Gluten-Free!!

Just a heads up: We will have gluten-free cookies at the shop this week! We've been working on just the right recipe(s) and will start Wednesday selling our Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip cookie. We are also getting gluten-free wraps so that more people can enjoy our healthy E.A.T.S. options. We are re-working our peanut sauce (no more soy in it) so that the Botanical wrap can be gluten-free, along with the Cleveland and the Flad...

Gluten-free cupcakes will be here before you know it. I'll take a picture of the cookies tomorrow and post. Tell all those you know who are gluten-free that SweetArt wants to feed them too!

grace & peace,

Reine

We're Baaaaacckkk!

We are back from vacation... where we went to Washington D.C. (Georgetown Cupcakes, Cake Love, Sticky Fingers Bakery, Red Velvet Cupcakery) and New York Ci-taayy (Magnolia Bakery, Billy's Bakeshop, Crumbs, Cake Man Raven, Sweet Melissa's, Amy's Bread) ...and, obviously, ate.

And ate.

And ate.

Hence the diet I'm on for 21 days starting yesterday. Do you know how hard that is?...in this shop?! Painful.

And while eating at all the places that are famous, that have been on Martha Stewart, that sell 2,000-3,000 cupcakes a day, etc, etc...I've come to this conclusion: We kick ass...and I mean that in the most humblest way, of course.

I'm so proud of what we do at SweetArt. We stand with the best of them, and we can't wait 'til more of St. Louis (and every where else) knows.

Our Southern Red Velvet cake and the Golden Vanilla and Lemon Sunshine cakes have been improved since our return. Come try them out and see for yourself.

Though we ate at many places, the best part of the get-away was eating...with my babies. It was so much fun to wake up late (8:30a.m.-woo-hoo!) and go out and stay out all... day... long. Momma (that's me) didn't have to sneak off in the dark of early morning. Nor did I wash one dish--not one. That's. Huge.

Our favorite place actually was not a cupcake place or bakeshop. It was Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington D.C. where the music is loud, the fries are hot, and the shakes are thick. My babies were so elated at Ben's and forever memories were made.

We are glad to be back and we hope to see you all very soon.

grace & peace,

reine

The first man I wanted to marry...

...was Michael Jackson. True. I remember buying buttons with his face on them when I was 6-years old and my family lived in Los Angeles. Vendors lined the streets selling precious momentos and I could never have enough of them. My tiny torso was crowded with his image. He was perfection...and I never thought anyone could make me feel the way Michael Jackson made me feel.

Fast forward 25 years or so...where we now live in a world who's stalking nature with celebrities and "Celibrity" makes my stomach turn. The magazines and televisions shows devoted just to "catching" the stars living life are mindless. I just told Cbabi that it has to be crazy to open your front door and have people standing on the sidewalk waiting to take your picture. That's crazy! I think the world--that world--broke Michael Jackson's heart. How could it not?

If anything, Michael Jackson's passing woke me up. I didn't know him, but he reminded me of someone who needed to be loved. I know that feeling. Since starting this business (this life, really), I've had relationships crumble. Real stinkers. As I complained about these relationships to a wise woman, she asked me, "Are your children happy? You and your husband okay? Yes? Sweetheart, that's all that matters, you hear me."

Some people can drain you of your joy, of your ability to love yourself. They can make you question the perfection that God has blessed you with. They can break you down; they can make you miserable, but you still have them in your life because you still want them to like you, love you. They aren't worthy of you. No one is worthy of your time and energy and love if they don't make you feel good to be around them. Let them go.

I know this entry is not about food, but sometimes other things need to be said. Be so protective of your happiness and peace of mind. Be so protective of your family and what brings you joy. Don't allow other people who will probably never be happy with themselves to break your heart.

May Michael Jackson rest gently and joyfully...finally.

grace & peace,

reine

Who knew Vegan could taste so good?

Yesterday (Tuesday) and today we had out Vegan Fudge Brownies (I know, an oxymoron for sure!) and Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Let me say this: Those Vegan Brownies were so good I kept eating them claiming I was testing for food freshness--whatever that is! Baking is a science, but Vegan Baking takes a whole 'nother part of the science brain. I will definitely make some for Friday and Saturday this week. Let me know what you think if you happen to try them. Keep in mind they're Vegan, so I don't want to hear some, "I like the regular ones better..." The regular ones have butter and eggs in them, wise guy:)

grace & peace,

Reine

the babies grow...

My youngest, B.Soul, had a birthday recently, and I was just looking at the difference in cupcakes from last year to this year. Cookie Monster (which he still loves) from last year, and the Letter Cupcakes (cause he's learning his letters and spelling his name--genuis, I know!) from this year's birthday.

B.Soul, you are perfect in every way--even when you're whining:) Happy Birthday, baby.

love,

momma

the neglected tarte noire

Few know that I lived in France for a while in college. While there, I gained weight. I'm just kiddin'--I should have, though, with all the deliciousness I ate.

Today, in my attempt to create an ode to France, I made a Tarte Noire. It's simple, elegant and refined in a very good way.

Who's eaten this delightful delectable, you ask?

Not. One. Customer.

Aaarghhh!

This thing is so, freakin' good! It's like eating a truffle at room temperature. ..it's so smoothe on your tongue you forget you have one! It melts in your whole head.

But, alas...

I'll make this one again because someone, somewhere, will appreciate my Ode to Lyon, France.

A bientot, mes amis

reine

They're delicious!

A close-up of our Saturday special, the Shenandoah: Mixed Mushroom and Red Bell Pepper Panini with house-made basil-spinach pesto. We're thinking of making this one a regular feature.

And a picture of the Asparagus-Brie Panini bite for the catering gig on Friday. Held in my hands...which are looking more and more like my mother's (again, a whole 'notha post).

grace & peace,

reine