Meh.

As a lover of blogs, I feel that I have to say something more here. I didn't want to leave all 2 of my readers in a lurch (if even you 2 are still left...) but I just haven't felt very bloggy in a while. Not sure when the feeling to blog will come back, but I thought there should be some closure.

Ok, enough 'blog as verb' usage. I think I'm stuck because part of me doesn't want to share our wedding. Our feelings and emotions that day now feel very private (even though we were surrounded by 132 of our nearest and dearest) and I have been living in my head a lot lately, feeling like I need to shield myself for some unknown reason. It feels safe here, so I think I'll stay for a while.

So, farewell internet friends. At least for now.

Kara's Cupcakes

image found here

Kara’s Cupcakes

3249 Scott Street (at Chestnut)
San Francisco, California 94123
P 415 563-CAKE (2253)
www.karascupcakes.com

First things first: the cupcakes are tasty. The cake is moist, the frosting is buttery and in generous proportion. These are better cupcakes than many out there, and you can’t go wrong with the lemon.

If I could just shut off my brain and enjoy them, I totally would. Or if magical cupcake elves dropped them at my door and I never had to step into the shop, I wouldn’t complain. However…

Kara’s was a brand new business back in 2006 (I think…) just around the corner from our apartment. I had been stalking the bright pink storefront for quite some time, just itching for it to open and love me. I had very high expectations, let me tell you. I needed a weekday cupcake fix (Chestnut Bakery only makes cupcakes on the weekend…. WHY?), and Kara’s was sure to solve all my problems.

So, B and I walked over to Blockbuster one fine evening, and while walking back, what did I see? A bright shiny and OPEN Kara’s Cupcakes. Delight! B and I were drooling. We walked in the door, proceeded to the counter, and I (somewhat embarrassingly) started rifling off all of the flavors I wanted to the person behind the counter. I got halfway through “Rasberry Dazz…” when I was cut off. The salesperson, who with the feigned accent of Heidi Montag, pronounced “WE’RE CLOSE FOR A PRIVATE PARRRRTYYYYYY!”

No “So sorry”. No apology whatsoever.

I’ll admit it, I started to get indignant. I am a stickler for customer service, and won’t tolerate being treated badly in a store. I responded, “Oh really? Says who?”

Evil Heidi spawn, “Huh?”

Me: “If you are closed, you should have a sign on the door. No one should have even let us walk through the door.”

She: “Ummmmm… OKAAAAAAAAAAAY”

So, very very dejectedly we left Kara’s cupcakes, and I cursed all the way home.

I will admit that I was lured back to Kara’s once after that (months later, after I regained some of my dignity). The buttercream siren song was just too much to bear. The ‘cakes were good, I’ll admit. But the whole time I was there, I thought of the evil spawn, and it kinda effected the whole experience, you know? Funny follow up: was recently waiting in line at Magnolia Bakery in NYC next to a woman who was going on and on about Kara’s and how fabulous they are. I looked at her, said “Eh, they’re OK. Kara is a bitch”.

Pros:
• Cake’s are good

Cons:
• Service is the worst ever.
• Parking is a nightmare

Bottom Line:

Go here only M-F. If you’re jonesing for a cupcake on the weekend, trek a few blocks down Chestnut street to the Chestnut Bakery and treat yourself to some real honest delicious bakery goodness. The people there are lovely.

Cupcakes Anonymous: Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery

401 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10014
(212) 462-2572
www.magnoliacupcakes.com

Many believe Magnolia to be the Holy Grail of cupcakes, and I mostly agree. B and I never fail to make the pilgrimage to Magnolia every time we visit (it’s not tough – they are open until 12:30 AM on the weekends!) We always buy way too many cakes, try to shove them in our carryon bags, and then eat the mashed little wounded soldiers when we get home. Still good!

The cake is tasty (if a little dense sometimes) and the buttercream frosting can’t be beat (plus there is always A LOT of frosting). The shop itself is super cute (vintage mixers and retro kitchen gadgets abound) and the neighborhood couldn’t be better. There’s even a park across the street to sit and commence the sugar shock.

Pros:
• Really excellent frosting. My favorite, by far.
• Red Velvet. Best flavor.
• Cute shop and surroundings
• Easy hours
• Featured in one of my favorite SNL Digital Shorts, Lazy Sunday (google it) SNACK ATTACK!

Cons:
• Cake sometimes dry/dense
• Lines often long
• Tourist attraction

Bottom line:

If you have the time, absolutely go there. Realize though that on the weekends you will probably stand in a line that snakes around the corner. It moves pretty fast, but it can be excruciating standing there with the smells just taunting you.

For sale!

Oh my.. such a tease

I promise I didn't forget about the cupcakes, heavens no.

This weeken has been dedicated to reclaiming my home from the gobbling wedding monster. Cleaning, Ebaying, and Craigslisting is so fun.

Katie the Lady, Cupcake Expert

I’m considering adding an official title. I have spent the past few weeks traveling around the US, and realized that somehow and someway, I always end up at these fabulous cupcake joints. So, I was thinking a series of posts was necessary to review my faves.

Of course, there are entire blogs devoted to cupcakes, so hop over for some instant gratification Cupcake Takes the Cake Blog

Why I heart Etsy. part 2.

Image from Littlekittysville's shope - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14148657

Alex P. Kitten needs this now. The kitty in the photo is practically his twin, also.

Yours for a mere $49. And would fit in with our decor so well...