I don’t know about you, but summer is flying by me at warp speed this year, its already mid-August!
This past weekend, on Saturday, August 9th, I hosted my fifth event, the New York Cake Poppers Meet-Up, in Astoria, New York! Search #NYCPMU on Instagram for pictures from the event.
We all gathered at The Astor Room, which is an amazing venue. Not only is it newly-renovated & simply gorgeous, with an amazing staff and delicious food – but it’s full of history as well! It was originally built as a commissary to a film studio that became Paramount Pictures & and major shows like Orange is the New Black and Sesame Street are filmed right next door.
Lisa (The Sweet Tooth Bar) styled and created this gorgeous (& delicious!) dessert table! Carolina (The Sugar Penguin) contributed her yummy sugar cookies, and Crystal (Lulu Popz) made the amazing mini cakes.
The swag bags were hung by their chairs with care, and super fun raffle prizes were on display, waiting to be claimed.
Karyn of Pint Sized Baker led a really good session on Food Photography. She discussed elements like photo editing and staging, and also showed us how just the slightest changes in lighting and composition can make all the difference in getting a great photo, regardless of whether you are using an phone or DSLR camera.
She also brought her camera and hooked it up to her laptop to do a mock photoshoot right there in the restaurant, demonstrating how she takes pictures for her blogs Pint Sized Baker & Dieter’s Downfall.
I did a little presentation on Social Media Do’s & Don’ts… thankfully no one snapped my picture – I’d rather be behind the camera than in front of it, haha. Most cake poppers connect through social media, that’s how these meet-ups got started after all – so this session provides the bakers with ways to build their brand to create a positive experience for their followers.
We had a fantastic panel session too! (L-R): Lisa (Goodiebites), Dee (Diva’s Delights), Karyn (Pint Sized Baker) & Noel (The Cake Poppery). I can’t remember the specific comment that gave them all the giggles, but this portion of the event was so much fun… the bakers asked some great questions, and there were really informative discussions that followed – some of the topics included how to handle large orders, charging deposits and structuring order pick-up times. Noel also shared about his publishing experiences.
To wrap up the day, Noel did a book signing of his two books – The Art of Cake Pops & Amazing Cake Pops (find them here on Amazon).
Then we had one extra special raffle prize… a KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer! Bakers posted a pic of themselves on Instagram or Facebook to enter, which resulted in some really cute (& wishful) photos – baker Al D. was the lucky winner!
Speaking of prizes… the NYCPMU Swag Bag Giveaway!!!
One lucky KC Bakes reader will win…
And inside that BRP Box Shop portfolio…
Those boxes have minds of their own, though… I turned my back for one second, and they got into the NYCPMU photobooth props made by Jenae Creates!
NYCPMU Swag Bag Goodies:
- Aardvark paper straws
- All Beauty flavored water (2)
- Bakery Charms cake pop keychain
- BRP Box Shop boxes
- Cake Play isomalt nibs
- CandiQuik melting candy (vanilla & chocolate)
- Chocolate Treasures mini pipettes
- Confetti Couture sweets kit
- Green Pan 9″ round bake pan
- Hatch gift card
- Jenetiqa skin care sample
- JJ Pops homemade caramel
- LorAnn Oils twin pack
- Pfeil & Holing sanding sugar
- Sweet Imaginations poppy stick sample
- Sweet Life Cake & Candy Supply clear vanilla
- Sweets & Treats Boutique cupcake liners
- The Glitter Shoppe sample pack
- ToGoSpa eyedews sample
PLUS – both of Noel’s books and a KC Bakes mini cake pop stand!!!
To enter the giveaway, answer this question in a blog comment:
What has been your favorite memory so far this summer?
Was it a vacation? A party? A special moment with family? Share in a comment to be entered to win!
After you leave a comment, please navigate to our Rafflecopter to verify that you commented (link below). Be sure that you are signed into Facebook and it should only take you 2 minutes to earn 24 more chances to win all of these amazing prizes!
Click here to enter —-> http://tinyurl.com/ma7zul8
Deadline to enter: Friday, August 15 @ 11:59pm EST – limited to US Residents Only
KC Bakes 
My favorite summer memory so far has got to be 4th of July when we spent the day with the family at the beach and then went back at night to watch the fireworks. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. It was even more special because my brother in law was visiting during his summer break from medical school. It was just great to have my family and my fiance’s family together enjoying quality time with no worries in the world. We also enjoyed some of my 4th of July sparkler cupcakes 🙂
A few weeks ago we spent the evening running around the yard catching lightening bugs, my husband, myself and our five and three years old children! So fun!
… my first client order of cakepops and other confections from me back in June. I’m a newbie cakepopper and the summer of 2014 will now always hold a special place in my heart because of my introduction to cakepopping. 😍
My son had a traumatic brain injury back in March and is still struggling with recovery. So I’d have to say my favorite moment this summer was when we went to one of my sons many doctor appointments (neuro-testing) and they told me he will recover even though it’s going to be a lot of time he is smart and within a year or two he’ll be almost back to his old self! We were told in the beginning he may never recover!
For me finishing my bday cake (I’m still a beginner baker). I had a vision on my mind and getting my cake to that level was amazing! I push my self and accomplished it. 🙂
My favorite memory this summer was my father coming out of the icu and coming home. Graduating college and coming back home to NY was nice but nothing beat bringing my father home! Glad everyone had fun at #NYCPMU! Wish I was there to celebrate with you beauties! Enjoy your summer!
My sons 8th graduation this summer.
I am soooooo in love I love y’all work and really wish I can meet you and learn some new things about backing
I am still excited about the NYCPMU this past weekend! I was re-energized from all of the positivity in the room! Thanks again and I am looking forward to another one in the future!
My favorite memory from this summer was booking my first fondant cake order! I started out 2 years ago, just making cupcakes, and quickly moved into cake popping. It’s been about 1 & 1/2 Years of popping and now I am able to say I’m a cake maker/decorator too!! I went from cupcakes to cake pops and and now on to full size cakes and never thought that I would reach that level being self-taught. I am in awe of my own progress and talents in all of those areas!! Truly my favorite memory of this summer!! Wish I could have made it to NYCPMU, but Nov. is on the way & #cakepopcon will surely be my favorite fall memory. 🙂
The best part of this summer… Was purchasing our new home. Kids each have their own room and I have all the room to bake in my kitchen.
My favorite this summer is the day my grandson was born.. We welcomed outer newest blessing into this world 8/8.
My favorite memories are the football combines I attended for my son who is a 2015 College Football prospect. I savored the moments knowing that this was the last year I would be spending with him doing this and excitedly knowing he has so many great things about to happen for him this year!
My favorite memory so far this summer was my niece’s baby shower. I made 60 baby cake pops with heart straws and hearts on the bonnets to match. I couldn’t believe the amount of excitement they generated and the tons of compliments I received. I was so overwhelmed and amazed at how well they turned out.
My favorite memory this summer was my daughter’s birthday party. I worked so hard on the theme, the games, the decorations and seeing all those happy four-year-olds running around the yard wearing fairy wings and pirate hats and GIANT SMILES was so rewarding!
My favorite memory of this summer so far was when my husband surprised me with tickets to Lollapalooza. It was my first time going. He arranged for our daughter to spend the weekend with her grandparents, and we got to enjoy some of our favorite music, and take in all the beauty of downtown Chicago! It was the most relaxed and carefree I have felt in months.
My favorite memory this summer has been my 9 1/2 month old learning to walk. Special times!!
My favorite memory was a road trip with my boyfriend from Philadelphia to Chicago!
My favorite summer memory so far is seeing a volcano on my honeymoon in Hawaii.
Baking pies with my 10-year old daughter. She is becoming quite the little chef! 🙂
My favorite memory so far this summer is our friends from Hawaii coming to stay with us for a few months. Great friends are hard to find so I cherish the ones we have!
My favorite memory this summer was surprising my dad for his 80th birthday. We had about 40 family and friends come from all around. I had fun making his cake with a fondant figure of him on his horse for the topper.
My favorite 2014 summer memory so far is just a random night spent with my fiancé, son, and myself. We don’t get out much, and a random Thursday night we went to do some errands, only to realize we couldn’t get them done because my drivers license had expired, oops. Instead of going home though, my guy decided to have a fun little shopping trip, and then we were headed for home, and ended up at the movies instead! Fun and last-minute, and not something we can do often, so it was just really fun and special, even though a lot would probably find it a pretty normal evening.
My favorite summer memory so far was taking my kids to the amusement park for the first time this summer to celebrate my 8-year-old’s birthday.
Definitely having time to relax for once! 🙂 It’s only a memory now LOL!
My favorite part of this summer was being able to make pops with a cross on them for my daughters christening at church. After having a very complicated pregnancy with 3 times a week monitoring. It was a BIG blessing to have reached the moment that she was big enough to do it. So I wanted to celebrate and adding that’s all touch myself made me so happy. Celebrating how healthy and perfect my baby girl was.
My favorite summer memory is the time spent exploring the Finger Lakes wine region with my honey while the kids were away at summer camp activities. Never enough “together” time when we’re home!
My favorite memory this summer definitely was baking cupcakes with my two year old niece. Watching her stir the batter, lick the spoon and then put sprinkles on the cupcakes was priceless.
The best thing I’ve done this summer was make a permanent move back to NJ from NC
SO SO sad I missed the NYCPMU I will make it to the next one though!!!!
My business transitioned really well from the move also. What would make the ultimate summer? Winning this swag bag! :))
My favorite summer memory was going to the OC Fair. I had a great time.
Going to Sleepy Hollow in Magaliesburg (South Africa) to spend the day with my family (my sister and her family, my brother and his girlfiend, my husband, daughter and myself), braaing, swimming, playing vollyball and taking a nap under the trees while the family is either swimming or talking.
My favorite part of this summer has been being able to spend time with my two year old son at home and exploring our wonderful city! Im so grateful to be able to make cakepops for people while still being home with my son everyday.
Taking my granddaughter camping
Hello My name is Ronda Hopes and my most memorable moment this summer was Yesterday! My older sisters Birthday and I Baked a Zebra Cake with my 18 year old son for our dinner party and Celebration. It was more of a party for my mother a 3 time lung cancer survivor the past 7 years. It’s been a long road and our family spend every chance we have with her because we just don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I get my love of baking from my mother and I hope to instill it into my son life. Baking brings people together with love and laughter!
Road trip with our family from CO to VA. Tons of fun.
My favorite memory this summer was meeting new friends in cake decorating classes. We have made sure we all kept going through all the classes. Found new friends for life.
My daughter turned 13 and she had her best birthday ever 🙂
Just seeing her face was the best
My favorite part of summer has been graduating from graduate school and being able to focus on making my best friend’s entire sweets table for her baby shower! 🙂
My favorite summer memory thus far has been watching my son to learn how to ride a bike.
My favorite memory of this summer is turning 30! My amazing husband spoiled me with lots of gifts and a beautiful party. 🙂 Thirty, Flirty and Fun!
My favorite summer memory is going to pembina river tubing
Best summer memory this year is when i went on a roadtrip to SF and Yosemite with just my teenage daughter. 4 whole days of mother&daughter bonding moments…priceless!!
I took a week off of work to spend with my son. We had so much fun together bowling, shopping for school supplies, going out to movies, trying different restaurants for lunch, playing video games, and laughing…a lot! I cherish every moment we get to spend together before I am no longer cool.
My favorite summer memory was our family trip to Sea World Orlando. We spent the day with Shamu, Clyde & Seymour, and riding rides. It was a wonderful day!
My favorite summer memory is actually one I’ve made since I’ve been an adult. My boys and I make a long summer bucket list on the day the school yearrts out. Then, all summer long, we cross off one item after another on our list! It’s so much fun thinking of new things to do each summer and making these memories with my kiddos while they are young. Makes me count my blessings to be able to stay home with them and have this time with them. 🙂
My favorite part of summer was taking my kids to the water park for the first time ❤️
My favorite summer memory so far is that I got engaged 2 weeks ago! Definitely a memory that will last a lifetime!
My favorite memory of the summer so far is, being accepted to Nursing school, and being told I’m going to be a grandmother again! 🙂
This summer, I made Pink Lemonade cakepops for my cousin’s daughter’s birthday party. (No one expected me to make or bring anything.) One of my favorite memories has to be watching grown men at the party who have NEVER had a cakepop before, standing around eating pink and white cakepops. It was hilarious! A few of the guys asked if I could make them for a party they are having in September. It was awesome!
My favorite experience this summer has been no traffic to get to work. But my all time favorite memory of this summer has been all the fun I’ve had at work with my Co – workers and clients. We are always much busier in the summer and plan a lot of different activities for the kiddies! ♡♡♡
My favorite summer memory so far was spending a week at a lake house with my family! Campfires,s’mores,board games,kayaking,biking swimming and anything you could think of to complete a summer happened that week!
My favorite summer memory has hands down been opening my own bakery. It is the toughest, yet most rewarding thing I have ever done.
Worked a camp with adopted kids. So much fun!
My favorite summer memory was throwing my baby sister her bridal shower. She is the first in our immediate family to have a wedding. She and her fiancé love Marilyn Monroe so I had a blast planning, cooking and baking for her shower!!! I love putting a smile on my sister’s face and heart! 🙂
That sounds like such a fun event! Favorite memory of the summer so far would be seeing the kids enjoy themselves at the beach and lake.
My favorite memory is my awesome wedding that took place on June 28th! While I would have loved baking my own wedding cake, I substituted by baking cake, cupcakes and cake pops for both of my showers!
My favorite memory was going to the beach with my family. We went to Emerald Isle and on the last night there we had a bonfire on the beach as the sun set and my small children roasted marshmallows 😊
My favorite memory so far this summer has to be our family vacation to Orlando. We celebrated many birthdays and enjoyed theme parks, but most of all I found out the sex of my baby. My hubby surprised me with a gender reveal cake by the pool at our hotel and inside had a pretty shade of blue! I look forward to meeting our baby boy this fall!
Looks like such a fun event! I think my favorite summer memory has been watching my kids enjoy their beach and lake time. They would live in the water if they could.
The best memory of this summer was going to Va and then NC for my family reunion. I almost chose not to go, but when I thought about how my father passed away in January of a sudden heart attack, I didn’t want a joyous family occasion to happen and I miss out. So on our way to NC we stopped in Va to see my BFF and her husband. They are also the God Parents to my children. Since their God Parents just purchased a house in Florida and will soon be stationed there, we wanted to spend quality time with them. A long weekend of laughter and love is just what the doctor ordered 🙂
My favorite summer memory is my dads birthday because all my family came together to celebrate and that hasn’t happened in about 5 years and haven’t seen my dad so happy specially after I made him his cake it wasnt my best work because of the heat but he loved it and smiled big 😃😄😀 my all time favorite day of all year better to say😀😊
My favorite memory this summer was my sons 4th birthday in July. Took him to the zoo in San Francisco and he had so much fun. Seeing him happy and smiling was just everything to me. He says his favorite animals were the monkeys and gorillas lol. After all the fun we went home to minion cakepops that I had made for him and also his minion cake. We really enjoyed that day:)
My favorite moment this summer was when my husband returned a lost wallet with over $600 in it and after doing some research and finding it’s rightful owner was super thankful and appreciative. He called my husband “my hero”. It was a priceless moment.
My favorite memory was having my favorite sport star sign my cap
My favorite memory of summer was when I graduated from the Art Institute in baking and pastry. Was the highlight of my summer.
Favorite memory of summer was when I graduated from the Art Institute in baking and pastry.
My favorite of the summer would be making treats for donations to great causes.. best cancer awareness (my aunt), colon cancer (I fight like a girl softball tourney)… giving back is so near and dear to my heart and seeing their faces is priceless. It makes my heart all warm♡
My favorite memory this summer so far has to be our family pool party. We had all the cousins ranging from ages 3 up to 32. We were relaxing, eating good food, listening to music, swimming while enjoying the California sun. The best part of the night was all the water fights…kids were sneaking up on the adults and soaking them!
Hanging out with the he kids and school shopping for my first kindergarten ready baby
The best thing about this summer is also one of the worst things. My entire department was laid off in July but the blessing was I get to spend so much more time with my 2 daughters baking and doing girly things I was always too tired to do.
My favorite memory although it was sad was about a cake I have worked 7 hours on I went to the bathroom real quick and in a split second my dog jumped up on the counter and ate almost half the 3 teired cake. It was sad but I learned my lesson and now I can go back and laugh at it and that’s why it’s my favorite
Swimming with dolphins
Favorite summer moments are grilling and swimming with friends and family
Taking my son to Walt Disbey world This year for the very time.
Getting ready for my sons first day of kindergarden! Shopping for his school uniform! Excited & nervous 😊
My favorite memory was seeing my 2 year go crazy over the beach/pool when we took her the first time… It may sound cheesy but she was so happy and couldn’t believe she was swimming (crawling) in the pool with all the water!!!
My favorite part of this summer was finally being able to go to cancun. So relaxing.