How To Make A Puppy Cake

If you'd like squeals of delight from your little animal-lover on on their birthday, make a puppy cake, just like the two cute puppies that I made for my daughter's 6th birthday! These cakes are inspired by the dog cakes from Breadtop bakeries, but I decided to make them myself using my own flavours (and much more within my budget!). Read on for all the tips and tricks...

Bondville Charity Auction: pretty your kitchen with Australian design

This one's for you, Mum. Pretty up your kitchen with these gorgeous goodies up for auction in the Bondville Charity Auction. All proceeds go to the Children's Cancer Institute Australia and most items offer free shipping! I love the Dandi 8-seater tablecloth and matching napkins, valued at $205.95. Add a little silver and you've got your Christmas table setting sorted, and then use it again and again throughout the year.

• 8 seater tablecloth from Dandi: RRP: $109.95
• 8 x Napkins from Dandi: RRP: $96.00
• Girt By Sea tea towel from Yardage Design: RRP: $22.00
• Nana Huchy They Got Married tea towel from Steph Bond-Hutkin: RRP: $24.50
• Nana Huchy Mother and child aprons from Steph Bond-Hutkin: RRP: $66.30
• Nana Huchy oven mit and pot holder from Steph Bond-Hutkin: RRP: $22.30
• Thea & Sami linen tea towel from Princes Pier: RRP: $25.00
• Vintage tea cup candle from Just Like Martha: RRP: $25.00

BID NOW!

The first of the flannel flowers, whale rock and a sponge cake

What a gorgeous weekend; I hope you had a fantastic time. A big happy birthday to my Dad who turned 70 yesterday - we can't wait to have a family celebration in two weeks.

Yesterday some friends came over for a hike in the Lane Cove National Park behind our house. We made it to Whale Rock (can you see the face?), and we found the first of the wild flannel flowers (I got a bit over-excited), and lots of raucous nesting cockatoos. Then home for a BBQ and my first attempt at a sponge cake for our friend's birthday. Here are some happy snaps...

We also spent a lovely morning on Saturday at the Hawkesbury Harvest Farmers and Fine Food Markets at the Castle Hill Showgrounds on Saturday. It's a great market (not too big, not too small) with a lovely atmosphere and of course lots of fresh produce. We picked up some beautiful spelt bread loaves, fresh yoghurt, antipasto mix, and some greens. Although the highlight was probably bumping into a dog show, also at the showgrounds. It was a real life Best In Show! Brilliant! These people are serious about their dogs; and their dogs' hairspray. 

Did you get out and about? I've been sharing lots of pics on Instagram (sbond) and Twitter. If you'd like to follow along, let me know you are a reader. I'd love to find out more about you too.

Images: Steph Bond-Hutkin | Bondville

Butterfly cupcakes trend and Mother's Day wishes

Happy happy Mother's Day to all you 12,000 wonderful Mums out there reading this post. Yes, that's you! Our work is an amazing legacy, and gift to the world. I hope you all enjoy your day with your families (and with them in your thoughts if you aren't together). And to our own Mums too - thank you for inspiration, and endless love.


Remember to take a break today, even if it's just a cup of tea and something sweet to remind you of the sweet things in your lives. This is a delicious lamington butterfly cupcake that my littlest and I made together. Just a few left now from the dozen, and we'll scoff them for morning tea.

Don't you just love the butterfly cupcake, with it's fresh whipped cream, maybe covering a dollop of jam, and those sweet wings perched on top? Do you remember them growing up? Quite different from today's sugary sweet frosting smothered mini cakes. These be-winged cakes were the only cupcakes that we knew and we adored them. I'm calling a trend - the comeback of the butterfly cupcake! (you read it here first...)

Happy Mother's Day!


Steph
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Image: Steph Bond-Hutkin