer cupcake cake, so I looked at some photos, laid out the cupcakes to the rough shape of what I wanted....then the real work began!  I had to "bring the deer to life" if you will.  I was very pleased with the end result, and I hope Jordan enjoyed it as well!  Below are some of the other cupcake cakes I have done for this customer

This cake for a very kind and supportive customer.  They have supported me with kind words, have praised my not breaking copyright laws, and they have even gone as far as to bring me ingredient pricing from a bulk store they shop at as well as a super cute apron!  

As you can see, the person is very giving.  They contacted me because they wanted a special cake for a special 75th birthday.  The birthday girl is part of the customer's knitting club.  Not only does the she knit...she's spins her own yarn from her sheep!  

So I incorporated all of that into this triple salted caramel cake.  See the cute little sheep on the sides of the cake?!

This next order also happens to be for a repeat customer who lets me get creative!  This time her son wanted a Blaze and the Monster Machine cake. Before I get into the order, let me just say I am totally out of the loop on cartoons!  Unless your talking the time of Rugrats,  Rocko's Modern Life, Bobby's World, and Hey Arnold!....I probably don't know the show.  There's a few exceptions because I do have a niece and nephew...but for the most part... I'm stuck in the 90's when it comes to cartoons!

Anyways....Blaze and the Monster Machine....  So as many of you know, I'm one of the few bakers who sticks to not breaking the law on copyright/licensing.  That means cartoons, sports teams, superheros, logos, etc...are off limits.  For the details on the laws and what I can do read this old blog post of mine.

This customer happily obliged to the laws and got toys to add to the cake.  I made the cake with a race track, ramp, checkered flag base, and tire tread on the sides of the cake, and she provided the legally purchased (not replicated) toys to add to it.  Pretty awesome for legally done cake right?!  Below are a few more fun cakes I have made for this customer.

This last order was special in so many ways.  This wedding was for my brother-in-laws brother's wedding.  That's a mouth full I know...  I've been around my brother-in-laws family long enough now that some of them seem like family in a way since I see them several times a year at birthday parties and other functions.  So, baking for his wedding was an honor.  It was also special because the wedding was all the way in St. Louis...what?!?!  Yes...St. Louis.  I didn't deliver the wedding... it went down in several family members vehicles....which was totally nerve wracking!!  Thankfully, everything made it safe and sound.

The cake design was also special because it represented each city the couple has lived in (the cupcakes represented their favorite football teams).  It became even more special when I got to see customers (who I didn't know were even going to be at the wedding) eating and enjoying my cupcakes from states away.  Below are pictures of the cake at my shop, everything packed up and ready for the trip, and the cake at the reception in St.Louis.

Thanks for another week of orders!  If you need anything last minute for Thanksgiving I may be able to fit you in...just call, email, or message me on Facebook!  

It's stitch fix time! If you're not into clothes/fashion don't run from this blog just yet!  Stitch Fix is made for people who don't like going to the store or never know what to put on.  Plus, there is a bit at the end about the Steph's Sweet Treats 2016 calendar you'll want to check out!

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 if 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.

Before I review the items I received in my box, I want to say I was not compensated in any way for this review, I just like sharing it.  Also, if you want to give it a shot, click here to get started!

I was pretty excited about my box before even looking at my styling cards or contents (the stylists also puts together outfits for you so you have options on how to style each piece).  I opened it and could see just from the side view that it was items that I had asked for.  My stylist is GREAT at giving me what I ask for.  I asked for flare jeans, a scarf (but not a blanket one-new trend that's definitely not for me), and cozy winter items that are not bulky.  My stylist pulled straight from that, things I pinned on Pinterest, and from things I had mentioned previously.  So here's what I got:

So clearly I still wasn't brave enough to pose for the pictures when my face (yet again).  So headless photos of me scrunched into a corner taking my own photo will have to do!

From left to right:
Level 99 Blossom Flare Jean-  I've said it before, but I'll say it again.  EVERY pair of jeans I have received from Stitch Fix have been magical.  They fit so perfectly, and these were no different.  The only concern I had was that my shorty legs can't pull off a flare.  But they were so comfortable I just couldn't pass them up.  Plus, I tried them on again with heels in my full Stitch Fix outfit (pictured below) and loved how they looked.  Keep!

Look by M Cliff Checkered Woven Infinity Scarf- I LOVE scarves, especially infinity scarves.   I have plenty of them, but don't have one this color/colors so of course I HAD to keep it.  I was so happy to see my stylist listened to the part of my note where I said I didn't want a large scarf.  This one is the perfect size for me. Keep!

Pixley Tyenna Plaid Puffer Vest- I also love plaid, which I mentioned to my stylist previously.  She also paid attention to my pinterest board on this one.  I had mentioned vests in my "wants" and on my board I pinned a vest I actually bought from another stitch fixer so she would see it and not send it to me.  She saw that it was a neutral vest, so opted to send me this plaid one.  It's reversible, but I think I would always wear it plaid side out.  It's not like a regular puffer vest that has literal "puff" to it. (That "puff" in front is my hand in my pocket).  I liked that it wasn't actually puffy because I have a puffy vest that always makes me feel like a marshmallow....so I end up changing a few hours later. Bonus: my husband also likes plaid. This vest was a definitely a keeper!

Alice Blue Daphne Open Cardigan- I loved the colors of this cardigan and the fact that it actually fit me.  Wasn't too long or bulky, and wasn't something I have anything similar to.  The downside, I couldn't figure out if the sleeves were meant to be scrunched up or left down, and it looked lopsided on me.  I put it back on later and it looks like I just had it on a little funky the first time because it was no longer lopsided.  I kept this cardigan because of the discount but I'm not sure what I will do with it yet.  I will probably keep and wear it, pass it along to a friend or family, or another stitch fixer.

Loveappella Caracas Stitch Detail Knit Top- Okay....this top looks so simple...but the knit detail and the softness of it made it more than a plain long sleeve shirt.  Normally, I would not have kept the top....but if you keep all five items in your box, you get 25% off.  Which essentially gives you one or more items (depending on price) free.  So why not keep it??

Soooo after it was all said and done...I kept the whole box!  I especially love when items in a box pair well together.  For the picture on the left I put on the jeans, the long sleeve, and the vest.  I don't have my next fix set up to arrive until January, since there's a lot of Christmas shopping to do, and because I'm trying to force myself to go back to my original every other month set up...but it's so hard!  Want to give it a try?  Click here. 

Now onto the second part of this blog....2016!  Yikes...the year is almost over!  Why am I forcing you to think past Christmas already?  Because I made a Steph's Sweet Treats calendar!  Each month contains pictures of Steph's Sweet Treats cupcakes, cakes, weddings, event, etc.  Not only do you get to look at Steph's Sweet Treats goodies all year, you get stickers for important days!  You will get stickers that say "Open Day" so you never forget to stop at a monthly open day, and "Place Order" and "Pick-up Order" for the other times of the year you need goodies. 

These make a great gift for a Steph's Sweet Treats lover, or a gift for yourself.  If you'd like to order one, contact me via email or Facebook and I will put you down.  The calendar and sticker sets will be $20.  The above pictures kind of have a glare on them...they look so much better in person!

As usual, thanks for another week of orders and thank you for making the open day last week a huge success!

This October had five weekends.....which meant more chances for weddings!  I had weddings four out of the five weekends, with a total of six weddings.  But how does that add up?  A triple wedding weekend of course!  Here's a look at the Steph's Sweet Treats October weddings.

October 3rd was the first weekend of October and it was a triple wedding weekend.  It was also the first time my husband and I have been able to deliver all three!  Usually with multi-wedding weekends, we deliver one (two max) and the other party, or parties are responsible for picking up and setting up their own.  This weekend just happened to work out location and timing wise for us to do all three.  Two were located in Dodgeville, so we split and each did one, then we came together and went to Dubuque for the third.  The third wedding had a cocktail hour in a separate room from where we had to set up so it worked out perfectly!

The wedding above was 250 cupcakes at Barn 23 in Dodgeville: apple pie, lemon poppy seed, chocolate covered strawberry, and almond joy .  I set this one up and was so honored to do so.  The bride of this wedding use to make my Steph's Sweet Treats shirts, so  I know her personally.  I used a combination of my wooden crates, gold stands, and wooden ladder to go with her theme.  The bride is also best friends with the amazing Kelsey Jean Photography, so the above photos came from her!

The left and middle picture are from the wedding my husband set up at Dodger Bowl in Dodgeville.  It was 200 cupcakes: vanilla raspberry, dark chocolate ganache, chocolate, and funfetti.  My husband is great at doing wedding setups with me, but he was very nervous about doing it all on his own, especially since we were on a serious time schedule.  He set up a anniversary party on his own for me once, but this was his first solo wedding delivery.  As usual, he did amazing!  He has a few other weddings to do on his own next year, so this smaller one was good practice!  The couple provided the setup and I think the simplicity looked great.

The third wedding from October 3rd is on the far right.  This is the one my husband and I delivered together after doing our individual set-ups.  It was as the Grand River Center in Dubuque- 250 cupcakes vanilla, chocolate, lemon raspberry, peanut butter patty, and funfetti.  It was my first delivery to Dubuque and the place was beautiful!  

The next wedding fell on October 17th.  It was 300 cupcakes at Deer Valley Lodge-funfetti and red velvet.  Their decor was all red and white, so the fact that the bride and groom each picked a flavor that coordinated with their colors, made the cupcake table fit in even more perfectly!  I used my crates, gold stands, and stairs for this set up.  These stands have been the most popular this wedding season!  These photos came from the amazingKelsey Jo Photography (with whom I went to school with/was in cheerleading with) I'm being to see a theme here....if you have the name Kelsey does that just make you an awesome photographer??  Kelsey Jean and Kelsey Jo knock it out of the park every time! Psst....stay tuned for a collaboration I'm doing with Kelsey Jo Photography in December.  It's going to be a fun one!

Next up:  October 24th-200 cupcakes at the Quality Inn in Mineral Point- vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, chocolate chip cookie dough, and reverse red velvet.  Everything about this wedding's decor was adorable!  I used my wooden crates and stairs again for this wedding.  I love using the same displays in different ways...so when I found out I would have a round table to set up on, I had to get a little creative....and I loved the end result!  We were left with different decorations to add to the table, which is always fun and adds to the display.  Did I mention how AMAZING the cupcake menu was???  The brides friend made the chalkboard window menu on the right.  It was dreamy!

The last wedding of the month was a super fun Halloween wedding.  Not only was it fun because it was Halloween, but it was for a classmate of mine.  It is always a HUGE honor to be asked to bake for a classmate, friend, family, or just someone I personally know.  I NEVER expect people to ask me just because they know me, so it is always such a pleasure when they do! 

This wedding was 400 cupcakes at the Dousman House in Prairie du Chien- vanilla, chocolate chocolate, lemon poppyseed, dark chocolate raspberry, pumpkin, maple peanut butter; 132 cutout cookies, gluten-free lemon poppyseed cupcakes and gluten-free cutout cookies and a 2 tiered cake.  The venue had a glass window/door table set up with a variety of trays.  I just chose the trays I wanted and placed them where I wanted them and added the cupcakes!  The couple also provided some really cool laser cut cupcake wrappers that added another dimension to the table.

Well that concludes October weddings!  If you haven't booked your wedding with Steph's Sweet Treats please feel free to contact me for a wedding tasting!

Thanks for another week of orders and I hope to see you at the open day Friday!