What a gift!

Ok, maybe most of you already have one, but I didn't and I am in love with it. And yes, I got it for Christmas and I am soooo late with this news... come on is the end of January... am I late or what?

Well here is a picture of my beauty...

Here is another picture...


Yeah, it's a Kitchen Aid Artisan 5-qt

Isn't it beautiful, jajaja. Some people splurge in big things, expensive things and sometimes in meaningful things... but for me this is a great gift. Not only because it was in my "wanted" list for a while now, but it is a gift I can put to good use for a very long time.

In my early days of baking I used to mix with a whisk or wooden spoon, then upgraded to an electric hand mixer, but this is another league. It makes me feel like if I was cheating to my beloved hand mixer.

The Artisan makes baking feel like a smooth ride in the park. I recommend it to all of you out there that have been wanted to invest in a stand mixer and have no idea where to go to... this is a very good option and it comes in several colors... hey it's a great machine and you can find one in you favorite color too, you can't beat that!

I wanted mines in red, because it's a great color to make someone feel alive. Go for it and choose your color!

Here is a link to JcPenny, where my stand mixer was purchased at: JcPenny Artisan Stand Mixer

How Everything Started

While growing up I remember my moms baking. She would do cakes and cupcakes, but I also remember my dads confections. He loved to bake corn bread and also made other sweets like coconut candy (with different techniques to make it more interesting every time).

But, during some time, they baked less often and it wasn't until I had my girls that I went back to the recipes and made some of my own.

Fantasy Cupcakes was born with an event I was asked to participate in, made truffles, cookies and other sweets to sponsor a group of girls in our local church, they are called the "Princesitas del Rey"; which means ("Gods Princesses"). It's a group of little girls that receive a christian education.

This are some of the cookies I made for that event:

That's when I was challenged to make some of my creations for others to see and taste. Have to admit I got very excited. Normally only the family and friends are the ones to taste peoples food, this time I was taking a new step that could change my life, and it did, it still does. I am more inspired, more creative, and love it all the way.

While searching for a name to be known by I found flickr and got so inspired by all the artists and professionals. After seeing all that great work I noticed how much could be done with cupcakes, cakes, cookies and other pastries... I was so fascinated and hungry to learn more that I went right ahead and took some decorating classes. Still have lots to learn, and that's why I am here to learn and share with all of you out there. That the sky is the limit.

It doesn't end there, because a while after all these events I saw Martha Stewart in her week of cupcakes and was happy to know Bakerella, she is truly a teacher. It was great for me to see that some people are inspired to teach others and she also has a blog of her own.

(Some of my creations inspired by Bakerella)

Introducing myself!

Hi there, a little about me!

My name is Wanda Santiago and I live in Florida. This is the best time of the year to say that I love the weather, since it's so cold almost everywhere else.

I am a cancer survivor, was diagnosed in 2004 and have two little girls plus my loving husband. Have to say that these have been the best years of my life, I have learned how to live and enjoy life. Trully enjoy life. And this is some proof of that!

After starting to bake with my kids I have fallen in love with cupcakes, cakes, pastries and everythig sweet. Having my family and friends do the tasting for me they convinced me to try and move forward, so I went on and took some decorating classes and well they still gain weight by doing the tasting jajaja, clever ha!

During the decorating classes I noticed how creative people really are (me too) and wish to improve my skills. Wish you can stay tune and join the jorney with me. I'll keep you posted along the way of all the sweets and decorations I come up with. Thanks for joining me and keep blogging.