There are three things in this world guaranteed to make me giddy: cupcakes, gnomes and anything kawaii (cute and Japanese.) Uh, there’s no gnomes here, but the other two bases are covered by The Cute Institute’s Zazzle shop. Two kawaii cupcake designs are available on stickers, t-shirts, bags and more. (There are lots of cute, non-cupcakes designs as well.)

My friend Phil (known to most of the world as CM Punk) sent me this picture from backstage at Wrestlemana. He told me there were always nasty grocery store lookin’ cupcakes on the catering tables but today he proved it. He also proved that even big sweaty wrestlers can’t resist a sweet cupcake. But if you’re ever baking for Punk, skip the frosting. He hates it.

One of us WILL win this. Sure, the prize is just a stupid cupcake tree, but like Amy said, “Who cares if the prize is a peppermint candy from the bottom of her purse? It’s Martha.” I would cherish that peppermint.

Here’s another one for the collection. This photo was sent to me by a vegan baker in Barcelona with a note that said “thanks for the sentence!” I’m just going to pretend he’s a fan of my blog and not just of the name of my blog.

From City the NZ Cupcake Queen, the woman who gave us the “I’m rad” cupcake cross stitch, comes this super cute guns n’ cupcakes hostess apron. I guess this adds another layer of mystery to the who would win in a fight, a cupcake or a machine gun question. $20 on Etsy.

This hand embroidered tea towel is from Early Bird Special. I have several items from this shop and they’re all beautifully made. The candy and donut towels are so cute I don’t see how anyone could ever actually wipe anything on them. $15 on Etsy.

I know TBHB has been getting lots of press lately, and I’m a part of the hoard with my interview with chef/owner Michelle Garcia form last year. But they really are doing something amazing- organic bakery with a punk rock kick in the pants! Michelle only uses local, sustainable products and contributes to just about every good cause in Chicago. I was already in love after the first interview, but I recently profile Michelle for another publication and it rekindled my passion for baking, supporting women-owned business and for well, The Bleeding Heart Bakery. It’s gotten to the point where people e-mail me to say how much they enjoyed their cupcake from TBHB and I have to tell them I’m not Michelle, I’m just a huge fan and accidental PR writer. So here are some of the many beautiful cupcakes TBHB has to offer. If you’re ever in Chicago give me a call and I’ll meet you there for one!

I’m pretty sure if you’re reading a blog called All Things Cupcake right now, this image applies to you. Entitled “Thinkin’ About Cupcakes” this brooch comes from ModelCitizen.

Now brace yourself, because this hand-drawn piece of jewelry will run you three American dollars. That’s right, $3. I don’t know what you all are drinking in the morning, but I can’t even get a Cinnamon Dolce latte for $3.

Don’t fret if Etsy tells you this item is sold out (someone with amazing taste snatched it up right after I posted it) because Bonnie is making more and they’ll be in the shop soon. I’m sure she’d be happy to let you know when more are available if you send her an Etsy conversation. 

I think Target’s new business model is “put a cupcake on it, they will come.” Because it’s getting to the point where I carry cupcake-themed things around the store and then at the check out I’m like, “Do I need a cupcake eye glasses repair kit?” But, as a compulsive list maker I always need notebooks and I found this one (and the sweetest strawberry-shaped one) at Target last night. They also have ice cream sundaes, ice cream cones and double cherries on notebooks and folders.

I know Easter is tomorrow and you all have probably bought your cupcake decorations by now, but these sugars were in the dollar spot and I’ve been using them on everything. Monday they’ll probably be 50 cents. I use colored sugar in my coffee. That’s gross, right? I don’t care. Life is short, put green sugar in your coffee.

Chicago’s Circa Ceramics has asked me to try out some of their sauce bowls as cupcake containers so I’m really excited about that. I have to see if Jessie Steele can make me an apron that looks like a mad scientist’s lab coat. I might blow up my kitchen, for real.

This isn’t a new Lush product but I was reminded today by the spring sales flier that Cupcake exists and I knew exactly which group to share it with.

If you’re not yet familiar with Lush please do not tell your husbands that it was me who introduced you. Because after cupcakes, Lush products will be your new obsession. Pay no heed to the sticker shock, Lush products are handmade, all natural, all vegetarian and in many vases vegan. They smell amazing, work wonderfully and you get a lot for your money. One bubble bar lasts me at least three baths. And those baths are BUBBLY.

This particular product is a chocolate-infused cleansing mask for problem and/or oily skin. If you are not lucky enough to have a Lush store where you live (OK, Chicago, you got me there. You might snow in spring, but you have like, three places to buy Lush) you can order online. Shipping prices can be outrageous because the products are freshly made and perishable, so consider getting together with friends, placing a big order together and splitting the shipping cost.

If you’re looking for other Lush product recommendations I’ve tried almost everything. Even the $80 moisturizer, so hit me up. I’ll tell you right now everyone on Earth needs a Buffy the Backside Slayer, a Creamy Candy bubble bar and Karma Komba solid shampoo bar.

So maybe you’re not ready to commit to a cupcake tattoo, but what about a cupcake navel ring? Personally, I like cupcakes in my belly, not on them, but to each her own. The 14g pink cupcake with the red bow is $7 from Bodyartforms and the 14g cupcake and crossbones is $10 from Hot Topic.

This one’s mine, which of course, was inspired by my blog. It was done by my favorite red head, Chris Smith at Taylor Street Tattoo. He had his work cut out for him, this tattoo sits right next to an insane Tim Biedron piece from The Beyond. But I think the cupcake holds its own vs the zombie.

Then the bottom one’s on my husband Tony’s big hairy leg. It was for our anniversary, which explains why I have a hightop Nike SB Dunk on my back now. Chris Smith did that one as well.

So, I spent all night baking for the Jessie Steele booth at the Kitchen & Housewares Show and the payoff was a whole morning of wandering around the McCormick center checking out all the rad stuff coming out this season and next for your kitchen and home. (Oh, and I also saw Paula Deen and her super cute husband, Alton Brown, Billy Mays -that guy who yells in infomercials- and Tre from Top Chef.)

There was no photography allowed, of course, because it was a trade show and dealers don’t take kindly to anyone trying to steal their ideas. But I will say there is a TON of cupcake stuff coming out within the next few months. Almost every kitchen product maker is coming out with cupcake cookie jars, sugar and cream holders, spatulas, coffee mugs, you name it.

I finally got to check out a Cup-A-Cake in person and my official verdict is: it’s cool. Seriously, I shook a cupcake half to death and it was perfect when I opened the container. I’d love to pack one in Teno’s lunch when he goes to school, but he’s going to Chicago Public Schools and I’m pretty sure he’d get the snot kicked out of him for bringing a little cupcake container to school with him. But yes, if you were as curious as I was about whether or not those things are legit they are. I’ll pack one in my lunch, no one messes with me about what’s in my lunch bag.

Another exclusive I can share with you from the show is that Jessie Steele is branching out and making really beautiful aprons for gardening, crafting and hair salons. I also spotted some gardening supplies- gloves and a bag. Tony tried on a BBQ apron and he really liked it, so if you’ve been considering a camo apron for your man, my man gave it a big, tattooed thumbs up.

So that’s the word- LOTS of new cupcake stuff coming out this season, the trend, apparently, is not going away any time soon (thank Godzilla.)

Monday is my son Teno’s 2nd birthday, so we’re having a very Blue’s Clues party for him today. I marathon baked and decorated last night for that and then tonight my friend Jessica (the one who got the baking pin up on the first episode of LA Ink) is coming over to help me bake hundreds of mini cupcakes for the Jessie Steele booth for this week end’s Kitchen & Housewares Show.

I will be scoping out any cupcake-related housewares I see and sharing them with you all, of course. So I wanted to share this picture of Teno waiting for some lemon cupcakes to cool and also let you know that the Spring line of Jessie Steele aprons are now available, including the beautiful cupcake apron that I am the very proud owner of.

Ok, well I just got done Googling foot binding in hopes that I could wear these shoes myself. Apparently, it hurts a lot. So maybe these will be a birthday purchase for the niece who nicknamed me Auntie Buttcakes.

These shoes are just under $40, which might seem steep for kids shoes (although my husband insists our little dude wears Nikes so…not to me) but they’re hand painted so this is the kind of thing you’re going to hang on to after they’re no longer wearable. They also come in big kid sizes, and big girls take care of their shoes a little better than little ones.

Do you think she’d paint some stacked heels for me?

Check them out in Painted With Grace.

I live in Chicago and I see people do a lot of stupid things while driving: apply make up, eat salads, hold conference calls…

I have yet to see anyone attempt to eat a cupcake while driving, but I’m sure it’s coming. Maybe this will help curb temptation for a little while longer. I found this one on Amazon, and I’m hoping it’s available in retail stores because the shipping price is hilarious considering how big an air freshener is.

I think this is a really important discussion, you guys, and our voice as professional cupcakers is seriously underrepresented here.

Who would win in a fight between a cupcake and a machine gun?

What kind of fight is it? Is it a knife fight? Being that a cupcake’s home is the kitchen I think  a cupcake would be more familiar with a knife than a machine gun.

Is it a gun fight? Because well…obviously.

What about a war of words or an arm wrestling match? This is serious brain food, dudes- get on it! It’s Wednesday, we’re in a slump. This is exactly the kind of stimulating conversations we need to be having mid-week.

I look forward to your responses.

Dudes! It’s my first ATC post ever! I send cupcake stuff to Jess almost every day so last night she asked me to contribute and hold things down on the tattooed lady front while she moves. So for my very first post I’d like to direct your attention to this sweet cross stitching from City the NZ Cupcake Queen! Not only does it feature a cute little hand-stitched cupcake but it also features one of my top five favorite words: rad. Other favorites include: dude, gnarly, and then two cuss words I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to post here.

This piece and a bunch of other little cupcake cross stitcheries are all available on City’s Etsy shop for prices ranging from $12-30.

Support your local cupcaker!