Is ‘I Dream of Cake’ a bakery or a glamorous boutique?

On my way home from work, I noticed the most amazing cake boutique/bakery located in my San Francisco neighborhood. It wasn't until I started writing for the Examiner, that I contacted the store to ask to interview the owner.

Her cake creations are glamourous, artistic, out of the box works of art that I wanted to share with you.

Trust me I had the best time taste tasting!

~

Off the beaten path and nestled away from the North Beach tourists is I Dream of Cake, located on Grant Street. Since 2005, creator and owner Shinmin Li, welcomes artists as employees to work with her. She believes, “You can turn someone into a baker, but can never teach someone to be an artist. This shop is a marriage of my two passions, food and art.”

(photo taken by Sinmin Li and yes this is a Gucci purse cake)

From the moment customers enter her store, there is a magical feeling. Instead of entering a bakery there’s a boutique and exclusive feel. “I Dream of Cake was designed like a gallery, so customers could feel like their commissioning a piece of artwork.” Shinmin stated. “We also have an appointment only policy, so a cake tasting consultation can be ready for when customers arrive.” ...

To read the rest of this Examiner post please go here to read more about I Dream of Cake creations and to see the cake slideshow. If only we could all go for a cake tasting right now. What design would you recreate into a cake?

Five Question Link Back Contest

I love getting to know my blogging friends better. So I am reaching out to you with five questions that I hope you will answer on your blog. Post these five questions and your answers on your blog, link back to Under the Sheets-shhh and comment back to me when you’re done. I promise to link to your post.

The Five Questions Are:

1) The best advice I’ve ever received?
2) How do you share good news?
3) My most valuable lesson?
4) My perfect evening?
5) The key to confidence?

Here are the answers to my own questions:

1) The best advice I’ve received was to try and live in the moment. I’ve always found this so hard to live by. I seem to get a ahead of myself and then have to remind myself to stay in the moment and appreciate the here and now.

2) If you haven’t guessed already, I’m a talker. Oh sure you're shocked! Since my family and friends are spread out around the world then my cell phone helps me spread good news and fast.

3) My most valuable lesson was from my best friend. I just received bad news and I called her to ask her why has this happened? Her advice to me was to go down to the beach and stop the waves from moving. I thought about this and said to her, "I can’t do that."

She replied, “Exactly, something else is in control of all of this, not you.”

4) My perfect evening would be a long walk with my Honey or friend (without a jacket on and in San Francisco those nights are few and far between), get a mocha, pet a dog walking by while discussing the meaning of life (or what I’ll wear the next day).

5) My key to confidence is to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself then no one else will.

Now it’s your turn to enter the five questions link back contest and I am looking forward to reading your answers. Do you agree with my answer to #5?

Oh Henry! easy sweet tooth recipe

Looking for an easy sweet tooth recipe to make this weekend? The kind of dessert that tastes amazing and looks like you were slaving away in the kitchen all day? This Oh Henry recipe is a twist on the chocolate bar because you add chow mein noodles. That's right, I said chow mein noodles, but trust me these easy treats are delicious. My Nana and Auntie use to make them for us and it would satisfy my sweet tooth.

What you'll need:

1 bag of chocolate chips

1 bag of butterscotch chips

1 can or bag of hard chow mein noodles

(the kind you would find in a Chinese chicken salad)

Handful of nuts, raisins or glazed fruits

A glass bowl

Wax paper

Directions:

Take the packet of chocolate chips and the packet of butterscotch chips- melt them together until creamy in a glass bowl which is standing in a pot of hot water. (* Keeping your glass bowl with the melted chocolate at one heated temperature will prevent the chocolate from hardening). Next add the container of hard chow mein noodles to your melted chocolate. Stir gently until the noodles are covered. If you wish you can now add raisins and nuts. For another twist try adding some glazed fruit to make some Oh Henry exotic treats. Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper, and drop spoonful clusters onto the wax paper. Next put them into the fridge for an hour! How difficult was that?

Any leftovers (and there are usually none) should be kept in a baggie in the fridge.

Once these Oh Henry snacks are done, splash some flour on your face and serve them with a sigh. Have you ever tried this recipe before? Did you like my favorite Rice Krispies treat commercial =) Click here for more Under the Sheets-Shhh recipes.

Wishful Wednesday: summer love

On this Wishful Wednesday, I'm feeling the warmth of summer love. Whether your in love with someone wonderful, the beginning stages of getting to know someone or enjoying the search, I hope you feel the summer love too!



Although, I'd also like to read the 'How to live with a woman and love it' book. I think I just came up with the topic for our first book. Do I have any takers?

You know your in love when you can sit with someone and not have to say a word...

Why do sunflowers always make me smile?

I love this picture. In relationships, we can come to a crossroad and it can take some soul searching to find the way.



I know couples can dress alike, but matching his and hers zippers?

These summer shots are so light and fun...

I hope you enjoyed these summer love pictures. Which picture is your favorite? Mine is the couple on the car. Happy Wednesday!

Girls and guys can’t be friends!

I was in the sixth grade, when my best guy friend asked me to be his girlfriend. I’m embarrassed to tell you this shocked me. I went home and asked for advice from my father and brother. They told me, “Girls and guys can’t be friends.” Although they were right, I still asked them to remind me of this throughout the years.

For example, there was the one time my childhood guy friend came to visit me in Newport Beach from Toronto. Growing up ‘Mark’ and I lived one street away and rode our bikes together. My brother and father, yet again, reminded me that girls and guys can’t be ‘just’ friends. I still didn’t believe them.

My friend arrived the next day with gifts for all of us. He brought flowers for my mother, a business card holder for my father and a diamond bracelet for me. Ah yes the 'friend curse’ had struck me again.

Do you think I learned my lesson from 'Mark'? Oh no, not yet!

Here’s another example. When I was eighteen, I made ‘pen pal friends’ with a boy from Kansas City, MO. We wrote ‘friendly’ letters to one another. Before he graduated high school, he invited me to visit him and go to his sister’s wedding. I flew to Kansas City to find, I was actually apart of the wedding and sitting at the head table as his date. Quickly I found a pay phone and called my brother to ask for his advice. He only laughed on the other end of the phone and said, “What have I been telling you for years!”

And sadly I must admit that I did this ‘just friends thing’ to my Honey as well. For a year and a half we were the best of ‘friends’. My father had to remind me about this curse and open my eyes. Why did I believe with all my heart that my guy friendships were the same as my girlfriends? Tell me do you think my father and brother were right? Looking forward to your reading your comments.

*(On a side note, I'm excited to receive a great piece of luggage to review soon for my blogging friends. Actually, CSN provides online shoppers with over 200 sites where you can find anything from a mattress to a new sink for your bathroom! Check them out sweeties!)

Mad Men reviews: Call me Don Draper!

How would I get ready for a date with THE Don Draper? I would set my hair, press my pencil skirt and get my cigarette case ready for a night out on the town. And you may be wondering why does Don Draper make me feel weak in the knees? Well because he’s masculine, always dressed to the nines and a bad boy that seems to have a heart of gold.

“Mad Men” is the kind of T.V. show I was waiting for. It’s the kind of show that once you’re invested into the characters lives, then you’re hooked for the entire season. Believe me when I tell you, the ‘boys club’ feel at their Madison Avenue ad agency is something that still exists in today’s world.

“Mad Men” captures the early 1960’s era with office sets in muted colors, drinks offered at 10 in the morning and pregnant women smoking throughout their pregnancy. The actors have a charm and sophistication well beyond their years. And yet everyone seems so sad and holding back how they truly feel.

It took me several episodes before I was hooked on this show. “Mad Men” episodes have those 'I’ve dropped my mouth and can’t seem to find it anywhere' moments. (I also could have felt connected because I worked for a 600 people advertising agency).

The “Mad Men” wardrobe and set designers should be proud of themselves. These period scenes can simply be created because of their clothes, before a character even says one word. In the new episode last night, the bar scene was staged and dressed so perfectly that I wished I could set my hair like those women, put on a pointy bra and wear my cats eye reading glasses.

(Photo taken of a New York subway)

Recently I read that this season of “Mad Men” will be about shaking up the lives of the characters. Marriages change, companies are bought, promotions are given and then taken away and more affairs will be had. I’m so excited to see what the characters will do next. So, tell me are you hooked on watching Mad Men? Not yet? Can I help change your mind if I tell you I have an in with Mr. Draper…

Room inspiration: lifestyle color

I love the feeling that I have when I'm in a colorful room, especially when one wall is painted a solid color. (For four years, I lived with a mint green wall in my apartment's family room.) Living in San Francisco you have to be creative with our smaller living space. Which is why I think color can cheer up any room. And then there's something to be said for a clean, white laundry room that has built in cubbies for organization. Is this where I confess to you that if I could, I would live at The Container Store? Yes I really am that girl!

Wishful Wednesday: travel around the world

On this Wishful Wednesday, I wanted to share with you pictures of beautiful places I've been to and places I hope to one day see.

One of the places I'd love to travel to is Tuscany, Italy. My dream is to bike ride through the Tuscan countryside, next to the sunflowers and finish the day at a winery for some tastings. A girl can dream can't she?

When we were in Brazil last year, Sugarloaf mountain was simply breathtaking. Honey timed it so we were there to watch the sunset. That was a truly magical day and trip.
I've always wanted to swim in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia since I learned about it in school. Hopefully I can get there soon before we lose the coral completely.
Ahhh picture perfect Santorini Greece, I hear you calling to me and I hope to see you soon.
I took this picture on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. What struck me was the red sand walkways. I wasn't fast enough to catch the chickens in the picture that kept crossing the road.
If you haven't been to Toronto yet, try to make a trip to see this friendly and clean city. Take it from me, visit my childhood home in either the Spring or Fall.
Bonjour the streets of Paris, oh how I've missed you. I 'll try to be back soon, but this time I'll bring some of my blogging friends. (Check out my guest post for Ms. Fifi Flowers about my love for Paris.)

In high school, I loved living near Laguna Beach as its tucked away from the rest of Orange County. I wish I could be on the beach right now, don't you?
I took this picture of the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on a cold and foggy day. The sun peered through the clouds long enough for me to take this photo.
We took this picture last year in Brazil at the Brazil vs. Bolivia game. The energy and pride of the crowd was infectious! Notice how the score was OxO and it stayed that way until Brazil scoooorrrreed. Thank you for traveling with me around the world. Don't forget to tell me, where you would like to travel on this Wishful Wednesday?

What's new in my makeup bag today?

Yes to tomatoes moisturizer has saved my face during the hot summer months. I also love the $15.99 price tag.




Kitten Stila eyeshadow works on most skin types. Especially if you like the shimmery look.

To get the best results, try using a couple of drops of Vive pro after you've dried your hair. I find if I use too much, my hair gets weighed down.

shu uemura has to be the best eyelash curler I've ever tried. What's the trick to perfectly curled eyelashes? Well, first lightly heat up your curler with a hairdryer, then curl your lashes and add your mascara last. Click here for my favorite mascara...

Revlon beyond natural in nude (04) has an SPF of 15 and lasts for hours. *Hint: To make your lipstick last longer, try adding some powder to your lips beforehand.

Hanae Mori is one of my favorite perfumes. You're bound to get a rave review for its light vanilla scent.

Laura Mercier kir royal sateen eye colour is lovely when paired with the kitten Stila eyeshadow.

For the sun-kissed look, try shimmer waves (compact on the left) from The Body Shop. I love this on my cheeks, but it can also be used as an eyeshadow.

MAC is a great bronzer to use. I use the bronzer sparingly and my MAC shade is refined golden. Comment below and tell me what product do you use to look sun-kissed? Under the Sheets-Shhhh...what's new in your makeup bag?

Should we help this U.K. video go viral?

The question is: Why do U.K. videos always seem to go viral? This ad (which is actually for Cadbury chocolate) appeals to a range of ages with its creativity and quirky sense of humor. Yet you never know what the ad is selling while your feet stop tapping. Creatively speaking, U.K. ads think outside of the box. Which is why I love watching U.K. commercials and T.V programs all the time. Could we infuse some of our own commercials with a little more sarcasm? What do you think, should we help this U.K. video go viral? Click and send ...

Wonderful weekend words to live by

How do you know if you’re in the right place in life? I trust and trust and trust. I believe that my path is planned out. All I have to do is choose which path to go down. And yet life twists and turns. I gain new people and lose others close to me. I am presented with the same 'type' of person until I learn how to deal with them. Loss runs through my veins since I was first touched by it very young. With each loss I feel the same inside . Shocked, empty and questioning why. Instead of letting the loss break me, I learn from the pain and find the joy in those lost. Almost like clockwork, I take my step back and reevaluate my life.

Am I following my dreams?

And then he said to me, “Life is so short. Push away those that don’t matter and reach for the stars.”

Today I promise to you, that I will continue to reach for the stars especially on those tougher days. I promise to follow my own path and will look back on my choices and smile. Do not wait for anyone else to decide for you!

Today, can you promise you'll try to do the same?

Wonderful words to live by

Be very careful what you wish for – you might get it!
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. ~Buddha
Once in a while, it’s OK to eat dessert first.
Take some time to smell the flowers and enjoy the view.

Please remind me of the above words whenever I forget…thank you blogging friends.

(I took this photo in Delray Beach, Florida)

Disney ruined it for everyone!

My bedtime story would usually end…and then the prince reached out his hand, helped the princess onto the horse and they would ride off into the sunset. I can’t remember my bedtime story ever ending with…and then my prince reached for the remote, turned on the ESPN channel and he stayed sitting on the couch for hours. In this day and age, isn’t this ending more realistic?

I recently met someone at a cafe for a networking meeting. We both had a friend in common and he felt we could help each other in business. We connected over coffee and after a half an hour of chatting about work, our conversation turned personal and we compared notes on relationships, men and women, marriage and families. One of his comments has still stayed with me.

He said, “Disney ruined how women date and look for their mates. Women are still waiting for their prince on the white horse who can’t seem to find them.”

(photo from the upcoming movie Prince of Persia)

Shouldn't we be taught that relationships can be rewarding and difficult all at the same time? When I was a little girl, it never occurred to me that my Disney prince could have faults. If I wanted to be with someone exactly like me, then I should have dated myself!

Disney teaches a fairytale image to little girls. Women tend to be focused on the magical wedding day and not as much on the marriage. It’s usually takes maturity and getting your heart broken, to learn that faults in a person can be a good thing. I believe there’s a problem when you don’t love that person, warts and all.

In college, I was given the best dating advice: ask yourself if you would leave your new puppy with your guy for the weekend. If you say no, ask yourself why you’re leaving the little girl in you, with him. Leave comment and let me know if you agree. Did Disney ruin it for everyone?

Wishful Wednesday: summer blog pictures

On this Wishful Wednesday, it seems I've been traveling a lot over the last couple of weeks. So much so, when I wake up in the mornings, I have to remind myself of the city I'm in. Some of the cities I've been to are: San Francisco, Toronto, New York, Buffalo, Houston, Atlanta and Charlotte, NC. Here are some fun blog pictures, if you haven't been able to travel this summer. ~ Shhh I won't tell if you don't...

I saw this storefront walking down the street in Toronto. SO, even dogs ask each other this question? And for the record, no doggie, I think your butt looks fab in that dress.

Yes they do!

We saw this truck on our way to Fenway Park. Bostonians have pride in their city and so they should. I think Boston is a great city with great people.

How cool is this storefront. What do you think they're advertising? Purses or their blog.









This display was in a storefront in Charlotte, NC. BTW the Charlotte airport looks like a shopping mall which can be very scary if you have a long layover. Don't worry, I behaved.



Let me know by commenting below which travel blog picture is your favorite?