Where in the World is Michele Moore-Diego?

Wow, can you believe it's already October? Where did September go? And more importantly, where did my posting go? Oh yeah, between cake decorating lessons, work kicking my butt and a semi-thriving social life, the month got away from me.

I'm through with course 1 of my cake decorating class. Below are the outcomes of 2 of the three cakes I made (the last one Stephen cut into before I could take a picture.) Here are some important lessons I learned:

1) Icing a cake is the bane of my existence. Seriously, mad props to professional decorators for the amazing work you do. It blows my mind how you ensure that no chocolate cake peeks through the frosting - I will master that one day (I hope)

2) Icing roses (what's supposed to be a very difficult task) is actually easier for me than drawing little sweet peas. How in God's green earth can I make roses but not 3 lines to form a sweet pea?

3) What goes into frosting is disgusting. I mean, it tastes delicious, but the ingredients used gross me out (and clean up afterward is even worse)

4) Cursive style vowels are just about as hard as icing a cake properly. I will eventually master this as well. Until then... at least it tastes good.

Week 2 - Cake #1 - Lettering is off-center, but so proud of what I did for the border!

Week 3 - my shell border looks great, but the swirl flowers turned out amazing - the frosting job wasn't so bad either.

Oh Can-a-da

Stephen and I are heading to Canada this weekend. I'm embarrassed to tell you the one thing that we're absolutely doing while we're there, but I'm excited.

It's been a very long, busy summer with work and I'm looking forward to spending a few days out of town and exploring another country. It will be a nice way to cap off summer and welcome fall.

Expanding Waistlines

I started my cake decorating classes tonight and I imagine that my (or Stephen's at the very least) waistline will be expanding rapidly. You see, each week I will be baking a cake, crumb coating it (you learn something new every day) and taking it to class to decorate.

Each week.

For 16 weeks.

I'm hoping this knee heals up pretty quickly so I can balance the ying and yang in my life.

Things I learned in my first class:
*Crumb coating - the layer of frosting you put over a cake to set the crumbs so you can properly frost the cake.
*Real Frosting - how to make real frosting that can be used to decorate cakes. I won't gross you out with the contents since it's the gross stuff that makes it taste SO good.
*Proper cutting - apparently there is a right way to cut a round cake. I, apparently, have not been doing things the right way.

I'll post pictures each week of my cake so you can see the (hopeful) progression from crummy artist to something at least presentable which people will pay money for.

Coutoure Craziness

I spent Monday sick at home and was lucky enough to catch the fabulousness that is the Rachel Zoe project.

I'm by no means fashionista, but I'm definitely a girl who appreciates the finer things in life, which is exactly what Zoe brings. Watching this show makes me wish I could be part of the scene, even for a millisecond. The shoes, the clothes, the drama... oh my! It's so fantastic.

Here's a great write-up of the show

So if you're ever home sick for a day, take a minute to watch this show. If you're someone who loves the fashion world, you'll love this show.

Running Update

It's been a while since I talked about my marathon training, and there's a reason: I fudged the knee again and every time I go for a run my knee starts screaming at mile two.

But there is hope (although no hope for the White Rock in December): I went to the doctor today and I have Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (aka Runners knee.) It basically means that all the muscles surrounding my knee aren't as strong as they need to be for my knee to function properly.

So I'm banned from running for a bit, and allowed to return once I strengthen the leg muscles surrounding my knee. Hopefully I can heal quickly and get back out on the road.

Breaking Up = Hard

I hate breakups. They're hard, bitter, and even though you tell your ex you wish them the best, you secretly hope something bad happens. That's what happened to me today. When I got dumped.

Yep, you read it right. I got dumped.

"It's not you, it's me." "You're really terrific, but I'm just not feeling it anymore and it's time to make a change."

And don't freak out. I'm not talking about Stephen. I'm talking about my client.

A client gave us the pink slip yesterday, after a long term relationship and I'm a ball of mixed emotions - relief, grief and guilt. I feel l could have done more, been just a little bit better. That maybe if I had given 111% instead of 110, that things would have been different.

But you know that's not the case. It never is. I'm just going to have to wish them the best and look ahead.

Happy Birthday to Me

30. Come and gone. Just.Like.That.

I've been 30 for 2 weeks now. I haven't had a chance to enjoy it. I haven't had a chance to reflect on it. write about it. revel in it. I've been busy.

So here it is. My celebration of turning 30.

The party was great, the guests even better. A few photos of the event.

Jason and his lovely date
The wonderful MSU girls
The Analogers, along with JP.
The Fab Four, Boston editionThe greatest man ever.

The bubbly Stephen bought us for a proper celebration on the b-day.