Cake & Art Cupcakes

Gal pal raved about Cake & Art Bakery for the longest time. So the other day while in West Hollywood, I made an effort to stop by the place. There were lots of pictures of celebrities with Cake & Art cakes. I saw pictures of Britney Spear, Pamela Andersen, Betsy Johnson, and Panettiere, just to name a few.
Anyhoo, I got some and chowed into a couple immediately, chocolate and strawberry. To be honest, I got these cupcakes late in the afternoon so maybe the cake dried up slightly. I thought the cake part can be slightly more moist. However if you are a icing type of person, this is it!
I am just going to say death by icing..... Both cupcakes had wonderful rich and creamy icing on top. The cake may not be something to write home about, but the icing is another story. I was delighted to find strawberry jam inside the cake. This is the perfect time for a cup of good coffee without sugar. As much as I liked the icing, I had to take some off because there was so much I just couldn't justify putting all those creamy sugar topping in my body. Next time in the area, you have to give it a try for the icing. ~Smile......

So do you prefer more cake or more icing on a cupcake?

*Don't forget to enter giveaway here.

Valentino Rouches Napa Ruffle Hobo, Too Much of a Good Thing???

Mr. Valentino, I have a love/hate relationship with this ruffle bag. On the one hand, I adore ruffle. But, there is just so much ruffle it is distracting. My first impression when I saw the bag was oh-my-it-is-so-puffy. I admit there are lots of tissues inside but it is still all too ruffled for my taste. I can see this is a statement sculptural piece that is supposed to standout. But, I don't have the urge to hug it to me and provide a home in my closet. This bag has an inside zip and two open pockets and measures 13 1/2"H x 15"W x 8 1/2"D. You can take it home for $2595.
If I am to buy a statement ruffled piece, I would pick the Valentino Rose Vertigo for $2395 instead. What do you think?

*Don't forget to enter giveaway here.

The Cube Quiz: Where Are You in Life?

Good Morning savvy gals and guys. A friend sent this quiz to me. I took it, and found it to be rather accurate. Do not look at interpretation until you have answered all the questions.

Imagine a large white room
In that large room, imagine a cube.
Is the cube clear or does it have colors?
Is the cube floating or is it on the ground?
Is the cube small,medium,or large?
Then imagine flowers.
Where are they inside the white room?
Are there a lot or a little?
Imagine a ladder inside the white room
Where is the ladder inside the white room?
Is the ladder small,medium,or large?
Imagine a horse inside the white room
Where is the horse located at?
Name three characteristics about the horse
Imagine a thunderstorm inside the white room.
Where it is?
How big is it?


I imagine in the large white room my clear transparent cube is the size of a small dining table on the floor with lots of beautiful colorful flowers laying on top. The ladder is as tall as the ceiling of the white room leaning against the wall right next to the cube. The white horse has long beautiful mane, very serene and big, located right next to the ladder and the cube. Lastly, the storm is a really small at the far corner of the room far away from everything else.

The Quiz: "The Cube" (an entire book was written on it, but the purpose is written below)

The white room represents our lives.

Inside of this white room, there is a cube. This cube is a representation of our ego, or how we see ourselves. If your cube is small, it means that you have a small ego, you are humble. If your ego is large, it means that you might be “full of yourself”. A colored ego means that you hide who you really are from people. A white or clear cube means that you do not put a show on for others.

If the cube is on the ground, it means that you are well grounded in your views, and “down to earth”. If the cube is floating, it means that your life is unstable and unpredictable.

The flowers in the room represent your family and friends. If there are a lot of flowers in the room, it means that you prefer to be surrounded by friends and family. If the flowers are only a few, it means that you prefer only a few close friends. If your flowers are near the cube, it means that you are close to your friends. If your flowers are further away, you prefer to keep a distance between your friends.

The ladder inside the room represents your life's goals and ambition. A small ladder means that you do not have any goals, or that your goals in life are small. If your ladder is large, it means that your goals and expectations for yourself are set higher than average. If your ladder is far away from your cube, it means that right now you are not working on your goals. If your ladder is on top of your cube, it means that your goals and ambitions are controlling you.

The horse inside of the room is your spouse. The three characteristics of the horse apply to your spouse, or what you like to see in your spouse. If your horse is close to the cube, it means that you are close to your spouse. When you see a beautiful horse it shows your beautiful experience with your spouse.

The rainstorm inside of the room is life's problems. If your thunderstorm is large, it means that your life is hectic. If the thunderstorm is near another object (for instance, the horse), it means that that object is causing problems in your life. If you see small thunderstorm that means you are currently not facing too many difficulties or at least ignoring them.

Have you taken this before? After the test, do you think it is accurate?

*Don't forget to enter giveaway here.

Chanel 2005, Cream Outfit & Sweet March Giveaway

Cream has to be one of my favorite colors. It is such an easy color to wear year round. I used to avoid cream and white in the winter, but now I will wear cream and white to lightening my winter outfits.
This Chanel bag is called 2005. It was rather futuristic when I got it years ago. To be honest, I love this bag but I hate this bag too. Cream wool is not exactly the easiest material for a bag. I used it (including this time) about 5 times. This is not savvy because cost per wear is rather high.
I fondly call my Chanel 2005 "The Butt" bag. Can you tell? It is supposed to be ergonomic. A gal can sleep on it as a pillow during long flights. I can't sleep on it because I am sure cream wool won't be very forgiving. But, it is the thought that counts right.

Speaking of Chanel, the lovely and talented Fifi from Fifi Flowers has given me 2 copies of The Quotations of Coco Chanel, one to read and one to share with a blog friend. Fifi is the talent behind all the lovely illustrations. Please do visit her site for more savvy art works and postcards.

I want to share a couple illustrations and quotes with everyone......
The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good on you. (TRUE!)
Personality begins where comparison ends. (TRUE!)
I don't like standard beauty - there is no beauty without strangeness. ~ Lagerfeld
With the Chanel book, I will also add a pair of purple Marc Jacob ear studs to the giveaway. I purchased several pairs as gifts and left this to giveaway to Savvy Mode readers last. As many of you know already, purple is one of my favorite colors.
How to Win:

1. Must be a Savvy Mode follower, as this is a special thank you for your support.
2. Tell me what is your favorite color for one entry.
3. Share this giveaway to receive 2 additional entries.
4. Open to readers worldwide.
5. Entry period is from March 8, 2010 to March 18, 2010.

Good luck and have a wonderful day!

xoxo, SG

Show & Tell Friday: Fendi Peek-A-Boo, Sonia Rykiel Dress, and Homemade Cookies

Savvy Niece has show and tell at school so we shall play show and tell this lovely Friday. The other day I saw some lovely Fendi Peek-A-Boo bags here, our nice SA even let me take pictures in the boutique so I can share with my friends. Anyhoo, it is a blessing and a curse when Savvy Sis showed me her new conquest because I know I can borrow this bag but I want to buy a new bag as well. ~Smile.... Well it is a blessing because we get to trade bags. Her lovely mother-in-law got this for her. I usually hear monster-in-law stories from other gal pals, but her savvy MIL is a sweetheart. This bag is classic in silhouette and leather is so supple. Also, there is an additional short strap so a gal can wear this bag on the shoulder, tuck neatly under the arm. The bottom of the bag hits about my hip area. We thought this particular light beige/mocha well transition from spring into winter quite nicely. Although I liked the canvas material but at $1980 which is the same price as leather, I would rather have leather.
There are two spacious compartments on each side of the bag. One side has a zip pocket and the other side has a patch pocket.
Recently, Sonia Rykiel partnered with H&M to present a collection. I got a pink/fuchsia ruffle dress for savvy niece. She loved it! I saw the dress in adult size but it was not so cute on me. Besides, I don't think I should be my little niece's twin in fashion. It just does not appear very savvy to me.....
Earlier this week I was so proud of myself when I made Bouchon cookies from the mix. I don't bake well so it is big to me. Anyhoo, gal pal made these for a few of us gals from scratch. I thought she purchased these with the pretty packaging and all. It is great to be in the company of talented gals. I must say I am fortunate to surround myself with multitasking friends who are also fashion and style savvy.
So I wish everyone a great Friday. I am off to try more restaurants during this lovely OC Restaurant Week. I don't even want to step on the scale anymore. I think I might just scare me! What would you like to show and tell with us this week?

DIY Hermes Dress

A couple days ago I posted about a Hermes scarf dress I saw at the boutique? I couldn't resist checking the price. I almost gagged when I saw $2075. I guess when a person who can spend $20,000 to $100,000 annually (to qualify as a Hermes VIP at Hermes), this price will be nothing. Anyhoo, I have a few Hermes scarves sitting around so I made my own version of the dress without sewing one stitch.

I placed to 2 safety pins on each side of my shoulders to attach at the top. You can make adjustment according to your own shoulder width. Instead of sewing the 2 sides together at the bottom (see here), I wrapped the back scarf to the front and secure with a safety pin. Then, I arranged the front scarf in attractive folds, making sure front and back are the same length.
I tried sitting down and lifting my arms, the dress was pretty secure. I wore a camisole inside anyway though. It is definitely more secure to sew the two scarves together on the sides but my way is easier, at least for me.This is a super easy DIY either way. If this look grows on me, I will definitely buy a couple Hermes scarves to sew them together.

Bouchon Chocolate Chip Cookies: Death by Chocolate.....

Normally I am not a baking sort of gal because baking is so precise. Unlike cooking which I can be creative, there is just little room for I-will-just-eyeball-the-portion in baking. Anyhoo, I fell in love with Bouchon Bakery when I visited Napa a while ago and just couldn't pass the chance when I saw this chocolate cookie mix at William-Sonoma. Seriously, it's quite pricey at $18 for 6 large cookies or 12 small ones. But then, it is cheaper than flying to Napa or have cookies ship next day.
Everything is included....... I wish you can smell these chocolate chips and brown sugar, so divine and drool worthy!
I had to whip butter and sugar by hand. I almost died at the end. I know know why these cookies tasted so good. I used 1.2 stick of butter and whipped everything until the mixture became light and airy. It is not easy but a Kitchen-Aid mixer is not really required but I might just remedy this situation if I bake more.
The instruction said 6 large cookies or 12 smaller ones. I ended up making 6 3-inch cookies and 6 4-inch cookies. I guess small is really not that small uh.....
These are the 4 inches cookies. Can I just say these tasted divine warm and fresh from the oven. It is very rich but not sickening sweet which is a surprise considering the amount of brown sugar in the mixture. I can taste a little salt which I think cuts the sweet taste. I highly recommend this and if SG can bake this, anyone can......