It was Sugar et al’s birthday this week and my blog turned 3. Such amazing 3 years and so much to look back and feel proud about. Sometimes, I feel I am not even the same person anymore. I have evolved in more than one way along with my blog. It’s like I was on a path to self-discovery all this while. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this journey with me. For stopping by, listening to me and putting a big smile on my face.
This space is not only special to me because I get to do all my favourite things here but also because the journey is synonymous with my personal journey in a totally new country. I started the blog weeks after I came to live in Australia. It’s funny now when I look at my prop cupboards and all the things I managed to own in 3 years. Can you believe it? I came with a single baking pan and a few muffin liners.
Much like all my friends in blog world, I worked really hard to improve and grow. In the process, I’ve grown more critical of my own work and need to constantly remind myself to take it easy. Putting a blog post together involves many different activities. From researching to testing out recipes, styling, photography, writing and much more. If not already evident, the bit I enjoy the most is styling and plating up food. I’ve experimented quite a bit and eventually discovered my own personal style. There is nothing in this world that is not possible with hard work and determination.I am hoping to start a series on Styling for bloggers sometime soon to share ideas and tips I’ve picked up over the years. If you have any questions related to food styling or there is something you want me talk about in particular, please feel free to leave a comment below or email me. I’ve already compiled questions that some of you have asked me on social and will try to address them to the best of my ability.
Coming to these cupcakes, these are more about the look/piping than the actual cupcakes. I have enclosed the links to the video tutorials that will help you replicate them.
I’ve made blueberry cupcakes for the base and the frosting is vanilla swiss meringue buttercream. I know, there’s no cake this time! But cake is predictable and I like unpredictability for the excitement it brings:-)
How to pipe Chysanthemum flowers.
Buttercream Flowers
WOW. Sonali, it has been a pleasure to get to know you more in this short period of time since I found you. Thanks to Coty’s magazine, I learned about you!
Talk about a journey; I too, after starting my blog 8 years ago, have evolved. Prior, I was a student and ventured into teaching which I am still doing, but blogging changed me. It helped me do even more self-discovery, and now I have even more goals to reach for in my artistic and literary pursuits. I think this phenomenon is due to the fact that when we create a blog post, we have to do concentrate on what we really want to say, gather the photos, compose, edit, present, INTERACT with the world….all that has to change a person! HAPPY BLOG ANNIVERSARY!
NOW, for these amazing cupcakes. Your artistic skills are beyond any words that come to my mind at this hour (5:00AM)! But all I can say is that your food presentations are sheer poetry. YOU MAKE ME LOOK at food in a different way, and that is what a poet does: to make us look at the world differently. When I opened your page here, I thought I was looking at freshly picked flowers. The color choices, the skillful swirls to mimic nature, the photos…oh, the photos!
You are a joy to follow. THANK YOU for this inspiration!
Anita Rivera
It has been my pleasure meeting you Anita! Your words make me smile and they also move me to tears. Thanks very much my friend. It’s lovely to ready about you and your persuits and I am sure your talent will take you to places. I had no idea you had a blog. Please do share the link, I’d LOVE to take a look:-)
I’m so glad to have found you recently Sonali! Its such an amazing journey isn’t it, doing this blogging thing? It has made me learn so much about myself. These cupcakes are just wow!!!
Yes, it is Rakhee and people like you make it worthwhile. Thanks so much lovely!
These are absolutely stunning! Happy blog birthday friend! Sending HUGE hugs for the year ahead!
Hugs back to you dear Katrina! Thanks for all your sweet comments and support:-)
Happy Anniversary, Sonali, and thank you for your wonderful recipes, and superb blog, photography. Cheers, Ardith
Thank you very much dear Ardith! Friends and people like you make blogging so SWEET for me. Much love!
Happy Blog Anniversary! Long time follower and you are just amazing and astounding in your recipes and in reading your life. Such gorgeous decorated cupcakes! Here is too many more.
Thank you dear Evelyne, one of my oldest blog friends. Your words and your friendship means a lot to me!
Wow, these are absolutely stunning!
Those petals!! So incredibly gorgeous Sonali. I totally agree that it is SO easy to be really critical of your own work, especially when you would never critique anybody else’s the same way – sometimes I see some of my own photos from a few months back and cringe, but remind myself that I am still learning and improving! Would love to see a series on food styling from you. Where do you source most of your props from?
Many other happy returns are yet to come for your gorgeous blog. Wishing Sugar et Al and you, my friend, many, many blessings. xx
Happy 3rd Birthday, Sugar et al!!!!!! I am so very glad I have caught up with this journey since last year; yours has given me inspiration and love. I am always happy after I visit this blog of yours. May your journey continue endlessly. I couldn’t have asked for a better blog to follow and a better blogger friend to talk to. You must know by now I love your blog.
Btw, I am so excited to read about your new project. Can’t wait.
xoxo
Congratulations ! Looking forward to your styling tips. Amazing cupcakes. Thanks so much for sharing.
Congrats on your blog anniversary! What a beautiful journey and may it continue to inspire you and bring you joy. These cupcakes are simply gorgeous; I much prefer them over real flowers any day.
Saw these cupcakes while pinning and drooling on Butter and Brioches’boards.I did a double take!They look like real flowers!So much patience and practice that had to take!I only discovered the food blog community a year ago.Pinterest at Christmas!Always was a foodie,but due to a long term(4years),illness was unable to do so.Am super well and follow over 300 blogs via email.Another 200+on Bloglovin!Would love to follow you!So much talent in Australia!!Thanks so much!