New Year's Eve 2009

2009 was a fabulous year for Schelle Sweets, like everything else in life we had our good & bad days, but overall it was a sweet year :)

A big thank you goes out to Marsha, Raylyn, John & Sandy at the Ontario Pension Board, because of them Schelle Sweets was off to a great start they kept me busy in Jan & Feb 2009. And as the days, weeks & months went by the following Clients kept Schelle Sweets going, and to you I say thank you for your continued support.

Arm Candy Casa ....Giselle..... Kofi

Pusateri...... J.Watts...... Patrice ........ Sandy

Lizz Dahling .......Vidal...... Jacqueline ....... Marsha

Kamshuka ......Evelyn....... Town Shoes

Kevin ......Praveer..... Body Magic Lady

Libertad..... Victoria..... Miranda

Dwight .......Judy .......Terri

Green Beanery

Schelle Sweets year was very Cosmopolitan, we did a bit of everything and was able to be a part of some fabulous Events. Let me end by saying that we will be thinking outside the box for 2010...and to all a good night and a wonderful, safe and joyous New Year, and let 2010 be your year to not just Survive, but to Live and enjoy all the great things within you and around you.

Entertain by Colour

Many of us have kick started the Holidays by either hosting parties or being invited to parties. And some of you are just fabulous when it comes to pulling together a wicked table setting, once you have pulled it all together, your Table Setting can easily be on the pages of Town & Country magazine. And your guest will feel like royalty.

Others may not be that gifted, myself included. Many of us would like to pull off a Collin Cowie table but we just can't. So I decided to speak to a few of my friends who are hard core Entertainers and these tips were given. To make life easier, yes I said easier, when it comes to the holidays and family coming together it may be wonderful, but it's not easy. I was inform, why not Entertain by Colour. And no need to go out and break the bank, use what is available to you.

Look at the Red & White Table Setting photo above it will not make it to Town & Country. But by using what you already own, that table can come alive. Christmas Tree ornaments are not made for a tree only, you can add them to your table. Jazz the table up for Christmas by adding more red pcs, you can even add a red Table Runner, tie white table napkins with a pc of red ribbon, and put on centre on plate. Take a clear Vase and add red balls to it, use that as your centre piece, I say think outside the box, and make the table setting work for you and your family.

Look at the Gold & White photo the plate etc are the same a taller flute was added, the red removed, a white ribbon was added and a gold coloured place mat, and some gold and white ornaments were added. This table can be Pimped up even more, and you and your guest are ready to celebrate and bring in the New Year. Adding some gold votive candles will add sparkle to the table, plus we all know candle light makes everything look sexier :)

My inexpensive tips hopefully they can be of use to you and if not, well I am going to try it myself. That's all for now, have yourself a sweet afternoon.

In's & Out's of 09

Schelle Sweets have been so busy I have neglected my Sweet Blog :) Hoping you are all well and your Summer was wonderful, and now that the Holiday Season is upon, I am sure like me you are busy in getting prepared. Here are a few things that we have been up to.

Kamshuka launched her website in May and Schelle Sweets made amazing Bailey's Flavoured Cupcakes, they were a big hit.

New products will be added to Schelle Sweets site for 2010, and my amazing friend / photographer Jennifer Ko was able to do my Product Photo Shoot in June. And thanks to Mary-Jo for getting me and all the cakes, cookies & cheesecakes there in one piece.

August an Event was done by Kamshuka with proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Society. And once again Schelle Sweets was a part of it, the Cake & Cake Balls were a success.


Adwoa & Fred had a beautiful wedding and Schelle Sweets was asked to make them their favourite cake, happy to relay it was a hit. And thanks to my pal Tanis and her wonderful daughter Sydney, cutting and plating the cake was a breeze

Beautiful sample boxes containing our products were hand delivered as a part of our 2009 Holiday Campaign. Feedback was wonderful, great connections were made and 2010 will be agreat year for us. Just by us doing the Holiday Campaign.

We made a lot of Bithday cakes this year, but when a Client requested a cake in the shape of a Heineken beer bottle we were not sure about being able to pull it off. Happy to inform you it was a hit :)

Another request came in for a Black Cake, and for those of you who are asking what is a black cake? Black cake and Christmas goes hand in hand in the Carribean. Trust me having a great piece of Black you will be filled with joy all holiday long. The cake contains prunes, raisins, currants, dry cherries, almond, egg, a little flour, butter, sugar, rum rum rum rum & brandy lots of it. So can you see why I say having a piece of Black cake will make you HAPPY :) and to top it off all the fruits have been soaking for approx 4 months in the rum and brandy.
So a Black cake was made for Floyd, and I was informed by his wife Jacqueline that Floyd knows about Black cake, he is a Black Cake connoisseur, well the pressure was on.

Floyd loved the cake...............loved it.

My Beautiful Project

I have been busy lately, so I decided to start off May with a project to get my creative juices flowing once again. I wanted to make a cake, trying to figure out which cake to make was difficult, I think I am 50% greyer because of it :)

I have a couple Weddings, Birthdays & Anniversaries approaching, a medley of flavours came to mind, my end result was

a beautiful but very light and moist Vanilla Cake. Started on the cake instead of baking powder, I mistakenly used baking soda, that was a hot mess to say the least.

This time I left the cake for last, and I made a delicious Brown Sugar Rum Buttercream, it was a delight to make. Once I added the butter and the whipping continued, it came together nicely, smooth and silky. I then scooped it out and placed it in a glass bowl cover it with saran wrap and popped it in the fridge.

I went on to make my Chocolate Truffle Cream Filling, I love this filling, it's not too sweet and light as a cloud.

Made my Royal Icing which I covered with a very damp towel to keep it from drying out. Second attempt at my Vanilla cake was a success, the cake cooled for about 3hrs, then I put it in the freezer for 1/2hr, that way when I start working with it, it would be a breeze.

While the cake was cooling, I took the Buttercream out of the fridge, brought it to room temperature, then re-whipped it to get that smooth texture. Time to assemble my cake, filled it with the Truffle Cream, I encased it with the Buttercream chilled it for 30mins, wrapped it with Fondant and did a design on the fondant that was made with Royal icing.

The process took a little while to complete, but the end result was great, here's to a sweet start for May 09.

Next week I will be making a Pastry Fruit Box, will let you know the outcome of that.

Style of Shopping & Eating That Benefits You and The Earth.

Years of disrespect to the Earth we are now living in an age where we have to choose wisely the products we use on both ourselves and our children.
The same goes for the food we consume on a daily basis. Commonsense tells us that what's good for the land is good for our health.

Food additives, preservatives, pesticides and petroleum based -fertilizers are just a few of the things we need to be careful of.

Weather it be a beautiful soap, lotion, a great glass of wine, fresh meat, veggies, wonderful chocolate, hand picked lavender or clothing for kids.
Today I would like to share with you Canadian companies that are making an effort to bring you great products, that you may find useful in your everyday lives.

Natural Hand-Crafted Soaps & More

www.soapstones.ca

www.simplybyamanda.com

www.rainforestorganics.ca

Home Decor, Giftware & Organic Flowers

www.imforreal.com

Distributor of Fine Organic & Natural Products

www.nealbrothersfoods.com

Organic Food Delivery in the GTA

www.cleanfoodconnection.com

Organic Wine

www.frogpondfarm.ca

Peaceful Nights

www.stoneyhollowherbaltreasures.com

Organic Kids Fashion

www.figkids.com

The Entertainers.

This piece is dedicated to Ms. N Stone aka Cosmo Girl. If she had Colin Cowie's funds she would give him a run for his money...

She is always having a Get-Together / Party at her home. She can have a Party for anything.
Birthdays, Christams, New Year's, Promotions, Movie Premier, Girls Night Out, you name it she will have a Party.

A new Coach Bag I'm surprised she does not close down her street for that...........lol
Bottom line she was born to entertain. And if you look around in your circle of friends I am sure you all have a Ms. Stone in yours.

So when I saw Mr. Cowie site I knew I had to inform her of it. She is going to have sleepless nights, let me tell you. I can only imagine what she is thinking, hummmmm this is cool, what Party can I throw using some of these ideas?

http://www.colincowie.com/article/a-celebration-of-friendship

Black Dress Find A Style & Work It

Today our economy is such a mess, no matter who we are or where we come from or how much we have or don't have, it has an effect on all of us.
If we think about it too much we will certainly loose what little sanity we have left.

We cannot stop living, we have to think positive and move forward.
Here is a savvy site that shows us, how to put together that Little Black Dress, there is a look for everyone here.

Their look is High End, we can get the similar look with budget friendly pieces, Office, Afternoon Tea, Dinner, Vacation or Running errands.
So take a look and work it ladies, work it.

http://fashiontribes.typepad.com/fashion/2009/01/1-little-black.html#

Wedding Cake Cold Sweats!!

July 2009 I will be making a Wedding Cake for a friend of mine, I am elated that she came to me to do this important job, for such an important day. I am confident that I will be able to pull it off, and the cake will be as stunning as the bride. But somewhere deep deep deep down I have moments of intrepidation, I am so confident, I can rule the world, so why am I feeling this?

I want the cake to be perfect, I want the weather to be perfect and I want the bride and guest to say "Perfect Best Tasting Cake" ever.

And then I came across one of my Fav Blogs, and here was someone who was felt a bit of what I am feeling,when she took on the task of making a Wedding Cake herself, so I was able to relax a bit...just a bit.

http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/06/project-wedding-cake-an-introduction/

When the big day arrives and ends, I will come back to you with play by play details. I will do just fine and the cake will be fabulous...

Gingerbread House Bed and Breakfast

Today the weather outside is icky, and my mind went wandering to a place I just love. Trinidad & Tobago a Cosmopolitan island beautiful beaches, wonderful people, yummy dishes and home. I call Canada home, but Trinidad will always be close to my heart, for many reasons.

I wanted to go back home for a break, and I searched online for accomodations, I came up with many Hotels , Guest Houses and Bed & Breakfast spots.

A lot of times everything onlines looks fab, but in person it's such a disappointment. Is it the Chef in my bones that made me choose the Gingerbread House....lol :)

Happy to inform you that when I pulled up to the House I was able to breathe easily, and once inside boy I was able to Exhale.

It was a dream, the room was not only clean, but huge, the bathroom was amazing. The owners exceptional Host, each day the linens were changed, each morning breakfast was served, I mean breakfast. Location was beautiful and safe and quiet.

So if ever you feel for some sun, sand, birds in the trees waft to the breeze, land of fairest beauty, Trinidad is the place to visit.

http://rentalo.com/26817/trinidadgingerbread.html

Sunday Brunch

Just say Sunday Brunch to anyone that knows me and they will automatically say Windsor Arms.
This is my fav spot in the city of Toronto for Brunch. Life is hectic for most of us, kids, husbands, jobs, our lives feels like we are on speed dial, grab a bite here a bite there.
So why not put on a dressy-casual outfit and head out to Brunch one Sunday with your husband if you can, or one of your best pals or more...some fortunate folks have more than one best friend, and go to Windsor Arms. The setting is beautiful, the food amazing, and @ $40 per person buffet, trust me...trust me I say it's worth every penny...every penny, so start saving.This is a place worth going to, and a passport is not required.
www.windsorarmshotel.com

Love this cake

A chocolate cake with a twist, I wanted this cake to be diffirent. I used a truffle filling between the layers, which is not too sweet and complements the cake. I also used the filling to frost the cake, and once that was set.
I made little meringue kisses to finish it off, and finished it off with a dusting of cocoa powder.

A simple loaf finish with a blueberry compote topping.

Pink, red, and white seem to be the colours used for Valentine's Day.
I wanted to offer my clients something diffirent.
I started off with a great cream cheese cookie dough.
I wanted a marble finish, so I tinted my fondant with a drop of black food colour.

This cake was made for my son Mason 3rd birthday. I decided to experiment with it. All my products I put my all into them, but let me tell you this cake was a job all on it's own, I should of been paid for this effort :) The cake was due April 1st...seriously, Mason was born April 1st. Production started on March 31st, trust me it was a production. Cake layers were baked and cooling, then I started on the Citrus Curd, I was unable to move from the stove, I had to stand there and stir, and stir and stir and stir did I say STIR? the curd finally thickened, finallyyyy.
Pour it into a glass bowl, with saran wrap on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, stuck it into the fridge to cool and firm up. Now to the Cream, took some blackberries I had in the freezer, boiled it on the stove till I got the reduction I wanted. Once that was done, I passed it through a sieve to get rid of the seeds. That was set aside to cool, in the meantime I started to whip the whipping cream. The texture I wanted was achieved and I took the balckberry reduction and folded it into the whipped cream.
Classic vanilla buttrecream was made, the time has come to put the cake together.

To the assembly line we go, lol...took the first cake layer and spread the curd on it, put it in the freezer to set, once that was achieved, I then spread the Blackberry Cream on top of the curd, took the next cake layer and set it on top, finished the cake with the buttercream, Mason said he wanted dots on the cake, so dots he got.
The day of his birthday cake was cut and let me tell you it was delicious, fabulous,
cake was nice and moist, and the combination of curd and cream was a hit...yea yea yea yea. But hear this, after all that time, effort and work, Mason did not even want any cake, all he was interested in was blowing out his candle. Three days later he had a tiny bite of his cake, yes it was still tasty and moist..

April 19 is my Birthday...I wonder who will be making my cake? hummmmmmmm

The best Macaroon in the world are made by Pierre Hermes, well that is my opinion, you may not agree. Ten plus years of baking, I have come to realise, that the fewer ingredients a receipe calls for, the harder it is to make.

I first made the Passion Fruit Filling.

Then took on the task of making my Macaroons.

Followed the receipe to a T, carefully spooned the batter into my pastry bag, and away I went. I treated these macaroon like a new born baby " with such tenderness and care" there was no popping it into the oven, it was placed gently, and the door was closed with such ease.

After 20mins I removed my baby..I mean the macaroons from the oven, and whalahhhhhh. Of course they do not come close to the perfect Hermes little jewels, but I was still proud of my first try.

These Shortbread Cookies were so cute, that the client I made them for, found it so hard to eat the little duckies.

M said they are soooo cute we don't want to bite them.

She did not want to eat them, but her guest had no problem biting into them...lol

Schelle Sweets?????????????

Forgive me soon I will get the hang of Blogging. I came back to take a look and realise that some may not know much about Schelle Sweets.
I should be relaxing, but let me school you then I will go back and relax.

Where did the name come from?
My name is Michelle.
And years ago my grandmother Ada went to the island Seychelle which lies between the east coast of Africa in the western Indian Ocean.
My grandmother passed away, before I started my company.
When the time came to start the company I knew exactly what I wanted to do, naming the company I went through a lot of names, it's like naming your child.
The name has to be a strong and something you can live with.
Gran came to mind and the island Seychelle, I had my "aha moment"
Michelle - Seychelle .. I played around with the letters in both names.


BAMMMMM....Schelle Sweets was born.
The love of myself and the love of my grandmother.


What does the company make?
We make from scratch, and I mean from scratch, nothing is pulled from the freezer, or scooped from pails.
All our cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cheesecakes, brownies, are made to order using organic ingredients.
There are NO preservatives in our products, if you cannot pronounce it, you should not eat it.
The ingredients in my products a two year old child can pronounce :)


You can find some of our products @:

Pusateri on Avenue Road

We are working on having Schelle Sweets at some other Retail spots.
Will keep you informed regarding that.

Rain Rain Go Away!

I was up late lastnight baking and packaging Samples I had to take to a business meeting today. I am smart & ambitious and trying to juggle marriage, motherhood and friendships. Yes friendships, without my friends, I would go BONKERS.

And still today folks think, that ''SAHM'' aka stay at home mothers life is a breeze. Yes it was a choice made by us, and yes some days are an ocean breeze, but others days, you are so busy, you say to yourself, it's 5pm already..wow.

Had about 3hrs sleep, which is criminal...lol..for those that know me, understands why it is a crime, I love sleep, or is it, that sleep lovesss me?

I'm up dress and ready to head to my meeting @ Holt Renfrew check the weather, and low and below, it's raining cats, dogs and I think sheep too.

I'm a jeans & t-shirt kind of gal, but days like today, I'm looking hot as hot can be, in my dress pants, beautiful top and sexy till you drop shoes, and make-up on point.
Now how do I get to my meeting looking great and not like a wet fowl, let me tell you it was a doozy.


Happy to report meeting went well, so now the waiting game begins.

Now it's off to meeting number two, I got to this meeting, looking a hot mess, let me repeat it, a hot mess.
There were no cabs or buses to take, I had to walk. With umbrella in hand I walked, and walked. And my umbrella fell apart, and my bag fell into a puddle, wha wha wha wha. And remember my sexy shoes, not so sexy now..
So now I am at Sage Cafe, meeting Yvonne of Hey Do You. What a quaint little spot and the food was really good. Meeting her was wonderful, she had a lot of info that as a Small Business owner will come in handy.

Yvonne made a statement that will stay with me for life. Of course we all want to look good all the times, and we would like to have a great Louis Vitton Bag, a well made dress by Valentino, and shoes from Manola.
But hello hello, some of us cannot have them, and I am not going to go out and Rent, yes I did say Rent a designer bag for a week, give me a nutcracker break.

Forget all the brands and think of yourself first, what do I mean by that?
You are a Brand, I am a Brand, we are our own Brands. Sure we are not a Designer brand, and some people may not care for us. You know your worth and you are Priceless.
It's Friday and I am off to relax, so have a good one.

Finally I am here!

As a mother, wife and up and coming successful entrepreneur, my life has been hectic to say the least.
I am trying to be a fantastic mother and get my son Mason prepared for Princeton University....lol. I laugh because he just turned three yesterday. Hey why not dream big, because that is how I roll, I dream big and I dream in colour.
Some dream of shoes, bags, clothing, vacations I dream of cakes and cookies and how I can make them a tad more yummylicious, is that a word? anyway...and adding a twist to all my treats.
Why is that you may ask? Let me inform you at this time. I have two great sons, you hear so much about mothers & daughters. And not much about mothers & sons. And when you do hear about mothers & sons, it comes down to them being mummy's boy. Daniel my first son who is 19yr is an amazing young-man, and treats me with respect, because I in turn always did respect him from day one.
I am not in the mind set, I am the parent and you do as I say else! I am not into that. I parent the way my grandmother raised me, communicating, boundaries, laughter, manners, please and thank you, trust and listening.
So I truly believe that is why Daniel has grown into a wonderful human.
And then is the second son Mason, who is 3yr, I know, I think I was smoking and drinking to have a 16yr age diffirence with my sons........lol...but guess what? I don't smoke, drink socially.
After the birth of Mason, I wanted to be able to stay at home with him, so Schelle Sweets was born. I have been baking for over ten years, but Schelle Sweets became official as of May 2007.
I have been working for years out side the home, but nothing has made me more happier, than having my own company, and doing what I love.
Remember I told you earlier I dream in colour, Schelle Sweets is the reason why.
S